What does it mean to be a Christian? I would get various answers to that question depending on someone’s geographic location, family, upbringing, social influences, and church. But should the answers be different at all? Ever?

Being a Christian, in essence, is being a follower of Christ. If we are all following Christ, we should all believe the same things, and worship the same ways, and there would essentially be no denominations.

So many times throughout history, worship has been influenced, tainted, and divided. Regardless of how we got so out of whack, you can now basically choose what kind of Christian you want to be. Pick a church that suits your current lifestyle, join, and you’re all set. All Christians are going to heaven. And shoot, even just “church-goers” and “good people” are probably going to heaven. After all, God is full of love and grace, and he wouldn’t send the nice people to hell. Right?

I’m not here with a legalistic agenda, to say I am a Bible scholar, or to hurt people, but I am here to share what God has put on my heart in truth and in love. And I need to ask you a question. What kind of Christian do you want to be? Because it matters.

Unfortunately, we’ve been so manipulated, and it pains me to even say that. It’s time to go back to the essentials. Christian. Follow Christ. Become Christ-like. What does that take? How does that lifestyle look? Hint: it’s not what you see in most of the pews on Sunday mornings.

I’m using the term “Cush Christianity” for two reasons. One, Cush was Noah’s grandson, and most notably, he fathered unrighteousness. His son, Nimrod, was wickedly rebellious, thought he had the right to be equal with God, and led many people astray. Second, a “cushy” life is a pleasant one because it requires very little effort or work.

I believe Cush Christianity is filled with deception, wickedness, and unrighteousness, and it requires very little from believers. In fact, I would argue, it’s not Christianity at all. I was called to separate myself from it and I’m encouraging you to do the same.

You’ll find all kinds of people in churches. Ones who are genuine, good, kind, loving, caring, sick, hurting, and true seekers of Jesus. You’ll also find ones who are deceptive, vain, predators, liars, defiant, and seekers of self. I was a church member for years and I met them all. I believed that most people in the church were trying their best. After all, I was there trying my best and I generally give people the benefit of the doubt. But I was just fooling myself. I am so ashamed that my definition of Christian was the best I gave to God all those years. What a pitiful offering!

I started studying His Word, really seeking the truth, reading the Bible for myself, and guess what? I had to leave the church, and that makes me terribly sad. You see, I am a people person. I love fellowship. I loved being a part of the church and feeling like I belonged. But the more I dig into God’s Word, the more I realize that there is no denomination and no brick-and-mortar building in my area truly living for the Lord. I don’t mean this Cush Christianity stuff because there are certainly those kinds of churches around. I mean the digging in deep, getting down to the nitty-gritty of sin, putting away pagan holidays, praying, repenting, obeying God’s law, following the doctrine of Christ, dealing with iniquity, unlearning the lies, and throwing out the leaven churches! Amen!

And as much as I feel isolated now that I don’t have a fellowship of like-minded believers near me, I feel closer to God than ever. I’ve already seen how He’s moving in my life. He’s purifying me and refining me for something. For what? I don’t know, but I do know this…I am so grateful I was led to come out of Cush Christianity, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me.

I encourage you to evaluate your situation. No, it’s not easy. There are some difficult choices to make.

It should be easy, right? Choose Jesus and all will fall into place! However, I’ve been there, fellow believers, and I understand the rifts that occur. Relationships, family differences, fear, and creature comforts all play a part. But I’m here to beg you to pray about it. I’ll pray for you, too. We have to respond to what God has called us to do, and as sad as it makes me to admit, that is to come out from among them.

2 Corinthians 6: 17-18

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Fully immersed in The Scarlet Letters.