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Cafeteria Theology


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II Timothy 3:5 – “Having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!” 

            Growing up we went to Myrtle Beach, SC on our family vacations.  We would always stop in Columbia, SC at the S & S Cafeteria.  We loved the choices they had on the menu.  Some restaurants offer only a limited menu, but a cafeteria has different kinds of meats, vegetables, and desserts to choose from.  As consumers we love to have choices.  Grocery stores carry different brands and sizes of the same items.

            We often approach the Word of God with this same consumerism.  We want to pick and choose what we believe.  If Scripture disagrees with our lifestyle or choices we just disregard it.  This is Cafeteria Theology.  The Apostle Paul defines this in as “having a form of godliness.” 

            Partial obedience is disobedience.  I Samuel 15:22 says, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”  II Timothy 3:16 says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

            When we choose to reject the teachings of Scripture we place more value in our own opinions and culture than on the Word of God.  The Lord gave the following promise to Joshua conditioned upon making His Word a priority.  Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” 

            The Psalmist wrote Psalms 119:9-11, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.”  We must honor the Word by memorizing and meditating in it. Jesus spoke these words in John 5:39, “You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me.”

            We must obey the principles and precepts of God’s Word.  James, the half-brother of our Lord wrote in James 2:9, “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”  We must make the Scriptures a priority in our life.  They will be a source of hope, comfort, and joy.


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