Those of us who are outside the walls of religion and institutional church have found a freedom we sometimes can’t explain. At least we can’t explain it in a way that people who still attend a church building will understand.
The problem is those who still attend the traditional church do not accept the fact that everyone is different and sees things in various ways. They usually want to stay away from us or talk about how we have backslidden and fallen away from God because we do not do what we have traditionally been taught was godly.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. We are worshipping and loving God just as much as they are, only in a different way. We have not left the Church (ekklesia) but have left the building (church).
Having left the church because I felt the system was not the way God intended, I have never left the true Church that is made up of us who are believers. Jesus is building His Church out of ‘living stones’.
Each of us has an equally important part to play in the body, yet no one is the head or over anyone else. Each of us are priests and functioning parts of the body, and we are all needed and important. Of course only Jesus is the head, not a pastor.
We need to remember that rather than let a feeling of ‘us vs them’ mentality get a hold on us, those of us who used to be part of the institutional church also need to keep in mind that those who attend church usually are doing so because they love God and think they are doing the right thing. We are all children of God, whether we are in the institutional church or out of it. We are all parts of the Church that Jesus is building.
For those still attending, most do not think about how the system is wrong and that it is not what God intended for His people. After all, this is all we have known all our lives. We have been taught all along that this is God’s plan for us, to assemble together in a building, pay our tithes and look to the pastor as God’s spokesperson.
As people of God, we are to love God and love others. We cannot do that in our own strength, it is by the power of the Spirit within us. The sad thing is we really should not have much of a problem loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet sometimes it seems we have more trouble loving those who are part of a tradition that we no longer feel is right, but are still followers of the same God we love.
I pray that all of us can keep in mind that we are children of God, saved by grace and living in His kingdom now. Whether we are ‘in church’ or outside the walls, let’s focus on our love of the Father, and for one another. The world needs to see the love of God in action among His children. They do not need to see the arguing, fighting and disagreeing that they are so familiar with in their daily lives.
Good comment. Thanks for posting.
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You wrote what my poems are trying to say. Another thought: what if every church building and property was sold and the proceeds were given to countries in dire poverty, where even fresh drinking water is scarce. Those countries are “our neighbors” refered to in the Bible: the man almost dead in the road. Remember, it was the “religioius” men who bypassed helping their almost dead neighbor, not Christ who the Good Samaritin represents (the inn-keeper is the Holy Spirit). The orphans are people who don’t know their real Father. The widows are those who are not yet the bride of Christ, thinking their spiritual husband is dead. Your “church” and ministry is everyone you know: as long as they’re breathing, they’re possibly catchable fish (don’t obsess though–the Holy Spirit does say shake the dust, occasionally). They are very not likely to swim into a visible net such as a stone or wood building (interestingly the same material as idols in God’s description). Be sly as snakes and innocent as doves–but for God, and blatant religion blocks the path more than invites those who are rightfully cautious about being “fooled again.” Religion is the act of worshipping the thought that we are worshipping. It’s so easy to pat ourselves on the back for everything instead of being truly grateful for HIS goodness. If a building causes you to sin more, cut it off……
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[…] Source: Children of God […]
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Agree, Lol!
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I appreciate you, my brother!
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Thank you for your comment Michael. I appreciate it.
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These questions that God asks that must be answered in each of our hearts, “Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house which you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest?” (Isaiah 66:1 RSVA)
Thanks Michael D. for your reminder that God seeks His place of rest in our hearts and buildings have nothing to do with it.
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Thank you. I appreciate the kind words.
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I don’t know, I think you could have. lol. Thank you.
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“We have not left the Church (ekklesia) but have left the building (church).”
Such deep truth in only one sentence, I like that, Mike. Great post at that! 🙂
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Couldn’t have said it better! Thank you Done!
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