One of the many surprises I experienced when my family and I moved to Romania was that I had to register our work as a cult. We were in Romania to help a local pastor and work in orphanages but we were not Eastern Orthodox.
I don’t know if things have changed but when we were there any religious organization that wasn’t Eastern Orthodox was considered a cult. It kind of creeped me out to tell officials that my work was part of a cult!
Christianity is not a religion or cult or social movement. Yes, “The Church” is the Body of Christ. We are in The Church and The Church covers this world and therefore it carries a lot of responsibilities. Still, salvation is the most intimate relationship anyone can have with God. Out of this intimate relationship flows life to everyone in our world, if we allow it.
By grace, through faith, God saves us. Our flesh and bones are still under God’s curse so they will die. But you and I, by Christ’s work on the cross, can be reborn, and be a new person, a person not under the Curse.
Jesus is our Savior, Redeemer, King, Lord, Lion of Judah, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world, Brother, and more. He is more than you or I have ever hoped for.
Jesus knows us; the “us” no one knows, not even our spouses, best friends, or parents. Nevertheless, we have this promise: “being confident of this, that he [God] who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
I once was in a meeting with David Wilkerson when he made this statement regarding Philippians 1:6. He said, “Jesus always finishes whatever He starts.” The work Jesus has started in us will be completed because that’s just the way Jesus is.
Photo by Fancycrave on Unsplash
That’s funny!!! “Cult” in Romanian doesn’t have the same connotation as in English and it actually translates to “denomination”. And the Orthodox Church is considered a “cult” as well.
So “cult”, as English speakers intend it, is actually “sectă” in Romanian. But yes, some people call Evangelical denominations “sectă”, even though they are officially recognized as “cult”(denomination).
Thanks for clearing that up. It has confused me for years. I really appreciate your insight!