Many Christians praise Luther and Calvin leaving Catholicism, but don’t like people suggesting reforming (or leaving) church today. In reality, “the church” doesn’t exist. Instead there are many thousands of denominations and independent churches that disagree. However, the body of Christ does exist and it consists of every true Christ-follower world-wide. That is the Bible ekklesia.
Christianity’s about a submissive relationship with the risen Jesus — not about a relationship with a religious organization. Sin separates us from God. Surrendering to the living Jesus Christ, reconnects us to Him.
If you’re following a living Savior, you don’t need a religious script or a program. Millions of Christian leaders claim authority from God for their differing titles and beliefs. However, calling someone “pastor” doesn’t make him/her superior, wiser, more called, or more godly than any other Christ-follower. No pastor or church leader should ever be a substitute for your listening to Jesus and following Him for yourself.
Maybe we should follow Jesus Himself. If Christians won’t act like Jesus is alive and present 24/7/365, why should anybody else believe that He is?
To confine Jesus to the past or to the future or to Heaven, is to deny the reality of His living presence right here, right now.
Too often churches have attempted to institutionalize Jesus, rather than allowing Jesus to revolutionize them. If we ignore the biblical writings of the first Christians and the inner voice of Jesus, our faith will depend on institutionalism.
The body of Christ is the worldwide family of God. Institutional churches are organizations.
“Christian laymen” is a myth. If you’re a Christian, you’re called to go all-out for Jesus with everything you’ve got.
