Jelly Beans and Christians

     Yep, the topic is jelly beans and Christians.  Just when you thought it couldn't be more weird; there I was thinking about jelly beans and Christians.  We really are into our snacks and jelly beans are just one of them.  It may have been mini candy bars or different kinds of the same candy.  But, we all have our favorite that we covet while taking them from the jelly bean bowl on the coffee table.  There they are right out in front of us for the whole world to see.  It's not so much the colors although that is an attraction.  BUT the flavors!  My or my do we long to have the peppermint or the banana or even the pineapple flavored jelly beans.  Subtly we come across our real addiction which is either the sweet or sour taste followed by the flavor.  You must by now be wondering how all of this is related to Christians.
     If you look across the United States you see churches of all flavors and colors that have formed not because they have found something new to proclaim but rather exist because they didn't like the flavor of other jelly beans.  Ultimately, they made up denominations which even proclaimed more differences.  There was a church split in northeastern Minnesota because they couldn't agree what color to paint the downstairs bathroom!  Can you believe it?!  Horror stories arise all across the country of people who couldn't let Jesus be their leader, savior and redeemer!  There are over 200 different kinds of Baptists!  Yep, same goes for Pentecostal and Lutheran.  Don't like it here at the first church on the corner?  Try the first church of across the street.  None of this was ever intended when Jesus established the first believers into a group of disciples.  None of it.
     Where is the Christ centered church?  It's sure not in those who tire out the Spirit  of God with their complaints, requests for selfish reasons and prayers for condemnation of anyone who dares believe differently than them.  What I'm trying to say is that there is no difference between choosing jelly beans than there is for choosing churches.  Both are meant for self edification and satisfaction and not bringing honor and love to those who are perishing.  I wouldn't go to these churches or their Christians either seeing what they represent.  Where are those who engage the Great Commission unselfishly?  Where are those who care for the widow, take care of the orphan, heal the sick and bring the Good News to the lost?  They are choosing jelly beans instead of Jesus.  It's always your choice.