Christianity vs. Churchianity
Christianity vs. Churchianity
Luke 14:33
"So, therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple." -Jesus
True Christianity involves more than just believing in Christ and/or attending church, changing behaviors and going through certain motions, creeds, sacraments etc.. It’s about making Christ the center of one's life and mission. There is a difference between being a disciple of Christ and merely practicing churchianity(a term used to describe a superficial commitment to Christian practices without a genuine transformation of life and purpose).
1. Defining True Christianity
- Total Commitment: According to Luke 14:33, Jesus calls for a complete surrender of all personal desires and possessions. True discipleship means renouncing everything that hinders our commitment to Christ.
- Christ as the Core: True disciples integrate Christ into every aspect of their lives. They align their desires, will, and mission with the cause of Christ.
Example: Consider the lives of the apostles. They left everything to follow Jesus and dedicated their entire lives to spreading His message (Matthew 4:19-20).
2. Defining Churchianity
- Outward Religion: Churchianity refers to practicing Christian rituals and traditions without a true dedication to all of Christ's teachings. It's about the outer surrender of works rather than the inner surrender of self.
- Self-Centered Goals: Individuals practicing churchianity may believe in Christ but their primary mission/purpose/meaning revolves around their own desires and ambitions, not Christ's will.
Example: The Pharisees in Jesus' time were often criticized for their outward religiousness while lacking genuine love and justice (Matthew 23:27-28).
3. Lessons from Israel
- False Worship vs. True Worship: The history of Israel serves as a powerful example. Many Israelites professed to follow God but often lived for their own gain, giving only lip service to Him (Isaiah 29:13).
- A Shadow of the Church: Just as Israel often strayed from wholehearted devotion, many within the church today face similar challenges. The call is to move beyond mere religious activity to a life wholly surrendered to Christ.
Example: The book of Judges is filled with cycles where Israel turns away from God, faces consequences, and eventually returns to Him, only to fall away again (Judges 2:11-19).
Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you’ve been practicing churchianity instead of true Christianity? Ask God to help you make the necessary changes.
True Christianity requires a complete and total commitment to Christ. It means making His mission our mission, His desires our desires, and His will our will. As we learn from the example of Israel and the call of Jesus, let us strive to live authentically as His disciples, surrendering all to Him.