Chocolate and chips (while Tony’s away)
For those who haven't caught up, Tony Payne is away on long service leave at the moment (and is thus causing much envy and jealousy). But in order that we might hear his dulcet tones occasionally in his absence, we've decided to post some Saturday posts from the archives featuring Tony.
If my kids were given the run of the place and were allowed to set the rules, what would their day look like? Apart from the absence of school, I'm guessing their activities would involve a copious diet of computer gaming, MSN (if you don't know what this is, ask someone under 20), music downloads, TV, chocolate and chips.
What these delights have in common is that they are all easy, enjoyable and entertaining. They are ‘more-ish’. Their appeal is obvious, the satisfaction immediate, and the possible negative consequences of over-consumption remote enough to be ignored.
It is the same with counterfeit versions of Christianity. “The gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many”, says Jesus (Matt 7:13). When movements spring up that are inclusive and entertaining, and which attract many customers, alarm bells should go off. Is this one of the ‘broad and easy ways’? But we, like spiritual children given the run of the house, are inclined to consume whatever looks attractive, and then go back for more.
According to the New Testament, the way of godliness is more like solid meat and three veg than chocolate and chips. Consider Paul's advice to Timothy about what to do in the face of alternative teachings: train yourself in godliness, command and teach, set an example, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, practise these things, devote yourself to them, keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching ... (1 Tim 4). This is not easy, thrill-a-minute Christianity. But it does have one distinct advantage that Paul concludes with: “Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers”.
(Tony Payne, ‘Chocolate and chips’, The Briefing #338, Nov 2006.)
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