Quick Fix Christianity

In this dispensation of Emergent, Seeker Sensitive, Mega Ministry, Prophetic and Apostolic moves, we find that Christianity has been diminished to a religion of quick fix. It is a 7 step to hearing God, 3 steps to your prosperity, and a 5 step prayer to change your life. I have no qualms with the names of movements such as Emergent, Seeker Sensitive, Mega Ministries, Prophetic or Apostolic movements, because every move is usually identified by a name. There is also a God given purpose to any move that is classified under any given name. For example, the Seeker Sensitive move is for the purpose of drawing people to Christ in an unconventional way. So the moves in and of themselves are not what I am highlighting here. These names simply characterize the ideology and/or purpose of any given move.

We cannot allow any move or movement distract us from the truth of the gospel. I have noticed that often times what has been highlighted is the move itself and not the Christ of the move. These moves are initiated and given to us by God, but often times become the essential factor in our relationship to God. So we’ll relate to Him by way of being a seeker sensitive believer, or through a prophetic move, etc. In other words, the move turns into the quick fix, the move becomes the answer we’ve been waiting for. We mustn’t forget that Christ alone is the answer. As we have seen throughout history, moves come and go. As a child, I remember mainstream denominations being the norm, i.e., Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, etc. As I grew older, there were moves that broke off of the mainstream like, Charismatic, Word of Faith, moves such as non-denominational and inter-denominational. Today there are even newer moves, i.e., the house church movement, apostolic and prophetic movements, etc.

In many moves, what transpires is a notion that a quick fix can be had as a result of the moves’ revelation. For example, in the Word of Faith movement there was revelation concerning faith, healing, prosperity. All of a sudden, out of that revelation, quick fixes were born. So there are quotes such as “name it and claim it” and “money cometh”. Ways in which the healing and prosperity could come to pass was by quoting scripture, believing the Word and receiving God’s promises. Depending on the circumstance of an individual, any of these elements could be useful. So as not to seem like I’m singling out a particular organization, another quick fix notion could be simply to invite Jesus into your heart and every problem in life will be instantly repaired or soon after. Also, just be a regular church attendee or a faithful giver and you’ll receive God’s blessings. I won’t knock something the Lord has given to someone else. It just doesn’t mean that these ideas as good as they may seem, are necessarily an overall quick fix. In my opinion, here’s the reason why. Anything that gets our eyes of f of Christ is first and foremost a distraction and ultimately a recipe for disaster.

Quick fix Christianity in our day has become not only a distraction, but I'd say even a disaster. First off, it is a deception to think that a relationship with Christ would be categorized with quick fix ideologies or rather ideologies that have turned into quick fixes. God cannot and will not be manipulated. Christianity was never meant to be a quick fix for anything or for anyone. As believers, our objective is to be conformed to the image of Christ. Think about it for a minute. Being conformed to the image of Christ is to be so much like Him that when others see you, they really see Him. This only comes by having a relationship with the One to whom we aspire to be like. The moves should only assist us and help us to go in the right direction concerning being conformed to His image. The revelations born out of the moves should do the same. But, ultimately it is only knowing Him in the fellowship of His suffering and in the power of His resurrection that gives us success in life and is profitable for this life and for the life to come, and this is not a quick fix. This comes through trials tribulations, persecution, and being confronted by many other things that try and separate us from His love, such as peril, sword, principalities and powers.

Our momentary light affliction is not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us. In Christ, there are miracles, there are signs and wonders, there is healing and deliverance, there is joy unspeakable and full of glory, there is peace that passes all understanding…..and I am a living witness that it is not a Quick Fix Christianity!!!