It is Done!By David Often people look at the large number of religions in the world and use that fact to dismiss them all. Its either too hard to find the truth or it obviously that none knows or it does not matter. I can understand this because it is difficult to work out what the differences are and where the truth may lie. But it is a dangerous stance to take because what happens if one of them is right? I say this because many religions, Christianity included, make bold claims about themselves - what will happen to those who believe and who don’t believe, what awaits us when we die, or how to live life now for our own or society’s best interests. You can’t simply ignore them and go on your own way as if it does not matter. What if one of them were right? Where would that leave you? It leaves us with a dillema which one is right? The problem is that not only are there lots of religions but they are almost always exclusive and contradictory. They all cannot be right! I believe in Christianity because it makes sense to me. It makes sense of what I observe in the world about God, about creation and about humanity. It stands out from the multitude of other religions for me in three important ways: Christianity claims to come from God not man. That is Christianity claims that it is not a philosophy that finds its source in human thinking (such as Buddhism) but is a teaching that has been handed down from God. God reveals himself to us and in so doing shows us who we are as well. Christianity is not unique in this claim but it is important note because if it does not come from God then we could not be certain we have got it right. Where Christianity is unique though is in its claim that everything has been done for us Every other religion is about what we have to do to gain enlightenment, or Nivanah or get to heaven etc. Christianity is unique in that it states that we cannot do anything to be right with God but that he has done it all for us. Imagine that I don’t have to be good to be a Christian, I don’t have to go to church to be a Christian, I don’t have to act in a particular way to be a Chrisian. All has been done for me by Jesus Christ dying on the cross. All I have to do is accept this gift. Don’t get me wrong. Christianity is has a moral living aspect to it but I live the ethical life BECAUSE I am a Christian not in ORDER TO BECOME a Christian. Show me another religion that says I don’t have to do anything! And this leads me to the third aspect of Christianity that makes it unique - it is about relationship with God not about what we do. God is all of this for us because he loves us and wants us to turn back to him. He is more interested in having a restored relationship with us and has therefore done what he could to reconcile us to himself. This is more important to him than rituals, services, what we eat or what we do. Every aspect of Christian living is about this relationship - prayer, bible reading and church are all expressions of relationship with God. Which other religion talks about such things? So I challenge, don’t stick your head in the sand because you think it is too hard - have a look, it may change your life! Your Comments:
It is a false assumption and false dichotomy that the state is ecular and the chruch is sacred. This then led to religion vs. no religion dichotomy. These ideas were developed using the dualistic mindset of the pagan Greeks. tHUS christians agreed with the Pagan definitions of religion. All of life is religious. There is no such thing as Religion vs No Religion. The issue has always been WHOSE RELIGION - God the Creator or Man the creature. When it is thus presented in this way Life- all of life is religious. There are only two religions in the world today - God's revelation and man's research. Tere is absolute need for CHRIST to be taken out of Christianity and presented as the Bible presented Him. Let all creatures then decide either He is the LORD of all or He is not Lord at all.
Mesia Novau on 04/11/2008 what if you don't believe in relegion, so much people have their own relegions that you don't know witch one is the truth but what if you don't believe but you truly believe in the bible you walk right with God and believe that he came to earth and die for your sins and die again.jorge on 06/11/2008 I personly see things as David has written about christianity and totally agree. I also believe there is a spiritual battle going on that is distracing people from even searching the truth about life. The way I understand things, it's God who enables us to receive faith in him. You could share the same words to the same crowd and whom ever God enlightens only is able to recieves its message. Others are just not ready for the word or its not God,s timing for them. This is how I understand it anyway correct or not I'm not sure??. Only God knows I guess.STEVE on 01/12/2008 Ecclesiasticus Chapter 517 I was completely surrounded, there was no one to help me; I looked for someone to help me, there was no one 11 And my plea was heard, for you saved me from destruction, you delivered me from that time of evil. 13 When I was still a youth, before I went travelling, in my prayers I asked outright for wisdom. 14 Outside the sanctuary I would pray for her, and to the last I shall continue to seek her. 16 By bowing my ear a little, I have received her, and have found much instruction. 17 Thanks to her I have advanced; glory be to him who has given me wisdom! 20 I have directed my soul towards her, and in purity I have found her; having my heart fixed on her from the outset, I shall never be deserted; 21 my very core having yearned to discover her, I have now acquired a good possession. 22 In reward the Lord has given me a tongue with which I shall sing his praises. 24 Why complain about lacking these things when your souls are so thirsty for them? 30 Do your work before the appointed time and at the appointed time he will give you your reward. (Subscript:) Wisdom of Jesus, son of Sira. Charles on 02/12/2008 I Agree With Steve. Only the Elect are saved.If you are somebody who has no care for the bible and the things of God, then thats because your name isnt written in the book of life in the first place. Those whom God has called hear their Shepherd's voice. Roy Henderson on 30/12/2008 Thank you David, and well done on your posting. It is that simple, its not what we do at all it is what God has done for us on the cross. Jesus did not die so that we can sit here and type in objections or debate religion, in fact Jesus did not come into this world to start a religion but to fulfil the scriptures (God revealing himself to us throught the word). Peace be to all who believe in the name of Jesus and peace be to those who are still searching for the truth.Craig on 01/01/2009 I think some of you have the wrong image of God. He does not have a list of those who WILL be saved but one of who ARE saved. He loves ALL of His creation and therefore does not simply give up on those who do not care about the Bible or the things of God. They are the people who He tells us to be a light to. Don't give up on someone just because they don't like the Bible or are skeptical of it. Yes there are some people who have hardened their hearts and who will not be saved, but that is no excuse to give up on those who show the slightest sign of opposition to Christianity. God put us on this earth to be fishers of men. So go get them :)Jamie on 04/01/2009 There isn't really any way to honestly rationalize that Jesus was God without ignoring parts of the Bible that clearly state God isn't a man, that God doesn't change, and that Jesus had a God(which wasn't himself).Visitor on 07/01/2009 Jamie, right on! couldn't have said it better myself!Visitor - seems to me like you're a little confused on the Doctrine of the Trinity brother. When the going gets tough...keep reading, contemplating and thinking! Tim on 27/01/2009 christian are pretentious foolsGod on 18/03/2009 With respect, Calvin's and Luther's exegesis of St Augustine's exegesis of what St Paul and other divinely inspired writers actually wrote concerning Predestination seems to contradict numerous Biblical passages such as Ezekiel 18 and the Book of Jonah where repentance clearly causes God to relent in judgement and have mercy; conversely again in Ezekiel 18 and also in the epistle to the Hebrews the possibility of someone falling away (and back under judgement) is clearly taught. Seeing that further distortions of the teaching of reformers who undoubtedly had the Holy Spirit (as do all Christians) has ensnared the complacent into unholy living, moving far beyond the Gospel and trampling on God's grace, I do not write this lightly, though I myself have erred, been hypocritical, and generally fallen short of God. I have been convicted of the danger for us all of complacency, of thinking that serious error or sin will only ever reach other Christians or non-Christians, and forgetting the need for continual repentance, prayer, and careful reading of the Scripture, as well as striving to live by them. Besides, some forms of teaching appear to posit a God motivated not by compassion in mercy and justice (endless tolerance would not even be merciful, as it would involve turning a blind eye to real human abuse injustice and oppression, hence the need for God's decisive intervention in history) but by self-glorification; forgive my weak faith if that appears blasphemous and contrary to the ScripturesWith regard to the last writer, generalisations based on religion are demonisation whoever they are applied to, issues of truth and error aside. Please forgive me if I have hindered the Spirit or judged harshly or falsely concerning any of this. Alexander on 27/03/2009 1) No matter how much you read the Bible, you will not get a grasp of the Trinity.2) The Bible contradicts itself on predestination. What we don't know, we can't change, so, for the good of all, follow what we do know and try to be like Christ. Don't tell anyone that they are not welcome in the Kingdom of God because there are not 'the elect'. Wes on 23/04/2009 G'day all. The Bible is a great book, innit?! Challenges the socks off you, and says the most surprising things. Like, that there is one God. But then -- read the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament, for example -- promptly shows Jesus doing all the stuff God is supposed to do (forgive sins, cleanse the defiled, heal the sick, etc.)! How do you put all that together? Well, there's no simple answer... but then, that's what we'd kind of expect when it comes to God, don't you think? So while it might be tempting to write-off the idea of the Trinity, or the fact of God choosing us AND us being responsible to choose God... the reality is that when it comes to matters of God and the destiny of those made in his image (ie. us humans) we should not expect pat answers at every turn! The truth is always more complex and profound than we routinely expect, I think.The other thing I'd like to chime in with, is that while we can make the Bible sound complicated, at the heart of things I usually find it quite straightforward to understand. I don't always find it that straightforward to put into practice, though! But let me encourage the 'seekers' around here to keep seeking, and to keep reading the Bible. It's a ripper! Cheers and peace to all, Mike. Mike Fischer on 07/06/2009 Buddhism: If we integrate Buddha’s teachings into our daily life we will be able to solve all our inner problems and attain a truly peaceful mind. Without inner peace, outer peace is impossible. If we first establish peace within our minds by training in spiritual paths, outer peace will come naturally; but if we do not, world peace will never be achieved, no matter how many people campaign for it.Christianity: The Holy Spirit - the counsellor - comes with the peace of the Father who sends 'it' in the name of Jesus Christ. HIS promise: John 14:15-21 & 14:25-31. Is religion about outwardly achieving the essence of the 'living peace' in this turmoiled world? Or - about inwardly - receiving the Holy Spirit, the counsellor (aka the 'barrister' on behalf of God the Father & Son) sent after Jesus ascended into the Heavens to be seated with HIS Father? In my understanding, the fundamental differences is either God breathed or man breathed i.e self attainment. What is Christianity? Believing in the devine mystery of the trinity: the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. This is the fundamental truth to those who have faith! There are various churches in our society, and noted in the scriptures that have struggled to understand the essence of the original seven churches. There are established churches that focus on parts of the Trinity such as the "holy spirit" without Jesus Christ being the epicentre. It is this confusion that sways christians away from the teachings of the wholistic trinity. This is the works of the evil one to confuse and divert to false teachings! "Faith" is not by sight! Nor by seeking the manifestation of spiritual miracles alone. It is about the wholistic essence of the Father, Son & Holy Spirit. Ruth on 15/06/2009 Very well-written article; thanks David. However, I am not accepting Christianity especially for this: "everything has been done for us" and "it is about relationship with God not about what we do". I believe we have to do many things to develop and nurture our relationship with God. Faith is an active process not a static belief. It does make sense that God exists, but that this God is Christ who did so and so is simply a historical fact relevant to those who were living in his days. Anyway, the article is truly excellent and consistent. Thanks!Cairo on 06/07/2009 why do we mind on the terms coming from the men rather the words from God?Why do we spend much time on arguing who explains well rather than trying to understand His Word? Why do we always want to be smarter or cleverer rather than being closer with God? Among you, who is a prophet? Then , let him or her speak. if not, let us follow Jesus Christ by our own willingness, heart and soul. Hanson on 09/07/2009 Hello Morons.I just read your article on dating a non-christian, and you'll be pleased to know that it was the worst thing i have ever read. Such hypocracy in your people, for the sins your religion has commited, you should all be sent to "hell". Thankfully, there is absolutely NO hard evidence on the actuality of a "god", and any sane person would not simply assume such "prophecies" just because they can not be disproven... DrunkenNinja on 01/10/2009 Dear DrunkenNinja,Who is the moron? The one who has faith that God created all that we see, or the one who thinks that it all happened by chance? What hard evidence do you want? If ten people come forward, these ten do not know each other, and they all tell the same story it is believed, it is circumstantial evidence. The circumstantial evidence is that throughout the world, and in history there has been over 1.5 billion people who can swear in a court that they know God, he is their Father. They all call him the same name, he treats them all equally, and lives are being changed daily. For some it is enough to read this, for others they need miracles, for others they need "the finger in the holes", but for others, like yourself, the fact of creation should be enough, but you are to blind to see it. I thank God, my Father, that as a disciple of Jesus, I am done with religion. Religions has caused much pain and suffering. But tell me if the directors of a firm break the law do all the employees go to jail? Of course not! Likewise if religious people do wrong things, then other should not be blamed with them. Christianity is NOT religion, just as sport is not, but it can become one. Christopher on 12/10/2009 I disagree many woman in clduing my friend Joy,got alot from there faith. THey got it cause it is REAL. THe only real thing in the world sometimes.She died last week and we all continue to mourn. Is this not how God is alive and well ?why else would humans mourn? live,smile grow?Alisa on 20/10/2009 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.†Luke 11:9 ---- why christ is not a buddha? both are "Awake" and walk alone the way enlightmenting the world... IS not the term "GOD" is "Awake"... www.christforce.combikas on 25/10/2009 |
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