One thing I hated about High School was what they called “Clicks” in my time. I do not know what they are called nowadays, but a “click” was a group of teens that only associate with those of the same group. The “jocks” with the “jocks;” the smokers with the smokers; the druggies with the druggies.
I never fit into any of these and so was an outsider. This allowed me a unique perspective on things though. Sometimes I thought on it sometimes I did not.
This look from the outside view has allowed me to look upon religious organizations in the same light. It is a light I feel most of these groups would not like if more had such insight.
What I find most interesting is that Christianity has survived so long. However, I can say this without doubt, the very fact that it has is prove of God, for if it was something made of man it would have fallen long ago like many countries; for example Rome and the Soviet Union.
Religious organizations in my eyes take advantage of those that find God. In the time of Jesus, what made him the most upset was the religious organization of the time. He scolded the Pharisees and in the letters of the apostles there is references to rituals being made by men and not by God.
Jesus only gave us one ceremony, which was done on Passover, the taking of bread as a symbol of His Body and wine a symbol of His Blood. Men make all other ceremonies and rituals. So why do them?
Jesus did state that when two or more gather in His name, he will be there, but that does not say gather and perform ceremonies. Why? Because to Him this gave way for men to attempt to glorify themselves, be they at the front of the church or sitting in the pews.
That is why when I look at some “churches” especially the larger ones I have been to I see the “click” system in full swing.
I come into a church as an outsider seeking a place to call home in the sight of God and I am ignored. After several visits, I try to become a part of the “church” and since I do not dress a certain way or say the right things I am politely pushed aside, so I leave in search of a new place.
This is how many of those in today’s churches behave.
It is this behavior why many especially the youth seek other places to find that hole in the soul. It is a hole that is in all of us since we can only be whole through Jesus, but is Jesus present in these “churches” I have described? Maybe, to a degree, but I personally doubt it.
The church I attend now is small. At the max, there are thirty people in the Sunday service. Do I feel the presents of God there? Yes. Do I feel welcomed? Yes. Do I feel I can be a part of this church? Yes.
Why? Because all are there to worship God and His Son Jesus.
We are not there to be in a social club. We are not there to make ourselves feel that we are better than those outside. Many “click churches” say all the right things to make those that sit in the pews feel that they are better and separate from the world. Nevertheless, we are not. We still sin; we will always sin until we are dead or taken into the sky and given our immortal and incorruptible body. Until then we are corrupt. The only true difference in us is that we know this. We accept it and try to change it, but we know we cannot change it by ourselves. We turn to Jesus who died for our sins upon the cross. To be hung upon a tree or cross is considered a simple of the most deplorable of crimes. This was why Jesus was amongst us. To learn what it was to be human. To know what goes through our minds, but He being the Son of God did not give into the temptations that we go through every single day of our lives. We falter, we fall, and we give in, because we are human. Through Jesus’ actions, we can overcome this. When we fall, He is there to pick us up, brush away the dirt, and call us clean once again until we falter once more. Hopefully not for the same sin, and He is there once again. He wants us to learn and grow in our faith and believes. To honor Him by doing what He taught us while He was amongst us.
Therefore, the next time you are at church. Look about you. Is there a woman saying to another woman “I like your hat.” Is there a group that stands in the center of the entry not allowing other to get by? Is there a group of people talking about others within the church in a derogatory manner with their head turned in such a way that they are trying not to be heard yet eye the person they a talking bad about? Then this is not a church, but a social club.
We are to meet together to praise, worship and give glory unto God. How can those that call themselves Christian be able to spread the glory and love of God if all they care about is their own little world. The church is to be for the entire community, not just those that attend their particular social club.
We are to serve the community in whole. We are to honor God through service to others. Acts of selfishness and self-glorification does nothing for God and show those that do act in this fashion for what they truly are. Someone who has lost his or her way from God if they ever truly found Him.
Revelation Chapter 3
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.