Most of us are familiar with the Burger King jingle that urges us to “Have it your way”. Have you ever noticed how similar our faith is to a Burger King life style? Recently, I observed several ways in which our spiritual beliefs and practices resemble a Burger King lifestyle. Join me in taking a little test to examine your spiritual life by agreeing or disagreeing with the following statements.
True or False: I want my religion my way! “Have it your way” was the Burger King slogan for 40 years. Frank Sinatra, old Blue Eyes himself, voiced this same philosophy of life with his theme song, “I Did it My Way.” These two popular phrases are in direct opposition to true Christianity. Jesus Christ said, “I am the way the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me.” (John 14:6) Jesus taught that there is only one way to reach God and eternal life, and that is by a personal commitment to obey Christ. “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14 NASB) True Christians cannot have a relationship with God on their own terms. We must come to God through Jesus Christ; He and He alone can give eternal life!
True or False: I get my spiritual food on the go, like a fast food restaurant. Have you noticed how hurried people are who eat at Burger King? They rush into the parking lot, wait impatiently in line, scarf down their food, and hurry on to their next destination. So it is with the way many people get spiritual nourishment. They get up as late as possible on Sunday morning, rush to church, and slip in just as the service starts in order to get there spiritual food, then rush off to the next activity of the day. We can never get to know God that way. The Lord tells us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). We must spend time reading His Word, meditating, and worshiping Him.
True or False: My spiritual involvement occurs only at certain key times.
If you watch the local Burger King, there are certain times when it is busy. Early in the morning, at noon, and around dinner time, cars jam into the parking lot and line up at the drive-up window. Not much activity occurs during the rest of the day. In the same way some people go to church only on Easter Sunday, Christmas, and maybe a wedding or funeral. By contrast, true Christianity involves daily obedience to Christ. “If anyone wishes to come after Me,” said Jesus, “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).
True or False: I select the parts of the Bible I want to believe and obey.
At Burger King was can say, “Hold the onions, give me extra ketchup.” We can take what we want and leave the rest. In the same way, many people say, “I like the part of the Bible that says ‘God is love.’ But I don’t’ believe it when it says ‘It is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment’. (Hebrews 9:27) and they’re not too crazy about ‘Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you …’ (Matthew 5:44)
We cannot pick and choose the parts of scripture we like. The Bible says of itself, “All scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16). Jesus said, “He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me” (John 14:21). The entire Bible is the Word of God and we must obey all of it.
Does your spiritual life resemble a Burger King lifestyle? Do you want to “have it your way”, or will you accept the challenge to live God’s way?
Pastor Jim