Simply Christ

Not that long ago, although it would be many decades at the least, we maintained a societal decorum of sorts – basic manners and the social graces meant something – whereby people of various ideologies and backgrounds could stand together in friendship. Politics, sex, and religion were off the table – discussions ranged from the weather, to sports, and maybe history or other pursuits of interest.

That stands in stark contrast to our current situation – politics is front and center – to the point it’s used by many as a qualifier as to whether a person will be allowed a seat at the table. Most families have that one person that everyone tolerates at the holidays, through unspoken agreements, they look beyond the belligerence for one day and enjoy a nice meal together. That’s been replaced with the one side pitted against the other – you agree with our politics or else. I won’t even get into the issue of sex – it’s out there shamelessly on display for all to see.

So, what about religion? Let’s face it, politics and sex are now squarely dumped into our laps – but for most, discussion of religion remains off-limits, that is, unless you’re ridiculing it as fairytales or a hoax. Why is that?

Let me weigh in on this one – I say we put religion away. You can go back to 1969 when the rock opera Tommy was released by The Who – in one track the lyrics cry out in rebellion, “don’t want no religion” as they continue with the chorus “we’re not going to take it, never did and never will.” Well, Mr. Townsend, referring to the simplest form of religion – I agree with your declaration.

I don’t want religion – in fact I would assert, it has divided us, been perverted to fit specific narratives and agendas, and has moved so far away from the truth that one could easily conclude – religion has failed.

Religion by definition is a system of beliefs, practices, and attitudes that relate to the sacred or divine. What is sacred? Today’s standards would apply to many things beyond the church – social constructs now step to the forefront in many categories that include climate change, sexual ideologies, socialist zeitgeist – becoming and often times replacing the church in fulfilling the void within society’s collective souls.

When one considers that by certain measure there exists some 10,000 brands of religion across the world – there remains only one Christ – the only one that demonstrated a substitutional sacrificial Love, laying down his life on the cross to pay for all of mankind’s sins.

Religion takes on many shapes and forms and most will share certain commonalities that acknowledge our struggle with imperfections. The eastern religions look inward in the search for balance and harmony. Others seek wisdom and fulfillment through the mind and body. These paths point towards a goal of perfection – claiming that meditation and mind control will lead one to a place of higher awareness. Some even claim that the soul is recycled over and over again, either in this life, or in the spiritual realm of the great beyond – achieving various degrees of exalted standing earned through some type of self-promotional conquest.

One thing all of these religions exclude is Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. While many will include the name of Jesus, they deny His deity and power.

Sadly, religion and deception often walk hand-in-hand, in some twisted form of transactional affiliation. The self-help gurus of today range from eastern mystic to television evangelist, offering up schemes of profit, hidden behind a veil of promised returns. Many are turned off by what they see, as the religious leaders pad their own wallets while the downtrodden shell-out in hopes of brighter days ahead. They all lay claim to a shared orthodoxy – one that denies the power of Christ’s deity. They will tell you, while often proclaiming the name of Jesus, that it is within you – the power to rise above – or they’ll connect your level of faith to your pocketbook and claim that if you truly believe, then you will give money as a downpayment on your faith, which will be rewarded by a God that is well pleased.

Some religions place barriers between you and your Creator – as if you must go through a man, confess your transgressions, then pay some penance assigned to you in order to gain favor from above.

Still yet there are others that claim to have been given a more complete version of God’s word in the form of additions doled out in secret to one special man. Through this you can build a perverted Ponzi scheme of religion – one that allows those on earth to do good deeds for those that have passed on – once again adding this deviant form of a religious quid pro quo that denies the power of Christ in all things.

The Apostle Paul laid it out very clearly regarding the layering of additional requirements linked to redemption in the book of Galatians.

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing.” Galatians 2:20-21

Paul directly asserts the bedrock upon which all of Christianity must stand – the cross is the fundamental component upon which salvation rests. Augmentation of requirements to God’s saving grace, whereby a person or religion implies additional attributes necessary which goes beyond any portion of the death and resurrection in totality is to say that Christ’s sacrifice was not totally sufficient for salvation. Ponder that for a moment – and consider this poignant example from the book of Luke as Jesus and the thief are being crucified, and the thief expresses his faith in Christ.

“We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23: 41-43

Sometimes we struggle to grasp the totality of God’s love towards us and in so doing we find ourselves doubting that salvation could be this straightforward. So we must remind ourselves, God so loved the world that He gave Jesus as a sacrifice for all, and this grace is sufficient to pay for all sin and transgression. We can’t do anything more than what Christ did for us in laying down his life on that cross. To say that we must do this or do that, beyond simply believing and confessing our faith in Christ, is to call out our Savior and declare that His death and resurrection was not enough. Do not fall into this dangerous appropriation of deceit. Salvation only comes through Jesus and the resurrection and to add anything else, as Paul so rightly declares, is to say that Christ died for nothing.

Even within the Christian church you have to sort through all the denominations that have built upon various interpretations of the Bible. Well intended as denominational boundaries may be, the church must strive to take great care in not losing sight of the first order of business – reaching the lost for Christ. For every pulpit that gets it right, there are far too many others that have lost their way along the spurious path of self-righteous indignation.

Whether you are a believer or a seeker of truth, know this, there is only one true path to God and that is through Jesus Christ. For the believer it is vitally important to maintain a strong foundation of faith based upon the gospel message of Jesus. Avoid the traps of interpretation that can divert attention away from what matters while dimming the light of hope that should shine for the world to see. For the seeker of truth, don’t let the derangement of hateful diatribes or the soft sell of self-help folly distract you – the answer is with Jesus and He alone. The Bible promises this outcome – knock and the door will be opened, seek and you will find the truth.

In Matthew chapter 11, verse 28, Jesus said “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Are you weary and tired of this world – does it feel like everything is piling up, weighing you down – do you feel like nobody cares? God cares.

Listen to these words and take notice, God loves you! You were loved by God before you were formed in the womb. God loves you so much that He sent Jesus to live among us, to experience what we face, the hardships, temptations, disappointments and worse – and Jesus, through total obedience to God, laid down his life for you.

We are all sinners – but God gave us the perfect path to redemption through Christ. God knows of our struggles – and even though you can’t make up for the wrongs – Jesus paid off your debts, all of them. Jesus substituted a life of perfection, having walked in our shoes but remaining without blemish, and through the greatest demonstration of love, he gave His life as an atonement for your sins. Your debts are paid in full – and all you have to do is believe in your heart and invite Christ into your life.

The message is simple, and it represents the Truth of the Gospel – the Good News – that all people may be saved – not a few, not based upon status or race, but a message of hope for everyone. Where do you stand with God? Are you tired and weary – come to Christ and lay down your burdens and receive the peace you’ve so desperately been seeking.

In conclusion, I say we put away religion and share Christ instead. Simply Christ.

If you are a believer – are you living a life for Christ, shining a light of hope in this world of darkness? Let us help you share your faith – reach out here Ministry Cards and request our free ministry cards, be sure to include a mailing address – then use them as a conversation starter, a way to open the door to the good news with someone God brings into your life.

If you are seeking answers, reach out here Prayer Requests, Questions, Comments with questions or prayer requests. Read this message if you want to know more about Jesus. “The Way, the Truth and the Life”