Burger King Theology

"Hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don't upset us..." Remember that old jungle? I do!

In fact, I hear new versions of it every day! Like, "Hold the Bible, hold devotion, I've got my faith, based on emotion." Or, the ever-popular, "Hold the truth claims, hold the dogma, I found my views watching Opra!"

Like the Burger King commercial, when it comes to truth, our culture tells us to "Have it YOUR way!"

So everywhere we look, people are establishing world views based on feelings and unfounded opinions. It's scary! Why? Because truth is not optional and God is less subjective than toppings on a cheeseburger!

There's a powerful verse in Proverbs 12:15 which says, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel." Speaking of a time of great trouble and national failure in Israel, Judges 17:6 says, "In those days there was no King in Israel. Every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Thousands of years later, history repeats itself. Rejecting King Jesus, we all just "wing-it," making up our own religions and following our own opinions regardless of the facts.

Recently, I had a spiritual conversation with someone who said, "I don't believe Jesus is God. No matter what study you do with me or what you show me, I will never change that opinion." As Christians, it's easy for us to see the absurdity of such a position. This person has willfully chosen to close their eyes to the facts and retain only what they want to believe. Sad. Ecumenical Unitarianism, so politically correct in our society, is attractive. So people choose to ignore facts so as to remain or appear to remain "tolerant."

But before we throw too many stones at these folks, we need to take a closer look in our own spiritual mirror. Truth be told, we all have "stuff" in our doctrinal closet--things we believe "just because." And when Jesus returns, I'm convinced that every believer will have ideas that will burn off in the heat of His blazing glory.

Are you ready for that?

What if your view of dating, sex, parenting, finances, giving/tithing, worship, church attendance, service, evangelism, the order of events at Jesus' second coming, politics--whatever--is wrong?! Will you argue with Jesus? I don't think so!

So what should we do in the meantime?

One of the ways to ensure readiness on that day, is to approach the scriptures today with a humble, open heart. If you've done the homework needed to prove (and yes, it can be proven) that the Bible is God's inspired Word, then you MUST approach it with a willingness to be corrected. When faced with a truth which contradicts your suppositions, habits, comfort zone, ideas, opinions, etc., you and I MUST repent. That is, we MUST reject our own ideas and embrace God's. That's the ESSENCE of being a Christian (lit. "Little Christ") in the first place!
If we can develop and retain that teachable heart, we'll avoid "Burger King Theology" and obey THE King, instead of always "having it, (our) way." Better yet, we'll grow up in the grace and knowledge of our awesome Lord and be more than ready when he returns.
In HIs Truth,

Pastor Joel