"Cheap Easy Believe-ism"

Leroy Forlines was Dean of Men and a Theology Professor where I went to Bible College in the early 1970’s. Brother Forlines was as straight as an arrow. He was the epitome of a southern gentleman. Gallantry and integrity were two of his chief attributes. His grooming was perfect. His dress was immaculate. (he wore the blackest suits, the whitest shirts, and the shiniest shoes of anyone I had ever met!) His theology was right and his character was above reproach. He was a Godly man and he taught the importance of holiness.

Brother Forlines served on that Baptist denomination’s “Theological Liberalism Commission” and authored a number of booklets on troubling trends in the evangelical world and the dangers of post modern culture. His politics were conservative and so was his religion. The three or four regularly scheduled meetings that we male dorm residents had with him throughout the semester were irreverently referred to by us as “Boy Scout Meetings”. In fact, Brother Forlines took me on as a personal project shortly after I arrived at that Bible College. Looking back on it now, I can understand why – but that is another story for another time!

There are many things I remember about Leroy Forlines, but one particular phrase he regularly used has taken on a powerful meaning to me – even now, nearly four decades after the fact. He often spoke of “Cheap Easy Believe-ism”. Honestly, at the time the term really didn’t mean too much to me. It was often a punch line we students used when doing bad impressions of the professor, mimicking his somewhat squeaky voice. But I do get it now! Over 35 years of practical experience in ministry has brought the old professor’s words to life. “Cheap Easy Believe-ism” is, I believe, the scourge of the church today. How can we expect the members of our churches to fulfill the Great Commission, when some of them may not even have a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ?

In Acts, chapter 16 when the Philippian Jailer asked the two recently liberated preachers, Silas and the Apostle Paul, “Sir’s what must I do to be saved?” the answer was simple. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved...” The question would be then, what does it mean to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”? The type of belief that Paul spoke of was more than a cheap and easy choice with no ramifications for the individual believer. The kind of belief we’re talking about here involves a life changing relationship with Christ. It is the type of belief that puts self on the cross and Christ on the throne of our lives. "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)

Now let me make it plain that the Bible teaches that Salvation comes by Grace, through Faith, plus nothing. We come into right standing with God only through faith in Jesus Christ – his vicarious death and bodily resurrection. Doing “good works” cannot earn God’s favor. Keeping rules and going through the motions have no salvific value. We must accept Christ’s atoning work on Calvary as our only hope of Salvation. However, when we do accept Christ by faith there is a change that takes place in our lives. Consider this simple statement from Paul the Apostle:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ…” (2 Corinthians 5: 17-18a) A true relationship with Christ will manifest itself in every aspect of our lives!

I am afraid that in our well intentioned efforts to win others to Christ, we have inadvertently lowered the standards of “belief”. With the emphasis we place on “decisions” and number of baptisms reported, we may be missing the mark terribly. The focus seems to be mostly on the unbeliever making his or her "decision" to accept Christ, than emphasizing the necessity of the new birth and a relationship with Christ. Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship. Many of our efforts have devolved into pushing for numbers and emphasizing how “easy” it is to become a Christian. The plan of salvation is indeed simple, but coming into a right relationship with God is a very serious step.


In our recent Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in San Antonio, a resolution was submitted to encourage our local churches to place a greater emphasis on “regenerate membership”. Do you mean to tell me that some of our churches might have people on our church rolls who aren’t even saved?

To coin an ancient Hebrew expression - “Duh!”

How else can one explain the phenomena of church members who are “missing in action”? There are many “members” of Baptist Churches that even the FBI couldn’t locate! It’s easier to uncover clients of the federal witness protection program than to find some “church members” anywhere about the business of our Lord. If someone truly has a relationship with Christ, why is it necessary to invite, cajole, beg, bribe, and even shame them to come to His house for worship? If they are truly members of the family of God, wouldn’t it seem likely that they would want to be at “family gatherings”? Wouldn’t they want to spend time with their brothers and sisters in Christ? Wouldn’t they be interested in serving the Lord in various ministries of His church? Wouldn’t there be a heart felt gratitude for God’s mercy toward them that would permeate every aspect of their lives? If they truly love Jesus with all their heart, wouldn’t they honor Him with at least a tenth of what’s in their wallet?

Seems logical to me.

It should go without saying that local church membership should be reserved for those who are truly born again, scripturally baptized believers; people who have a personal relationship with God, through His Son, Jesus. Unfortunately “Cheap Easy Believe-ism” has crept in to our churches to the point that one would have to wonder how many of our SBC’s 16.3 million reported “church members” truly belong to the family of God. Now, I can comprehend that some folks might come to a point where they no longer feel that they can worship in a particular church for one reason or another (legitimate or not). However, over the years I have talked to scores of “church members” who can’t seem to find ANYPLACE they can worship, fellowship, and serve. What’s wrong with this picture?

Brother Forlines hit the nail on the head nearly 40 years ago. Salvation is free, but it is not cheap! It came at the cost of the precious blood of Jesus Himself. Consider what Jesus said about the Kingdom of God, in Luke 14: 27-35 “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— “lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, “saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ “Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? “Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace. “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.
“Salt is good; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? “It is neither fit for the land nor for the dunghill, but men throw it out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

Have you “counted the cost”? Have you considered the serious ramifications of your decision to answer Jesus’ call to “Follow me”? It is time for every one who calls themselves, “Christians” to take inventory of their lives. Do we really have a relationship with Christ? Does it show in our deeds and words? Is there fruit that testifies to us being in Him? Does the attitude of Jesus come through in all we say and do? Is the Spirit of Christ evident in us? Romans 8:9 gives a sobering take on that subject, “But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.”

It may be that one of the greatest needs in our churches today is not that God’s people need to be "revived"; but rather that some who claim to be God’s people have never been “vived” in the first place!