How many people have you hear say “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe in something?” This is exactly what Paul faced in Athens, the equivalent of Paris or New York City today; the center of philosophy commerce, arts, and home to every religion and goddess imaginable. Surrounded by temples and idols, Paul encountered one dedicated to the unknown god. It was a generic catch all, just in case there was a religion or deity to cover what others missed.
This is the easiest, blandest way of seeking God. The cry of those searching for a generic faith is “it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe something.” And, as with everything else, you get what you pay for. Religion in Athens (as with many places today) was like going through a cafeteria line, choosing what looked best at the moment rather than having a sense of a well-rounded diet that would meet any need. People want all the power and glory but with a minimum of commitment or cost.
Many approach religion and faith in a similar fashion. Some make decisions based on what is most important in the relationship with God and others. Others look for less of a commitment, doing just enough to cover the bases just in case I need to find God. Is there a way to secure the benefits of faith at bargain rates?
Always looking for bargains, we will pay less for an item if is as potent or tasty as the more familiar brand name product. When that is not so, we willingly pay more for the real thing. How do you balance such choices in your daily decisions? How do we respond today as we see a similar search for a cheap alternative to a complete relationship with the family of God? Many want the best but are selfishly selective in seeking the easiest, cheapest, and least demanding pathway to faith.
Paul said, “I can tell you are searching, and will reveal the truth you are searching for.” He narrowed their focus with the truth of Easter. How do we respond today as we see a similar search for cheap alternatives to a complete relationship with the family of God? Many want the best but are selfishly selective in seeking the easiest, cheapest, and least demanding pathway to faith.
“Wait a minute!” we say, “Grace is God’s free gift, right? There is no cost!” And that is correct. Yet Jesus made it abundantly clear that sacrificial love for God and neighbor is an all or nothing proposition. There are no alternatives to the costly extravagance of God’s sacrificial love, and our appropriate response. God has surrendered everything for us out of love, so why would we ever hold back if that love truly has changed us?
In Athens people chose what to believe and who to believe for a variety of reasons, but their reasons kept them in control. Paul wanted them to understand that surrender (or giving up control) would allow the full power of the Creator of everything to be the only power in their lives. And that is true for us as well. Even in Jerusalem, Paul was surrounded by religious people who had written their own system of belief that often ignored God’s true guidance. The Christian Reformation came about for the same reason. People had memorized religious traditions and rituals, but the passion and power of faith was not what energized their daily decisions and lifestyles.
Jesus came to reveal, renew, restore, and redeem. He paid an incredible price to change our lives and bring us back to faith. A response out of guilt or obligation only cheapens his gift of grace. Instead, the joy and excitement of faith in such a God of love not only reflects what we believe but is the light which can help others who have lost their way, or never even knew they were missing the boat! True faith is centered on the incredible miracle that God in the flesh, in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, came to fill all ritual and religion with the breath of the Living God. Paul followed Jesus’ guidance of leading others to the real deal rather than cheap imitations of the God of creation.
The difference between generic religion and genuine faith is like the difference between a story book wedding and a true marriage. How many couples put all their energy into showers and gifts, more bridesmaids than you can shake a stick at, thousands of dollars spent in a single afternoon, family and friends who insist no tradition is ignored – and in the midst of all of that hoopla forget to spend time on their relationship and God’s plan and purpose for them as a couple?
Ill never forget the couple who wanted to be married at Zion, but walked away when they discovered we would discuss faith as part of the planning, as the marriage service involves a celebration of God’s love for this couple. They said they weren’t interested in faith, only a venue for a wedding. What could I do? A wedding is only a ritual for a brief moment in time, while a marriage is a relationship for all time. Weddings are important celebrations, but only if there is truly a marriage in the mix! So it is with faith, religion, and our programs of worship and ministry. All are important, but only if the joy of faith in a God who loves even me is the motivation for such efforts.
People seeking faith can get similarly confused. It is easy to go through the motions of worship, or build a building that looks a certain way, or sing songs that our grandparents sang – and assume this is faith. Such a focus on externals, without the priority of faith runs the risk of becoming another generic religion and forgetting the faith that truly is life.
The unique nature of faith in Jesus Christ is that we don’t get what we pay for – everything is free! How could we ever, then, hold back what is all gift? Faith in God is not a series of steps or a logical process to follow. It is clinging to the free gift of grace that rescues us from this life and gifts us with an eternal home. Faith is a response that is bold in its assertion, reckless in its willingness to sacrifice for others, and comforting as we know that the One, true God has paid the price!
We live in a culture often hostile to faith in God, as many lift up the glamor of sports, money, or fame as greater rewards for this brief time we call life. Paul would say today, I am glad you are searching for what gives value and purpose to your life but let me tell you what you miss that is so close at hand!
Paul’s advice echoes the parables and sermons of Jesus, saying “let me tell you about the God whom you search for but can’t find.” How can we do any less? We live in a culture that insists faith must not interfere with public life, but if faith is not the motive for our life it ceases to be faith and becomes only another generic ritual. We need spend more time on our relationship with God than the cheapest, easiest paths to a bargain basement faith.
What does faith mean to me and what am I willing to surrender in response to the most unbelievable miracle of God’s love for me? Will we be comfortable with the easiest way out or ignore those who are searching for truth and you, or I, might be the only one they will listen to? Will we seek a low-cost pacifier for immediate needs or commit ourselves to whatever servant role God has equipped us for?
What will it be for us? A generic religion or a genuine faith? Here is the short version. We can’t go looking for God because we don’t know the way. The good news is He has come to us, changed us, claimed us, and wraps his arms around us forever. The only question left is how we will respond to the extravagance, passion, and warmth of his love for us? He has changed my life in such a miraculous way … why would I ever cheapen, shortchange, or fail to share the incredible change he has brought to me?