I am one who tends to believe that Christianity is to be known for more than just another religion. Also, I don't like to call Christianity a religion, because then people feel they have to be religious. Typically I find when people think of themselves as religious, they think of themselves as "holier than thou." Now I don't have a problem with Christianity being a religion and calling Christians religious, I just feel there's more to it than this.
However, the word religion does scare me a little. Religion scares a lot of people. Religion can be and has been the cause of war. Do I need to mention the crusades and let us not forget Jihads. These "holy" wars have damaged the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths and their followers. Religions offer a lot of rules and regulations to follow. All three of these religions have a lot rules, better known as commands. And religious people believe if they follow these commands they will be saved forever from eternal punishment. You know, follow the rules and go to Heaven, break the rules and go to Hell. But Christianity offers something that the other religions don't offer. Christianity offers relationship, and I believe that this is what Christianity is to be.
I define relationship as a strong bond between two or more people. We have relationships with our spouse, parents, children and friends. Webster's defines a relationship as a romantic or passionate attachment. Now your saying wait a minute, that sounds intense, I don't have romantic or passionate attachments with anyone but my spouse. The word passionate is defined by Webster's as being capable of, affected by, or expressing intense feeling. I believe we have experienced these intense feelings by people who love us. I believe that Christians are to be passionate for Christ. Jesus is the bridegroom and the church is the bride. Typically a married couple has a romantic and or passionate attachment to each other.
Jesus was capable of, affected by, and expressed intense feelings for God's creation. Jesus was and still is a man of relationship. If Jesus was not capable of intense feelings, He would not have went to the cross. If Jesus was not affected by intense feelings, He would not have went to the cross. And if Jesus was not able to express intense feelings, He would not have went to the cross. Jesus going to the cross is all about relationship. It was God's way of making right what went wrong in the Garden of Eden. This intense feeling Jesus expressed was the act of love. Love is what we need to have relationship.
Jesus told His disciples to love God and to love their neighbor. Last time I checked, everybody wants to be loved. Christians are not to be religious, but to love religiously. Religion and being religious does not change lives. Loving people and wanting to be in relationship with them changes lives. This is what Christianity is, a relationship that changes lives for God. My definition for Christianity is a relationship to God, through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. In other words, it's to love God through the cross of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. When we are able to love God then we are truly able to love our neighbor.
Put religion aside and try to have a relationship with God. God is not looking for people to follow rules, He is looking for people to be in relationship with. He's looking for you.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Difference Between a Church Goer and a Christian
A funny thing happened today, however it wasn't funny haha as it was funny weird. Today at church one of out most faithful members, in attendance and service, decided to leave the worship after offering and buy a newspaper. This was something I did not notice, but my wife was downstairs with the Children's Sunday school class and noticed him leaving. When he entered the church he was carrying the Sunday paper, although he was trying to conceal it by hiding it behind him. As he walked up the stairs, my wife noticed him carrying it with him.
After the service was over, my wife noticed as she walked behind the very last row of chairs, that the paper had been opened and the sports page was laying on top. The paper was obviously being read. I did not notice this taken place, however I did think that he was sitting in an odd position in the back of the sanctuary. Evidently the Pens are more important right now than God. This same gentleman has pulled people out of church, during worship, to hold a meeting in the fellowship hall. I am familiar with Church Meetings, as in Church Camps, but this takes it to a whole new level.
What I am struggling with is people thinking that as long as they go to church they're "in." Church has become a part of the "To Do List." A Church Goer is one that uses checks church off the list as done and honors him or herself by doing a good thing. While a Christian goes to church for nurture, growth, support and to worship and honor God. I have noticed there are more Church Goers in church than there are Christians.
I have hear recently, from my wife and a dear colleague, that just because you're in a garage, doesn't make you a car. But the belief by most people is, if they attend church, then they are a Christian. Not so. A Christian is one who does not do church, but is church. A Church Goer does church. The difference again is the action of being and doing. Jesus never asked us to do church, He commanded us to be the church. How are we to be the church? It's simple.
Jesus commanded us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as our self. Simply put we are to be in koinonia with God and neighbor. If we do keep these two simple commands then we are being the church. When we love God with our heart, soul, mind or strength and love certain neighbor but mainly love ourselves, then that would make you a Church Goer, that is if you go to church. If you don't go to church, but watch it on TV at your home, then your either a shut-in or a Church Watcher. A Church Watcher is far worse than Church Goer, because there is no chance for fellowship with God and neighbor.
How does a Church Goer become a Christian? By preaching the Word, proclaiming the name of Jesus and if you have to use words. We are to love the Church Goer as Christ loves us. We cannot make them change and be Christian, we can only pray the Holy Spirit will make the change within them.
A Church Goer, Church Watcher or Church Ignorer is only one step away from being a Christian. There was a time in which we all had to take that step and now we have to show the love of Jesus so others will follow and take their step.
After the service was over, my wife noticed as she walked behind the very last row of chairs, that the paper had been opened and the sports page was laying on top. The paper was obviously being read. I did not notice this taken place, however I did think that he was sitting in an odd position in the back of the sanctuary. Evidently the Pens are more important right now than God. This same gentleman has pulled people out of church, during worship, to hold a meeting in the fellowship hall. I am familiar with Church Meetings, as in Church Camps, but this takes it to a whole new level.
What I am struggling with is people thinking that as long as they go to church they're "in." Church has become a part of the "To Do List." A Church Goer is one that uses checks church off the list as done and honors him or herself by doing a good thing. While a Christian goes to church for nurture, growth, support and to worship and honor God. I have noticed there are more Church Goers in church than there are Christians.
I have hear recently, from my wife and a dear colleague, that just because you're in a garage, doesn't make you a car. But the belief by most people is, if they attend church, then they are a Christian. Not so. A Christian is one who does not do church, but is church. A Church Goer does church. The difference again is the action of being and doing. Jesus never asked us to do church, He commanded us to be the church. How are we to be the church? It's simple.
Jesus commanded us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as our self. Simply put we are to be in koinonia with God and neighbor. If we do keep these two simple commands then we are being the church. When we love God with our heart, soul, mind or strength and love certain neighbor but mainly love ourselves, then that would make you a Church Goer, that is if you go to church. If you don't go to church, but watch it on TV at your home, then your either a shut-in or a Church Watcher. A Church Watcher is far worse than Church Goer, because there is no chance for fellowship with God and neighbor.
How does a Church Goer become a Christian? By preaching the Word, proclaiming the name of Jesus and if you have to use words. We are to love the Church Goer as Christ loves us. We cannot make them change and be Christian, we can only pray the Holy Spirit will make the change within them.
A Church Goer, Church Watcher or Church Ignorer is only one step away from being a Christian. There was a time in which we all had to take that step and now we have to show the love of Jesus so others will follow and take their step.
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