Tag Archive | casual Christianity

Casual Christianity…

Aug19

Those of us who are Christians in America have a tendency to be very casual about our faith. The reason is, I believe, because it doesn’t cost us much. Our claim to being a Christian for many is evidenced by our church attendance (sporadic though it may be), and that’s about it. And for way too many of us that has been about all that is required to back up our claims of faith. Or so it’s been until the last several years.

For example, ever since the death of Charlie Kirk, there has been a stirring. More and more public figures have become quite outspoken about their faith in God as was evidenced in Charlie’s funeral service. His life and death influenced a reigniting of the Christian faith in America. Charlie’s faith was so much more than a casual faith.

And personally, I believe, the TV show, The Chosen, has played a part in this resurgence as well. For Jesus is presented in a way that more people feel they can relate to. They see Jesus’s humanity highlighted alongside his divinity. In a way they have never seen before. That’s not something that can be taken in and absorbed with just a casual glance.

And on the other side of the world, we are seeing the numbers of believers increasing. In spite of increased persecution. To follow Christ for persecuted Christians can mean expulsion from your family? Or loss of their means of income, or loss of their home. Families and neighbors turn against them when it is discovered they are believers in Christ. Their own families become their enemy. And in some cases they and children must flee for their lives. Sometimes they have to leave their homes and go to a safe house in another country. A casual faith doesn’t have what it takes to endure under such circumstances.

In America it is no longer popular to be a Christian. While we are not suffering persecution at this point, we are experiencing increasing discrimination. Which leads us to reconsider the cost of following Christ. And I say that is a good thing. Why? For when it starts costing us something to be a follower of Christ, we will soon learn its true value. And we will discover casual Christianity to be severely insufficient in battling the spiritual forces at war with us today.

Casual Christianity?

Nov5

Ever since World War II, there has been a steady decline in Christianity. In the 1960’s there was social upheaval, the sexual revolution, and a questioning of institutions. That fueled a greater withdrawal. And the steady decline continued.

In the meantime, our claim of being a Christian nation slowly faded. Sadly, it was accepted that we just weren’t what we use to be. We settled for a casual attitude in displaying our faith. It became much more acceptable to lower our aim. Living a committed Christian life wasn’t necessary anymore. Gradually, attending church or reading our Bibles grew less important. Life just got in the way and left little room to include a sincere faith walk with God. But have we stopped to consider the repercussions of such a choice?

A whole list of Pandora’s box lifestyles have emerged: same sex marriage, abortion, transgenderism, hyper individualism, rebellious and disrespectful behavior towards parents or any authority figure, cohabitation as opposed to marriage, and so much more.(btw, Ever read 2 Timothy 3:2-4?)

So I would ask, is the price we paid to have the freedom (or should I say license) to do what we wanted to do without the inconvenience of having someone speak against it given us the happiness we were seeking? Apparently not! For Psychology Today reports that Americans are not a very happy group of people.

But someone was happy about all of this. The enemy’s gloating laughter echoes throughout the country, in homes, in churches, in our schools, our places of business, the halls of government. Yet take heart my dear readers, for his seemingly incessant attacks can be thwarted. His glee can be diminished. How? By the power of God within us! Read on!

When we return to the realization that we need God. That we need to spend time with Him in prayer and His word. That’s the core weapon that we have access to. The mighty weapon that can tear down the strongholds of human reasoning and destroy false assumptions of the enemy’s fiery darts. And leaning into the Truth that God within us is greater than the enemy in the world. By remembering that God hasn’t given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a strong mind. And by fearlessly planting our feet of faith into whatever situation we find ourselves. By unashamedly proclaiming who we are in Christ. (Like I’m thrilled to be witnessing in the public arena these recent days.) By focusing on the mighty works of God in creation and in history, proving He can do anything. Starting by bringing individuals back to their senses.

Now is the time to draw upon the power of His might as is referred to in Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.” Only God’s strength can successfully stand against the spiritual forces that entice and manipulate us to be casual about our faith.