The Church of Make Believe

By Jim Mathes

I have met so many people, I have met them by the score.
And if I keep on living, I’ll meet a million more.
Their souls are tired and weary of what they thought would make them strong,
It’s left them broken hearted, though they try to sing along.
They all are true believers and not easy to deceive
And they’ve heard the Spirit saying, “Leave the church of make-believe.”

This church it speaks of Jesus and they freely use His Name
While they crucify each other and put the Lord to open shame.
But the church they think they’re part of is one they can’t perceive
It’s built on the blood of Jesus and not a place of make-believe.

This church of make-believe is rooted firmly in the sand
Its character is of the world, its ideas, all from man.
It boasts of size and numbers and programs for everyone
Its leaders touch the glory for what they think they’ve done.
The Spirit of the Living God would free them if He could,
But those who think they serve Him are bound by human good.

This church it runs on formulas of so called faith and power
It’s got itself believing it will triumph in this hour.
It hopes to rule the nations before the Lord it sees
But those who know the Word of God don’t buy this make-believe.

This church has plans and busy-ness which keep men on the run
Days and hours are all consumed with getting so much done.
Seminars and conferences and endless meetings do abound,
But years of this can drain your soul and put you in the ground.
The longings of the Savior’s heart toward those for whom he grieves
Are drowned by all the clamor in the church of make-believe.

This church can be like Martha who lived so ill at ease
Trying like the raging tide to make her Master pleased.
But there are those like Mary who in stillness did receive
The best that Jesus offered men and shunned such make-believe.

This church it loves position and like the Pharisees of old,
It lives by much tradition which leaves men dead and cold.
It has a hierarchy spawned of men and not from God
A system of religion that to Jesus must seem odd.
He told them you’re all brethren and this is what you’ll be
And if men teach you otherwise it’s simply make-believe.

Now there is a church of Jesus and it’s like a planted seed
It’s not another system, a doctrine or a creed.
It’s a living organism in which all who do believe,
Live with one another in this shared reality.

There is a church of Jesus throughout earth’s history
That’s recognized in every age by pure simplicity.
It’s trademark is devotion to the Master who is Lord,
Who is held in honor, is worshipped and adored.
And if we love and serve him, you know He will be pleased
To keep us free forever from the church of make-believe!