Cheap Religion
Many religious people follow the way of Jeroboam.
In the Old Testament, we read of Jeroboam. This king had a very different religion than that of David’s (1 Ki. 12:25-33; 2 Sam. 24:22-24). His religion was also very different from the apostle Paul’s, who counted all things loss for the cause of Christ (Phil. 3:7-8). Jereboam’’s religion was different in that he wanted to change the Lord’s way. Jeremiah recorded, “. . . what a horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?” (Jer. 5:30-31). However, God’s ways cannot be changed (Rev. 22:18-19). Alas, as in the day of old, so it is with the new, where it does not matter to some who desire to change the Lord’s ways.
Take for instance, salvation. We know, according to the Bible, that we must wait on the Lord and that we cannot do anything alone. We can only be saved by the Lord’s way. Jesus said, “. . . But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God . . . Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:15-16, 24). This excludes and prevents our way from being considered or accepted. Immersion is another problem that people have. Is immersion really that hard to follow? You would think this is the case since many are prone to sprinkling or pouring water, calling it baptism. Did you know that five times it is mentioned, both Philip and the Eunuch are in water (Acts 8:26-39)? Paul said that immersion is related to being buried with Christ (Rom. 6:3-4). If people want to sprinkle or even turn the garden hose on someone and call that immersion, do people not know that this is not the one baptism that is authorized by the Lord (Eph. 4:5)?
These sort of problems are made public because people do not want to see the standard of authority. They say all things are acceptable including, but not limited to, joining the church of your choice. They have no religious conviction nor do they have a “thus saith the Lord” for what they do. Despite the fact that the Bible says there is one body which is the church (1 Cor. 12:20). People seem to believe what they want to believe and do things in the way they want to do them, like Jeroboam. Thus, compromises in truth are clearly evident making the Lord’s ways seem cheap and easy. No conviction. Cannot say anything against someone. They just want the smooth road and believe that you will go to heaven since there has been a blanket of grace put across mankind and that nothing we do really matters. This could be called Jeroboamism.
The way of Jeroboam really was accepted with people in that he gave them convenience and compromises. Today, it is no different as the people are given the opportunities to partake of the Lord’s Supper any day they want, who no longer have Biblical preaching, but entertain themselves to the point that they are lying on the floor with marshmallows of joyous entertainment attached to their faces. But you know, the Lord is not amused. How can we ignore Scripture as Jeroboam did? God is not pleased with selfish pursuits and we should not be like those who poorly attempt to make going to heaven, cheap or easy. Jesus said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24). Let us be faithful and be able to say, as Paul said, “. . . I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day . . .” (2 Tim. 4:6-8). Let us not make Christianity cheap like the world does. Let us do things the Lord’s way.