Cafeteria Christianity

It occurs to me that a lot of Christians take a cafeteria approach to Christianity.

What I mean is that they look at all that is on offer and decide they want a bit of this, a double portion of that, and none of this or that or the other. A personally tailored meal, specially to suit them.

Sorry guys, it just isn't that easy. It is a Set Menu of God's choosing. All or nothing. Bread and Wine served at the Lord's table.

This means that there will be times when being a believer will be very hard and cost you a lot but you have to partake of the whole of the meal. Some of it you will not like but you have to put up with it because it has to be taken in its entirety, not just the palatable and attractive bits.

So enjoy the blessings by all means. But remember the 'take up your Cross and follow Me' bit too. In these days of "self esteem" the Christian is told to "die to self" and count everyone else as better than yourself. You are promised "in this world there will be persecution" Who wants to be persecuted? Who wants to put themselves last? Who wants to be the servant of all? Who wants to forgive serious hurts and injustices not once but many times? Who has the courage to do what is right regardless of how popular it is?

Christianity is not a Cafeteria.