When The Church Abandons Christ

One of the most troubling cultural shifts in the US I've observed over the past several years has been what can only described as an abandonment of a Christocentric faith within Christianity itself. 

In other words, Jesus' teachings, example, and actions are no longer the center of Christianity in America. 

Recently, I watched a snippet of a sermon from an Orthodox priest who decried the divisions between the various arms of Christianity, calling the Church back to Christ as our example.  

He said that Jesus' wish for his followers was not that they create thousands of different versions of the Way of Christ, all viewing one another with a jaundiced and suspicious eye,  but to be "one as I  and my father are one."

In a world where division and discord seem prevalent, Christians are called to embody a worldview that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, we must remember that our faith should inspire us to build bridges rather than walls, fostering a spirit of love, acceptance, and understanding. 

Sadly, within Christian culture, the rhetoric often appears to run counter to the very essence of Jesus’ teachings, leading to a misrepresentation of the faith itself.

In his insightful book The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory, Tim Alberta emphasizes the troubling shift within Christian communities, stating: 

"When the church fails to embody the principles of Christ, it surrenders its moral authority to speak into the culture." 

This quote highlights a crucial point: when Christians allow political ideologies and cultural stances to overshadow the values exemplified by Jesus, they dilute their witness and hinder their faith's transformational power.

Similarly, Andrew Whitehead, in his engaging book American Idolatry, speaks to the dangers of conflating faith with nationalism and political agendas, asserting: 

"When faith becomes intertwined with power, it risks becoming more about the preservation of earthly kingdoms than the advancement of Christ's Kingdom." 

This commentary serves as a sobering reminder that Christians need to be vigilant in separating their devotion to political leaders from their commitment to following Jesus, who preached a revolutionary message rooted in love and servanthood, not dominance or entitlement.

The Scriptures remind us to look to Jesus for guidance rather than placing our hopes in leaders swayed by earthly agendas. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus declares:  

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other." 

Jesus' words underscore Christians' need to remain devoted to Christ, rejecting the temptation to prioritize political allegiances over the profound call to love. Jesus exemplified a worldview that embraced the marginalized, practiced humility, and advocated for justice. 

When Christians embody love and grace daily, they create a powerful counter-narrative to the prevailing cultures of division and strife. By actively following Jesus’ example, believers can inspire others to seek understanding rather than judgment and compassion rather than contempt. 

This approach can serve as a beacon of hope in our divided culture, inviting others into a deeper understanding of Christ’s love.

As Christians, let us reflect on the words of Jesus in John 13:34-35, where He commands: 

 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another."

The unconditional love we extend towards others, including those with whom we disagree, is the hallmark of true discipleship.

In the end, may we strive to follow Jesus' example in every aspect of our lives. As we do so, we can become instruments of healing in our fractured world, demonstrating that transformation is indeed possible through love, understanding, and commitment to Christ. 

By representing His teachings in our actions and words, we hold the potential to reshape the dialogue around faith and foster unity in a culture longing for reconciliation. 

Let us embrace this opportunity with open hearts, igniting change through the love of Jesus Christ.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever. Amen.