That Christianity is too safe.
You hear a message of how to get saved. You like the idea of that. Being rescued. Being made to feel safe. Being made to feel cosy. Being made to feel comfortable. You like the thought of being served and having your needs met. You like the thought that in as much as the worship is about Him, it’s more about what He can do for you. It’s about all those scrapes He can get you out of, all in a bid for you to have your most comfortable and cosy life now. You like hearing Him promise you rest for your soul and you enjoy quoting how He will supply every one of your needs according to His riches in glory. All of that sounds really … nice. You like how they keep telling you that He’s your bread when you’re hungry, water when you’re thirsty, your lawyer in a courtroom, your teacher in the classroom. You love that. You love how people invite you to give money in return for a multiplied blessing which you believe means more money for you. Because now that you’re saved that should mean that you are safe and everything you care about is safe with you. You don’t have to impose that on anyone else. You don’t have to make anyone feel uncomfortable if they choose to believe something else. You don’t have to offend anyone because of your beliefs. You say your prayers from time to time. You pick up the good book now and then for all the blessings meant for you. If it means you have to show up to a building once a week and pay lip service to the way things go on, you’ll gladly do it, because you’re safe and that’s all that matters.
Your Christianity is too safe.
It bears little relation to men and women who were driven out of their homes, hurled abuse, ostracised from communities, separated from their loved ones, beaten, ridiculed and killed because they treasure following Jesus above everything else. It bears little relation to men and women who are selflessly looking out for the needs of others content with whatever God gives them whether little or much but far more keen to be of service to their brothers and sisters in the faith. It bears little relation to men and women who, because they have placed their treasures in heavenly places are keen to practise godliness in their relationship with others – showing mercy, compassion, forgiveness and humility even to their opponents. It bears little relation to the men and women who see discipleship as following Jesus into the mess of people’s lives to be light among them through their acts of kindness, empathy and warmth. It bears little relation to the men and women who see the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus as something that would see them know Him in his suffering, that sees them carry their cross daily to follow Him, that sees them forsake what appears important and noteworthy in the eyes of others to be faithfully obedient to Him. It bears little relation to men and women who are profoundly and deeply committed to pursuing the Kingdom of God and His righteousness even when it leads them to unorthodox and unpopular stances.
Of course it bears little relation to that.
Is your safe Christianity even Christianity at all?
(Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 
Loved your post. Loved your approach and challenge.
Pastor Martyn Lloyd-Jones, M.D., spoke often of what he considered a non-Christian who thought as you describe as the Safe Christian. In several of his sermons he decried the evangelistic style in which a person hears a compelling sermon, comes forward to “be saved,” and is sent away with a wave of the hand and a “Now you’re saved.” Pastor MLJ said once a man came to him in order to be saved, and Pastor MLJ essentially signed him up for a long, long sit-in-the-pew experience. While Pastor MLJ says there is an emotional appeal, that is not enough, for therm must also be a rational, reasoned, informed decision. Getting saved is the beginning of a life of calamity and trouble, all the while walking in the Peace of the L-RD, and being reconciled to G-D, through Yeshua, and all this with the pledge of Spirit Who accompanies us on the incredible journey.
L-RD Bless, Keep, Shine. . .
Dear Wil, thank you so much for taking the time to read the entry and to share this response. I can really empathise with that sentiment that a life of calamity and trouble awaits those who walk with the Lord. Thank God for the peace He provides. Thanks again. Shalom.