I am currently reading
Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream, by David Platt for the third time. For many months I have been on a journey of discontent, not with God, but with the tension of what "church" means in America and what it means elsewhere in the world. This book, along with several others has put words to what's been in my heart. Having said that, I'm sure there will be those who pick apart the book because it doesn't "fit" their experience of Americanized Christianity. I don't know about you, but I am really tired of "status quo" church. I need something more - not more than God - not in addition to salvation - but more than showing up once a week to look at the same faces that are mostly disinterested and disengaged. Speaking for myself, I desperately need a "radical" change!
"
We've missed what is radical about our faith and replaced it with what is comfortable. We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves." David Platt, Radical
Longing,
I have come to the conclusion that the church ( the structure, not God's body of believers) has become ( by our own doing) a monster that must be fed, by our attendance, our offerings , our service, and if God chose not to show up, 99% of its inhabitants would not know the difference, but go on , "business as usual." Did the pioneers of old have all the trappings that "church" must have today? How in the world did they manage without the perfect sound system, lighting system, etc., before they could preach The Word? I have been praying that God's Pure, untarnished TRUTH would prevail in my heart, so that I will no longer be a spiritual slave that serves to feed the monster, instead of the one Magnificent Creator! I am thankful that the circumstances that have come into my life for the last 4 years forced me to look inward and all around me, to see clearly the difference of what God INTENDED THIS church to be and what it has become. The truth I found has set me free from "religiosity", and has enabled me to have a relationship with God that is based on pure mercy and grace !
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