Easy Believism

Oakland, CA minister Harold Camping prophesied the end of the world May 21, 2011.  We’re still here.  Camping went into hiding the next day and the pundits began ridiculing those who gave away everything they owned, quit their jobs, and told others the Day of Judgment was at hand.

Radio station KLRC reported, “Some took it for what it was, hmmmm.  But some sold everything and sunk their life savings in his ministry to get the word out.  Tragic.”  Was it tragic they chose poorly or tragic they believed in something enough to risk everything?

Great gains are rarely accomplished apart from spectacular risks. A carpenter in the Middle East risked his life’s work when he entrusted it into the care of twelve men with average occupations of the time such as fishing, collecting taxes, or rebelling in the Occupy Wall Street and Arab spring protests of the time.  American colonists in the 1700’s were willing to purchase freedom from the greatest military power on earth with their lives and fortunes. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. risked and lost their lives leading peaceful protests rather than take cover behind the force of arms.

We must choose wisely, but we must choose.  Some people are willing to risk everything because the gain they envision is greater still.  Any less would be tragic.  The path of least resistance and minimized risk may reap continued physical existence at the expense of real living.

To not choose is a choice.   Joshua, the Hebrew who succeeded Moses as leader, said, “Choose this day whom you will serve”.  To choose to follow the LORD (Yaweh) was risky for a people without defensive walls or a land to call their own when every country and people surrounding them wanted them to leave or worked for their annihilation.  Joshua urged the people to follow the Lord alone instead of the false gods surrounding them, calling for their attention and affection. He encouraged them not to go with the flow of the easy believism surrounding them.  Risk standing for what is right even if it kills you. The loss of short term gains are replaced with long term (eternal) dividends.

Following Christ the Lord today can be just as risky. To believe Jesus is to believe the risk is worth the reward.  He said, “I tell you the truth… everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Notice, the reward is for those who combine faith and works.  When Jesus said, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” he taught that real faith is demonstrated through walking the talk.

Choosing poorly is tragic.  Not believing in anything enough to risk everything is an even greater tragedy.