Placebo Religion

Tom (my senior pastor) is currently working through a sermon series on the book of Hebrews. I believe this book has some very important things to say to our current culture.

I am troubled at the form of Christianity that so many of our churches and pastors practice and preach. It seems to me that way too often we are fed and we participate in a placebo religion. A religion that allows us to be self-satisfied and self-content. Our form of Christianity leads to lives that don’t look any different than the lives of non-Christians, simply because they are not any different. Anything in Christianity that challenges our way of life is watered down, or compromised so that it will not fringe on our way of life. This is why so many mainline denominations have downgraded the position of Christ to simply being a good teacher, a moral person. I also think this is why mainline denominations are struggling. Deep down, we know we want, desire, crave and even need a promise of transformation. There is a part of us deep down that needs that promise, and another part that shows it’s ugly head more often that enjoys life under our authority.

Dallas Willard, one of my favorite authors, puts it this way, “Generally, what I find is that the ordinary people who come to church are basically running their lives on their own, utilizing ‘the arm of their natural abilities to negotiate their way. They believe there is a God and they need to check in with him. But they don’t have any sense that he is an active agent in their lives. As a result, they don’t become disciples of Jesus. The consume his merits and the services of the church . . . Discipleship is no essential part of Christianity today.” (as quoted in the latest issue of Christianity Today)

Hebrews chapter 2 sounds a wake up call!! The author writes, “We must pay more careful attention . . . so that we do not drift away.” He goes on to say this, “If the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?”

Paul puts it this way in the letter to the Ephesians, “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Be careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Making the most of every opportunity! Who do you want to become? What do you want your life to count for?

Willard writes in The Spirit of the Disciplines, “Why is it that we look upon salvation as a moment that began our religious life instead of the daily life we receive from God?” In the Divine Conspiracy he writes, “God has yet to bless anyone except where they actually are, and if we faithlessly discard situation after situation, moment after moment, as not being ‘right’, we will simply have no place to receive his kingdom into our life. For those situations and moments are our life.”

Paul writes, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation!”