Years ago as a single woman living away from home, I took it upon myself one Saturday morning to attempt to make my Dad's "World Famous" Swedish pancakes. He had written out the recipe for me and given me all sorts of breakdowns of the ingredients, depending upon whether I was making them for a crowd or just for me. Well, I decided to invite a few of my girlfriends over for breakfast, and I set about making the medium-sized batch of Swedish pancakes.
There was only one problem.
Instead of adding in 1 tablespoon of sugar, I misread the recipe card and inadvertently added 1 cup!
Fortunately, the pancakes still turned out okay--same texture and everything, but suffice it to say, that day's batch was a bit on the sweet side! During the meal, I mentioned to my girlfriends that while these were good, they just weren't really my Dad's "World Famous" Swedish pancakes and I told them the mistake I had made! After having a good laugh about it, we decided that we had to get together again sometime soon so they could enjoy the REAL thing!
How often we as the contemporary Church do this, too, my friend! Oh, we as the Church preach and teach about God's love, judgment, forgiveness, grace, and so on and so forth, but oftentimes we do it ALL out of proportion. Some churches focus on God's grace and love, and neglect to talk about His law and judgment. Other churches preach long and hard on God's judgment and the anguish of Hell, but cast aside God's love and grace. While all the elements of God's Word are technically "in there"...it is out of biblical proportion and as a result, one is left with a false-gospel message--a message of "you have to earn your way to God" or a message of "it doesn't really matter how you live...God forgives you." Sadly, sometimes things are entirely taken away from the Bible in our churches or added to it {News Flash: "God hates the sin but loves the sinner" and "Let go and let God" are NOT in the Scriptures...but I will save those for another blog post!}
So, as you enjoy your next batch of pancakes (or cake, cookies, or any baked goods!), stop and think just a bit about the truths found in Scripture. Are you reading the Word directly and getting a biblically balanced and accurate dose of God's law, justice, grace, and love? Or are you content with overly "sweet" messages that are not consistent with God's Word? Trust me when I say that God's Word is perfectly apportioned with the Truth and it is one recipe that you will want to taste as God intended!
"I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10
YUM!
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