The Tale of Two Christians
We at BoldGrace are often misunderstood for our criticism of organized religion, especially Christians. I would like to set the record straight on at least how I feel about Christians who are still involved in organized religion. I feel the same way about them as I always have. I think some get IT and some don’t. You can have two Christians in the same church and yet in reality they are as different as night and day. You will also find people all over the this earth from every walk of life who get IT.
Let me describe this tale of two Christians as best I can.
One has made a connection within themselves. This connection goes far beyond doctrine or teaching. This connection is eternal and it is a gift we have always had. This person feels the connection and follows the yearnings within even though they are in disagreement with much of what they may hear from the pulpit each week.
Paul gives us the best description of what this connection does to us and for us.
Love is patientLove is kindLove does not envyLove does not boastLove is not proudLove is not rude Love is not self-seekingLove is not easily angeredLove keeps no record of wrongsLove does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truthLove always protectsLove always trustsLove always hopesLove always perseveresLove never fails.
The other side of this tale of two Christians is the person who is certain that their relationship with God is based on what they do outside of themselves. Their emphasis is on church attendance, bible reading, prayer, living a pure lifestyle, etc. This type of Christian often judges and condemns others who are not falling in line with the teachings of the church.
What is my point here? I simply want to point out that I believe there are many sincere believing Christians who GET IT. They have made the connection that every human being is destined to eventually make. This connection is simply a clear vision of who we really are at the core. WE ARE GOD’S VERY BEST WORK. Within each of us is something so special and wonderful. Once we make the connection all the arguing and debating about who is right and who is wrong, who is OK with God, and who is not, becomes completely irrelevant.
In this tale of two Christians I believe both are accepted by God, but I’m just as certain that one of them is at peace and the other is not. I think you can guess who?
So, next time you come here and feel like we are picking on Christians simply ask yourself "Are you one that GETS IT? If you are you will understand that we are not attacking people who go to church, but rather systems of self righteousness that can destroy a person’s peace.
Going to church or not going to church is a personal choice that I will respect. For me it’s about the connection we made inside. A connection that is so beautiful. A connection that changes us from the inside out and has nothing whatsoever to do with whether we attend church or not.
A famous Quaker preacher Thomas Kelly said the following:
I long for the day that each and every human being finally sees the Christ that is within US ALL.
If God is Love, then…
God is patient
God is kind
God does not envy
God does not boast
God is not proud
God is not rude Love is not self-seeking
God is not easily angered
God keeps no record of wrongs
God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
God always protects
God always trusts
God always hopes
God always perseveres
God never fails.
But, that would be hard to believe if you listen to most of the church/institution/organization/religion businesses out there. All the church really ever did for me was confuse me. But thank God he brought me out of that and drew me into his heart.
Cliff,
Beautiful thoughts. I’m not interested in the church being “left behind.” Instead, I hope all people the truth of love. And as you show, love is connection. That helps explain how we can love our neighbor and our enemy. Connect with all people becuase all people are connected with God. In fact, it’s not so much abut making a connection. God is that connection. We can simply have ever-deepening awakening to that connection.
Many blessings,
Kevin
BTW, the Thomas Kelly quote is awesome!
Bruce,
I LOVE your interpretation of 1 Corinthians 13! GENIUS!
Peace
Geo
Thanks Bruce and Kevin. This past week I did my training at the hospital with a very loving and kind christian lady who is very much caught up in the church experience (Penecostal). I shared with her some of my beliefs about our “God Connection” and even though it was difficult for her to understand I found that we could be great friends inspite of our differences. Elton Trueblood once said, “If you are yoked to Christ, you are yoked to me whether you like it or not.” Well, I believe we are all yoked together through this God Connection so we might as well do our best to get along. I will keep reaching out to every person I meet regardless of where they are on this spiritual pathway.
I thank God He has awaken us to see His love and mercy.I just listen to Tim king speak on seeing God’s love and mercy in this present time.He talked about see His love right now even has I write it bring such joy to the heart and mind know His love and mercy is right here and now I don’t have to do anything or even wait for anything.The whole focsus is on Him and not anything else.
I believe when Paul said about forget not to come together.He was talking about see the very present of God right now and see His love and mercy and focus on Him and not are self’s.I believe that is what Bold Grace is about see His love and mercy right now.
Bold Grace has truly open the heart and minds to see the very present of God and it has been brought joy and peace to many who visit.
Love in Christ Dan
Great points about the various faces of Christianity - and how some people seem to ‘get it’ while others are just not there yet (or dare I say - refuse to ‘get it’). For me, the point of God and a relationship is that of ‘love’ - and that passage in Cornthians really nails it!