A User Friendly Religion

“…take thine ease , eat , drink , and be merry” —Luke 12:19

King Jeroboam propagated a “user friendly” religion. He told the his people, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem.”  (1 Kings 12:28).  He spoke these words to shortly after the Kingdom was divided after the death of Solomon. While the nation was divided politically, it was still one religiously. The Temple in Jerusalem was still the center of worship for both Judah and Israel. Jeroboam, being a good “baby boomer,” believed in a religion of convenience. He was not against religion, but wanted a religion that did not cramp his life-style. Traveling down to the Temple in Jerusalem from Samaria was bothersome, and took too much time. So he offered an easier way to worship. Instead of all the hassle involved in traveling to Jerusalem he suggested that they build “a calf” to worship in their own city. It did not matter that this new religion was contrary to the Word of God. What mattered was it made life easier. Jeroboam’s religion of ease won the people over, but proved to be the undoing of the nation.

Isn’t the same thing still true today? Human nature always looks for the path of least resistance. The easy way appeals to us.  Most people retreat from the difficult and look for the comfortable.

The Word of God is no longer the test of religion⎯Ease is the test! People choose a church that has the smallest demands.  Bible translations are not purchased because they are the most accurate. If accuracy were the issue, everyone would be reading the King James Bible. Unfortunately, people buy the “bible” that is easiest to read and understand.

God says,  “Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria…” (Amos 6:1). A life of ease has never produced anything for God. Strength is developed under stress and difficulty. If we would be strong for God, we must not shrink back from the things that are hard. God uses the arduous situations of life to conform us to the image of His Son (Rom. 8:28-29).