by Jim Gordon
So often, when we think of Jesus we think of Christianity. Many seem to think that Jesus actually started Christianity. The fact is, Jesus did not start Christianity and he does not belong to any particular religion. He loves and accepts people no matter what they believe. He came to show the love of God to the human race, not start a new religion for people to fall in line with and follow.
The word Christian originated to describe those who were spreading the good news of Jesus. People in the city of Antioch started calling those who followed Jesus Christians because they were doing the works of Jesus and sharing the love of Jesus so much, they thought of them as little Christs.
When we use the term Christian as described above, there is certainly nothing wrong with it. Being Christ-like, loving God and loving others. Doing the works of Jesus is the true meaning of the word. Yet, if we use Christian in a sense of belonging to a particular church, following a particular doctrine or specific pastor, if it relates to a specific country or political party, then it becomes just a religion and for me, I would rather not define myself by this term.
Jesus came to show us what God was really like, a God that loves all people. God does not see Muslims, Jews, Christians or any religion. God loves all people of the world. The only way people are going to come to true fellowship with God is through Christ…not Christianity.
It is time we stop looking to the organized world of religion as our way of becoming acceptable and pleasing to God. We need to look to Christ and allow the Spirit to live through us and love those we meet each day. Stop demanding that people follow your doctrine, your rules, your beliefs. Accept people as they are, the way Jesus accepted them. Show the love of Christ to them and let God work in them through the Holy Spirit.
We are never going to completely agree with each other on doctrine and religion. Only through Christ and the love of God will we be able to share that love with others. Let us be known by the true sense of the meaning of Christian, someone who is doing the works of Jesus and who loves God and one another.
Jim Gordon and his wife left the institutional church after spending over fifty years within the system. Jim wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system and why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. Jim can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com
Done with Religion 