The Common Christian Idol

Why Christians who leave the faith were never there in the first place.

I hate this Christian Idol. The logic goes like this: “If God is all good, life should be good. Since bad things happen to good people, God is either evil or doesn't exist.” In modern churches, sinners are promised benefits and a wonderful plan by God to become Christians. The rationalization is God is only love and friendly. This sets up an assumption that man is basically good. He needs just a little guidance and effort to be acceptable to God. The expectation is since God is all friendly toward sinful man, He never gets angry, He is not really Holy, and He will not Judge sin. Just excuse it. No big deal. This sets people up for a fall. This is why 70% of Christian children give up on the faith.

I came across an article "When the Christian faith doesn't work for you" Here is a quote from it: "Those who become Christians because they were told it would fix their marriages, only to find themselves in divorce court, might well give up on Christianity."

Since the idea of God being evil is too frightening, people pretend God does not exist, and another Atheistic hater of God is born. Jesus promised us tribulations, temptations, and persecutions. He said the world will hate us as it hated Him. He said the world hated Him because He exposed the works of the world as evil. The servant is not greater than his master. Do you expose the evil works of the world too? The Bible says Woe to him whom all men speak well of.

Read Foxe's book of Martyrs and explain the wonderful or pleasant plan God had for their lives. Travel back in time and preach, "God has a wonderful plan for your lives" to the employees in the twin towers on 9/10/2001. Could you preach the same message to prisoners awaiting to be torn apart by starving animals for entertainment of Roman citizens? Go to the Middle East today and preach this message to those who are about to be decapitated or crucified, and to the women who watch their husbands and sons killed and then are forced to be sex slaves. This is precisely why using the "God-shaped hole in your heart..." message can very easily be lost on the lost.

The good thing is, the more their sin is exposed, the more their conscience bothers them. The Bible puts it this way; A victorious Christian is like the smell of death to a sinner, but, a beautiful scent like a beautiful spring day to a fellow Christian. Jesus did not come for the good people, but for those who are sick with sin. Use the ten commandments to help them be humble before God, and to break their hearts. Remind them Judgement Day is coming. Jesus will punish sin where ever He finds it. Bring them to the cross where they can lay their sins down and confess their love for sin and hatred for Righteousness and ask for forgiveness. Lead them to change their mind about sin (repentance) and to seek the forgiveness and kindness of God by faith until they are born from above. So do not expect peace with the world, or peace with unbelieving friends or family. As you live in freedom from the world's pattern of thinking, and live in the freedom of Righteousness, the more you expose their sin. They won't like that.

In Christian love and concern for your soul, I urge you to examine yourself; like Jesus, does the world hate you or are you friendly with the world? The Bible says friendship with the world is enmity towards God. Are the commands of God a heavy burden to bear, or are they freeing and pleasant? Read 1 John and measure yourself to see if you are truly born again and a follower of Jesus. If you find you are not, that is good news! You can repent, and seek God's forgiveness and redemption! God came to Earth to offer Himself as a final and perfect sin offering for enemies of God. Through Jesus' sacrifice we are redeemed to God and have peace with Him. Jesus cautioned in the day of judgement, many people would claim to know Him. But Jesus will say..."away! I never knew you". Mat 7:21-23. A humble and contrite heart will not be refused by God. We pass this short life once. 10 out of 10 people die. We can be CERTAIN we will escape God's Righteous judgement with our names written in the book of life. The question is: Who are you serving? The true God of the Bible, or an idol under the guise of Christianity?