I’ve been following Christ now for about 15 years and it seems to be that more and more the key essentials and core values of Christianity are less and less important.
I was at a conference where I heard Bono from the band U2 share about his heart for the poor. He made a comment that I believe many other individuals would agree with - he said, “I don’t have a problem with Jesus Christ, I just have a problem with Christians.”
Being a student at a non-religious university, I would have to agree that there are many others that would say the same. It’s seems like Christianity has become more about self-gratification over Jesus’ exaltation.
I worked with a missions organization for eight years and now I’m currently serving at a church in Miami as a pastor of adult and families, throughout my time in ministry I’ve met so many individuals that base their faith and salvation on a human being, whether that person is the senior pastor or a small group leader, and that’s why when a pastor or church leader sins in a public way, there are individuals who walk away from the faith.
Why is that? Have we as church leaders made Christianity about us and our faith journey? Over the past couple of years, I’ve met many new Christians who know far more about the apostle Paul than they do about Jesus Christ, and it causes me to scratch my head in wonder, why are we so afraid to preach Jesus? Why is it much easier to preach Paul?
This is just my observation, but it seems like Christianity has become more about overcoming human immorality rather than the realization of Jesus’ redemptive victory that crushes the head of immorality.
I want to advocate a better way and that way is being a Christ Follower! Being a Christian means I care more about the words of Jesus over the words of Paul (and I would bet my life on it that Paul would want the same thing), being a Christ follower means to live in the constant tension that of it’s not about what I do but about who I am in Christ and allow my actions to flow out of my being and not the other way around.
I must confess that I am a huge sinner and I’m constantly falling on my face before Jesus, but being a Christ follower means my invitation at God’s banquet table isn’t based my perfections or imperfections. It’s based on the covenant God (the father) made with Christ (the son) to die for the forgiveness of my sins and rose again for the redemption of my soul, that I’m invited to God’s merciful table unconditionally.
I believe the Christian faith needs a Holy Spirit driven reformation in this 21st century, a reformation that is based on Matthew 22:37-40 and Matthew 25:31-46.
I don’t want to come across as someone who is bashing the church, but I just believe there’s so much more to following Christ than what’s there.
Just my thoughts…
Tags: Add new tag, Christ Follower, Christian, Religion, Spirituality
December 18, 2008 at 1:16 am
Just the title of your post says it all. It’s really disappointing when so-called christians look down on you just because you’re inactive at their church. Statistics vs. spirituality. How low.
December 18, 2008 at 1:20 am
I’m very interested in continuing this conversation. Do you consider yourself a follower of Christ, but you’re being judged for not attending a particular church?
December 18, 2008 at 1:30 am
That’s right. You don’t have to hear their judgment. Their coldness towards you is message enough.
December 18, 2008 at 1:33 am
What keeps you strong? What is it about church that’s not attractive to you?
December 18, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Perhaps the problem is the modern church has made Christianity attractive – something that can compete with the “comforts” of modern life – rather than something that totally destroys your life (and then offers you a new one). The more I think about it, there is nothing about true Christianity that is appealing to our culture, other than a relationship with Jesus.