Gospel

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“The chief danger that confronts the coming age will be religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, salvation without regeneration, politics without God, and heaven without hell.” William Booth, Founder of Salvation Army.

Think of an ice cream sundae. If you are hungry, an ice cream sundae might sound very appetizing. If you are satisfied or stuffed from a good meal, the ice cream might range from unappealing to repulsive. We think of ice cream and get nostalgic. We remember childhood events planned around ice cream. Sometimes ice cream is even ranked as a patriotic food with hot dogs and apple pie. The sweet dairy product is topped with chocolate sauce, nuts and a fruit such as a banana or a cherry.

When we think of dessert, we think of a quick boost or spike in our metabolism and potentially overload our system to the point of inhibiting digestion. We ignore that quick boosts can increase our energy level and our insulin production only to allow us to crash to a lower level shortly after the side effects wear off. We create what is called toxic hunger and lethargy. If we substituted ice cream sundaes for regular meals, we would develop chronic toxic hunger as we would be meeting the requirements of caloric intake yet failing to satisfy nutritional needs.

There is protein and calcium in the ice cream. Nuts provide additional protein, vitamins and beneficial cholesterol-lowering fatty acids. The fruit provides some vitamins and minerals, enzymes to aid digestion and beneficial slower burning carbohydrates. Even by boosting the nutritional level of the sundae with fruit and nuts, a person would not want to make a steady diet of ice cream sundaes. It is also not desirable to add all the toxic sugars to real food.

You say, “That is crazy. Nobody would attempt to live on ice cream sundaes.” Hopefully, that is true. At least they would suffer in the attempt. Interestingly, Paul compared the word of God to milk, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.” (Hebrews 5:12&13, ESV)

Children start out on milk. They are introduced to solid food increasingly as they can handle it. Milk is then used as a supplement during the formative years. Ideally, ice cream sundaes should be given only as an occasional treat. Yet some well-intentioned Christians remain on a diet of milk. Milk is food but ice and sundaes are over- the-top with toxic sweets.

Whether they do so by choice or are led into the habit by some other teacher who wants to tantalize the listener into remaining on a milk diet, they do not receive spiritual nutrition. Adding enticing myths to sweeten the milk only makes it more deceptive and distracts the listener away from solid truth. If you would not risk your physical health by abusing concentrated, toxic sugars and fats, why would you risk your spiritual well being on a diet of concentrated and toxic sweets?

Paul again warns, “For a time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths.” (II Timothy 4:3&4)

An ice cream sundae could be compared to the prosperity teachers, those who tickle the ears of the listeners, offering what they want to hear and then accepting huge donations to continue. The prosperity teachers verge on New Age, occult methodology. They teach their listeners to visualize, think positively and to claim their prosperity.

Peter warned, “But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” (2 Peter 2:1-3, ESV )

Every work should be examined by the fruit it bears, and prayers for discernment; not emotional, irrational “likes” and “dislikes.” One of Joel Osteen’s defenders made the following statement:

“Not really sure why the hatred for the Osteen’s. None of you attend their church. None of you know the fellowship and instruction that occurs outside the 30 minute TV show. Joel repeatedly says he is not formally trained and his one goal is to bring more people to Christ. So if he creates an interest and someone picks up the Bible and finds a good church (as he always says) he has done well. Full disclose (sic)– Joel’s speaking perked my interest as an agnostic. Two years later after much reading and fellowship at a good church I have come to see Jesus as my savior.”

Read your Bible. Get into discussion groups with solid believers. Pray for discernment regarding your commitment to fellowship and to church giving. God places responsibility on you for your spiritual well being. Trust Him, and deal with humans discerningly. Beware of placing your spiritual needs in enticing teachings that fail to provoke you to a deeper understanding of the truth.

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Find all of Jerry Slauter’s FaithWriters articles.

About the Author:

Jerry is a retired school teacher who loves to spend time with his family, including children and grandchildren. He published Woodcutter’s Revival in 2012 and plans to release the sequel, Fine Line, in January of 2014. He likes to travel and speak about writing and the topics of his writing and research. He works in his wood, leather and metal shops at home. Writing aligns well with his passion of reading and research. Jerry is available to speak in schools and churches or conferences and seminars.

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