You Can’t Have Jesus, Like You Have Your Whopper
In 1974, Burger King launched a fresh, new ad campaign. There was a fierce battle in the burger wars brewing, and the fast food chain was looking to get ahead of the competition. With a cunning tag line that many still remember today, this new slogan became an instant memory maker.
“Have it your way”
Don’t want pickles on your burger? No problem! We can take those right off for you. How about through the garden, maybe cheese and meat only, or sauce me up- any way you prefer to eat your flame-broiled meat between two buns, Burger King advertised they could make it happen. This was a stark contrast from the McDonald’s menu, which did not allow for customization of their burgers. For BK though, it was completely centered around the customer’s preference.
Fast forward to year 2025, and the concept of “Have it your way”, looms large within the minds of the masses.
“You do you- boo!”
“Do whatever feels right.”
“Be your own person. Do your own thing.”
It amazes me, how far and how wide toxic thoughts can spread. Into the columned halls of cathedrals and stained glass windows, with steeples proudly pointing toward heaven, the stench of death from evil ideologies, have seeped into our churches.
Jesus’ teachings and character are not up for debate, cannot be cut, pasted and rearranged, or permanently deleted. However, I have see a growing trend within the body, to mold scripture to fit culture, as if working with modeling clay. Today I want to highlight a few of these heresies.
All Dogs Do Not Go To Heaven
Despite modern thinking, and a push toward a Jesus who only comes in the name of grace and love, the truth remains steadfast. Jesus Christ is the ONLY way to the Father in heaven. He is ultimate salvation, because of the finished work on the cross. Period. Stop telling people a false narrative, that will result in an eternity spent in Hell.
Yes, God is infinite love, but He is also completely holy and just. He will not and cannot be in the presence of sin. This is why we must have the covering of the Spotless Lamb over our hearts. You must call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, accepting the free gift of salvation, repent of your sins and completely turn from your evil deeds and follow after Him as hard as you can for the rest of your days.
Despite what popular ex-pastor Rob Bell wrote in his 2011 book Love Wins, Hell is a real place, that is filled with real souls, which will have no escape for all eternity. Jesus actually spoke on the subject of Hell quite often, and there are several scriptures that support the reality of eternal torment.
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (Matthew 10:28)
“Then He will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’” (Matthew 25:41)
“They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His might, when He comes on that day to be glorified in His saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.” (2 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
Similarly, all roads do not lead to heaven. Many paths do not merge into the same, unified highway, which lands you at the pearly gates. Allah is not God, Buddha was not divine and Joseph Smith was not visited by a holy angel; and these are but a few examples of false religions.
I’m not trying to pick a fight, I am trying to help the scales fall from your eyes, so you are able to discern what is real, true and profitable for your life. The only way any of us have a shot a salvation, is Christ and Christ alone.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6)
“And this is eternal life, that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” (John 17:3)
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
My bed, my business
One of the most dangerous ideologies invading the church today is that of “free love”. I can love whomever I choose, because after all- “Love is Love”. I’m sorry, but what does that bumper sticker even mean? Has anyone really stopped to think how irrelevant and pointless that statement is? Sometimes I feel our lack of logical thinking, has the majority of us jumping off the preverbal cliff, head long after each other like lemmings.
This one will probably stir up a hornet’s nest, but I’m not here to be your bestie- I’m here to share the truth of God’s Word.
It is not ok to be sleeping with your boyfriend or girlfriend prior to marriage. Oh my, yes, isn’t that just “old fashioned” thinking? Perhaps we should view this as Godly thinking and boundaries that have been set for us, by the Lord, to keep us safe? Safe mentally, physically and emotionally.
It is not morally right to live with someone, who is not your spouse. This one has become so common place within our culture, even the church is beginning to turn a blind eye to the situation. Lord help us when we refuse to speak out against such blatant, sinful practices for fear of hurting someone’s feelings. I would rather hurt your feelings, than wave at you, as you slide off into the pit of Hell.
Porn is sucking the life out of our souls. It devalues women to mere sex slaves. It depicts men as out of control, mindless monsters, who have zero respect for themselves, or the other person involved. It is cold, heartless and pure evil.
There are no special passes given to those who are homosexual, simply because society is cheerleading you on in your sexual choices. I am sorry if the church has confused this issue, and caused you to resent the teachings of scripture and hate the messengers. We typically see this manifest in one of two ways.
The church becomes so harsh, they forget to offer grace and love with the truth.
The church decides maybe, the Bible is outdated and begin to adopt a more open view of homosexuality, transgender and other sexual orientations seen by the world today as acceptable, and they remain silent and accepting.
Both of these viewpoints are wrong and serve no purpose other than furthering the work of the devil.
Regardless of the type of sexual sin, it all leads to death. We are commanded to flee from it. Don’t look back. Run as fast as you can to get away from it, eyes focused ahead at all times. I’m not saying it will be easy, the flesh is incredibly hard to tame, but we must at least try. Place safe guards within your life. Have accountability partners whom you trust, that will help you in purity.
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” (1 Corinthians 6:18)
“But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2)
“Or do you not know that the unrighteousness will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, not men who practice homosexuality.” (1 Corinthians 6:9)
“Let the marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4)
Dear friends, we don’t get to pick and choose which scriptures we like or do not like. We cannot toss out the verses that are difficult to follow and only keep the ones that make us feel good and are enjoyable.
As Christ followers, we must accept the whole Word as true and right, or we accept none of it. There is no in-between. Culture has always pressed its thoughts onto the church, in an effort to change its teachings or keep it silent. We must fight against this dark force and stand firm on the foundation of Christ our Lord.
Being a disciple of Jesus is no easy task. We must remain diligent in crucifying our flesh, studying the Word, staying connected to the Vine and sharing the truth with others. If we read passages which have us wrestling with obedience, wisdom says to pray and seek the Lord for guidance as to how to better understand the precepts you are struggling with, and to change your will, for the Lord’s will.
We don’t get to “Have it our way.” Jesus didn’t even get to have it His way when He walked this earth, and He was God! He tells his disciples and the Jewish leaders several times, He only does what the Father tells Him to do. (John 5:19, 5:30, 12:49-50, 14:31)
Our Savior was totally surrendered to the will of God. This should be our goal as well. May we strive daily to die to our flesh and walk fully in the teachings of His holy Word-from Genesis to Revelation.