I respectfully disagree. True Christianity has always been the opposite of individualism. It's about obedience and surrender. People in the Old Testament refused to heed, yield to, or surrender to the words and commands of the prophets. sent by God. How'd that work out for them? You think God has changed since then? Is He still the same God on the same throne? Is He still a God who requires submission and obedience?
Perhaps the TRUE church (body of believers) hasn't changed all that much....Maybe there are still some trying to hold on to truth and to stricter (worldly unpopular) Godly standards. Perhaps it's society that's changed and who by preponderance wants a church that coddles their feelings and that lets them live however they want to live with very few guidelines and restrictions.
Methinks you have it twisted my friend. If you think the early church was not organized, and did not have strict standards and guidelines with strong repercussions......well then you know very little of early church history and I'd encourage you to do some reading. You might find it quite interesting to discover just how lax the churches have become these days compared to those early days. In the early church, believers were commanded (not just encouraged) to fast and pray. Giving offering and tithes was looked upon then as righteous and expected......not just a casual suggestion. Giving to charity and to the poor and widows was a commandment.....not an option for attendees. Christian churches too often focus on the "God of Love" these days without giving much (if any) time teaching about the fact that God is Holy and commands that His followers also be holy. He is also a God who demands obedience and He is just......He gives mercy and grace, but promises judgement.
The Bible says “He will repay each one according to his works.” (Romans 2:6)
Wanna see a great example of what happened to people in the early New Testament church when they got out of line with God? Look no further than the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5:1-11. I'll paste it for you because I feel you will likely not go read it on your own:
1 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 2 With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
3 Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. 6 Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
7 About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.”
9 Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.”
10 At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events.
