What Christianity Is Not

The world “popular” will never describe Christianity.  Even during the time of Christ, His apparent popularity (crowds following Him everywhere) ended in a mob crying for His death, His crucifixion, and His true disciples hiding in fear, wondering if they would be next.  Jesus’s followers scattered when they realized what true devotion to Him might mean.  Only a few of His closest followers became His apostles, and almost all of them were eventually martyred.

In spite of a high likelihood that its most devoted followers will face martyrdom, Christianity in some form or another has persisted through millennia.  While nominal Christianity has been more popular at certain times in history than at other times, true Christianity remains a case of relatively few people throughout the years choosing the narrow road (or path) while most of humanity follows a broad highway.  Jesus Christ Himself declared, “Enter ye in at the strait [narrow] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  (Matthew 7:13-15)

While Christ’s followers often long for “revival,” which means a return to life, or a general return of society to the ancient paths of righteousness, one should beware of any movement or fad which seems to popularize Christianity.  Most movements and fads popularizing Christianity have proven to be frauds, as so-called Christian “sheep” wolfishly take advantage of people.  These “wolves” co-opt a convenient, adulterated form of Christianity in order to serve their own purposes.  Ironically, since no one ever appreciates being defrauded, such insincere trends have only served to amp up general persecution of true Christians.  Works done in Christ’s name are beneficial if they are honoring to Him.  But shameful works done in His name just make people despise His true followers along with the hypocrites, because most people do not know enough about true Christianity to tell the difference.

True Christianity is not fearful, angry, harmful, or racist.  It is not vulgar, obscene, or unfaithful to marriage vows.  It is not a blend of sinful excuses called “messy spirituality.”  It is not a mixture of Christian principles with the worship of false gods.   It is not “secondary virginity” (an oxymoron).  It is the prayer of the publican, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” and it is the answer of Christ to the woman taken in adultery, “Go and sin no more.”  It is the power of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life, to change and to make clean, not just to make different.  It is not sweeping past sins under the rug, while continuing in those same sins.  It is attention to the Word of God.  It is repentance and true revival stirring in one heart at a time.  It is not emotional outbursts and sensational, extra-Biblical revelations.

Christianity by nature is not popular, and it is not political.  Those whose chief aim is political power, not civil service, will not make very good Christians, because they are focused on their own ambition, not on Christ’s priorities.  “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them,”  Jesus said, “and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.  But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.  For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.”  (Luke 22:25-27)

If Jesus Christ Himself served others without accolades, His followers should be content to do the same.  If Jesus Christ boldly shared a message for which He was crucified by thankless humanity, His followers should attempt to do, and expect to do, no less.  If Jesus Christ was King of all and yet humbled Himself to become a servant, it is obvious that His intention for us was not to demand change, or to expect change, through populist politics.