http://i66.tinypic.com/34y1r36.jpg 

It’s jmho; but, I believe religiosity gives Christianity a bad rap. One of the most divisive questions I’ve ever been asked as a disciple of Jesus Christ is what denomination I belong to. Nothing turns a warm room cold so swiftly as one’s response.

I’m reminded of Jews, Gentiles, John the Baptist, Protestants and the likes discussed in the Bible. Most times, one *could not* by law, or *would not* by bigotry, associate one with the other. I don’t recall Jesus going around teaching His Truth according to set rules by a group of people, aka denominations.

Today the Evangelical movement has also given Christianity a bad rap. Simply put, when the human element walks in, the Perfect Truth walks out. Not all; but, too many pastors wearing this religious title are so secular in presentation, that those with a heightened awareness of the authentic Teachings of Jesus are left with an unsettled spirit within.  

It is said that the most egregious example of segregation, as well as divisiveness amongst Christians, is found on Sunday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Of course, there are churches that make it a goal of having a multicultural environment; but, for the vast majority, race is the predominant standout in congregations of all sizes on this day and time slot.

It is truly a stomach-turner when politicians who support separation of church (i.e. prayer) and state (i.e. in public schools) show up, and dare stand in the holiest of places (the altar) to ask for the vote.

These occasions remind me of Jesus’ one display of anger when He overturned the tables, as less-than scrupulous people  turned the "house of prayer into a den of thieves;" taking advantage of the poor and needy (Matthew 21:13).

That said, Christians are told to not forsake the assembling of themselves one with the other (Hebrews 10:25). In my spirit, I believe this is one of the largest abuses of what this means contextually. The assembling of believers does not require a mega-million-dollar structure, and the pastor driving a Bentley. In fact, this is the antithesis of how Jesus would roll if He was still in human form. Jesus was not flamboyant in even the least of ways. He walked, a lot. He went across the lake in a canoe. He was given a donkey to ride on, the week before He was crucified.

So, I’m of the belief that if Jesus walked the earth today, he would probably welcome a nice, cost-efficient vehicle; and the church body would congregate via live-stream for daily gatherings; and perhaps a quiet piece of land with a modest church building to teach from. There would be no huge, ostentatious facilities. There might even be huge tents to protect from the elements; but the brick and mortar multi-million dollar facilities, ughm, I’m not quite so sure He’d have much need of.

Yes, Jesus did make mention of the cornerstone. He is that Cornerstone of which He speaks (Ephesians 2:19-22). Yes, Jesus did allude to the brick-and-mortar building; but the Church of which He speaks is the peoples, not the facility. 

But, I’ve digressed; and the long and short of it sums up into two things:

+ Christians are not a denominational variant. Denominations are divisively man-created. Christians, aka, born-again believers, are disciples of Christ; and, as such, love as Christ loved, teaching the Jesus message to **all** who would hear.

+ The Church is not primarily a building. The Church is a Body of people; most specifically, Christ believers, who can assemble in someone’s home and receive the Spirit of God, perhaps even more swiftly than within a multi-million dollar building filled with pew-warmers who show up for an hour, listening to feel-good music and feel-good messages before returning to their ‘living for satan’ lifestyles. If those words offend you, take it up with Jesus, for I am not judging. If you follow my blog, you know that I know that without Jesus, I am deemed a filthy rag on my most holy of days (Isaiah 64:9).

So, beloved that’s it. I felt a need to share my thoughts after reading @dan’s archived post on why he left Christianity.

Regarding, once saved always saved, my perception falls into two categories as well:

+ Once a person asks Jesus into their heart, and the Holy Spirit embodies him, I don’t think the Holy Spirit ever leaves; unless one blasphemes Him (Matthew 12:31). 

+ I do not believe that a non-churchgoer is synonymous with a non-believer. A person can go to church 24/7 and not be a believer. And, a believer who lives and breathes the Christ-faith can never shadow the doorstep of a man-made church; and still be part of a Church-body so rich in love for others, and an authentic example of how Christ would want us to represent Him.

The long and short of it is, Jesus indwells, via the Power of the Holy Ghost, each and every believer who asks Christ Jesus into their heart. We are told to be baptized as a formal acknowledgment of our new proclamation; and, to live lives pleasing to the triune God; aka, what pleases Jesus, pleases God. 

I don’t recall ever seeing it offered in a post; so, here’s a simple sinner’s prayer if today you are drawn by God to welcome Jesus into your life:

<p><center>https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmcqKyGpLB1t2WjJnXewxigChvW4Qt9BhMRsLmmLdRaemW/image.png </center></p>

[SOURCE]( https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/prayers/the-sinners-prayer-4-examples.html)

[Archived Post by @dan](https://steemit.com/philosophy/@dan/why-i-gave-up-christianity)

Best regards.

Peace.