The Belief Soup

According to Wikipedia, there are an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide. About 84% of the world’s population affiliate with Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, or “folk religion.”  No wonder that “being religious” can mean many things in today’s culture— creating a “belief soup” that all too many are gulping.

As Christians then, it is easy to shrug the shoulders and say, “to each his own” or “good, they at least believe in a god”.  These easy outs are contrary to what the Bible commands. Possibly tasting a bit of the “soup” and finding it palatable.

Jesus was clear in Matthew 28: 16-20.  The Great Commission is paramount to the Christian’s responsibility, “go and make disciples … baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”  Is Christianity buried in the soup or does it stand alone as the only clear choice of eternal hope?

There are a rising number of Christians who believe their faith is an individual and personal choice and they intend to keep it that way.  This individualized culture runs counterintuitive to the Great Commission.  Of those who would share their faith, many feel inadequate or have experienced a bad reception to sharing in the past.  Some feel that a certain “giftedness” is required to tell others about their faith.  Fear of seeming pushy or unaccepting of other religions is also a part of our culture. In our quest to play nice, we have watered down our soup.

Stand back and address the heart of your faith.  Is it the community, the lifestyle, the touchy-feely heart song or is it the deep relationship with Christ?  Does your Christianity stand out as the choice meat of religion to the world?  If we are branded by our salvation as “Christ Ones.” Is that evident in your life?

The evidence that most demonstrates Christian maturity is the character of Christ in one’s life. The Bible says that believers were first called Christians in the city of Antioch (Acts 11:26).  Up to that time … they were simply known as “the people of the Way.”

Maturity comes with constant study and prayer and a close relationship with Christ.  The more Christ-like, the more people will begin to see the difference between Christianity and the world’s religions.  Those who choose to see the difference will not be able to deny it.  “For the word of God is alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12).

Jesus said, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel