I very clearly remember my father sitting in his recliner each evening, dressed only in his underwear, smoking Lucky Strikes cigarettes, with a can or two of Pabst Blue Ribbon beer on the table to his left. The television was on, and we kids were compelled to watch Lawrence Welk, or Red Skeleton, or even the Johnny Carson show. I remember his deep laugh as if it were yesterday. But every ten minutes or so, the commercials came on, my father’s disposition would change, and we would hear him shout, preceded by some form of a swear word: “@!#$@, they’re programming us!” 

 

That was back in the 1960s, around 65 years ago. As a kid, I didn’t know what he was talking about then, but I sure know now. 

 

We are in fact, a programmed population. Many of us can sing the jingles of food products we heard fifty or more years ago. We can recall television shows, songs, movies, entertainers, magazine covers, as well as all the phrases our parents taught us. “Don’t run with scissors or a stick in your hands.” “Don’t talk to strangers.” “Wash your hands with soap before eating.” And most importantly: “Don’t bring up politics or religion with family or friends.”

 

Do you want to guess whose idea it was/is not to talk to people about religion? Especially since Jesus commanded His followers to go into all the world and tell others of the good news of the Gospel? No wonder Christians today are confused and afraid to share the love of Christ with people – they’ve been programmed to keep quiet!

 

Too many churches today are social clubs; members attend services once a week to greet friends, hear a message from the Bible, and fellowship over coffee, or as they are walking to their cars. Once Monday comes, nobody mentions the Gospel or the free gift of salvation through Christ to another person for fear of offending them, or being labeled as “one of those hysterical Bible thumpers.” 

 

The Apostle Paul said it like this: “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:13-15) 

 

Did you know that every single Christian is expected to be an ambassador for Christ? And every single Christian is commanded to carry out the Great Commission? Believers are to plant seeds, be a source of light and truth, produce fruit, and lay up treasure in heaven. How many Christians do you know who are doing that?

 

If believers want to one day hear Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” they are going to have to make some changes to their thinking right now. Sadly, too many believers would rather binge on Netflix, than learn about the Holy Spirit. Or watch CNN or Fox news, rather than study apologetics. Or join the neighborhood wine or card club, instead of reading and studying their Bibles. 

 

Do you know how to compassionately and lovingly lead a lost person to Christ? Why not? Do you know how to pray for someone who is hurting or lonely or suffering with an illness? No? 

 

Do you know how to answer someone who asks you why you believe in God? Or why you are always smiling? Or why the brokenness all around us doesn’t seem to affect you? 

 

Jesus told His followers to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”(Matthew 6:19-21). The only treasures we can lay up in heaven are the eternal souls of our friends and loved ones, or those we meet, or those who God brings across our paths. 

 

May our Lord Jesus Christ be praised and honored and glorified by all that we say, all that we think, and all that we do.

 

H.K. Holevinsky