Apologetics

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Good Morning, Christian! Did you have a nice sleep? Well, I have some bad news for you. While you were sleeping, you were robbed. No, not your TV or your jewelry; you were robbed of your legacy. And what is that legacy...to be the faithful bearer of Christ’s love to a world that desperately needs it. This robbery has been taking place slowly over the last years and was completed with the publication of the book “The Secret” and the rise of the principle known as “The Law of Attraction”. Yes, I know the book and the principle have been around for a few years but it seems to be getting greater and greater play as of late. These “jewels” of the New Age Movement are nothing more than a watered-down version of the love of Christ, repackaged, re-labeled and then made available to the lowest bidder.

The book and the principle are essentially the same: to get love you must give love. Sound familiar? It should. “The Secret” purports to be a book of ancient knowledge only recently made known. Those who have been in possession of this "secret" knowledge down through the years have been able to be happy and successful in every area of their lives.

I guess it actually is ancient knowledge, since by my reckoning it started “In the beginning…” and culminated a little over 2,000 yrs ago through the teaching of a little known itinerant preacher named Jesus (pardon my sarcasm).

Here’s the basic philosophy for those of you who didn’t run screaming to the bookstore begging them to take your money after you saw it on Oprah (opps…there I go again): First, you focus on and imagine what you desire. Imagine yourself doing, being or having what you desire. Next, at the same time as you imagine it you feel love for what you desire. In other words, you believe with all your heart that you already are in possession of your desire. You actually feel the joy of having it. Your feelings of love draw your desire to you. Finally, just sit back and let “the force of love” bring it to you. Simple, isn’t it? Let’s see how it sounds next to some other “ancient” knowledge:

Stop being afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. "Sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor. Make yourselves wallets that don't wear out-a dependable treasure in heaven, where no thief can get close and no moth can destroy anything. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Luke 12:32-34

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
Mar 11:24

Now faith is the assurance of things we hope for, the certainty of things we cannot see.
Heb 11:1

Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith, without any doubts, for the one who has doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Jas 1:5, 6

Wow! Uncannily familiar, isn’t it?

So, here we are. There has been a robbery. You even know who the thieves are. But alas, there is no point in reporting it to the police. Why? Because you were the one who invited them in. How, you ask? By living a life that only marginally speaks to the promise and truth contained in these scriptures and falling far short of your responsibility to share these promises and truths with those you meet day to day. You have, in effect, let the New Age movement carry the message that God entrusted to you. I’ll bet that some of you even have a copy of “The Secret” on your coffee table (quickly tucked away for visits from the pastor, of course) or on the nightstand next to your bed. The truth is there is no secret ancient knowledge. It has all been revealed and is easily found in the person and love of Christ.

So, now what? Okay, okay...so you invited the thieves in, that doesn’t mean you can’t throw them out. And you’ve neglected to tell your neighbors about the real “force of love” that waits to enfold them. I’m betting you’re going to see them again tomorrow. And so you have a copy of “The Secret” (or some other ancient knowledge book promising a pathway to happiness) tucked away in your library, at least now you know where they stole their ideas from.

So go ahead…shake it off, stand up straight and with a fresh voice and new resolve declare the Good News: The secret of happiness is not hidden after all. In fact, it is always on the look-out for new believers. And “the force of love” is indeed not a force at all. He is a person and He is alive and He is the risen Son of He who “…is pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Now…don't forget to switch on the alarm before you go to bed.
Sweet Dreams!

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