The God Game

For many in the Church today, Jesus is not the goal. They simply said their "Sinners Prayer" to get what Jesus has to offer. No, I am not talking about eternal salvation. What people today want is instant gratification. "Give it to me now!", they shout. They do not come to the Master's table to worship and have fellowship with the Master. Oh no, they come to the Master's table for what is on the Master's table.
To these people God is simply a 2nd rate Game Show Host In The Sky. "What have you done for me lately?" is the modern church's battle cry. "Yea, yea, I know all about that dying on the cross stuff, but that was a long time ago. I need help now! Where are my riches?"
However, we are instructed in Hebrews:
Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV)
5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6 So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"
The Church today is filled with false converts. People who only accepted the Master for all the goodies they will receive. Just look at what is being taught by "Superstar" Preachers today. They promise unlimited health and wealth. They do not stress the fact that God has already provided us with the ultimate gift. The gift of His Son. Jesus payed our debt for us. A debt we never could have satisfied.
However, the modern Church feels it is not necessary to preach Christ and Him Crucified. They want to preach a kinder, gentler message. One that does not address eternal separation from God. Hell should only be talked about in terms of Hitler or Hussein. To them, God would never send Joe GoodNeighbor to Hell. He helps out at the homeless shelter once a month. He goes to Church whenever he can and even plays on the Church softball team. However, his heart is far from God. He would never dream of talking about his faith to anyone. He would not want to cram it down anyone's throat. He came onboard the Jesus train because he had someone tickle his ears with the promise of riches and health. Of course, Mr. GoodNeighbor will soon take the path of many "converts" before him. When the promised life on the Jesus Easy Street fails to materialize, Ol' Mr. GoodNeighbor will be just another statistic. One that Atheists point to and shout, "Christianity does not work!"
However, true Christianity not only works, it works forever. The God Game is churning out false converts quicker than Michael Jackson changes faces. Jesus never promised us a rose garden. He did not say we might have trouble. He warned us that we would! But He also told us to keep our eyes on Him. He has overcome the world!
John 16:33 (NIV)
33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
When we reduce our Heavenly Father, our Creator and Savior to some sort of impish Game Show Host that only exists to satisfy our every desire, we miss the mark by infinity. What our Lord has planned for us is more, much more than any earthly reward could ever fulfill. We must trust that our Heavenly Father knows what we need, and He will provide. But not only to keep us comfortable, but to enable us to share Him with the world. And in the end, that is all that matters.