When people in America talk about “The Movement,” they usually mean the Civil Rights Movement, led by Martin Luther King, Jr. This movement changed America for the better by breaking the terrible hold that 200+ years of blatant, legalized racism and white supremacy had on the American South. The Civil Rights Movement and its primary leader are remembered and celebrated on Martin Luther King Day in the USA.
There have been many movements in world history. Movements tend to last a few years or decades and then fade away. However, one movement, started 2,000 years ago, continues to renew itself and to impact the world two millennium later.
This movement was begun in a small country in the backwoods of the Roman Empire by a little-known carpenter. He began to gather disciples, teach about love, and proclaim Himself to be the Son of God — the Jewish Messiah.
He once asked His disciples who people thought He was. One of His disciples, Peter, declared that He was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied that Peter didn’t get that understanding from human reason, but rather from a direct, supernatural revelation of God. Jesus goes on to indicate that direct revelation from God was going to be the rock that the Christ movement would be built upon. (Read this encounter in Matthew chapter 16.)
Personally I don’t believe that Jesus started an institution, but a movement. Here’s why. Jesus told His disciple that they were not to be like the Gentiles (non-believers) who rule by hierarchy and authority. He said that they were not to “lord it over” one another, but rather that the greatest one should be the least and servant of all.
I believe that Jesus wanted his followers to be a family of kindred hearts who each directly hear His voice and then obey what He tells them, not a religious organization ruled by authority. Institutions can be a drag on a movement grinding it to a halt. However, the Christ movement has survived the dominance of thousands of institutions (denominations) around the world .
The living, resurrected Jesus continues to speak to and reveal Himself to individuals transforming them into His radical and obedient followers. These Spirit-led believers are scattered around the globe some participating in denominations, others in house churches, and still others seeking God on their on.
Are you a part of the Christ movement, actively engaged with the living Jesus Christ? Or are you just a part of a religious organization? Or in rejecting institutional Christianity have you also rejected the Christ movement?
Tune it to The Movement led by Jesus Christ. Connect with Him. Hear Him. Obey Him. And your life will soar to heights of peace, joy, and adventure that you never dreamed possible.
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