A Must Read for Anyone Claiming to Follow Christ

Knowledge Puffs Up - Authentic Love Builds Up!

Many churches are making more agnostics and athiests than authentic Christ followers and it's such a front burner issue to me.

Pastors and Christians - ever wondered how important your walk is and how important it is to know why you believe what you believe??? 

Must Read:  Read this recipie for becoming an Athiest:  Automotive Apostacy

I am saddened by the growing number of people leaving faith because they can't find any remote form of authentic connection with God - and can't find a believer who has an authentic connection with the God they dogmatically argue the case of!

I'm also saddened and a bit sickened by deal closers who have no capacity at all to follow through with walking their latest "client" through what it takes to help them transition well.  I know that many churches are really trying to develop "discipleship programs" to address this issue - however, the very structure of Church itself often prevents authentic discipleship from happening.

Perhaps a MAJOR shift in the way we 'do church' and "RE-present Christ" needs to emerge in a viral way in this very generation - if it doesn't - regardless of how many mega churches emerge - we'll never fully deal with the root issues that have left Europe nearly Christless.

I feel that the way Christian apologists and hypocritical conservative evangelicals have approached people who don't believe in God over the years - has fueled a fire that isn't going away anytime soon.

I've noticed that some of the most unloving people on the planet are Christians who think they can prove the existence of God with science and reason - and do so in a way that mocks and ridicules anyone who opposes them and opposing theories, then condemns all of the people who have anything to do with the opposing theory.

If you haven't noticed yet - the fruit of this hasn't been good.

I began dialoguing with an "Ex Christian" yesterday - and noticed immediately that his harsh approach toward religion and faith was an exact mirror of how Christians have treated atheism, evolutionists, agnostics, ... and anyone else who entertains any view other than theirs.

Athiests are gradually becoming as evangelical as Christians are - and the sad thing is, they're using the mirror tactics that Christians have used throughout the years.

I wonder where Christians got the notion that it was in the heart of Christ for his people to:

• Claim to follow him without loving the way he loved
• Mock the opposition of faith
• Make fun of and ridicule opposing theories of faith and human existence
• Make political issues out of socially debatable topics and ignore weightier matters
• Dodge people they can't win an argument with
• Shun people who oppose their decisions
• Promote their own clan power at the expense of others
• Disfellowship, silence, and refuse people who object to their power pushes - in the name of "keeping the body healthy"
• When did Christ ever endorse the use of sarcasm and ridicule when trying to get another person to believe what you believe.

I just left breakfast with a friend in Mesquite and overheard several "believers" in the restaurant making fun of about 4 differnt people who think differntly than they do - so I chimed in:

I asked them boldly - "What kind of power do you guys get out of discussing other people's weaknesses so loud that the whole restaurant can hear you?"

They said - "Well if discussing this can help anyone find the truth - then I guess we're doing a good thing."

I reailized I was facing the same mindset that killed Jesus - shook my head knowing that any further engagment would only fuel their fire - and I left (knowing that those listening in could hear me...and one of them was a young man on the fringe of the church and admitted "Those people are the reason I don't go to church anymore...")

I told the young man - "My friend, there's more to it than this... I'd love to meet with you sometime..."

We'll connect soon - I hope.

...So, ... where do we start to deal with this mess?

5 Recomendations:

• Every believer begin the all out surrender to the transformational power of God through the knowable person, Holy Spirit - and the person of Jesus Christ to impact eternal life in you NOW -the whole life - more than just after you die.
• Submit fully to the loving heart and will of Christ and know deeply who you are, what you believe regarding faith, and why you believe it. 
• I'd also like to recommend that every believer completely relenquish their fear of not knowing the answers 
• NEVER make something up or exaggerate your experience or knowledge of God - as if he needs your help to make him more real! 
• Be honest with others about your journey - and NEVER look down on others who aren't where you are

Where are you in this?

Comments

[Leslie Johnson Cannon]

Jeff,

I am very glad you started blogging again. I really enjoy reading your insights. This one this morning is so very true. I believe you have hit the nail on the head with this one. Right on the money. Anyway, just wanted to stop by, say hi and let you know how much I enjoy your blogs. Tell Sarah I said hello and congrats on your new little one. Also, if you could keep AJ in your prayers it would mean a lot. Have an absolutely, wonderfully blessed day!!

Leslie