Today it seems as if everyone wants to customize Christianity, just as if it’s a value meal at McDonalds. “Yes, I’ll take an order of salvation: super-size it, but can you leave off the Lordship part? I don’t care for someone else telling me how to live. And can I substitute an extra portion of love in place of obedience? And definitely leave out anything that might make me uncomfortable like suffering or waiting.” It seems we want the perks of a relationship with Jesus, but none of the commitment and responsibility.

Sadly, some view Christianity as a consumer commodity to buy or sell. Churches go all out to create music that entertains and produce soundbites instead of sermons. Many believers only want the feel good parts of the scriptures, rejecting truths like suffering for the Lord or self-discipline and patience. And the result is a shallow “consumer Christianity” that does nothing to transform people and fails to impact the world.

Whether it gives us warm fuzzies or not, our faith is to be real, sincere, and devoted. We are to omit none of the Bible, and we need to be determined to become more like Jesus every day. That means our flesh will be placed in situations that make it uncomfortable. It means we will have to do unappealing things like forgive our enemies, seek God’s will instead of our own, and walk in love towards others. It means living with excellence and being people of integrity.

And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [from the penalty of eternal death]. Luke 9:23-24 (Amplified Bible Classic Edition, AMPC)

Let me be clear- these things are not doable on our own. We must be in constant fellowship with God through prayer, worship, and the Word. That is what changes and transforms us into the image of Christ. And when we look and act like Jesus, others will take notice. When they do, they will want what we have.

Consumer Christianity has little value for those who take part in it, and it has little value for the kingdom of God. When we put ourselves entirely into our relationship with God, we can be sure that we will get everything we need, and we will be fruitful for God and His kingdom.