So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. – Philippians 2:1-2

“Organized religion” is a phrase I hear among those who rightly lament over the wrongs they’ve observed Christians do to each other and to the world in the name of Jehovah God.

I think Jesus also had a problem with “organized religion.” I don’t believe Christ had trouble with organization. His Father is orderly, not confused, not a bully. He is a benevolent spiritual father to all who accept His son and gracious to those who don’t.  

I believe that Jesus liked “church” just the way God created it, to be alive with people and for people to be among people always! Jesus came to set God’s Creation free from the ills that plague us from without such as hurting each other – particularly in His name, isolation, unnecessary ignorance, among a few. He came to set us free from what plagues us from within, un-Godly guilt and shame, discouragement, arrogance, self-pity among a number of things.

Those alive in Christ are controlled by Christ and His love. Those under Christ’s control look to cooperate with others who’ve also come under Christ that the House of God on earth might move Heavenward together, gathering more souls much like an avalanche gathers more snow the faster it moves towards its gravitational pull.

Jesus said that the gates of hell will not hold up against the confession that Christ is the son of God (Matthew 16:16-18)! Though the Scriptures teach that we are living in God’s adversary’s playground, because of Christ I am hopeful and focus more on God’s control over all his creation (Philippians 4:6, James 4:7, Colossians 1:17 & 2:19).

It swallows evil much like the picture of the snow white avalanche quietly engulfing the dark trees along its path. If you’ve ever walked in the fresh fallen snow, you know how wonderful it can be. Sounds are amplified. So is silence. Yet, it is a place reflecting beauty, purity and peace. Much like the soul when Christ stabilizes it.

Christians gravitate towards God. I am always touched watching the progress, wisdom and service of Christians worldwide.

No man can organize freedom the way God can, for it is for freedom that we’ve been set free.

I believe that assemblies and church organizations need each other through mutual cooperation. We need less human church-engineering and fortress-mentality isolation from “suspect” Christian groups and organizations, and more humility, cooperation with any group calling on the same God, Jesus and Holy Spirit through gentle guidance, mentoring and training with God-gifted leaders. In turn we all, I especially, could use more gentle guidance, mentoring and training from God-gifted leaders no matter the church name.

Here is my thinking today: We all need Jesus today more than ever, and we need each other in the same way. God’s economy gives me the opportunity to join forces with those calling on the name of Jesus no matter the church name nor organizational set up. God is also capable of weaving us who call on Him together better than we can, especially when we spend hours straining at knats to find our differences. It is God’s avalanche of Love that saves us all by His sweet grace that those who need Him might be attracted into a unified body of believers worldwide.

Amazing!