You ever wonder why Sunday Morning Church looks the way it does? You ever wonder about religion and how so many people use it to control, manipulate and boost their own self esteem?
I don't want to bash 'the church'...I just question a lot of what 'we' do and why.
Why do people usually pray with their eyes closed? Why do we say that we love people, yet tell them they are going to hell for being gay? What about abortion and the mom that chose it?
I don't know...just questions I have.
Was/Is Jesus a Christian? God doesn't offer us 'Christianity'...I believe God sent Jesus to reconcile us to Him...for the purpose of a love relationship with Him...it all flows out from there.
I am a Jesus follower...one that is loved deeply by Him and who is learning to love others...
yay! love this one, Matt! Here are my responses. (trying to type but Raider is trying to snap at the curser as it moves)
You ever wonder why Sunday Morning Church looks the way it does?
YES
You ever wonder about religion and how so many people use it to control, manipulate and boost their own self esteem?
YES
I don't want to bash 'the church'...I just question a lot of what 'we' do and why.
Me too!
Why do people usually pray with their eyes closed?
To look serious about it. And/Or because they were taught to. And/Or because it might help people with ADHD concentrate.
Why do we say that we love people, yet tell them they are going to hell for being gay?
I can't figure this one out. I think the goal here is to love the people who are condeming the other people.
What about abortion and the mom that chose it?
Between her and her God.
God doesn't offer us 'Christianity'.
I don't really know what you mean here but it sounds non political and non dogmatic and good.
Was/Is Jesus a Christian?
Christian is kind of a label. I think it was/is about a lot more than a label can or should encompass.
Cool stuff...
I guess what I meant by "God doesn't offer us 'Christianity'" was that I don't believe God gave us religion...I think religion is something humans made.
What God did/does offer is reconciliation to Himself through Jesus. It's all about love and relationship.
More in reference to non-believers:
Bro...yeah, I hear that. These are questions that I struggle with too. People who cuss sometimes apologize b/c they know that I'm a Christian. I tell them, it's not my place or job to judge, but to show Christ's love...my being a judge isn't in the Bible, that's not what I do.
It's a struggle knowing that sin is against God, while not judging people for it. All I know is that we are here to show Christ's love and the rest is up to God, the real judge. However, this doesn't mean we shouldn't hold Christians accountable, that IS our job as brothers and sisters.
I wish Jesus was physically here so that we can ask Him what He would do in these circumstances.
The question that goes through my mind is, "How can I represent Jesus to him/her?"
Yes to your comment, Matt!! When people ask me if I'm a Christian, I tell them yes, but I'm not religious. I view religion as a bunch of rituals. I have a living relationship with Jesus and try to live how He would live.
It is all about a relationship! So many Christians are missing that! I'm learning daily that it goes so much deeper.
Awesome stuff bro!! Good to hear what you think abnout some of the stuff I have been struggling with. It truly is about a relationship not church dogma, deeds not creeds and faith over belief.