Church is just a show – An empty shell
For most people “church” is the substance of their faith. The first thing any Christian asks you is: Which church do you belong to? If you don’t belong to a church there is something wrong with you. They don’t know how to classify you, which box to fit you into. If you say you belong to Jesus they are totally confused.
Church is just a show. Every brand of Christianity has it’s own flavor. People are born into a denomination or they choose a flavor to taste. Every denomination presents God in their own way. They cater for different tastes and compete for membership. The sad reality is that all the churches are empty shells that offer no eternal benefit to the membership. Unless a person gets into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, he is damned for eternity.
The only way to get to know the real God and Savior, Jesus Christ is through a constant close personal relationship. Most church people will be sadly disappointed when they meet Jesus and He says to them: Go away I never knew you.
Church membership adds noting to your salvation or relationship with Jesus. In fact, it could be a distraction. If church attendance does not bring you into a closer relationship with Jesus and holy living, it is a fatal distraction that will cause you to end up in hell. Without holiness, nobody shall see God, no sinful person shall go into heaven.
Only Jesus can cleanse you and make you suitable to enter heaven. All that matters is your relationship with Jesus. You relationship with Jesus starts when you repent of sin and invite Jesus into your heart. Unless you have had an experience when Jesus came into your heart and cleansed you, so that you knew you had met Him, you have not met Jesus yet. Salvation is a Spiritual experience that happens in your heart. You connect with Jesus which results in an inner transformation. You love Jesus and are not interested in the things of the world any more.
Your relationship with Jesus grows through a constant focus on Him, who lives in you by His Spirit. His Spirit in you will guide you into righteousness and remind you of the words of Jesus, which are written in the gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. If you do wrong the Holy Spirit in your heart will be grieved and you will be unhappy, fearful. If you repent and ask forgiveness you will have peace in your heart.
All of this has nothing to do with the show at church or with doctrines, church attendance, church flea markets or money.
The true church, the body of Christ are, those believers who are in a constant relationship with Jesus. When they meet each other they have fellowship, but their greatest desire at all times is to have fellowship with Jesus Christ and spend time with Him in prayer, being guided into holiness and fruitfulness by the Holy Spirit.
Jan Boshoff's Blog 