Too much posturing, not enough Jesus.
That says it all.
The modern day model "church" message has become about SELF: "self/ be faithful in 'church' attendance, self/ invite other people to 'church', (so we can pride our-SELF on how many we attracted to our 'church'-SELF, self/invest yourself so you may receive returns of a hundred fold to self, not to mention... follow 'church' rules which propose to promote SELF appeal, and will make others want to be part of this 'church' (ex: self/listen to all the “right” music, read all the “right” books, drink all the “right” drinks, speak using the “right” lingo" so everyone you will know you are one of us/ SELF (self centered focus)
Christs message was and still is OTHERS: (Christs focus)
Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly I tell you, unless a person is born of water and Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit." (no mention of numerical growth or attendance there)
And again: Joh 13:35
This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have
love for one another."
And again: 1Jo 3:14
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we
love one another. The person who does not love remains in death.
To that I can only add, there are still multitudes and multitudes of the "one another" no different than those Christ lived and walked among, outside the segregated walls of the buildings or temples, or perhaps more aptly called clubhouses, we modern day disciples call 'churches.' Oh there are many who are invited to these 'churches' theres no doubt...but how many are invited to Christ (with no agenda but to have them meet HIM)...right where they are at?
I think the difference between now and then is we might have nearly succeeded in selfishly hiding the Light of the world behind the walls we have built, except God said He would have a church triumphant, and He surely will, as surely as He knows those who are His. But Jesus never once asked us to build walls, in truth He came to tear down the walls so the light of His saving love might shine in all mens hearts.
2Co 13:5 Keep examining yourselves to see whether you are continuing in the faith. Test yourselves! You know, do not you, that Jesus Christ lives in you? Could it be that you are failing the test?
I hope you will realize that we haven't failed our test.
We pray to God that you will not do anything wrong-not to show that we have not failed the test, but so that you may do what is right, even if we seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.