The Reformed Life

In our modern church culture, it’s easy to settle for a surface-level faith. Many Christians are content with catchy one-liners, emotional experiences, and sermons that feel more like self-help talks than deep theological teaching. But what happens when life gets hard? What happens when suffering comes, doubts arise, or cultural pressures demand compromise? If our faith is built on shallow foundations, it will crumble.

Jesus warned against this in Matthew 7:24-27 when He described two kinds of people—one who builds his house on the rock and another on sand. The difference? A foundation that can withstand the storms of life. This is why depth in doctrine matters.

1. Superficial Christianity Cannot Sustain Genuine Faith

Many churches today focus on making Christianity appealing rather than biblical. Messages are stripped of hard truths, and discipleship is often reduced to a weekly pep talk. While this may produce excitement, it does not produce steadfast believers.

The Apostle Paul urged the church to be “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith” (Colossians 2:7). Without deep roots in Scripture, Christians are vulnerable to false teaching, spiritual complacency, and eventually falling away when trials come.

This is exactly what Jesus described in the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:16-17)—some receive the Word with joy but have no root. When difficulty arises, they wither. If our faith is not anchored in sound doctrine, it will not endure.

2. Shallow Theology Leads to Weak Discipleship

Christianity is not just about conversion; it’s about discipleship. Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). That requires depth.

But too often, discipleship is neglected or reduced to surface-level encouragement. When this happens, believers remain spiritually immature. The writer of Hebrews rebuked Christians who were still living on “milk” rather than “solid food” (Hebrews 5:12-14). A lack of doctrinal depth results in believers who struggle to discern truth from error, resist temptation, and live in obedience to Christ.

3. Biblical Illiteracy Makes the Church Vulnerable to False Teaching

A shallow church is a susceptible church. When believers are not grounded in Scripture, they are easily swayed by cultural trends and false teaching. Paul warned about this in Ephesians 4:14, saying that immature Christians are like children “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine.”

This is why churches must prioritize expository preaching, theological training, and biblical literacy. Christians should be equipped to discern false teaching, whether it comes from prosperity preachers, progressive theology, or legalistic distortions of the gospel.

4. True Joy and Strength Come from Knowing God Deeply

Some might argue, “I don’t need theology; I just need Jesus.” But if we love Jesus, we should want to know Him deeply. Doctrine is not about dry academics—it’s about knowing the living God.

The Psalmist declares, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!” (Psalm 34:8). A superficial faith will never fully grasp the richness of God’s character, the depth of His love, and the glory of His redemptive plan. Those who know God deeply will trust Him more fully, worship Him more passionately, and live more faithfully.

How Can We Pursue Greater Depth in Our Faith?

If we recognize the danger of superficial Christianity, how do we combat it? Here are a few practical steps:

• Prioritize the Word of God – Commit to reading, studying, and meditating on Scripture daily. Don’t settle for quick devotionals—dig deep.
• Seek Expository Preaching – Be part of a church that teaches the whole counsel of God’s Word, not just what’s trendy or palatable.
• Engage in Theological Reading – Read books by trusted theologians and pastors (R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, J.I. Packer, etc.).
• Join a Discipleship Group – Surround yourself with believers who are serious about growing in the faith.
• Pray for Understanding – Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to the richness of God’s Word (Psalm 119:18).

Conclusion: Dig Deep, Stand Firm

The church doesn’t need more entertainment-driven, feel-good Christianity. It needs disciples who know God deeply and stand firm in the truth. Shallow faith will not survive in a world that is increasingly hostile to biblical truth. But those who are rooted in Christ, built up in sound doctrine, and firm in the faith will stand unshaken.

So ask yourself: Is your faith built on sand or the solid rock of God’s Word? It’s time to dig deeper.

Soli Deo Gloria,

Josh Chambers

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