Besides accepting the idea that religion, church, and spirituality are about soial order, polite decorum, and conformity, there’s this mistaken idea that “going with the flow” is the Christian way. If Jesus taught us anything it was that He was anything but a status quo follower. He brought us the GOOD NEWS- the Gospel! So, everywhere He went, there was trouble. We who say that we’re following Jesus, seek quite the opposite. How did this come about? How does this happen?
The vicar of an old English town reported that he got along so well with his congregation because of the attitude that one of his members expressed when she said, “You’re the best sort of minister we could ever have. You are always nice, never make waves, and accept things as they are.” That’s a strange statement in light of who Jesus was and what He did. We not only reason dimly, but too frequently, not at all.
It’s as though the church of America today has identified God’s approval with the status quo.
It’s hard to talk with a so-called Christian today without them in some way editing the words of Jesus to support the mores of the church’s membership- which is always different than those of another church. So, which one is right? We must come to appreciate the diversities amongst ourselves and not try to stifle them.
The institutional church has fallen into the trap of believing ONLY it’s own press, denying that of the church across the street, hammering people for more financial commitments (even beyond the tithe), and demanding complete agreement with church rules and doctrines. In the words of John Ward, “The relevance of Christ’s teaching and behavior to our daily lives is not a matter of urgency for the the average conventional Christian, ordained or lay. Acceptable behavior, as defined by contemporary society, is a much greater matter of concern for most of us.”
There is no freedom at all in a “behavior oriented first”organization.
The heart of the Gospel is not “acceptable behavior”. Granted, it becomes a bi-product of an intimacy and love for God and then for ALL others. Love God, right and fully, and everything else takes care of itself. To emphasize “behavior”, which comes from LAW, there is likely to be a conservative tone, and a conditional love without anyone even noticing it.
Have you looked around recently?
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