CHRISTIAN OR HUMANIST?

Sunday, July 12, 2020

CHRISTIAN OR HUMANIST?

Rom 1:28

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.

2 Cor 6:14-15

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

           Have you ever wondered why a “good Christian girl or boy;” raised in church, and seemingly dedicated to the beliefs of their church, can so easily abandon those beliefs and disciplines so that they can be married to or to live with an unbeliever? Suddenly, like lightning, and without any qualm, they abandon their faith for what they think is romantic love.

           Jewish talk show host, Dennis Prager said: “Jews don't marry Christians.  Non-Jewish Jews marry non-Christian Christians.  Jews for nothing marry Christians for nothing.  They get along great because they both affirm nothing.  They have everything in common--nothing.”

           Most of our church members would be horribly offended if they were accused of being secular humanists! First, most of our church members would not understand just what a secular humanist is! Secular humanism is a non-theistic world view based on the belief that humanity is of utmost importance.

Specifically, what I want at the moment is most important. Secular humanists typically have emphasized the values of human freedom, especially freedom from restrictive or irrational religious traditions. To quote Paul in Romans chapter 1, “they did not like to retain God in their knowledge.” In other words, they want God to simply leave them alone!

           Now, I’m going to jump off the ledge and say that many modern, progressive preachers and their congregants are really secular humanists. Rather than allowing the truth of the Word of God and the disciplines of their faith to transform their behavior, they have transformed their religion to allow for their behavior. When they speak of freedom and liberty they are not speaking of liberty from law or freedom from sin, they speak of freedom from restrictive religious rules that restrain pleasurable behavior.

           Submission to the Lordship of Jesus is the key to genuine biblical faith. If I am unwilling to allow God to invade and control my values and my behavior, then I am not truly Christian.

Dear Lord, come and challenge my every thought. Question my every motive. Discipline my every action. Be the Lord of my life today. AMEN