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Come Now; Let Us Reason Together
One of the most memorable experiences I have had with my two children were us sitting together watching Disney’s films. One of our favorites in those days was Aladdin, which is the story of an Arabian boy from the slums who finds a magical lamp, which contains a “All-powerful genie.” However, the genie had slave manacles on his wrists. This was because the genie’s power is restricted to the wishes or commands of the one who possesses the lamp. All the possessor of the lamp needed to do was to rub the lamp and the genie comes out and grants their wishes (maximum of 3). In my humble opinion, the attitude and actions of many—not all—Christians and church goers have reduced the sovereign God of the Bible to a cosmic genie. Let me explain.
Just a cursory examination of the popular television ministries and gospel music reveals a common motif. The current theme is not about the fallen sinful nature of all humanity, but moreso about how to use your “faith” and/or “worship” to receive blessings from God. Therefore, what is being taught is how to effectively rub the lamp to get the genie (God) to grant you the wishes of your heart. Portraying the Gospel in this manner, encourages worldliness in Christians and converts non-believers into selfinterested followers instead of soldiers of the Cross.
The evidence of this can be witnessed in popular television ministries. There advertisments are targeted at the unchurched—and other church members—promoting the benefits of coming to their church and/or purchasing their materials to receive a blessing from God. Those churches involved in this improper pratice follow a common pattern. When the customer—I mean person—arrives, they are first met with the praise/worship team. This group encourages them to demonstrate physical actions (singing, shouting, standing, dancing, raising hands) to invite God into their presence (more about this in a future article). Then, when the preacher comes on the scene, the audience is taught from a select group of scriptures—taken out of context—which speak of the tangible benefits (health, wealth, and success) of salvation in Christ Jesus. Then, the audience is told they must accept it by faith in order to receive from God. The audience is then asked to prove their belief by giving a monetary offering. Furthermore, they are told; the greater the offering the greater the return. The service concludes with a call to sign up (join) as a member.
Okay; let’s recap. First, I come in and join in on the group exercise of rubbing the lamp. Second, while cooling down, I listen to someone teach me what to say to the genie once he appears to show him that I am his master. Then, finally, to prove that I am not selfish, I give a little money with the motivation of receiving at least ten times in return. That’s it! Sign me up!
There is no mention of the primary task of all persons coming before God. That primary task is recorded in three New Testament passages by three different persons.
“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea. Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2, ESV).
“From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”(Matthew 4:17, ESV).
“And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, ESV).
Maybe it’s just me, but I see a pattern. John the Baptist (The Forerunner), Jesus (The Christ), and Peter (The Apostle) all began their public ministry with the same proclamation: Repent.
You can hear numerous sermons on claiming your blessings from God. However, you would be hard pressed to hear a sermon today that speaks to the command to repent. In order to become a child of God you must repent, and as a child of God, you must live a life of repentance. Where there is no repentance, there is no salvation.
Health, wealth, and worldly success are potential material benefits, by God’s grace, to those who have come to God with a contrite and repentant heart. However, even unrepentant sinners are graced by God with health, wealth, and success. Jesus taught a parable concerning this. “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen …and at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table… The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes…” (Luke 16:19-23, ESV). It would not be a wild speculation to think that during that time many people believed the rich man was “blessed and highly favored of he Lord” and the poor man was “getting what he desired” for his sinful life. However, in the judgment of God, which is the only one that matters, the poor man was received and the rich man rejected. Therefore, these common graces of health, wealth, and worldly success should never be used as an indicator of salvation or the favor of God. Neither should they be advertised as the reason for joining a church or accepting Jesus as savior.
God is not a cosmic genie who is compelled to grant the wishes of those who rub his lamp with sacrifices, praise, and offerings. He is Sovereign over his creation and exercises His will according to His good pleasure. “For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy” (Romans 9:15-16, ESV).
Stop & Think
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), Copyright 2000, 2001 by Crossway Bibles
The Cosmic Genie