SNUGGIE CHRISTIANITY

Life is tough isn't it? I mean, we have so much to worry about during our day at work. Then we get home, sit on the couch, pull a blanket around us, AND THE BLANKET IS TOO SMALL! Sure, it may cover our torso and legs, but what about our arms? Are we just supposed to let them freeze? And what if we actually have to get up from the couch? Then we have to leave the blanket behind, freeze half to death, and return to an insufficient blanket. Life is just too stressful to deal with such tragedies. If only there was a blanket with sleeves...

"What have we turned into???"

This thought came to my mind recently and has not gone away, thanks to a few of my recent studies. But I wasn't thinking about wearable blankets. I was thinking about comfortable Christians.

I've been reading a book to further my ministry. The author was explaining where "church culture" currently is in America, and I began to dwell on the fact that the first century church would be appalled by the state of Christianity today.

To some extent, those pilgrim believers suffered many of the same struggles that we do today. Members didn't always get along,  there was deceit and backbiting, there were power struggles, etc. But there was a marked difference. Back then, if you were a Christian, it meant something. If you were a Christian, you were persecuted. If you were a Christian, you had to be in it 100%. Being a Christian was a lifestyle, not a title.

I'm sure they existed, but half-way, comfortable, cozy Christians would have had a difficult time in the first-century culture.

Something has changed.

Today, most churches are run by a handful of dedicated core believers. These are the ones who truly want to serve and please God. They come to worship, not just once a week, but every time the doors are open. They can't get enough of God's Word and fellowship with other believers. They are tender to God's working in their lives. They are reliable and ready to do whatever is necessary to advance the gospel.

But now THEY are the minority.

The norm for many local churches is that 10% of those who attend the church do 90% of the work of the ministry. Where are the rest? Where is the dedication?

I would dare say that the vast majority of American Christians are willing to be identified with a local church, but are not willing to do those difficult things that would inconvenience them. They have become Snuggie Christians, taking ridiculous measures to assure that they are nice, warm, and cozy at all times.

It just so happened that I was preparing a series through Philippians at the time I was dwelling on this disturbing revelation.

Paul was strange. He thought backwards, but I'm glad he did.

Paul was going through some intense persecution during his ministry. In fact, as he was writing this letter to the Philippian church, he had been arrested and was under the constant supervision of the palace guards. Yet, one of the overwhelming themes of Philippians is the JOY we can have in Christ.

Today, "persecution" and "suffering" are dirty words in our churches. No one wants to go there. But Paul had another perspective that is actually quite shocking!

Paul suffered from persecution wherever he went. In fact, as he wrote words of encouragement to fellow believers, he probably did so with chains around his wrists. Yet, he was actually THANKFUL for his situation and the very cruel persecution he endured!!!

"I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel... And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear."  -Philippians 1:12,14

Wait a minute! Isn't the result of persecution FEAR? It is interesting that Paul said that the result of his persecution is BOLDNESS in the lives of many believers.

In fact, the theme of suffering for the cause of Christ runs throughout his letters to the church. Paul counted it a PRIVILEGE to suffer for Christ's sake. As Christ suffered for living a godly obedient life, so must we.

But hold on. This gets even more shocking!

"And not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,"  -Philippians 1:28-29

Whoa! There is a lot going on here... Persecution is a GIFT from God? Absolutely. How can that be?

Persecution is a sign. First of all, it shows evidence that the persecutor does not know the Lord and will ultimately suffer destruction. This is partly why it doesn't make any sense when Christians persecute one another.

But secondly, it is evidence of salvation. God is trying to tell us here that if you are not being persecuted, you are not living a Christian life. If you are not being persecuted, the world can't tell you are a Christian. If you are not being persecuted, you are not doing enough!

A Snuggie Christian life is simply unacceptable!

Why is persecution evidence of salvation? Because if you are being persecuted, it shows that you actually believe what you SAY you believe! Just ask the Christians in China.

The Chinese Christians are not free to have a relationship with God. I heard the report from someone I knew who had visited China. He was with a group of Christians who had to meet in secret for fear of being arrested for their faith. These men were on fire for the gospel! They were willing to risk their lives and freedom to spread the gospel to as many people as they possibly could! Through a translator, he listened to one man pray that American Christians would experience the same persecution the Chinese Christians experience.

How cruel! Why would anyone say such a horrible thing?

Because he saw persecution as a gift.

Because he saw that American Christians are totally lazy and comfortable and do not live in obedience to God's will. Perhaps he was right. Maybe what America needs is a good healthy dose of persecution to weed out the Snuggie Christians from those who truly want to live for God and advance the gospel. Maybe we should pray that the Lord would give us strength to endure persecution rather than totally remove it.

Picture your pastor standing up on Sunday and saying, "This week a law will be passed that defines Christianity as intolerant and therefore illegal. But plan to meet back here on Sunday for worship. But be forewarned, you may be arrested for your faith." What would that next Sunday look like? Would your church die, or would it be strengthened? Furthermore, would YOU be there? 

In China, if you claim to know Christ, YOU HAD BETTER LIVE LIKE IT! It is all or nothing! They put us Snuggie Christians to shame!

After serving some time in China, one of my close friends returned to the States. He expressed to me how difficult it was to return to "American Christianity." It was almost depressing to see the difference in conviction.

We need to get our priorities straight. Being a Christian is not about battling with one another. It's not about living among our man-made rules. It's not about looking good to everyone and pleasing people. It's not about creating and comparing standards. It's not about picking a fight.

Being a Christian is simply about pleasing God and spreading the good news.

And sometimes that means that we are going to need to shed the Snuggie and exchange our comfort zones for a little bit of persecution.   

And don't even get me started on the Forever Lazy!