A man walked up to a vending machine, put in a coin, and pressed a button labeled “coffee, double cream, sugar.” No cup appeared, but the nozzle went into action sending forth coffee, cream and sugar. After the proper amounts had gone down the drain, the machine turned off.

“Now that’s real automation!” exclaimed the man. “This thing even drinks it for you!”

That is just how some people want their religion. They want to make a deposit, put in some money, and let the rest be taken care of automatically. But there is no such thing as automated devotion, automated prayers, automated worship, or automated service in benevolence. The religion of Jesus requires personal engagement. Beware of automated religion.

2 Corinthians 5:10 says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”