"Some became fools through their rebellious ways
and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They loathed all food
and drew near the gates of death."
-Psalm 107:17-18
The man gave his life for his friend
the son for his father
the father for his son
the righteous for the enemy
the slave for the free
the oppressed for the oppressor
You see, it's all true
no matter what they tell you now
There was once a time
when there was a people
who were known for their love
just as Jesus said they would be
There was a time
when God's Church
was not thought to be confined and contained and sought and found
within stuffy buildings
amongst selfish, self-righteous, serpent-tongued, coldhearted men
There was a time
when disciples of Jesus
were those who walked like Him, talked like Him, healed like Him, forgave like Him
were those who knew Him personally
were those who were not ashamed of the full and costly truth
There was a time
when men died
and lived
bled, hung, wept, gave all
for friend
for foe
for even the least lovable
There was a time
when "Christianity"
was not going to a social club once a week
putting on conferences
writing books that garner little praise-filled blurbs from all one's little friends
There was a time
when "Christianity"
was a costly, painful, blood-spilling death
There was a time
when "Christianity"
was not costless
painless
crossless
because it meant following after Jesus
being like Him
not "better" than Him —
well-educated
a more peaceable communicator with those who disagree
acceptable to the religious
There was a time
when the "Christianity" of the faithful few
sounded just like what I now know
Now you claim to be the faithful few
but I look at your lives, your friends, your families, your churches
and it's all so different
What's the secret to your "Christianity"?
May the world know
