I read a blog post on ChurchETHOS this morning where the writer offered some thoughts about Buddhism. Unsurprisingly, a couple commenters posted anonymously about their (unflattering) view of Christianity.
One comment in particular called Christianity a waste of time.
Sad to say, but I identify with that commenter. Here's why: the version of Christianity the commenter referred to was one that was devoid of compassion, love, morality, and selflessness. The commenter obviously knows about Christianity, and the Christianity he/she knows about is one focused on selfishness and corruption.
May I suggest that this form is most prevalent in churches that focus on abstract spiritualities rather than Jesus, who is alive in them?
What is an abstract spirituality? Whatever turns our focus away from Jesus and puts it on some other "aspect" of Christianity. This could be: focus on numerical growth for its own sake, or undue focus on a church building and its maintenance (including spending large quantities of money to "protect" it), or abusing leadership positions to further your own ambitions, or thinking too highly of your agenda that you spiritually stomp on people who disagree with you.
Jesus said that HE is the way, the truth, and the life. A spirituality focused IN and AROUND him will never be a waste of time because it will absolutely fulfill what was missing from above: it will be moral, compassionate, loving, and selfless.
Is your Christianity abstract or fixed on Jesus? Get rid of the idols so prevalent in many contemporary forms of "church" and get back to Jesus.
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