Easy Believism

During the 80's we attended a large church in southern California. The pastor often spoke out against what he called easy believism. He said far too many people figured they were saved and belonged to the family of God because they had “walked the aisle and prayed the sinner’s prayer,” but nothing had changed in their lives. He said (and I agree with him) that it is better to be a Christian and worry that you are not, than to be a pagan and convinced that you are a Christian.

In that church, we were taught that if we shared the gospel with people, we must tell them that when they become Christians, their lives will change. They will love God, His Word, and love other Christians. They will hate sin and confess it, and want to live holy lives.

We were given a brief, basic list and used it before anyone prayed that sinner’s prayer. That way, no one would “accept Jesus into their hearts” without realizing that He would make a huge difference in their lives, and if that change didn’t happen, their salvation was suspect and should be examined.

When the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, he knew that they were genuine believers. He told them:

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers, remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake. And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became examples to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe.

These people experienced the power of God and their lives were changed. Their new faith, new love and vivid hope motivated them to do good and endure hardship—with joy! They received and obeyed God’s Word and became good examples of what believers should be. All this evidence produced joy and thankfulness in Paul’s heart too.

Some Christians assume that if anyone wants to be a Christian, all they need to do is tell God they are sinners and ask Jesus to forgive them and save them. While this is true, this can be that “word only” powerless event that Paul talks about. It is not enough.

For salvation and regeneration to occur, the power of the Holy Spirit also must be at work. I can chant whatever I think I should say, but without God being in it, I am only making noise.

This is not to say that God isn’t in or behind the motivation to pray such a prayer. Often He is, but He also knows the human heart. If someone wants only ‘fire insurance’ and has no sorrow for sin, no desire for repentance and change, and no longing for a relationship with Jesus Christ, God knows that. That person can say whatever they wish and claim whatever they wish, but 2 Timothy 2:19 says, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Being a child of God means acting like one. Oh, we might start out looking like the same brats that we were before praying that prayer, but if our hearts are right and God is in it, we will begin to grow up, and by the same power of that Spirit who saved us, we will become more and more like our Father.