CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – Drive-Through Salvation & Spiritual Fast Food?

CHRISTIAN ETHOS IN ACTION – Drive-Through Salvation & Spiritual Fast Food?

Have you ever heard the following before?

“Please, bow your heads and close your eyes and repeat this prayer after me. “Heavenly Father, I know that I am a sinner. I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins. I do now receive him as my Lord and personal Savior. I promise to serve you to the best of my ability. Please save me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“For all who prayed this prayer, CONGRATULATIONS! You are NOW, a child of God!! (Congregational applause) Please pick up some literature after our service. It will tell you what to do next.”

It is called, “The Sinner’s Prayer”. But, is It Biblical? And, is it enough to save a person’s soul and get them into heaven? Is the ‘sinners prayer’ biblical?

Is it enough, to utter a scripted prayer, and expect a magical transformation of your life and a free pass to heaven?

Perhaps this little mimicked prayer, almost like an incantation, will get a person thinking about salvation, but, the Bible seems to consider this a more serious matter and addresses it a bit differently.

The Bible and Jesus say there has to be a commitment to follow Jesus in His teachings and His commandments. It takes commitment, discipline and endurance.

The facts are that neither Jesus nor His disciples ever used a “sinner’s prayer” to induce people to follow Jesus.

And, neither Jesus nor His disciples minced their words on this important matter. They just gave it straight and then you either dropped what you were doing, what you had been, and followed Him – or not.

What are we to do? Has Jesus changed His mind about how we are to follow Him and become a Christian? Of course not. Then, why are so many pastors and churches serving up “DRIVE-THROUGH SALVATION” & “SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD”?

Furthermore (and more importantly), the Apostle Paul, in 1^st Corinthians 9:25, addresses salvation and the endurance it requires. He uses a metaphor of an athlete, and he says that every athlete exercises self-control in all things. Those athletes do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we, as Christians receive an imperishable wreath.

He also says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1).

I dare say that the vast majority of Christians in our world today are like a runner who, when the starter’s gun sounds, they simply stand up at the starting line, prance about  admiring their runner’s garb, chatting with other entrants about the aspects of running a race, but never running the race – while the ‘true runners’ disappear down the track.

This is actually a serious matter, and it would seem, from the condition of the church and of our world, that an inertia, a malaise has settled over the Church. We are , so to speak, ‘prancing about, admiring our garb, but not ‘entering the race’, the mission of Christ. And, we are standing on dangerous grounds.

I believe, to start with, it is time we ask ourselves, WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD?

I will cite six reasons Jesus said He came into this world, which give us six examples to follow. And they are not simply suggestions:

1. TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH

John 18:37 “Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this purpose, I have been born, and for this I have come into the world: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”  

2. TO BRING A SWORD

Matthew 10:34, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Verse 35, For I came to TURN A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; verse 36, and A PERSON’S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.”

3. TO FULFILL THE LAW

Matthew 5:17 “Do not presume that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law and the Prophets.”  

4. TO CALL SINNERS

Mark 2:17 “And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, “It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 

5. TO SAVE THE WORLD

John 12:47 “If anyone hears My teachings and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.”

6. TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH

Luke 12:49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! Verse 50,  But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Verse 51, Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather to create division;  “

 “WHAT HE REALLY MEANT?”

Jesus has told us, in John 14:12, “Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father. Verse 13. And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. Verse 14. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”

I have heard so many preachers, bible teachers and detractors alike, try to justify or explain away these Words of Jesus because they just cannot fathom the gentle and sweet ‘dashboard Jesus’ saying such things as we find in the verses cited.  These same confused preachers really get tied in a knot over John 14:12.  They will begin their commentary of teaching it with, “what this really means is…”.

Jesus said what He meant and meant exactly what He said.  He is our model for our counter cultural resistance to the growing global threat of Communist-Marxist-Globalism, And we need to get on with it.

Jesus’ time on earth was spent fulfilling the purpose, and will of His Father (Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:39). Jesus was on a singular mission (John 6 :38) and nothing would stand in the way of accomplishing that mission: “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Jesus had a divine appointment with a cruel Roman cross. Read what He said when Peter proposed to get in the way of His mission:

Matthew 16:21- 23, “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day. Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

We do not literally have an appointment with a crucifixion, but, the Bible is  clear in Galatians 5:24, that “Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” and again in Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul reminds us that, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” which must be true for all who follow Jesus because we are on mission with Jesus. Our ‘old self’ must die so our new selves can follow and serve Him.

Jesus always, taught the Will of His Father, then, demonstrated what He taught. He expects us to do the same. Ephesians, chapter six, gives us a clear teaching and picture of the type of preparation and the kind of resolve we are to assume.

Ephesians 6:10-17, tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Stand, i. e. continue safe and sound, stand unharmed: Acts 26:22.

Stand ready or prepared: Ephesians 6:14. One who does not hesitate, does not waver, of one who vanquishes his adversaries and holds the ground, also of one who in the midst of the fight holds his position against the foe, to persist, continue, persevere: (so as not to fall from thy faith).

Jesus’ example of steadfast, unmovable courage; this is our example and our command to do the same:

CONFRONTING THE STORM

Mark 4:35-41, “On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

CONFRONTING DEMONS

Luke 8:26-33 “Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs. Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.” For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert. And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion”; for many demons had entered him. They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into the abyss.

“Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter the swine. And He gave them permission. And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.”

CONFRONTING GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

John 19:8-12  ”Therefore when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid; and he entered into the Praetorium again and said to Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So, Pilate said to Him, “You do not speak to me? Do You not know that I have authority to release You, and I have authority to crucify You?” Jesus answered, “You would have no authority over Me, unless it had been given you from above; for this reason, he who delivered Me to you has the greater sin.” As a result of this Pilate made efforts to release Him, but the Jews cried out saying, “If you release this Man, you are no friend of Caesar; everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar.”

BEFORE THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT

Matthew 24:57-67, “Those who had seized Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter was following Him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and entered in, and sat down with the officers to see the outcome.

“Now the chief priests and the whole Council kept trying to obtain false testimony against Jesus, so that they might put Him to death. They did not find any, even though many false witnesses came forward. But later on two came forward, 61 and said, “This man stated, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and to rebuild it in three days.’” The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You not answer? What is it that these men are testifying against You?”  But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.”  Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Then the high priest tore his robes and said, “He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy;  what do you think?” They answered, “He deserves death!” Then they spat in His face and beat Him with their fists; and others slapped Him.”  

Jesus did not draw back.  (He proceeded boldly to the Cross and secured our salvation!) We must not draw back. Jesus has all authority in heaven  and on the earth and is with us until the end!

Remember, Jesus came to earth for these stated reasons – and these same reasons are our method and our calling:

TO TESTIFY TO THE TRUTH. We are to testify to the truth!

The Truth is a Person. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” When confronted with evil, lies, perversion or deception, we are to testify to the Truth – that is Jesus.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14.

Examples of what your response could be:

On Homosexuality: “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)

“We know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, the sexually immoral, men or women who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine.” 1 Timothy 1:8-10

On Transgenderism: “God makes no distinction when it comes to salvation whether you are Jew or Greek, slave nor free, male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus (see Galatians 3:28), but, God says, “A woman shall not wear a man’s garment, nor shall a man put on a woman’s cloak, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God.” (Deuteronomy 22:5).

On Abortion: “God created us in his own image”. (Genesis 1:7) “Children are a gift of the Lord; The fruit of the womb is a reward. (Psalm 127:3-4). “You shall not murder.” Exodus 20:13.

On Teaching children homosexuality, transgenderism, critical race theory, sexual perversions: “It would be better if a millstone were hung around the neck of someone and they were cast into the sea than that they should cause one of these little ones to sin. (Luke 17:2).

TO BRING A SWORD. We are to bring the sword of the Word of God!

It is critical that you know the Word of God. It is the “Sword”, the Word of God, that will enable you to fight this battle. It is the full armor of God that will protect you as you engage the adversary. (This takes work, discipline and endurance. For the capable, anything less is laziness, sloth and disobedience to God.

 TO FULFILL THE LAW. We are to fulfill the same law!

TO CALL SINNERS. We are to call out sin and to call sinners to Christ Jesus!

TO SAVE THE WORLD through Jesus. In a very real sense, this, too, is our calling, by lifting the Name of Jesus, telling others and leading them to Him

TO CAST FIRE & BRING DIVISION UPON THE EARTH. This, too, is our calling! The Word of God is a stumbling block to those who do not believe, dividing A  MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW; (Matthew 10:35-36)

Dear Brothers and Sisters, read, understand and follow the example set by Jesus in His thought, speech, action and behavior. We are not relieved of our ‘new spiritual nature’ to ’turn the other cheek’, and to give to those who would take from you and to the one who begs from you. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (see Matthew 5:38-48). At the same time, in balance, we are not to shrink back, for the Lord takes no pleasure in those who shrink back. (see Hebrews 10:38-39). We are to stand tall and stand firm in the face of evil.

This is not hyperbole, nor is it philosophy nor metaphor. Now is the time to gird ourselves up with the full armor of God and follow our Lord, the King of Kings into battle.

Once again, please remember the distinction: Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places and must be fought with Spiritual Armament.

Someone once wisely said, “Lead, follow or get out of the way”. (Thomas Paine, Lee Iacocca, or George S. Patton. And, depending on which one of these might have said it, it carries a different message.)

Jesus said similarly, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”  We are called on an earthly mission and to an eternal destiny. You will either lead, follow or be left behind.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young