Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Our contemporary culture has been formed by pragmatism; a philosophy that measures truth by its practical value. We are leaning toward industrialism rather than philosophy here. Bigger, better, cheaper, and profitable are the aims of pragmatism. Steeples and stain glass no longer identify our focus of worth and worship. Skyscrapers and huge manufacturing plants are the focal points of our prosperity and hopes.

I am not maligning the work force of today or the prosperity of our culture that has helped common men and women enjoy the comforts of life for their families. I am pointing out the attitude that has crept into the church; if it fills the seats, enriches the bank accounts, and satisfies the minds of the congregation it must be good. If it ain’t broke don’t try to fix it. Healing isn’t a gift from God it is the ability of the believer to work the right formula. We are not praying for the mind of contentment we are searching for the formula for hyper-prosperity.

   Michael Horton wrote this concerning the faith gurus of our Christian culture…

“No longer is a miracle the spontaneous and surprising work of God but the right use of means, as predictable as any other scientific law. When God heals, it is not an interruption of natural laws. At its core, the faith healers proclaim a naturalistic faith. Salvation and healing are both human achievements.”

Pragmatism is a dangerous lowering of our view of God and an death blow in the high view of man. Just because it works out for you doesn’t mean it is the hand of God working his will and his way.

More has replaced enough. Beauty has been lost to availability and cost effectiveness. God’s goodness is measured by the capacity in our storage facilities. Success is measured by stuff.

God’s measuring stick is not our measuring stick. Remember this warning…

Luke 12:20 “”But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?”

How’s that working for you?

– From my heart