I Love The Church, Not The Building
I’ve spent several posts discussing why I don’t go to church. I truly hope that this came across in a loving way. None of this was intended harshly or out of condemnation. My only concern is that church as it exists today doesn’t resemble what Jesus came to set up. It’s all well and good to talk about the reasons why I don’t go to church, but how do we move forward? It does very little good for me to criticize without discussing a way forward.
Many de-churched people have been scarred by the abuse and corruption that goes on in buildings called churches. Virtually everyone has heard of this, and to some degree been affected by it. I don’t think this is a fair criticism to blanket over all churches. Truthfully, most of churches today are run by sincere people, with a congregation that truly desires to worship and serve God.
“For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.” (1 Corinthians 4:20)
A simple fact that most have forgotten is that when Jesus came to bring the Kingdom, He succeeded. Many evangelicals seem to believe that the Kingdom is some far-off thing that has yet to occur. This is not the case. God never starts something without finishing it. The Kingdom is us. You and me. This is what so many have forgotten. This is what the Jewish people failed to understand. In their mind, the Kingdom of God was going to be a revitalized nation, with a powerful King ready to conquer all their enemies and usher in an age of prosperity.
“Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” (John 18:36)
The truth, however, was far greater. The new Kingdom of God had nothing to do with political power. The new Kingdom had no borders or nationality. Now, Jew and Gentile alike were accepted into the family of God. No more need for sacrifices and rituals. The Kingdom is you and me.
We Are The Kingdom
It seems that most churches have forgotten this vital truth. Even some modern-day Orthodox Jews seem confused on this point, wondering how we Christians could possibly believe the Kingdom has come when the prophecies in their mind appear unfulfilled. Where is the peace that was promised? Aren’t all people supposed to know of God? The book of Isaiah is filled with prophecies of a coming Messiah that will bring justice to the world, how peace will ensue in His reign. And here is the incredible thing; all these prophecies were absolutely fulfilled.
When you and I do the work of God, whenever we live the words of Jesus, we are doing the work of the Kingdom. Acts of peace and love in the name of Jesus, this is the Kingdom come.
This is virtually all my issues with the Church rolled into one. The truth is, I love the Chruch. As in, I love the people of God. This is what the Church is all about. The church never had anything to do with buildings. It was always about the people. No matter if we meet in a building, a tent, or a cafe. We are the church. We are the Kingdom.
The Kingdom is powerful. The Kingdom is unifying. The Kingdom is greater than any organization, movement or denomination. Greater than anything we can imagine.
