That’s right, theoretical Christianity is dead. But so is false-hopium Christianity. And socially-acceptable Christianity. And deconstruction-Christianity. And hocus-pocus Christianity. It’s all a dead end.
Is there any future for Christians and the Christian Church? Yes, absolutely. The real Jesus has never changed. Never discount Jesus: He promised that the gates of Hell cannot prevail against the church. He promised that He would be active here with us until the very end. He is actively involved with believers, and overseeing the success of the mission, every day.
So, will the real Jesus please stand up? Yes, Jesus told us plainly what He’s going to be busy and involved through His church until the end of this age. The real thing is not hard to find. It’s the people who are busy doing the very last thing He instructed us to do. Jesus is active wherever people are still doing what Jesus instructed us to do.
Go. Into all the world. Make disciples. Baptize them. Teach them to do everything He taught His first disciples. This is clearly taught in Matthew 28:18-20
Notice the promise He makes at the end of that: “…behold, I will be with you until the end of the age.” Has the end come yet? No. Well then this is still the play book we’re working under! He is still actively engaged with us and through us.
This is what Jesus is about! It’s the only thing that Jesus is about! Reaching souls and transforming them by the power of His spirit and His teachings.
What did Jesus say about this playbook? At the Last Supper, He explained:
John 14:6-7 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well.”
So, there is no other way for people to be saved. There is no other way for people to really know and have a relationship with the Father.
John 14:15-17 “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth.”
So, learning and doing Jesus’ instructions is the plan.
John 15:7-8 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”
So, when we abide in Jesus and in His teachings, we can EXPECT answers to prayer. Not getting answers? Well, are you abiding in Him and doing His teachings? This is where the breakdown usually occurs. Most people do not know what Jesus taught, nor how to abide in Him.
It’s not complicated. God isn’t giving out labels and memberships. Jesus empowers those who are following the playbook to see amazing and even impossible things from God. As Jesus said “with God all things are possible.” Experiencing the impossible just requires following the plan of Jesus. Theory? No. Self-guided works? No. Walking by worldly wisdom? No. Squabbling over secondary matters? No. What does Jesus call us to? Doing His instructions. Learn it. Live it. Be engaged in the Jesus Adventure. Amazing things happen.
Believing Him. Walking by faith. Doing His instructions. It never gets more complicated than that.
Check out our new book, The Jesus Adventure – Journey to Spiritual Freedom