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Cafeteria Christians – they’re everywhere. We live with them, work with them, worship with them and sadly in some cases, they are our spiritual leaders “chosen” to lead us on the path of righteousness.  They profess to be followers of Jesus Christ and His teachings; they proclaim that Jesus is the primary influence in their lives and they propagate their beliefs to others very openly, yet they live a lie.

As growing Christians, we’re all at different stages of our spiritual growth and we all struggle and we all fail. I’m not talking to those Christians that believe and accept the full truth of what our faith entails but struggle because of weaknesses in certain areas of their lives.   I’m talking to the Christians that ‘enjoy’ a cafeteria style Christian doctrine where they get to pick and choose what teachings govern their lives. I’m talking to the Christians that help themselves to a small serving of selected doctrines but completely eliminate others from their spiritual diet.  I’m talking to the Cafeteria Christians that accept certain beliefs or teachings and dismiss others that do not appeal to them, with the excuse that they are not applicable or relevant.  I’m talking to you – the Cafeteria Christians that make it harder for Christians that are truly living in the fullness of their faith but are harshly judged and criticized because of the hypocritical way you choose to live your life.   You know who you are and you are living a lie because you do not acknowledge the full truth of the Word of God.

Matthew 7:20-24: Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”

In this verse Jesus was talking to believers – He was talking to Christians – Christians that do not live in the full truth; Christians that boast in their sin; Christians that feel they are exempt from certain teachings; Christians that tout their faith but bear no fruit; Christians that live under an umbrella of doctrine that is not too prohibiting or restricting; Christians that choose the broad and easy road to a ‘pseudo’ happy life; Christians that view the bible as a menu of choices and the ten commandments as the ten suggestions. You know who you are, because as you read this, you will be convicted. You will be convicted because somewhere in there, the Holy Spirit still resides and while He might be stifled because you choose to live your life your way; He hasn’t given up on you.

James 1:23-25 : Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

My intent is not to judge or condemn, but to lovingly enlighten you with the hope that those of you who are living by a buffet style Christian menu, will wake up, smell the coffee and correct your behavior. I’m tolling the lunch bell for you –loudly—so you can hear it, heed it and get your lives in line.

Revelation 3: 15-16: I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

To the Cafeteria Christians that are in my life, that I love and cherish, I’m serving up a dose of truth medicine – a pill that is as hard to swallow as it is to give.

To the single Christian woman that talks the talk about how good God has been; that is active in the Church; that is always trying to save others yet can’t save herself for marriage because “it’s just not practical” —- and when she gets that unexpected, unwelcomed surprise, she aborts it because it just doesn’t fit into the plan she has for her life – I’m tolling the bell for you.

To the Christian married man that professes to be a dedicated husband and father yet is carrying on an extramarital affair because “my wife just doesn’t understand me”, I’m tolling the bell for you.

To the Christian co-worker that touts his faith every chance he gets, parades his spiritual screensavers yet has no qualms about spreading blatant lies about a fellow colleague to promulgate his own agenda, I’m tolling the bell for you.

And finally, to the single ‘devout’ Christian man who professes  that Jesus leads every aspect of his life and was interested in me right up until he realized that I actually practiced the biblical view on no premarital sex, then dismissed me, I’m tolling the bell for you.

Excerpts from Psalm 19:7-11:

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple
The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart
The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eye
More to be desired are they than gold
Sweeter also than honey and the honey comb
Moreover by them your servant warned
And in keeping them there is great reward

The experience was humiliating – to say the least. I sunk down in the chair – deflated; discouraged; depressed. It was my annual performance review with my supervisor and his feedback was far from flattering.  In my position at the firm, I was frequently in the public eye. I represented the company at numerous business and social functions, events and meetings and maintaining a ‘professional’ image was essential.  Due to the pressures in my personal and work-life, I had let myself go and in the process had gained a lot of weight on top of the additional weight I was already carrying. It had become obvious and so I wasn’t surprised when my supervisor alluded to it in my review, respectfully saying that I needed to improve my ‘professional’ image.  The truth is, in my weight gain I had become sloppy in how I presented myself, a reflection of how I was truly feeling on the inside.

I had tried so many times in the past to successfully lose weight. I tried numerous diets and exercise regimens and while I achieved success, it was always short-lived.  Now 100+ pounds overweight, I had become disillusioned. I was at an impasse but I wanted to change – I needed to change.  As a woman with strong faith, I unburdened myself to the Lord, something I had not done in the past regarding this matter.

It was in prayer that the Lord revealed to me, that my undisciplined mindset regarding my health had led me to this juncture.   I made a decision to let go and let God fully control my life, asking Him to renew and reprogram my mindset toward food, fitness and my general wellbeing.

Romans 12:2: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

I prayed for a Godly perspective regarding my health and I received it!  I changed my “live to eat” to an “eat to live” mentality, integrated discipline in my eating habits and became physically active. It wasn’t just a diet; it had become a lifestyle due to a changed mindset that bore permanent results. I found myself enjoying a new lifestyle and reaping the benefits of new attitudes that were sown in my transformed mind.

Two and a half years later and 56 pounds lighter, I have gained a whole new lease on life thanks to the mind diet that resulted in positive physical and emotional changes for me. To coin a phrase from Joyce Meyer (www.joycemeyer.org) “I’m not where I need to be, but thank God I’m not where I used to be”