The Big Boss man
Matthew 5: 13 - 16 NKJV
I had a conversation the other day about our christian practices with close freind of mine. The conversation ranged from church attendance to that assurance of our Lords presence in our own lives. It seems that my friend has taken a break from church attendance lately and I guess he was seeking my opinion on the matter. Now, anyone who has read these pages knows by now that I am no big fan of the instututionl church in any way. So I swallowed my pride and layed it on the line for him. Why would we need someone (priests and/or pastors) to tell us what we already know in our own hearts? See, the apostle Paul assures us in Galations that Christ Jesus Himself lives through us today {Galations 2:20}. So, how much closer do we need to be to God than what we already have? The trouble is, the messages which we receive from the church may be different from what we actually experience here in the real world. At times it seems that our local pastor is more concerned with worship bands, tithes and fasting. There is a reason that I often refered to a few sunday services as a dog and pony show, because to me that is where we seemed to be headed. I used a example to describe to my freind what we already know, assuming we have known and accepted Christ Jesus. Our relationship with our local church is akin to that work relationship we have a supervisor and a manager. In the organization I work for, it is the management that usually tows the company line ensuring that things are done by the book. The supervisors, however, have been in the field with the field employees and more often than not have a more realistic perspective on things that management may not or care not to see. So, you could say that Jesus is the supervisor and our local church is the manager...the big boss man. The church and the local pulpit pounder are good at telling you the rules and regulations of being a christian, while in our hearts we know that Jesus, the supervisor, knows all too intimately the struggles His children are enduring. He knows because He is unduring it with us. Of course, this brings up the interesting question of do we need rules to live the christian life by, or is Jesus all we need?
3“Therefore whatever they tell you ato observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do. 4“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 5“But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7“greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’8“But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9“Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10“And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11“But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12“And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23: 3 - 12 NKJV
It seems that Jesus Himself was not too fond of the managers in His day. See, the Pharisees were big on instituting rules and making sure that traditions were being followed by the people. Sound familiar? To me it reminds me alot of the local pulpit pounders own duties. Of course, I have been challanged by a friend to find someplace in scripture where a PAID pastor or priest is mandated by the Lord. I have yet to find it. Could it be that that position of pastor is one mandated by we ourselves and not God? Absolutely. As I said, why do we need someone to tell us what we already know in our own hearts? For if Christ is in us, then we already know what it is He is whispering to us. We have no need for someone to interpret the word of our Lord in a way THEY feel is appropriate for us to hear. I say let's eliminate the middle man and go straight to community with our Lord as it was meant to be. Of course, that would mean many pastors would be out of work, and I'm ok with that. For the life I live is not one of rules, tithes and traditions but one of relationship with Christ Jesus. It is these former things which were nailed to that cross with Him {Colossions 2:14}. In my daily life as in my walk with the Lord, I'd much rather have my supervisor who knows me than that big boss man.
44Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2: 44 - 47 NKJV
~Scott~
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