When I was in Austria the PIONEERS missionary couple I was visiting said to me that one of the crucial problems in the small Austrian evangelical church is that even the more devoted members, while they love Jesus and respect the Bible, are unwilling to submit themselves to what Jesus teaches (as recorded in the Bible). They like aspects of Christianity, but don't want to follow the parts that are hard or challenging.
I think this is an issue in this country as well. Look at the interest in spirituality in America today. The obsession with all things in "angelic" was a few years ago now (hence "Touched By An Angel" is no longer with us), but Kaballah is in and people are taking more of an interest in Islamic teachings, despite the association with terrorism. Note, though, that this interest is mostly just in the aspects of spirituality that are in some way beneficial or soothing -- inner peace or healing, spiritual guidance and so on. Not many people are talking about sacrifice or discipline or repentance.
But this is a package deal, folks. We can't make Jesus into a spiritual buffet where we pile on extra helpings of peace, joy and blessings but leave behind accountability, sacrifice, repentance and putting others first. Let's allow Jesus to be what he is and what he said he was: the Risen Son of God, fully deserving of our COMPLETE devotion and obedience.
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