Custom Christianity and the Call of Christ

Customization is king. From clothing to entertainment to groceries, we like to mix and match according to our wants. You want a metallic grey, four door, mid size, hybrid, with leather seats, blue tooth capability and an oversized trunk? Go to cars.com, fill out the search engine accordingly, and it will find you one. Want a short, half-calf, soy, one pump, sugar free, vanilla latte? There are ten coffee shops within five miles of your current location that will make you one with a smile. Customization is king.

This is making an impact on Christianity. People are picking and choosing what they like about Christianity while ignoring and rejecting what they don’t. In extreme cases, folks mix what they like about Christianity with bits of other religions that they like, creating a unique religion for themselves. In the end, Christianity (and even religion itself) gets so customized to the wants of the individual, it looks more like the individual than Jesus (or any other faith).

Jesus calls His people, His church, to something entirely different. At the end of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus tells His disciples to go to all nations, making disciples, and baptizing them. Then, Jesus says, “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” No customization there. Jesus calls disciples to make disciples who obey everything Jesus commanded. In other words, the church is in the business of customizing people into image of Christ (by the power of the Holy Spirit) rather than customizing Christianity into the image of people.

As you go through the coming week, look at areas of the Christian faith that you don’t like and would rather do away with. Ask yourself why those things make you feel uncomfortable. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand why they make you feel uncomfortable. Then, ask the Lord help you grow in those things, becoming more like Him and the life He taught. As you do, you will find goodness and truth that goes beyond your basic wants and desires. You’ll also have a chance to grow in the Lord.