Is there a better way to be Christian?
A few weeks ago, I was at work when I came across a single word; “ORGANIC.” Of course it was referring to the particular can of vegetables it was placed on, but upon seeing this word, a light went on in my mind. Is there a better way to be Christian?
Quite a thought to have while picking groceries meant to be shipped out to the stores, but there it was. Is there a better way? The thought kept surfacing in my mind, so I prayed. To my astonishment, God replied with an unexpected answer. “Search the scriptures.”
Could it be that simple? Can I simply refer to the Bible and find the answer. Well… Yes.
Where to start…
If you put “Organic Christianity” or “Organic Church” into Google, you will soon be overrun with link after link talking about being more natural at Christianity, or holding more simplistic “church” services at your home or in some other small group setting. You will especially find a large mount of information on the “Organic Church” movement that seems to have been started by T. Austin Sparks (a British author and teacher).
While these sites and resources seem to express the idea of a more simple church life, I found that (for the most part) they are lacking in the true and pure gospel of an unadulterated religion. Christianity should not only be simple, but pure as well. The idea that God was speaking to me was not that of a new movement to a simpler church, but rather a return to the pure church He had designed in the New Testament.
For me (according to the vision God had given me) Organic Christianity is rooted in the Old Testament (Romans 15:4), seeded in the Gospels (Acts 20:24), grown in the Acts and Epistles, and bears its fruit in Revelations.
“For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the Scriptures.”
Acts 20:24 (HCSB)
“But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace.”
Would it even work?
That is a seriously tough question. Would it even work? Would the people be willing to lay down their denominational rituals and beliefs to take up the pure truth of God’s grace? Many would say, “Yes,” but few would last (I am afraid). We have seen attempts in the growing “non-denominational” churches, but even those carry their earlier doctrines into their new churches. However, I believe that if we were to strip the denominational doctrines away, we would be left with a far more unified church. This would probably be one that would closely resemble what God had envisioned when He sent Jesus to this earth. There may even have been a few times when believers have come together to achieve such a goal.
In 2010, while my family was in the mission field for a week, we encountered such an occasion. On our way home, our van broke down. When we walked to a nearby church for assistance, they reached out to another church from a different denomination to come help. The church we were at knew they were not equipped to offer us the aide we needed, but knew of another that was. This other church was unique in that it held a campus on an old motel site. It offered a new start for those that were seeking it, under the condition that the participants were willing to work for the Lord. We also got to help them with a joined effort to care for the homeless in their area. Every Saturday they joined with other churches from different backgrounds and fed the homeless (both body and spirit). This was organic Christianity (although they may not have realized it). These churches were simply working together to do the work of the Lord; the way He had designed it.
So… would Organic Christianity even work the way that God was showing me? Yes! The real question is not if God’s plan could work, but if the people involved would be willing to work at it? Maybe. Just maybe.
So… What’s the plan?
Indeed. What is the plan? Why show me this? What am I suppose to do with it? Simple… I listen to God. It would seem that a thorough, comparative study of the Gospels is in order. Followed by an in depth look at the Acts 2 church and the sermons of Peter and Paul. Then the epistles of Peter, Paul, John, James, and Jude (as well as the book of Hebrews) would have to be investigated for their teachings on Christianity. Finally ending in a look into what the church should expect from the Revelations of Jesus to the Apostle John.
It would seem that the plan may not be so simple, but it is pure. A deep study into the Word of God with no outside influence. This journey will be an insightful one to say the least.
In conclusion.
I hope that some of you will join me on this path. I look forward to sharing my findings and thoughts with you as I go along, and I look forward to receiving your thoughts and ideas as well.
Thank you and God bless,
Bro James
Sign up with the subscribe button at the bottom of the page, and follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@brojamespardee).
