American Jesus - Customized Faith: "Have it Your Way" Christianity

Burger King coined the phrase “Have it Your Way” in 1974, a slogan that resonates deeply with many because of our natural desire to have it “our way.”  We’re wired to resist being boxed in or burdened with unwanted baggage.  We live in a society where we can tailor almost every aspect of our lives to our preferences, from medications to state laws, so it’s no surprise when this mentality spills over into our religious beliefs.  

Similarly, many Christians have adopted an “a la carte” approach to the Word of God, picking and choosing the parts that align with their personal truths while discarding the rest.  As David Platt aptly said, “We create a nice, non-offensive, politically correct, middle-class, American Jesus, who looks just like us and thinks just like us.”  We create a Jesus in our image rather than conforming our lives to His.  

One of the most significant criticisms against Christianity is the question: "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Yet, even believers selectively obey God's commands, creating a fragmented, self-serving faith. This is a far cry from the commitment demanded of Christians—to surrender entirely to God's will, giving up our independence and submitting every aspect of our lives to Him.  Similarly, if you’re a parent, you might understand when your child is enjoys the benefits of living under your roof and care, but still chooses to ignore your rules and do things their own way.

Accepting God's gift of salvation doesn't require us to have it all figured out beforehand. When we confess Jesus as Lord, acknowledge our sins, and commit to following Him, transformation begins. Through His grace, God purifies our hearts, indwells us with His Spirit, and sets us on a new path. It's a supernatural regeneration that alters our thoughts, actions, and perspective on life.  I can attest to this unbelievable transformation and the power it has to alter your life’s mission.  

I’m afraid our culture has reduced Christ’s costly command  to “go, baptize, and teach all nations” to a comfortable invitation for Christians to “come, be baptized, and sit in one location”.  True submission to God’s will inevitably leads to change.  Our character is molded, our desires redirected, our hearts compelled to spread the Truth to the world.  We become willing to follow wherever He leads, knowing that our ultimate home is not of this world.  

Genuine Christianity requires total surrender - a commitment to please the One who sacrificed His life for ours, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Let’s challenge ourselves to move beyond the “have it your way” mindset and embrace a deeper commitment to God.  I invite you to take a moment and think of any areas in your life where you’ve been holding back from God’s will?  Are there elements of your faith where you pick and choose instead of fully surrendering?  

Together, let’s strive for a genuine surrender to God’s plan and trust in His transformative power to reshape our hearts and lead us on a purposeful journey.  

Until next time.  God bless…