“Strive to
enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” (Luke
13:24, KJV)
No
doubt one of the mantras of our age is the refrain that to become a Christian
is easy and, furthermore, you need only receive Christ and all your worries
will be a thing of the past. “Let Jesus into your heart” the preacher will tell
us, “and He will give you peace and joy and you’ll never have to worry about anything
anymore.” To be sure, the idea that becoming a Christian will solve all your problems,
cure all your ailments and make right whatever is wrong in your life is not
new. But it seems it has never been as prevalent as it is today. The so-called “prosperity
gospel” is perhaps the greatest purveyor of such silliness. Alas, it is not
surprising in a generation that is desperately trying to find meaning while at
the same time spurning the God who alone can give it to them.