Welcome to a new year

by Jim Gordon

It is so hard to believe how fast time flies by. For my wife and I, as 2021 came to an end our participation with the organized church finished its ninth year. 

After so many years of feeling dissatisfied with organized religion, we decided to make a break from the traditions, rules, regulations and doctrines we each grew up learning. After nine years, we still believe we made the right choice. 

It can be a scary decision to stop attending something that has been part of your life since you can remember. So many friends do not understand why we made this decision. So many people feel we are wrong and have fallen from grace. 

Now let me say, neither of us think there is anything wrong with participating in the church system. We do think we need to call it as it is, church is not a building or place we meet God. The Church is made up of each of us as followers of Christ. It is a way of life that goes on day by day, anywhere, anytime. God says we are now His temple and He lives within us, not a building made by hands.

Looking to the new year, we see it as a time of new beginnings with our walk with God. Another year to share the love of God with people we meet each day. We see this as a new start away from old covenant, law-based, man led religion. It is continuing to walk with Jesus as our friend and partner in the grace and freedom He provided. 

It is a walk consisting of loving God and loving others. Accepting and loving the people we come in contact with each day. It is not a set of rules to follow, or things we need to do to be a better Christian. 

It is coming to realize that what we do or do not do, does not make a difference in our relationship to God. It is letting Christ live through us and letting His love touch people. It is knowing that Christ paid the price for our salvation. It is learning to live by grace, and grace alone and not by adding law and works. 

After so many years of ‘going to church’ each Sunday, we are still learning where this path will lead us, but we know that we both feel closer to God. We feel a new dependency on fellowship with God and with our fellow believers. We also feel a renewed sense of excitement now that we are out of the box of organized religion. 

We continually look forward to see where God takes us and how He will touch people with His love as we walk with Him day by day.

Jim Gordon and his wife left the institutional church after spending over fifty years within the system. Jim wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system and why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. Jim can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com

What Do I Have To Change To Be A True Follower Of God?

By Mike Edwards

Christians can make faith too complicated. They insist on a set of beliefs or saying a magic prayer. It is said you can’t just believe there is a God. After all the Devil believes there is a God! But the Devil was committed to opposing God. Even the Bible doesn’t declare faith to be a set of beliefs but hope in what you can’t see. (Heb 11:1) Do you hope/believe in a good God and want help to be more the person you deep down desire to be? Then, I am convinced God welcomes you.

You don’t have to accept the Bible when contradicts your moral inclinations 

I have written a great deal about RETHINKING THE BIBLE  Certain views of the Bible has kept many from following God. The Bible can’t be the authoritative guide about God because we disagree what it says about many moral issues including Hell, gays, women’s roles, etc. And even if our interpretations were infallible, we can’t be sure the biblical writers always knew or portrayed God accurately. Honestly, I trust my moral intuitions more than I do any biblical interpretation. 

You don’t have to be a church-goer 

In the Bible “Church” was not a building one attended once a week. Jesus referred to His followers as being the Church. Jesus didn’t specify where followers must gather or what they must do. Find environments to be encouraged and inspired to love as radically as Jesus did. A mediator between God and you such as a pastor or priest isn’t necessary. Pursue God on your own terms. Do not feel God thinks any less of you if decide to not attend the traditional church.

What did Jesus mean when said “follow me?” 

Jesus didn’t ask the disciples for certain commitments before following Him. He certainly didn’t ask for unshakable belief. Some of the disciple didn’t believe Jesus’ resurrection talk until had physical proof. If you saw someone die on a Cross and alive days later, you may believe too. Yes, Jesus also said: “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Mt 10:38) Was Jesus supposed to say “remain self-centered because that will lead to happiness?” Jesus didn’t reject those who didn’t instantly go all-in. If wanting to live for the Devil, then don’t follow Jesus.

What specific changes might Jesus be looking for?

If reading this and wanting to have more of a relationship with God, I bet you are in the club. When one asked Jesus how to have eternal life, He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). Loving God is loving your neighbor. If you desire a legacy for being known for loving others like you want to be loved, you are a candidate to take the leap of faith and follow God. My hunch about what Jesus was thinking when challenging others to take up their cross – not what we can do for God but watch what I can do for you if you are seeking changes for good.

What do you have to lose taking the leap of faith?

I dare you to challenge God. If God claims to love us and guide us, God should be able to convince you over time they are worth following. You may be able to do it on your own, but I need all the help I can get. God through their influence has made me a better man, husband, father, and friend or at least better than if on my own. I have experienced God’s encouragement to continually strive to be better. I got nothing to lose except selfishness and a lousy legacy. A godly life lived is never in vain!

What Do I Have To Change To Be A True Follower Of God?

Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like  He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com