Speaking of universal constants, these two definitely make the list: everyone wants to be loved – and everybody wants to belong. I have no doubt God made us that way. But for some reason, everyone thinks the majority must be right, and that’s how we get into trouble. Somehow we have it in our minds, that the crowd must have all the answers. If everyone else believes it, or is doing it, or belonging to it; then somehow it must be the right thing. It’s been the case throughout history – from slavery, the Salem Witch Trials, the McCarthy era, and from the Jewish leadership before and during the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Like the pride we identify with a winning football team, we espouse the same pride for our churches. But there is a repeating theme that many fail to recognize throughout the Bible: It was always those in the minority that followed the will of God against popular belief.
If ever there was an example of the hold and control religious leaders had over others, it would be the influence Jewish leaders had in convincing everyone that Jesus was not the Messiah. These same spiritual leaders convinced the crowd to put Christ to death by freeing Barabbas. “But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus” (Matthew 27:20). Here is a man whom they personally witnessed performed many miracles, steeped in the supernatural, never sinned, and had not commit a single crime. Yet they turned around and claimed He was a liar – deserving of death. Despite everything, the Jewish leadership still managed to convince those who believed in God the Father, that His Son was a fraud. And they succeeded. And let me tell you most assuredly, the spirit of leadership that killed Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago, is the same spirit that exists in church leadership today.
There are examples of the need to follow the crowd everywhere in our world today – from the mundane, to the forces of good and evil. One popular judge on one of the television networks, quite frequently ask the litigants “Do you go to church?”If you knew some of the content of the show, you will see the fruit he yields. And no, I’m not saying he is a bad person. Fruits produced from a counterfeit system are only bound to bear counterfeit results. Going to church does not make a person good or bad – church is an activity based on works of the law. The law is based on works – it’s not based on love, character, or having a real relationship with Jesus. Instead, this TV judge should be asking, “Do you have a relationship with Jesus?” It is a prime example of how the world places more emphasis on church institutions, as opposed to truly knowing Jesus and having a real relationship with Him.
This is one example of many, as to why there is no real power in what we call “church” today. We have the wrong church – one built by the hands of man, and we have set itself up as if it is seated at the right hand of the Father. The church Jesus built consists of believers in Christ, who recognize that He built a church of living stones. You also as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood….1Peter 2:5. God made it very clear that He does not exist in temples made of human hands. God’s Ecclesia in the New Testament, meaning “the called out ones” – were the “church” wherever they went, and they existed 24/7. They were a spiritual assembly that transcended space and religious practices and protocols.
Satan has embedded into our minds and in the Christian culture, that you can only be a good person if you belong to this system man has created and calls “church.” You can go to “church” every day of the week, once a week, twice a week, and not be saved. And it deeply saddens me to say, the people going there are putting their eternal destiny in jeopardy. Most have no clue as to how knee deep in idolatry they are. Why? Because we have allowed men to usurp Christ lordship over our lives, and have gone after the things of the flesh and the world. We have repeatedly discounted and ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit, and the things He has shown us regarding this counterfeit church system.
For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts 20:29-31
Satan has blinded our minds, and we have somehow forgotten that the Word says he comes as a minister of light. We think of this scripture, for example, as if it is pertaining to church leaders who have been exposed for gratuitous spending, or the pastor who is caught molesting a child. The Word is actually speaking about those who are preaching a false gospel. Who do we believe Paul was referring to when he said this? Certainly, it would not be applicable to nonbelievers, because…guess what? They are non-believers – it would not be an issue among them. Paul was ONLY addressing believers. This counterfeit church system is firmly grounded and based on a false gospel.
We just want to interject here: we do not think all church leaders are bad people – for those who rationalize it, it is hard to overcome the flesh and set aside their desires over what God truly intended. When someone’s salary is involved, it is very difficult to see the truth – let alone want to see it. And, as God can use anything, there is good that can come out of some churches. That being said, there is good that comes out of secular organizations as well. Blacks in their segregated churches often met in them to energize the Civil Rights movement. On the flip side, so did the KKK. But these man-made churches have reaped far more harm than good. And any good – no matter how much – still does not negate the truth in God’s Word. Although the church system actually appears to be good, it has been detrimental to the Kingdom of God (we will be writing about this later).
In truth, we want to belong, and for those who are ruled by the flesh, going to church makes them feel good. Leadership tells them they are pleasing God by attending, and more importantly by giving to their organization. For many, we want others to see us dress up, and we feel proud of ourselves for dressing up. We like talking “Christianese”, and we want others to hear our Biblical prowess, as we fit a scripture or two into our conversations. What an insult to a Holy God, who does not esteem the things of man. “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight (Luke 16:15). If we talk, walk, and dress like a given “church” culture, we see ourselves as fitting in, and deem ourselves “spiritually worthy.” And we love it – we thrive on it! This is self-aggrandizement – the idolatry of self!
We CARE about what people think of us. But most importantly, we want others to see ourselves as being “spiritual.” Church leaders falsely promise us this will be the case, just as long as we attend THEIR churches and support them. They tell us by doing so, we are pleasing God. THAT IS A LIE FROM SATAN. Jesus only created one Church and that is the Body of Christ. It is much easier to be doing busy church work, participating in programs and meetings, and attending church than it is to have a real relationship with Jesus Christ. Men have convinced believers this is what a relationship with Jesus is all about. No – this is what a relationship with a church is about. Church has dethroned Jesus – He actually comes as a distant second. If you listen to the conversations of most believers, “church” is mentioned far more times than the name of Jesus. And Satan could not be any happier.