Why are so many Christians living such shallow lives?
In my opinion, one of the biggest reasons is we have sold them eternal fire insurance rather than the real deal.
Let me explain.
For decades now, many—quote unquote–successful evangelical voices have sold Christianity on a felt-needs basis. And what need is greater than the need to escape Hell?
Who DOESN'T want to avoid the lake of fire, burning with sulphur? So for generations now, we have sold what I call “eternal fire insurance.”
Plus, Christians often focus exclusively on the promise of Heaven and the guarantees of personal peace and happiness.
But this over simplified sales pitch bypasses the real call of Christ. Jesus said “Take up your cross daily and follow me.” That doesn't sound too much like the salvation invitation given by many evangelicals. Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him.”
We OUGHT to expect trials and persecution and pain and loss—and all of this just for acknowledging our stand with Christ.
Our well-intentioned but theologically stunted sales commitment to eternal fire insurance brings with it the unintentional side effect of minimizing Christ's suffering—and ours.
Let's remember–Jesus did not experience a whip without sting, or a cross without nails. Apparently, the cross has so long been a mere wall decoration in churches, or jewelry on our necklaces, we have sanitized from it all traces of sputum, blood, and shredded human tissue.
The words of Dietrich Bonheoffer come to mind: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."
It's time to stop selling eternal fire insurance. It's time we called people to follow Christ in His fullness–wherever that takes us.