Slot Machine Jesus

Dear Reader, 

    So I want to touch on something that has been coming up a lot lately. It's this thing where we have this expectancy from God, that you can pull a lever and just get what you want from Him. I call this the "Slot Machine Jesus" mentality.  How often have we called on the name of Jesus, to get us out of a situation? Even though we were the ones who put ourselves in it in the first place. How often have we called onto God, because we needed something and gave these wonderful false coins (promises) that for some reason or another we forget and go back to doing what we normally do?  

Now understand that what I'm talking about here, I'm am just as guilty of committing. I remember when I was a young boy, I used to pray to God to help me with my bullies. I would pray that He would rain his wrath on them, and allow me to watch as He took care of them. I mean I am His child, isn't that what is stated in the Bible  (And, "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:18) 

The answer to this is a huge NO. This is not what is meant by that scripture. He is not going to bring that fire and brimstone on our "enemies". Think about that for a second. How many of us, pray these kinds of prayers on a regular? There would be no human existence left.  

Jesus didn't sacrifice his life for us to just be spoiled little brats that expect to get what they want when they want it. Jeremiah 29:13 states: "Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." 

This verse has some truth did you catch it?  Let me highlight it for you: ...when you search for Me with all your heart. 

Nowhere does this say call me and I will answer your every beck and call, nor does it say I will give you everything you want when you want it. 

As we grow closer to God, by Seeking, requiring Him (needing Him), and searching for Him with our whole heart, then He will come to us. You see what I understand from this is that we need to put in some effort and not just dropping in a coin in the slot and pull a lever. We need to take steps into discovering who He is and as we learn about Him, we will begin to discover who we are and the authority we have in the name of Jesus. 

Food for thought: 

“ Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you.  Matthew 7:7 (AMP)

           

 Osbert Maldonado