{"id":61,"date":"2006-10-13T13:16:00","date_gmt":"2006-10-13T21:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/?p=61"},"modified":"2012-02-18T11:07:48","modified_gmt":"2012-02-18T19:07:48","slug":"jesus-vs-the-christians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/2006\/10\/13\/jesus-vs-the-christians\/","title":{"rendered":"Jesus vs. the Christians"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mahatma Gandhi <\/span><\/a>once said, \u201cI like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.\u201dChristians not only are not like Jesus they seem to oppose Jesus\u2019 way and truth.<\/p>\n

Every time I talk to a Christian I come away amazed just how much they seem to fear Jesus\u2019 way and truth.I do not think they see themselves as apposed to Jesus\u2019 way and truth, but in practice they sure seem to be.The opposition to Jesus\u2019 way and truth seems to come from the writers of the New Testament.Their faithlessness is reflected in the Christian doctrine and theology.<\/p>\n

When Jesus started his ministry the first thing he said was, \u201cRepent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.\u201dOf course, Jesus did not say this, for he did not speak English.The oldest version of what he DID say is in Greek and the Greek word that is translated into \u2018repent\u2019 is metanoia.Metanoia means a radical change of mind or a complete reversal of our ways of thinking.<\/p>\n

Jesus wanted people to change their ways of thinking.Christians seem to have rejected Jesus\u2019 more profound or fundamental changes in thinking.The radical changes in their ways of thinking would enable them to find theKingdomofHeaventhat is AT HAND and let go of their unhealthy and contradictory beliefs.Following Jesus\u2019 example means thinking like he thought and doing what he did. The false and faithless Christian doctrine discourages people from following Jesus\u2019 example.Christianity teaches that we cannot be perfect or godly like Jesus was.I call this the teachings of the antichrist, or what we call today Christ-anti, Christianity.Jesus, who Christians call Christ, said that if you have faith\u2026nothing will be impossible to you.<\/p>\n

What are the fundamental differences between Jesus\u2019 and the Christian ways of thinking?Here are just a few of them:<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 Heaven is Now<\/h3>\n

When Jesus first started teaching he said that theKingdomofHeavenis AT HAND and all you had to do to experience it was to change your ways of thinking.For Jesus the power to find heaven was in each person\u2019s hands, NOT HIS.Jesus\u2019 job was only to wake people up to this or to inspire them to seek a heavenly existence. In Jesus\u2019 world you are the one with all the power to create a heavenly experience for yourself.<\/p>\n

Some would say that Jesus was teaching that we should focus on our behaviors (works) and DO good for one another. This is not what Jesus taught.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but on the inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup, so that its outside may also be clean.\u201d (Matthew 23:25)
\nOf course, Jesus was talking about first changing our attitude and ways of thinking first, then our behaviors will change naturally.<\/p>\n

Christians talk about heaven as if it was some place you go when you die.Heaven is a reward for being a good slave here on earth.In the Christian\u2019s world heavenly power is outside of you.<\/p>\n

Jesus had Dual Identities<\/h3>\n

Jesus suggested that we be \u2018born again\u2019 (John 3:3) or have dual identities as he did.One identity is that of the person, the \u2018flesh\u2019, who is \u2018born of water\u2019, who lives and dies, and who suffers, fears, loves and experiences the drama of life.The other identity is of one who is \u2018born of spirit\u2019, a god, part of the infinite and eternal being we call God, not separate from this being.This being \u2018born again\u2019 as Spirit is adding<\/span> a new identity, a way of thinking like Jesus, being a god (John 10:34), part of God (John 14:28), and one with God (John 10:30).<\/p>\n

Yet, sometimes Jesus identified not with God but as a separate being, one that had the privilege<\/span> of suffering all the drama and richness that life can offer.Jesus got into this drama when he imagined himself from God in order to become a martyr.When he said, \u201cFather, if you<\/span> are willing, take this cup away from me. Yet not my will but yours be done.\u201d<\/em> (Luke 22:42)He then went even further into the illusion of separation when he said, \u201cMy God, my God, why have you<\/span> forsaken me?\u201d (<\/em>Matthew 27:46)This illusion of being separate from God allowed Jesus to create the great drama that he is most remembered for today.<\/p>\n

These are just two ways of thinking, one that allows us the richness and drama that life can offer and the other allows us to rest from the rollercoaster of the drama.<\/p>\n

Yet when it is time to rest we can identify as Spirit or one with God, infinite and eternal.\u201cCome to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 11:28).As Spirit we find peace and rest. Using Jesus\u2019 ways of thinking allows one to think of him or her self as an infinite and eternal being, allowing them to relax and rest without worry of the temporal events of life.<\/p>\n

To follow Jesus\u2019 example would be sometimes to think of ourselves as separate beings and other times to see ourselves as Spirit and one with all beings including God.This gives us the freedom to enjoy the drama and richness of life and the peace that comes from not identifying with the changing world.<\/p>\n

Christian doctrine rejects this dual identity way of thinking. Christians are diabolically apposed to anyone thinking of themselves as a god, one with God and one with all people.It is their doctrine that Jesus is the only one who can be one with God, that he is special and that his way was good for him ONLY but not for us.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth will set you free\u201d so lies will limit, enslave or trap you.Christians reject the liberating power of truth and embrace the limiting power of lies.Whenever I hear the Christians say that no one can be like Jesus I cringe at the dishonesty they are trapped living with.<\/em><\/p>\n

Jesus was Optimistic\/Faithful<\/h3>\n

I can hear the Christians now as they read the above topic; they would say that we can not be one with God the way that Jesus was one with God.<\/p>\n

That does not reflect Jesus\u2019 way of thinking.Jesus said, \u201cIf you have faith \u2026 nothing will be impossible for YOU<\/span>,\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 17:20) and, \u201cSeek and you will find.\u201d<\/em>(Matthew 7:7)Does that sound like a powerless being or an all powerful god to you?<\/p>\n

Jesus pointed out several times the faithlessness of his followers (Matthew 6:30, 8:26, 14:31, 16:8, 17:20).Because of their faithlessness they did not seek so they did not find. These followers created Christianity.They became the blind leading the blind and all have falling into the pit of faithlessness. Their theologies, philosophies and dogmas justify their faithlessness.Because of this faithless dogma they think that what Jesus taught was ok for him, he was God, but we are not, so we can ignore his way and his truth.<\/p>\n

This does not mean that Christianity did not serve some need.The NEED that I see that it served was to get people at least to pay lip service to Jesus\u2019 higher moral standards. That makes my job a lot easier. I come to continue on where Jesus left off and go beyond him. My \u2018audience\u2019 is the Christian world. Jews, Muslims and the Leftist do not have Jesus\u2019 higher moral standards to live up to.<\/p>\n

Jesus was Not a Sinner<\/h3>\n

Jesus did not think of himself as a sinner, unworthy of grace or God\u2019s love.This is quite the opposite of the Christian way of thinking.<\/p>\n

The Christians doctrine teaches that all humanity is inherently flawed, sinful or evil.But, Jesus encouraged us to think of ourselves as perfect, without flaw (\u201cSo be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.\u201d<\/em>Matthew 5:48) Perfect means finish, whole, complete, without flaw. The Apostle Paul admitted that he did not get this when he wrote, \u201cIt’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already become perfect. But I keep pursuing it<\/em>.\u201d (Philippians 3:12)Jesus did not say to BECOME perfect, as Paul writes.Jesus said to BE perfect; which means to accept that you already are perfect, that you have always been perfect and that you will always be perfect.BUT, and this is a BIG but, you can still THINK of yourself as not perfect.The Apostle Paul should have listened to Jesus when he said, \u201cFirst remove the log from your own eye then you can see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother\u2019s eye.\u201d (Matthew 7:5)<\/p>\n

Sin is a relative term and constantly changing.We are the ones who choose to see something as sinful or as perfect.To motivate one\u2019s \u201cperson\u201d we can see ourselves as lacking or not good, just as Jesus did.Or, other times we can see ourselves as perfect and without flaw.BOTH, ways of thinking have the values.Being free allows us to use whichever way of thinking that works for us at this moment.<\/p>\n

Jesus Questioned Authority<\/h3>\n

How can we progress if we do not question the status quo?How can we improve ourselves and the world is we do not examine what is and how it got here?Questioning authority is the way to bring about our New Testament of change and a new reality.<\/p>\n

Jesus questioned the beliefs of his time and even the authority of the scriptures.If he had not questioned them then there would have been no need for a \u2018new\u2019 testament.Jesus saw that they needed improving, that they were not complete.Jesus questioned the religious teachings of his time \u2018love your neighbor but hate your enemy\u2019 and saw that loving your enemy was a healthier way and greater truth.Jesus \u201cimproved\u201d Moses\u2019 teaching that a person who works on the Sabbath should be killed.Jesus taught that the Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath.Thus, in essence, he was saying that the scriptures are made for people, not people for the scriptures.We all can choose to interpret the scriptures to liberal us or enslave us.If we are to \u2018continue in his way\u2019 then we would continue to question the authority of the religious teachers and the scriptures they way that Jesus did.<\/p>\n

This is not the doctrine or desire of the Christianity.The faithless followers taught a doctrine of non-dissension to protect their faithlessness from being exposed.<\/p>\n

Jesus was the Prince of Peace?<\/h3>\n

Christians often call Jesus the \u201cPrince of Peace\u201d ignoring what Jesus said, \u201cDo you think that I came to bring peace on earth? Not at all, I tell you, but rather division.<\/em>\u201d (Luke 12:51)Division is vital and alive. Jesus said he came to set people at odds with one another.When Jesus questioned authorities and doctrine he created controversy and discussion.This controversy was divisive and the \u2018fire on earth\u2019 that would light the way for people.<\/p>\n

Jesus\u2019 only \u2018crime\u2019 was that he upset people with his words, because these people make words so important.Today, those who \u2018talk\u2019 and question the words of the religious are viewed as heretics, evil or divisive, at least in the minds of the religious.Christians follow after the faithless followers like Paul\u2019s who wrote, \u201cNow I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and sinful enticements in opposition to the teaching you have learned. Stay away from them!\u201d <\/em>(Romans 16:17)<\/p>\n

Jesus was not a Follower of Anybody<\/h3>\n

Jesus had at least one teacher in John the Baptist, but then he graduated from that teacher and went beyond him; way beyond him.<\/p>\n

To continue in Jesus\u2019 way would be to recognize that we all have many teachers but that our job is to become his or her equal and then go beyond them; to improve upon their way and truth and to become a greater incarnation of God\/Love then they were.<\/p>\n

Jesus said, \u201cNot everyone who keeps saying to me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will get into the kingdom of heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven.\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 7:21)Calling Jesus your Lord is not what he wanted.It is doing the will of the Father in Heaven, God being within you (Luke 17:21:\u201cthe kingdom of God within you.\u201d),<\/em> and not following those or that which is outside of you.<\/p>\n

Jesus Meditated<\/h3>\n

Faithlessness is a product of fear of change or the lack of blessedness to be at peace with change.<\/p>\n

Jesus seemed so different from others because he had developed the skills<\/span> of blessedness.He developed these skills via the practice that he called \u2018watching\u2019 but today is called meditation.Jesus\u2019 last three parables were about \u2018watching\u2019.He even tried to teach some of his disciples (Peter, John and James) to meditate when he took them up on the mountain and asked them to \u2018watch\u2019 with him.He said to \u2018watch\u2019 that they not fall into temptation; the temptation to fear, reject and hate.But all the followers could do was fall asleep so they never learned the value of or developed the same skills that Jesus had.Without these skills they could not see that they, too, could be as blessed and liberal with love as Jesus was.Today, Christians do not have faith that they can live up to Jesus\u2019 standard, because they do not have the same skills that Jesus had developed.<\/p>\n

These are just some of the ways that Christians distance themselves from Jesus, his way and his truth.<\/p>\n

\n

These are just some of the ways that Christians distance themselves from Jesus, his way and his truth.For these reasons I see why they would call their religion Christianity.They call Jesus the Christ and their religion Christ-anti, Christianity the way of the Anti-Christ.They appose the manifestation of the spirit of Christ in this world.As Jesus said, nothing is hidden that will not later be revealed.It is time to call Christianity what it is, anti Jesus\u2019 way and truth.<\/p>\n

Jesus had so much to offer humanity.The Christians seem to have grasped most of Jesus\u2019 unhealthy attitudes and behaviors and rejected his healthier one.It is one thing to not have the faith that you can be as holy as Jesus but it is another to oppose those who do strive for that goal.<\/p>\n

Some have actually done what Jesus did and said to do.Some have sought to find the perfect truth that would set them perfectly free to enjoy and love all that life offered and they have found that kingdom of heaven that is now, here today.They have changed their ways of thinking.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Mahatma Gandhi once said, \u201cI like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.\u201dChristians not only are not like Jesus they seem to oppose Jesus\u2019 way and truth. Every time I talk to a Christian I come away amazed just how much they seem to fear Jesus\u2019 way […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13,17],"tags":[19,15],"class_list":["post-61","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christian","category-jesus","tag-contradiction","tag-gandhi"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":327,"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61\/revisions\/327"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.jimfreedom.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}