Can We Put A "Happy Face" On The Cross?

Frederica Mathews-Green, a syndicated columnist for several diverse publications, asked the following question regarding the church:  “Will the church of the new millennium put a ‘Happy Face’ on the cross?” Ms. Mathews-Green asks a very sobering question regarding the church of today. Are we really headed in the direction of a “feel good” religion — one where an individual can enjoy themselves by simply following the desires of their heart, live comfortably, and then enter into glory?

In an article dated September 11, 2008, she points out the following: “We want God to bless us, we want him to smash our enemies, but we have no concept of what a holy life is, and no expectation of repentance — we think that God is just going to go on smiling on us.“

Quoting C.S. Lewis, she further states that the widespread cultural hunger, is the yearning for God who is not a Father in heaven, but “a grandfather in heaven who likes to see the young people enjoying themselves.” Sad to say, Ms. Mathews-Green's analysis is pretty much correct, regarding the religious landscape of our day.

The popular religion of today focuses on joy, happiness, peace, and prosperity, rather than focusing on the more demanding concepts of "obedience" (Romans 6:17), "duty" (Ecclesiastes 12:13), "responsibility" (Gal. 6:1-2), "accountability" (Romans 14:10-11; 2 Corinthians 5:10), "faithfulness" (Revelation 2:10), "self-denial" (Matthew 16:24), and "suffering" (2 Timothy 3:12).

The religionists of our day who just want to “cuddle and hug” everyone to death, might have a tough time adjusting to such things as going to jail, being stoned, being beaten with rods, and confronting other dangers (cf. Acts 16:16-24; Acts 14:19; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

Beloved, if we’re faithful to the Lord and His church (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23, Colossians 1:18), it becomes extremely difficult to put a “Happy Face” on the cross of Christ as well as the one we must bear (Matthew 27:24-54; Matthew 16:24).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets