Christianity VS Churchianity

[Kosherboy]

Christianity vs. Churchianity
Christianity is not a religion. Christianity is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity is the Holy Spirit indwelling believers and guiding them into all truth just as Jesus promised in John 16:13-15. Under Christianity, going to church is like stacks of individual logs, helping each other to stay on fire for the Lord. Under Christianity, the word of God is preached at church and, just as God warns us in Revelation 22:18, nothing is added to it, espescially the concept of salvation by good works instead of faith.
Take the Christ out of Christianity and make the church more important than Christ, and you end up with churchianity. Churchianity is a religious social club where the word of God takes a back seat to peer pressure, the appearance of morality and social or political sermons/speeches from the pulpit (if there is a pulpit). Churchianity encourages Pharisee-type thinking, judging others, and most of all the idea that you can be "œgood"� enough to work your way to heaven if you work real hard at going to church, and work real hard at never saying "œno"� when asked to serve or do something for the church no matter how over extended or exhausted you already are. When Christian author, C.S. Lewis complained, "œThe problem with Christianity is Christians,"� he hit the nail right on the head. Let us not be a part of the problem. Let us be part of God"™s eternal program: to reach the lost, to love others, and most of all to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and spirit.
When you get to heaven after a life of serving Christ, what difference will it make whether you considered yourself an Armenian or a Calvinist, (or anything else that is invented by man, AND IS NOT EVEN IN THE BIBLE)! Churchianity is complicated. Christianity is so simple that even a small child can understand and accept the gospel message. Man makes churchianity so complicated that it is no wonder those who practice churchianity are loaded down, frustrated and confused.
STAY ON THE NARROW PATH
"œBe joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances; for this God"™s will for you in Christ Jesus."� 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
In the end, Churchianity will be burned up like wood, hay and stubble. Christianity will endure forever! To get back to Christian basics, get back to Jesus, the way the truth and the life. Nothing else really matters. Do you need more Christianity and less Churchianity in your life? We highly recommend that you read these eye-opening books:
Toxic Faith
by Stephen Arterburn, Jack Felton
More Jesus, Less Religion: Moving from Rules to Relationship
by Stephen Arterburn, Jack Felton


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[Denny77]

Except your opinions on what constitutes a Christian I somewhat agree......... These are churches that people attend because they conform to their thinking.
Not a Church that conforms to Christ's intent.
The idea that we attend a church that fits our ideas is what is disembodying Christ's Church. Especially in this country.
What 20000 denominations or some such thing.

Simply put we should conform to Christ's church, not that the Church we attend must conform to what we want, many of the things you have mentioned.
Just a old guys opinion.. I suspect not very popular nowadays.

[PastorJim08]

Alex,

While much of what you posted about people in thechurches is valid, are yousaying none of us should belong to a church? No matter what, God will always have His people, whether they are in a church building, school, factory, store, or whatever, His purposes will be accomplished. I too,have beenfrustrated with some of the things I have seen in churches over the years, but I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water yet.

Blessings.....Pastorjim

[Kosherboy]

ORIGINAL: PastorJim08

Alex,

While much of what you posted about people in thechurches is valid, are yousaying none of us should belong to a church? No matter what, God will always have His people, whether they are in a church building, school, factory, store, or whatever, His purposes will be accomplished. I too,have beenfrustrated with some of the things I have seen in churches over the years, but I'm not ready to throw the baby out with the bath water yet.

Blessings.....Pastorjim

Well I think you shouldn't be in a Church that is totally dedicated to its own agenda and not Christ's agenda.
Sometimes it calls for drastic measures.
Such as cutting off an arm or pulling an eye out, now who said that first ?