Posted in Blogs
by JD Russell
on 6/25/2008
Gandhi was once asked what he thought about Christianity, and he replied, "I like their Christ, I do not like their Christian." As the church, why are our lives so distant from the life of Christ? We have become ensnared in the establishment of Christendom; a routine of praying as a last resort, going to church out of habit, and keeping our faith insulated to ourselves. The religion of Christianity has become a tradition of normalcy, convenience, and comfort - a trend that Christ never set, nor followed. Instead, we are called to be part of "the Way"; carrying a cross of love, mercy, and peace that is attacked by hatred, persecution, and even sometimes death. We are to be living sacrifices who do not conform to the pattern of this world; loving the Lord our God and loving our neighbor as ourself.
A book by Shane Claiborne, The Irresistible Revolution: living as an ordinary radical, has recently altered my perspective on the role of Christ's body and the sincere purpose of the church. The author shares riveting stories of encountering God in the projects of Philly, the streets of Calcutta, and the war zones of Iraq. He seeks for a return to the church of Acts 2, one which devotes itself to teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer, miracles, and outreach. A church that cares for the poor, the downtrodden, the orphans, and the widows. A community that sells all their possessions and goods, giving to anyone in need. Claiborne has inspired me to take part in the irresistible revolution of reaching out to the least of these and encountering Jesus in the faces of the lost, the poor, the sick, and the meek. I desire to hear Him say one day,
"Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me" (Matthew 25:34-36).
As Christ's ambassadors and witnesses, we are to display mercy, compassion, and encouragement to everyone we encounter. Mother Teresa was once quoted as saying, "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." I seek to be a part of HIStory, playing a minor role as a lover of God and a lover of people. Thus to do this, I must abandon Christianity and follow Jesus Christ - the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
|
