Concerning Resale
Resale is a concept usually found in business. After the customer buys a product or service, additional related items are presented. Many industries have resale. Well, we like cruise ships, & you can get real trip ticket deals, but then on board run into all kinds of “resale” stuff. Shops galore, jewelry on tables, professional portraits, expensive body massage, specialty restaurants, art auctions, port tours, ship tours, de-tox systems, casino, roving bar sales and more ways to sell more to the customer. Sometimes too much resale can be bothersome, but generally it just “comes with the territory.” And all cruise lines have “resale,” and the ship keeps moving along to the destination. Those determined to maximize their trip have faith in the Captain & the destination. They don’t allow “other” agendas to spoil their trip.
Does the “resale” picture have a parallel in the spiritual/religious arena? The individual hears the simple gospel message – God loves us, sent His Son to die for our sin, man/woman repents & accepts the gift & is saved. He/she then finds a church group to be part of the “family of God.” Then the “resale” kicks in. “Now you need church 3 times a week.” “If you don’t tithe, you are robbing God.” “Good Mormons get married in the temple.” “It’s right to eat fish on Fridays.” “We Adventists really should be vegan.” “To be really filled with the Holy Spirit you should speak in tongues.” etc. etc. Some groups just have too much “resale.” I think the spirituality of Christianity tends to break down in the midst of the well-meaning “people-ness” & politics found in most denominations.
Now being a “customer of God” and participating in the salvation of Christ is a very good thing. (Lots of folks have been so convinced that they have died for their faith.) And most of thinking Christendom will admit that some of their group’s doctrines & emphases can be excessive & bothersome. But the ship/denomination keeps moving toward the destination even with some excess "baggage."
Is there a way to deal with the “resale” without abandoning ship? It’s a sad fact that many who make a decision to follow Christ give up the “good fight” & fall away from the Lord. Some quit for reasons similar to those above. I believe seekers of God should expect & accept some issues (& people-ness) along the path. Frustration, inconvenience, challenges, etc. may just come with the territory. (I think the Christian life is supposed to be a bit tough.) But a focus on the captain (J.C.) & the destination can be the winning mindset. Don’t let religious “resale” spoil your “cruise.”
-- “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8
-- “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
-- “Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. Colossians 2:16
-- “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior;” Titus 3:5-6
Choose Jesus, His alive. “Cruise” with Him and be blessed on the way to the destination. See also link 59 “Patterns.”
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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