Drive-Through Salvation & Spiritual Fast Food?

 

Apostasy in the Church?

Drive-Through Salvation & Spiritual Fast Food

“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, PRESTO and 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.”

This 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? I know it is by those who have very good intentions. They say that the sinner’s prayer is a prayer a person prays to God when they whether they understand that they are a sinner or not. They presumably understand they are in need of a Savior and want to go to heaven. But saying a sinner’s prayer will not accomplish anything on its own.

The Bible does not record anyone praying a standardized “sinner’s prayer” formula such as the one commonly used today. What it does record repeatedly is people recognizing their sin or need, calling upon God/Christ in faith, and receiving salvation. Here are the clearest examples:

(1). The tax collector — Luke 18:13–14. This is probably the closest biblical example to what Christians today call a sinner’s prayer. “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” Jesus then says. “I tell you, this man went down to his house justified.” Luke 18:14). The elements are remarkably clear:

• He recognizes his sinful condition.
• He does not claim righteousness.
• He appeals to God’s mercy.
• Jesus says he was justified.
• This is perhaps the strongest biblical example of a brief prayer associated directly with justification.

(2). The thief on the cross — Luke 23:39–43. The repentant thief says to Jesus, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus responds, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43).

There is no elaborate prayer, baptism, church membership, or opportunity to perform good works. There is recognition, repentance, faith in Jesus, request, salvation. Jesus Himself gives the assurance of salvation.

(3). The publican’s cry for mercy. (Luke 18:13). This deserves special emphasis because Jesus contrasts him with the self-righteous Pharisee.

The Pharisee essentially prays, Look at how good I am. The tax collector prays, “God, be merciful to me, the sinner!” And Jesus says the tax collector went home justified. The contrast is essentially self-righteousness vs. repentance and dependence upon God’s mercy.

(4). The people at Pentecost. Acts 2:37–41). After Peter preaches Christ crucified and risen, the people are “pierced to the heart”. and ask, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter answers, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2:38). About 3,000 respond. Notice that Luke doesn’t record a particular sinner’s prayer. Instead, he records hearing the gospel, then he experiences conviction, asks what to do, repents in faith, identifies with Christ, and receives salvation.

(5). Paul (also known as Saul). (Acts 9:3–18), encounters the risen Christ and asks, “Who are you, Lord?” Jesus answers, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” Saul subsequently spends three days fasting and praying.

Ananias later tells him to “Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16). Saul’s conversion involved a profound encounter with Christ, repentance, faith, prayer, and subsequent baptism.

(6). Cornelius. (Acts 10). Cornelius is described as “a devout man who feared God”. (Acts 10:2). He is praying when God sends an angel to him.

Peter subsequently preaches the gospel, culminating in “everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:43).

The Holy Spirit then falls upon those hearing Peter’s message.
Again, there isn’t a recorded sinner’s prayer, but there is prayer, seeking God, hearing the gospel, believing Christ, receiving forgiveness, and being filled by the Spirit.

(7). The Philippian jailer. (Acts 16:25–34). After the earthquake, the jailer asks Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.” (Acts 16:31). Paul and Silas then speak the word of the Lord to him and his household. The jailer subsequently responds by believing, caring for Paul and Silas, washing their wounds, and being baptized. This is one of the clearest New Testament salvation accounts. Interestingly, Paul does not tell him to pray a sinner’s prayer. He tells him to believe in Jesus.

(8). The blind man. (John 9:35–38). Jesus asks him, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” The man responds. “Lord, I believe.” And he worships Jesus.

While this passage isn’t specifically presented as a conversion formula, it gives another very simple picture of hearing leads to believing, which leads to a confession of faith and worship.

(9). What about Romans 10:9–13? This is probably the passage most often connected with the modern “sinner’s prayer”. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9). And Paul continues, saying, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13). That is extremely important. Paul connects calling upon the Lord with salvation. But notice what he doesn’t say: “If you repeat this particular prayer, you will be saved.” Rather, the prayer is an expression of genuine faith in Christ. Paul’s emphasis is to believe in your heart, confess Jesus as Lord, call upon Him, and be saved.

So, did people in the Bible pray a “sinner’s prayer”? Yes, in substance, but not as a standardized formula. The important theological point is that the prayer itself does not save the person. Christ saves the person.
Prayer is one way a person may express genuine repentance and faith in Christ.

That’s why I would distinguish between these two statements:

“I prayed the sinner’s prayer, therefore I’m saved”, versus “I turned to Christ in repentance and faith, calling upon Him for salvation.” The second statement much more closely reflects the biblical evidence. In fact, the New Testament’s emphasis is remarkably consistent:

“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”(Acts 16:31).

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13).

“Whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ( John 3:16).

So if by “sinner’s prayer” we mean a prayer in which a sinner genuinely turns to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, trusting Him for salvation, there are several biblical examples. If we mean a particular prescribed prayer that someone must repeat in order to be saved, the Bible gives no such prayer. A true sinner’s prayer only represents what a person knows, understands, and believes about their sinfulness and need for salvation.

So I ask again, 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 which could be a good thing. But the Bible seems to consider this as a more serious matter and addresses it a bit differently.

The Bible and Jesus say there must be a commitment to follow Jesus, His teachings and His commandments. It takes commitment, discipline and endurance. Perhaps, if you start with a simple prayer you will come to realize the commitment’s at a later time and then really have to decide if you can truly follow Him.

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 and what you had been as person, and followed Him – or not.

I ask, has Jesus changed His mind about how we are to follow Him and become a Christian since His earthly ministry? Of course not. Then, why are so many pastors and churches serving up “DRIVE-THROUGH SALVATION” & “SPIRITUAL FAST FOOD”? It is just ‘a first step’?

What does the Bible say? What does ‘righteousness based on faith’ say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:8-10).

It seems to say that “belief” precedes “confession”! To be fair, most people who say ‘the sinner’s prayer’ are sincere in this newfound “faith” to some degree, but – and hear this – aren’t they actually are putting their faith in the person leading them in that kind of prayer?  Aren’t they are trusting that the person leading them is doing it the right way? It is most likely have not put their trust and belief in Jesus at that point – they have put their faith in a person and in a prayer that is fabricated and not an act of spontaneous faith. Scary though, isn’t it? It is probable that this person has not had the time to discover the commitment and the cost of following Jesus.

I reference Romans 10 but it is not the only place scriptures explains and admonishes that faith precedes confession:

Acts 16:31 – “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Mark 16:16 – “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Why does this matter? It matters for your eternity if you have misplaced your faith. It matters for your daily experience as a believer. If your ‘salvation’ is a ‘head experience only’ (a false confession resulting in an imaginary walk with an imaginary god).

WHAT ARE THE PRACTICAL DAY-TO-DAY EFFECTS?

Just like what a consistent diet of super-processed fast foods can do to your health, (higher risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cognitive decline, and mental health disorders due to high salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and low fiber and nutrients. It can also raise blood pressure, cause rapid blood sugar spikes, and contribute to weight gain and poor gut health), the same can be said about a consistent spiritual diet of – spiritual fast foods”.

LOSS OF UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST (THE CHURCH)

There was a day when people in church would, at some point, be convicted of sins in their lives and almost spontaneously rush to the altar in a church to confess and repent of their sins. (It was quite the sight). There was a day when, during corporate prayer in church, people would humble themselves and drop to their knees or bow at the chair where they were sitting and pray fervently and tearfully.

There was a time when people called their Church (their local Body of Christ believers) as “my Church Family”, because it was as close to family as you could get and not be related by marriage or by birth!

There was a day when you looked forward to ‘going to Church’ to be fed the Word of God, to be with your Church Family, and to feel loved, welcomed, and included.

Today, however I privately hear people in church say they feel alone in the crowd. Today people might ‘sway with the worship music’ or even jump up and down wave their hands gleefully in the air as the flashing lights and pulsating sounds of a ‘worship band’ stir emotions, fabricating an emotional high they sometimes call ‘the movement of the spirit’. But is it? Or is it the production of adrenaline to some really great religious tunes? And what is wrong with that anyway? Right? Nothing is wrong with that as long as you realize and admit what you are really experiencing.

LOSS OF THE SENSE OF PURPOSE AND CALL OF GOD ON YOUR LIFE

You see, the Bible shows and tells us that the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives include the operation of spiritual gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, and miracles, which serve to edify the church and demonstrate God’s power. These manifestations are intended for the common good and can be seen in acts of service, prophetic insights, and transformative experiences among believers.

Manifestations of the Holy Spirit can also be seen in acts of Service. Believers may feel compelled to serve others, reflecting God’s love and compassion. Prophetic Insights: Individuals may receive messages from God that guide or encourage others. Healing and Miracles are Instances where individuals experience physical or emotional healing attributed to divine intervention. Community Impact where the collective experience of believers coming together to worship, pray, and support one another, often resulting in spiritual growth and unity.

All works of the Holy Spirit ultimately point back to God’s majesty. As Jesus taught, the Holy Spirit will glorify Him (John 16:14). The Spirit’s gifts, miracles, and transformations of character are meant to direct hearts to the worship of the Creator, rather than to human achievement.

Manifestations of the Spirit are not meant for personal gain or attention. The Bible makes it clear that they are “given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). This includes strengthening faith, promoting unity, and equipping believers to serve and love one another more effectively.

Visible instances of God’s power can attract the attention of those outside the faith, offering an unmistakable testimony that God is living, active, and loves humankind. Acts 2:4 records how about three thousand souls were added on the day of Pentecost, partly due to the powerful witness of the Holy Spirit’s work.

These manifestations are intended for the common good, enhancing the faith of the community and showcasing God’s active presence in the world.

So, do you think I am overstating the problem?

LOSS OF IDENTITY WITH AND IN JESUS

Then think on this: George Barna Research shows that America is experiencing a significant decline in traditional church participation and institutional religious commitment. The decline cannot simply be equated with a decline in all spiritual interest, belief in Jesus, or desire for spiritual growth, but points to multiple factors rather than one single cause. Among the factors it has identified over the years are:

• Changing generational attitudes toward organized religion;
• Declining identification with institutional Christianity;
• Perceptions of church involvement in politics;
• Church scandals and failures;
• Dissatisfaction with “church as usual”;
• Changing concepts of church membership (often perceived as manipulative);
• Alternative forms of Christian content and spiritual engagement;
• Cultural secularization; and
• People distinguishing faith in Jesus from participation in a particular congregation.

One particularly relevant finding is that Barna found 48% of self-identified Christians and 45% of practicing Christians agreeing that people they know are tired of (the twenty-first century) “church as usual.”
And Baana Research isn’t the only “Watchman on the Wall”. Pew Research, Gallup, and BibleGateway are among the many reporting this falling away from the faith of the Bible.

IT AIN’T EASY

So, what are we to do and what are we to be? For the ‘everyday Christian’, we are to become a disciple of Jesus. So, what would that mean and what would that look like? Well, let me begin by saying there is nothing easy about what I have just said and what I recommend. But a good start would be first to learn to identify and become thoroughly familiar with metaphors, parables and similes and then read the New Testament Books of Matthew and John, no matter how long you have been a Christian or how long you have been in church. And read them at their face value, being careful to identify and understand the relationships of the metaphors, parables, and similes contained in them. Then go and do exactly as Jesus has done, obeying His every teaching and command as best you can. (I can hear the M.Divs and P.H.D.s grumbling already).

BUT IT IS WORTH IT

Go with the understanding that ‘you are simply a vessel of God (i.e., His Spirit dwells within you, guiding, convicting, teaching, leading, and completing His Works) for He is the Creator, the Initiator, The One doing His Good Works through you. Recognize, to the best of your ability, that you are simply His fully devoted, completely surrendered, and submitted servant. (Like I said, nothing easy here.  But this is exactly what His first disciples did). And I will promise you this:

1. You will make mistakes.
2. You will be ridiculed and mocked. (Matthew 5:11)
3. You will be gossiped about and insulted. (Matthew 5:11)
4. People will even say evil things about you. (Matthew 5:11)
5. You will be excluded from certain ‘churchy events’, and some religious circles will exclude you – even in your own church body.
6. You will inherit the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3)
7. You will be comforted by God, Himself. (Matthew 5:4)
8. You will inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
9. You will be satisfied. (Matthew 5:6)
10. You will receive God’s mercy. (Matthew 5:7)
11. Your heart will be made pure. (Matthew 5:8)
12. You will be called the son or daughter of God. (Matthew 5:9)
13. You will become a peacemaker. (Matthew 5:9)
14. You will be blessed by God. (Matthew 5:3-11)
15. You will be rewarded by God. (Matthew 5:12)
16. You will have become the salt of the earth and a light that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:11)
17. You will see things that others only wish to see.
18. You will never be the same – to the glory of God!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young.

I will continue in this series relating to certain false teachings and practices accepted in the Church today that are unbiblical and good for nothing except to be tossed out to be trampled on under the feet of others.