We are often quick to judge continents like Africa or Asia with the crime of syncretism. We are quick to proclaim that they blend their Christianity with tribal beliefs, making a caricature of something that was once so pure. Animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, tribal beliefs, witchcraft, and so on have blended with Biblical belief in these nations that must be vehemently fought against as one would so fight for the health of their body. Much of the reason for the Christian form that is mocked today is this very reason. Anything but the purest form of Christianity must be constantly attacked with solid apostolic doctrine. A problem exists in the fact that much of our own lives are syncretistic as well.
Leonard Ravenhill said, "How can we expect to pull down strongholds of Satan, when we don't have the strength to turn off the tv." This God, whom we profess to love more than our own lives, often takes a backseat to the pleasures we pull from this world. Work takes precedent over God, sleep takes precedent over God, our stomachs take precedent over God, internet takes precedent over God, and the list takes a form that, in length, would rival the great genealogies of Scripture. These practices, which we don't clearly admit to ourselves, are just as syncretistic as a baby Asian Christian worshipping Jesus, but also offering incense and prayers to their dead relatives!
The burden God must daily deal with, when He considers such things. I'm convinced God is much more grieved with these things than we are. Conviction and convenience have waged a war, and convenience seems to be winning.
It's time Christians die to self. There are too many of us professing things we aren't living. Sometimes I look at the body of Jesus, which I am indebted to, and am embarrassed for us. What I see shocks me. It is a body independant from it's head! This may have the appearance of "one of Duffy's rants", but time has come for great change in every one of our lives. No one who claims belief in Jesus Christ is exempt. "Reform of self" need be our cry, as we pursue holiness as devoutly as the world pursues sin.
"Your doctrine can be as straight as a gun's barrel, and just as empty (Ravenhill), needs to be at the forfront of how we live our lives. The standards of the Bible should be lived, as well as taught. The world (for the most part) knows what we believe, they just haven't seen it exemplified. Our words of truth now condemn us.
Pursue holiness as much as you would pursue air if being held under water. Release God from the responsibility He has given us, and lets take it back on our shoulders. The tools are already given to us; they're intimacy with Holy Spirit, and obedience. Let's take our syncretistic lives to the cross where much of our sin has alrady died. Let us cry' "I am second, JESUS FIRST".