Daily Devotions: Christless Christianity

I’ve just started reading a new book called “Christless Christianity,” which was written by Michael Horton. The author explores American Christianity and expresses his concern about where it is headed. Both conservative and liberal Christians come under Michael’s scrutiny, and he bewails the fact that both camps are more into spiritual coaching rather than spiritual conversion. The dilemma that Horton raises is this: are we more into preaching and hearing messages that are about humanity improved, or Christ crucified?

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

I think he has hit the nail on the head and pounded it through the Cross. When was the last time we heard a sermon about the blood of Christ? How many modern churches are comfortable with having no cross in their sanctuary? How many American Christians look to Jesus as a life improving spiritual coach, rather than the blood soaked redeemer of the world? We would rather be frequently taught Christian principles to get us out of debt, instead of being weekly reminded of the debt that was paid for our sins.

I don’t think the First Christians would recognize what passes for Christianity today. I am not even sure if they would be willing to die for what we believe in. We cast them aside as if they were unsophisticated simpletons, instead of the courageous martyrs who confronted Roman society as they established their faith.

We want everyone to like us and so we allow the world to shape our faith. It’s gets to the point where we are no different from those with no beliefs and our Christianity is shallow, shameless, and superficial. We have trouble keeping our faith alive and are troubled by our doubts. If we were transplanted back to the First Christian century, our current belief system would never have survived into a second century.

If you take Christ out of Christianity, you are left with I-anity, which is about right. We put ourselves, our culture, and our misconstrued beliefs first and foremost to satisfy our lifestyle. Rather than styling our lives on Jesus and proclaiming what He did way back then, we promote ourselves and the here and now. It’s all about us – it’s not about Jesus.

This book is a wake up call for the whole Church, no matter on which side of the theological divide we stand. The blood of Christ improves our lives, by cleansing our souls and removing our sins. You cannot find that in a self-improvement book. It only comes through grace.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, we are all guilty of following our own paths and asking You to be right behind us. Remind us that we are meant to be following You. Help us to recommit and rededicate our lives to You today. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

Church in a State

I am very disappointed and greatly concerned over some Christians who are letting their fears and anxieties about next week’s election extinguish their rationality and diminish their faith. The demonizing of the candidates on both sides has revealed the ugliness of prejudice and the great amount of ignorance that still persists in the hearts and minds of our people. I am ashamed that Christian people, who should know better, are allowing the devil to prey on their fears and overturn their faith so quickly.

Romans 13:6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing.

I’ve read some alarming emails and blogs from Christians on both sides of the political realm, who are absolutely hostile to the other camp. Their hatred is spewed out venomously and in doing so, they actually deny their faith. Isn’t Jesus who said love your enemies? Wasn’t it Paul who wrote that the authorities are God’s servants?

Perhaps the day after the election, on November 5, we should all get down on our knees and ask God to forgive us for being so spiteful, unrelenting, and unchristian. We represent Christ all of the time, if we call ourselves Christians, so when we diabolically demonize our opponents, we are not only guilty of slanderous gossip and character assassination, we are letting ourselves becomes the pawns of Satan. That’s something that we should never allow to happen, no matter how passionate we feel about our politics.

It will be part of my Christian duty to pray each day for the new President, whether or not I voted for him. As a Presbyterian, I firmly believe in predestination, so whoever the people choose, God has already decided that person will lead our nation. And no matter what policies the next President tries to push through or accomplish, my duty is still the same: I will pray for him as God’s chosen servant. I may disagree with politics and politicians, but I try never to disagree with God’s choices.

Perhaps this devotional has angered you. Maybe you feel as if you’ve been rebuked. If so, then look into your heart and ask yourself this question: have I allowed my political passion to override my faith?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes You must despair about how Your Church expresses its political views. Remind us that we are called to be peacemakers and servants, encouragers and disciples, citizens of heaven, as well as earth. Keep us from being hateful, proud, and alarmist. Remind us that God is always in control. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

US based Company, Blue Q, in 'Jesus' cosmetic row

From BBC News

A leading retailer in Singapore has withdrawn a cosmetics range with a Jesus theme after complaints from local Roman Catholics, local media report.
The range, named Lookin' Good for Jesus, was on sale at three Topshop outlets in the Asian city state.

Catholics complained the cosmetics' marketing was disrespectful, full of sexual innuendo and trivialised Christianity.
About 15% of Singapore's 4.4 million population is Christian.

The products included a "Virtuous vanilla" lip balm and a "Get Tight with Christ" hand and body cream, featuring a picture of Christ flanked by two adoring women.

"Why would anyone use religious figures to promote vanity products? It's very disrespectful and distasteful," the Straits Times newspaper quoted accountant Grace Ong, 24, as saying.

A spokesman for the Wing Tai company, which runs Topshop's outlets in Singapore, told the newspaper it did not want to offend its customers, and withdrew the products last month.

It was not clear whether other shops were still selling the range, which is produced by the US-based company, Blue Q.

Huckabee hunts for Evangelicals and gets their vote

Those Iowan evangelicals : Who voted for Huckabee and why.

By Ted Olsen, Christianity Today

The analysis you've probably read this morning or heard last night was that Mike Huckabee won the Republican caucuses in Iowa because of evangelicals. The WashingtonPost.com headline right now: "Evangelicals Fuel Huckabee in Caucuses." You probably also heard a lot of references to Pat Robertson's second-place Iowa win in 1988.

"Evangelical Republicans in Iowa chose one of their own in Mike Huckabee," writes Liz Sidoti of the Associated Press. "He made his religious beliefs and his rock-solid opposition to abortion, gay marriage and gun control central parts of his campaign — and it paid off."

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Taking Back the U.S. for Christ

February conference in Oregon aims high.
Source: www.ReligionAndSpirituality.com

The "2008 Restore America, Know the Truth, Change the Culture" conference will take place Feb. 22-23 at Rolling Hills Community Church in Tualatin, Ore., a few miles south of Portland. The conference is designed to show how Christians can restore their historical American culture.
Georgene Rice with KPDQ-FM will be Master of Ceremonies. Speakers include former lesbian activist and magazine editor Charlene Cothran, former Muslim terrorist Kamal Saleem, syndicated columnist Starr Parker, Terri Schiavo's attorney David Gibbs III, historian Marshall Foster, movie makers Jonathan and Debra Flora and WorldNetDaily.com Vice President David Kupelian.

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