Jesus said “Go”, not gather

By

Keith L. Anderson, Ph.D

Some people have pity parties. I have pity gala affairs! But now, I'm out of my funk with a new plan. In fact we all should have a new plan because a new evil is amongst us. Although I don't sound like it a lot of the time, I am a believer in Jesus Christ. I just don't believe like a lot of other American Christians believe. Anyone can be a hateful and call themselves Christian. But it takes strength to be a loving Christian. It takes strength to bend down and help a brother or sister whose skin may be a different color. I wonder what Jesus might be thinking in regards to what we are doing in relationship to his mandate to "GO"? Especially since instead of going, we have built humongous building to gather. Which, in most cases we end up worshiping our pastors. We've all heard people who can't wait to get to work, school, or book club to tell everyone how great their pastor is. 

 The truth of the matter is Christians are amongst the most hated group of people in America! And we deserve every hateful word of criticism, because we guardians of the things that don't really belong to us, instead of servants. And here's the saddest part of this truth. It isn't Jesus that people dislike so much. It's us, His earthly representation that have distorted his word. It is us, His earthly representation who have put the money changers and the hate mongers back in the church.   

I need to put this in context of something that I understand well. Those of you who know me, know that I was really into football. A football scholarship was how I went to college. I see Jesus as the head coach. He gave us a playbook, the Bible. And he told us to "GO". But what did we do? We started gathering. And when we began to gather we started "talking" about stuff and we forgot to "do" stuff. In these gatherings we talk about how great the plays Jesus came up within his playbook, the Bible, are. But we never left the huddle or gathering to "go" run the great plays our great coach had given us. 

Right about now, I think Jesus is saying, I'm not working any miracles to appease your gathering services. I'll work the miracles when you "GO" outside and run the play. I think Jesus is begging us to "GO"! I think He is saying, let me work the miracles outside where they can help the lost, the poor in spirit, the hungry, the thirsty and those who linger in pain. Stop telling people that the miracle lies within the numbers who gather together praising everything but, what Jesus has done. I think Jesus wants us to stop doing ugly things in his name. I guessing there were drugs and prostitution and crooked politicians in Jesus' day? But Jesus went to the streets to help people. He did His Father's will. One of the most famous recordings of Jesus being in the church was when he tore it to pieces. The only other time Jesus' church attendance is mentioned with any significant was when he was 12 talking to the wise people of the church.   

So what am I saying? Christians take your eyes off yourself, off your pastor, off your need to feel superior to others. Focus on the spirit of what Jesus came here to do. Focus on the spirit of what Jesus asked us to do. Take that spirit and "GO" change communities. Take that spirit and "GO" change hearts. Stop waiting for someone else to do it for you. 

The past election caused me to linger in pain from the spears of so-called Christians, who claim they love God. If you love God, then stop killing people with your interpretations of biblical laws and rules. Americans, Christians or whatever you want to call yourselves, if we truly are a godly nation then love and respect the ways and traditions of the ones that God put in this nation first! Stop lying to citizens! Americans, Christians or whatever you want to call yourselves, stop stealing the souls of men and women, who look or act different than you! 

The mark of a Christian isn't how big the church they go to is, or even if they attend church. The mark of a Christian isn't whether or not you have a fancy Bible with your name embroidered on the front. The mark of a Christian isn't about making sure everyone follows your interpretation of the Bible. I'm guessing being a Christian has more to do with healing and not dividing, loving and not hating and doing good by rejecting evil. Praying isn't the only time a Christian bends at the knees. Bending down to lift someone up is as Christian as knowing every book of the Bible.

As for me, I am going to take my sinful ass off the fence and fight. I will fight like there is no tomorrow! I will fight like God is real! And above all I will "GO" in love! Fighting in love, will keep my eyes off of the worst enemy of all, my own selfish desires!