Our modern-day Christianity has a problem, a devastating disease that is overwhelming churches across America (and the world) today: religion. More specifically, it's become a legalistic religion. This is to say that the prevailing perception of what Christianity is has become completely marred and misconstrued to a point beyond recognition. Its outward appearance to the future-believing public is that of moral codes that emphasizes the importance of "just being a good person" and "doing more good things than bad things". I have seen firsthand, and lived for that matter, this cruddy, judgemental, work-based religion; it's neither fun nor fulfilling.
Here's the issue: in some ways the church has become just as worldly as the world itself, in some ways even more so. The mindset for this generation is one of timeframes, goals, deadlines, outward perceptions, inward discensions, and looking out for one's self. Why is it that so much of this is evident within the church's walls? We have let the prevailing political propaganda seep through the cracks in the walls and put us to sleep in the midst of impending danger, like carbon monoxide to an unsuspecting family. Sadly, some churches are suffocating quickly and are close to death.
Let me make myself clear before continuing; the problem is not Christ, the problem is man's effort to be in control. We as people want to take life by the horns, to make the best of what we have, to take all the credit for our successes, and to be admired because we're obviously so insanely awesome. The church is not immune. Pastors have become idols and figureheads, up-to-date salvation headcounts are being tallied competetively, weekly fashion contests are unofficially held each Sunday, the music has become just words to a melody, and going to church has become a political statement of outward righteousness. It is all just a show. We emphasize ourselves, when in truth we are nothing. Still, we trudge forward in working for our own righteousness and our own salvation, failing in every attempt.
This is so far from what God has called us to be. Firstly, as Christians we are the body of Christ. "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ." (1 Corinthians 12:12). Jesus was legit, so why are we (as His present earthly body) so fake and shallow? I believe it all comes down to something that we fail to realize in our success-oriented, appearance-minded society: Jesus didn't conquer death on His own, and He certainly didn't place Himself on any pedastals on the way there. In fact, He humbled Himself to the lowliest of servants throughout His life and death because He understood His relationship with His Father, the source of all His power in overcoming the grave. He was humble and obedient to His Father even unto death, just as we are called to be as His present body. He didn't live by any religion, instead He relied on His relationship with God. That certainly puts a whole new perspective on things.
Secondly, just living the so-called "Christian lifestyle" won't save you, no matter what your religion tells you. It's all about grace because, frankly, we suck even on our best days. Ephesians 2:4-10 says it best, "But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This can be summed up to say that our actions, even our super sweet personalities, will never save us. Salvation comes by grace through faith in Christ, which will bear the fruits you're trying to vainly produce on your own.
In short, lose your legalism and especially your religion. We are no longer bound by the law; we live under grace. Grace provides so much more than our selfishly motivated actions ever could. It provides salvation from sins, forgiveness from trespasses, and relief from ourselves. Your religion needs to die so that you might fully live in Christ through a relationship with Him.
With love.
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