Some looking at that title may say “what’s the difference?”  and that’s what concerns me. They THINK they are part of Christianity when in truth they are really only part of a church.  So today we are going to briefly look at both and make sure we are part of Christianity, and not just part of a church (churchianitiy).   You can find people who are a part of Churchianity in any denomination (including yours)!!!

This devotion has been inspired by the answer I have often heard over 23 yrs. as a Christian when this subject comes up.   I’ve heard this answer when I lived in the North, and now living in the South.  It is sometimes worded a little differently, but basically the same answer.   Here is my typical question I ask when I am told about a dying person, or some other serious situation in a persons life.  My question is “ARE THEY SAVED!”  The typical answer I get is, “Oh yes, he goes to church every week”.  Then my comment back to them is, “BUT IS HE SAVED”, often the person I’m talking with thinks I’m nuts for asking, after all they just told me this person goes to Church.  Then I often explain that just because someone goes to church doesn’t make them a Christian anymore than swimming makes me a fish.

So today may you too, also understand there is a vast difference between a Churchgoer and Christian.  I believe EVERY Christian should be part of a Church, and to not be is disobedience to the Word of God (Heb.10:25), though to be a church doesn’t mean you have to meet in a building with a steeple on it, it could mean as a new Church that you may be meeting in a home. Christians should go to a local Church, but just because you go to Church doesn’t mean your a Christian.

What is Churchianity - It is when someone is a part of a church and may even be very active, could even sing in the choir, or be an elder or deacon in the church, he is likely proud of his church (and likely his denomination) and may even have down all the Christian lingo but yet, he has not ever personally accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

What is Christianity - It is made up of individuals who have come to a realization individually  that they are a sinner in need of a Savior, who is Jesus Christ.  They repent of their wretched sinful state before God, and accept the Death/Burial/Resurrection of Jesus on the cross to wash away their sins and to make them a new creation.  They also give Jesus control of their lives as LORD and SAVIOR.  Christians are followers of Christ (Christlike).   That’s a basic overview of what makes one a Christian and thus part of Christianity.

Many today are saying,  "I'm of this ministry" or "I'm of this denomination", sounds alot like I Cor. 1:12,13 - "Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. v.13 -  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?".  To be a part of a ministry or denomination is fine (most of us are) UNLESS IT'S ABOVE JESUS IN OUR LIFE, in that case you be part of Churchianity and NOT Christianity.

I would like to close with what I consider a very sobering passage of scripture.
Matthew 7:21-23
7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

A person can even say the right thing, even say LORD, LORD, can you imagine, and yet NOT be SAVED (a Christian).   Christianity involves obeying our Heavenly Father!

It says that MANY will say, we "Prophesied", "Cast out demons" and did "Many wonderful works (i.e. Miracles)" all "IN THY NAME".  Gods answer to all that was "I NEVER KNEW YOU".  Never in the Greek means "not even at any time".  So these were people who were NEVER saved!  Sobering thought!!!

So in closing:
I believe there are some out there reading this and you have been part of Churchianity (maybe even all your life), but today God is calling you to receive Him as your Lord and Savior and become part of Christianity.  Others of you who are reading this know people who are not true Christians, they may even go to church but their not saved, I pray God will help you to minister Christ to them.  We have a mission field in and outside of the Church walls, may the deception of Churchianity be broken in lives of many church goers, so they truely can come to a true knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.