Mixing bunnies and eggs with Resurrection Day is one example of mixing the secular with the sacred things of Christ.
Another example occurs when we blend some of the ideas propagated by secular psychology. These ideas cannot be “integrated” or mixed together into a unified whole. It should be clear that some of them are in DIRECT opposition with the sacred teachings of Christianity.
For example, some Christians unthinkingly promote self-esteem for those who commit crimes like stealing from others rather than pointing the thieves to know that they have offended a holy God with a sinful choice and must ask His forgiveness for their sins. It’s Christ-esteem that is needed in those situations not self-esteem. The problem with the sinful choice in the first place was self-esteem and not esteeming others and Christ as more important than oneself.
Stealing is a sin and it will be forgiven by a Holy God when a person comes to Him broken in spirit asking for forgiveness through the blood of Christ!
“Blessed are the poor in spirit” says Matthew 5 not “blessed are those who have high self-esteem.” We don’t need to re-write the Bible to make it say something it doesn’t! Self-esteem is the problem. In fact, I once read a study by Yokelson and Samenow that discovered that law-breakers had HIGH self-esteem not low self-esteem as once thought. I would add that their high self-esteem led to the problem of breaking the law as they disregarded others and God when committing the crime. These criminals needed to confess their sins not feel better about themselves!!! Ugh!
I know, I know: “This sounds harsh, Mark.” But I don’t think it is. I don’t believe Jesus would be teaching self-esteem today. He would promote that one’s identity must be found in Him alone. You lose yourself in Him.
I ask you to pray and ask God to open your eyes to see His wonderful truths so that you will esteem Christ as higher than yourself! Don’t mix the secular idea of “self-esteem” with the sacred truth of esteeming Christ above all else. Resurrection Sunday should be a reminder of His great sacrifice and how He alone is the ultimate source of all things!
-Mark (thankful to Christ that He calls us to be holy, set apart, from the secular ideas of man and this world)