Who is Christ and the Church really?

Is Christ that blue eyed, english accented man that we see portrayed so many times?

Is the church those who hold signs that proclaim who God hates, or the right who is more concerned with what people do in their bedrooms than what is in their hearts. Is the church those who say that woman are less than and must
procreate although we have nearly 7 million people on the earth that we can't feed or provide clean water to.

This are just a few thought provoking questions a peer, posted in a video recently. It put into word what so many struggle with. I wanted to give my thoughts to this, and it may take more than one post.

Christ is not what is presented by many today. Christ is and was God manifested in flesh. Christ is the the true representation we have had of God. John's Gospel put it this way:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5

The Word became flesh not page. Many that call themselves the church today worship the Bible and not Christ. This is why they can take passages out of context and use it as a weapon instead of a healing instrument. Now before I go any further let me be clear, I love the Bible and believe it is a gift from God for inspiration, healing and life. However man can do to printed page what they could not do to Christ. Manipulate and conform it for their own purposes. This is why they crucified Christ, because they could not make him serve their purposes.

How do I know when man is misrepresenting God or scripture? Whenever their message is self serving, lacking love and produces fear, shame or guilt. God comes to set right. To forgive' heal and give hope. God does not have to attack, or make others less than....this is the human ego that does this.

Most religion ( organized religion) has one goal. This goal is to take advantage and exploit man's spiritual hunger for God, and manipulate it for control, power and greed.
Jesus said you will know them by the fruits they bear.

What passes as the church today has failed miserably to be the church. Why is that. Because they are NOT THE CHURCH.

The church is the Body of Christ. Which simply means that when a person allows Christ to dwell in and through him and lives a life of growing partnership with the spirit of Christ. He learns to love, forgive and becomes more and more Christ. He is not perfect nor is he or she required to be. They are simply to live out of the wholeness and perfection of Christ. He or she grows in wholeness. He is teachable and doesn't need men to teach him or her but there is one, the Holy Spirit that will teach and show them the way. It is a life built on faith in Christ, not man or an institution. Because these followers of Christ are the Body of Christ.

Let me again say, I am not against church. But church should only be a gathering place of like minded followers of Christ who meet to encourage each-other.
The problem I have is it is difficult to find a gathering who are like-minded with the Christ of Love that I know. Many are simply trying to serve their own agenda and build their own kingdoms. Embracing those who will conform and agree with their views and exclude anyone who they disagree with or fear. They are competitive, fearing that others make take what is theirs and their power over the lives of others are based on fear and manipulation.

If this sounds very pessimistic and dark, it is because the condition of the modern day church is. This happens whenever something becomes ego driven.

There are many faithful, true follower who one can find in these walls. And there is many more that have left these walls disillusioned, wounded and abused. However this condition of the " modern day" church does not affect the True Church, or the True Christ.

Christ is still alive and moving in this world, healing, forgiving hearts and leading people into an abundant life of Love, Peace and Joy.

There is still a people who follow this Christ, who simply enjoy the love they have found in Christ and are eager to be Christ in this world, without their own agenda or ego.

While these facts are true there is still Hope...And this Hope is Christ!


- Posted by a fellow sojourner from his mobile office