I am burdened with the state of the American Church. But more so undone by the wretchedness of my heart. The church has become comfortable in our state of sin, hypocrisy and compromise. I believe that one of the few burdens that I carry is specifically for the state of those who are in church and believe because they say a prayer one time but continue to live comfortable sin filled lives they are saved. What give us the audacity to believe that we can come before a Holy God any kind of way? Luke warm Churchianity is what its called.
“It means that the focus of the religion [what is supposed to be Christianity] has shifted from Christ to the church. Instead of total reliance upon Christ for salvation, sanctification, Christian growth, and spiritual nourishment, adherents of Churchianity rely on the church to an equal or even greater extent for these things. The central difference between Churchianity and Christianity is that Christ is at the center of Christianity, while the church is at the center or Churchianity. Of course those who practice “Churchianity” still consider themselves Christians and probably would deny that the word Churchianity describes their religion; yet, when all of the facts are considered, their religion bears greater resemblance to “Churchianity” than Christianity because of the undue focus given to the church in their religious devotion. So, in theory these professed Christians claim loyalty to Christ, but in practice they are actually loyal to their church. For, when it comes to loyalty in actual practice, “churchians” would rather depart from Christ, Himself, [they would rather depart from the truth of His Word, His teachings, and His doctrine] than forsake their church. Sadly, their church is at the center of their religious devotion; it has stolen their hearts; to it they have pledged their undying allegiance. In Churchianity, we find the church elevated to a position far above even that of their professed Savior.”
This is what is beginning to take precedence in the lives of the church in America. We would rather be comfortable and never commit to living lifestyles that cause us to change so that the world can see the real reason why we claim to go to church in the first place. After the fancy lighting and the awesome worship team ..If Jesus Christ is not the center then what’s the point? After we have done all of our workshops, conferences and come up with every strategy in the world to get people to come to our churches. If JESUS CHRIST is not what we are presenting then we must reevaluate what we have made him out to be. The truth of the matter is we have brought the bible into the church rather than the church into the bible. We have made church everything else but what its suppose to be. Half of the things that we have taken on as Christianity are far from the word of God.
Here are some practical things that I believe can show you if you fit Churchianity
Do you ever open your bible and read it outside of church services?
Do you share the gospel?
Do you have a prayer life outside of whatever prayer movement your in?
Are you making Disciples?
Are you convicted of your sin?
Do you omit Gods word to justify your sin or someone elses? EX: Homosexuality, Fornication, Clubbing, drinking, pride, rebellion, lust
As long as you’ve been a Christian have you experienced any growth?
Do you help the widows and the orphans?
Are you lying to yourself…..???
Those are just some of the many questions you can use to evaluate YOURSELF. This is something that I had to do. Realizing that I need to realign myself with what matters the most and that’s Jesus Christ. Not just with lip service but with my lifestyle. What I am trying to get you to realize is that all because you go to church and claim to be saved does not mean that this can not be you! Many in the body of Christ have been deceived in thinking this way. We have made church a cool thing to do on Sundays rather than a place were we can go and grow in the word and LIVE IT OUT!
LETS DO JESUS NOT CHURCH!!
Scriptures
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
Matthew 7:15-20 (NKJV) “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them
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Galatians 1:6-9 (NKJV) I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
