Let’s be honest. Christians aren’t perfect. Oh, I know some that sure like to pretend like they are. The truth is that those who pretend to be perfect are oftentimes the furthest from it, and that isn’t even the biggest problem.
The bigger problem is that many Christians have lost a sense of what Christianity is. By definition, a Christian is a person who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity - at its most basic level - is a collective group of people who have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Famous author J.I. Packer put it well when he said: “The essence of Christianity is neither beliefs nor behavior patterns. It is the reality of communion here and now with Christianity’s living founder, the Mediator, Jesus Christ.”
If Christianity is based on a relationship with Jesus, then it is a devotion to that person that makes our Christianity so real. The problem is that too many Christians have committed their Christianity to a belief system of doctrine, as though that is where Christianity stems from. Don’t misunderstand me; sound doctrine is important, but it must not be confused with what the essence of Christianity is - relationship with Jesus.
Today’s church has fallen prey to this mentality. Churches are defined and structured by their doctrinal beliefs. It’s only natural for this to happen. However, this is also the very thing that divides the church and the relational connectedness God so desires among Christians. The fact is, if you have placed your faith in Jesus Christ and call him your Lord, we are related. We may not share the same doctrinal views on everything, but it doesn’t change the fact that we are related through our devotion to Christ. How will we ever get along in heaven? It’s kind of funny to think about.
The root problem among Christians is our devotion to doctrine that divides the church rather than our devotion to Christ, which unites us. Can you imagine a united church and the power of that testimony to the world? This will never happen until we get a true sense of our Christianity.
A watching world so wants to see a true representation of Jesus. The Bible says that we are the body of Christ. We are his ambassadors. Central to our doctrinal beliefs should be a commitment to unifying the body of Christ.
Jesus prayed this prayer for us: “May they be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Let’s fix this problem.
Learn more at www.newlifeonline.com or follow Steve Lingenfelter on Twitter, @stevOLL.
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