Three Excuses Answered On Why Americans Turn Their Noses Up At Christianity

Three Excuses Answered On Why Americans Turn Their Noses Up At Christianity

Three Excuses Answered: Why Americans Arrogantly Turn Their Noses Up At Christianity

1) I love Jesus but hate the church.
2) It's A relationship not a religion.
3) I do not trust Organized Religion.

We live in a time of bumper sticker, or really "Tweets" today, that often strike out at Christian theology and sound Bible doctrine. They go unchecked. Today I am checking them.

1) I Love Jesus But Hate the Church.

Warning to the smug- Christ loved the church so much he died a horrible painful sustitutionary death for her. Forgiving and paying the penalty of sins of her members. Why? So she could become spotless and presentable as his bride. Yes she can be ragged and appear as a hag. But what she is emerging is is awesome.
She is not worthy. he makes her worthy. Read about grace, painful grace in the book of Hosea.
Ephesians 5:25-27
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
"25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless."

So you can love someone and hate their body?

1 Corinthians 10:16 (NASB)
"Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ?"

He Died For His Body - And You Hate It?

Romans 5:8
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

2) It's A relationship not a religion.

Even so called "Christ followers" spout this unbiblical statement. (Hey super-relevant Christ follower, Acts 11:26 gives us 2,000 years of the biblical tradition of being called Christians. What gave you the idea to trash 2,000 years of tradition?)
James the half brother of Jesus Christ was a late arriving Apostle. Yes it was probably post-Resurrection when James came to the faith. He believed Christianity was a valid religion. It is a family. Your not an only child in Christ. He was a building block of the church. He also strongly believed in practicing the religion of Christianity. Tweet that!

James 1:26 (NASB)
"If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless."

James 1:27 (NASB)
"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

3) I do not trust organized Religion.

Why not? Jesus did.
Yes it is a paradox. Much organized religion has been bad. But the organized by Christ, Body of Christ, is an organizes religion.
Question? What's the track record for unorganized religion?
Jesus worshiped at the temple and synagogues. Hey Adam Sandler -he is the most famous person to ever light a menorah!
Yes, Jesus loved corporate worship.
Luke 4:16
"And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read."

Jesus Lit The Menorah

John 10:22-23 (NASB)
"22 At that time the Feast of the Dedication took place at Jerusalem; 23 it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple in the portico of Solomon."

Jesus Participated In All The Jewish Feast and Jewish Observances

In fact Jesus organized the most famous Passover observance.
Luke 22:19 (NASB) "And when He had taken some bread and agiven thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

A pretty dedicated Jew named Paul agreed

1 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB)
"Clean out the old leaven so that you may be a new lump, just as you are in fact unleavened. For Christ our aPassover also has been sacrificed."

That same Passover night, He, Jesus, gave organization and directions to organize the early church.

What is the real reason you will not come to Christ alone for salvation?
Believe the gospel. The hard hearted arrogant person will reject it. The humbled sinner, like me, will leap at the chance to turn from their sins towards Christ for forgiveness of sins, peace with God and citizenship in Heaven.

Do not play games with the King who died for you to join the family. This is a King worthy of worship.

In Christ Alone!

Fletcher Law