Religion: Institution Or Revolution?
Author: Chris McElroy

In writing any article about religion you run the risk of
people not agreeing with you or the risk of offending people.
Does that mean we should not write about religion? Absolutely
not.

Should we worry that people might be offended? No. We should
not go out of our way to offend people, but as long as you
write your true beliefs, then you are doing what is in your
heart and should share that with others.

For many churches, Christianity and religion have become
institutions. Power, politics, money, and other worldly things
have become the focus of these institutions.

Many people who read this article will find what I have to say
uncomfortable. Jesus never promised that you or I would be made
comfortable in this life and in this article I don't promise to
make you feel comfortable either.

Jesus calls the church to reach out to the community, to the
poor, the sick, and to those who do not know Christ. Jesus
promised that He would provide for our needs as long as we use
what he provides to do His will and to bring Him glory. He
taught us to believe him for this promise and to act as knowing
that He will fulfill that promise.

Instead, these days many churches focus on survival. They plan
their budgets to make sure they bank enough money for a rainy
day, hire business managers and treat the church as if it is a
business entity rather than a church whose mission it is to do
GOD's work.

Politics is one area that many churches and religious
institutions have focused much of their attention. They lobby
politicians, get involved in campaigns, and donate money that
does not belong to them to politicians who promise much but
deliver very little.

Does not belong to them? What do I mean by that? Tithes do not
belong to the church they belong to GOD. Tithes are to be used
for GOD's purposes. Nowhere in the bible can I find where
helping politicians get elected is a proper use for money
tithed to GOD.

Jesus did not lobby the Pharisees and the Roman government for
laws that force people to follow His way. Jesus taught people
right from wrong, then gave them a choice of whether or not
they would follow Him. Through the bible, Jesus still teaches
us right from wrong and offers us that same choice.

It is our job as Christians and as church leaders to teach
GOD's word to others and let them know that Jesus has offered
them that choice. We cannot rely on governments to pass laws to
do our job for us. Saying that we need to lobby for those laws
to be passed to force people to do what is moral is saying we
as Christians and the church cannot or will not do the job GOD
intends for us to do.

Most people have an image of Jesus Christ as meek and mild, a
healer of the sick, a helper to the poor, and our Lord and
Savior who loves us. Jesus is all of those things, but Jesus
was and is also a revolutionary!

Jesus stood up to those in power in both religion and in
government. Jesus challenged them. Jesus told them they had no
right to oppress His people. Jesus went out and consorted with
the poor, the sick, prostitutes, tax collectors, and other
sinners. He ministered to the unbelievers. He did not spend all
His time at the sanctuary preaching to believers.

Rather than churches becoming institutions they should be
leading revolutions. Rather than just surviving and preserving
traditions and rules, they should be throwing all of GOD's
money forward to help those in need and to reach those who do
not know Christ as their Savior.

Rather than worrying about building new roofs, buying stained
glass windows, and buying new carpet and pews, we should be
worrying about breaking down walls and calling unbelievers to
join us.

Church is not just a place where believers gather to worship,
it is also a place where believers gather to teach unbelievers
about Christ.

So many Christians today think all they need to do is attend
church, pray, and do good things, then wait for Jesus to
return. Jesus charged us with much more than that. Jesus
charged us to change those around us, to change communities, to
change the world. He charged us with teaching his word and to
bring more people to him so they can have everlasting life.

Cowards hide and wait to be rescued and GOD despises cowards
more than any others. Become the revolutionary that Jesus
called you to be. Allow Him to use you to achieve His purpose
rather than praying that He will help you achieve yours. It is
not about you.


About The Author: Chris McElroy is a member of Mosaic Church in
Miami. Visit http://www.mosaicmiami.org and
http://mosaicmiami.blogspot.com to learn more about Mosaic.