There are many that profess to be Christians or believe in Christianity. I think you can believe in Christianity, Jesus and still not be a Christian. Satan even believes in Christ, but that doesn't mean he has a relationship with Christ... There are many faiths that know Jesus was just a great teacher, but not the Messiah that is talked about in the Bible. They believe He walked the earth, lived and died and that is about it. They don't have that personal relationship with Him... I was thinking about this when listening to some of the songs from Mandisa... I like her songs because they talk about being real and not hiding who we are. I am still working through the whole letting everyone see all parts of me... Not sure that will happen, but it is what it is... On the outside we may look like we are doing good, but on the inside we all have our own issues that we are dealing with... Then I was thinking about sin and the consequences of sin... I don't think God is out to punish us or likes to punish us I should say...I think the consequences for our actions or ourselves are probably the worse punishment... But because we chose to sin, the cost for those sins are death... I am putting alot of hope in the forgiveness factor here on this one, lol...
For me the difference between being religious and a Christian is that religion is about the outer appearance, and being a Christian is the true inner picture of ourselves, one that should be Christlike to the core...I am religious about alot of things like watching Big Brother, cleaning my house, writing on my blog, computer time and spending time with family, not saying these are bad things... They are routines that I do religiously, but that doesn't make them things I do for God... The things I should be doing and need to work on more is spending more time in the Word of God, praying and focusing on what God's purpose is for my life...
During the week or on Sundays you can see the same cars in parking lots at churches or places of worship... I wonder if they are there because they are really worshiping Christ or because they go there religiously because it is something they have always done... I know for me I have gotten into a routine and when I break that routine, I find I am out of sorts... At church, I like to sit in the same pew and if someone takes my seat that I sit at religiously, I am flustered that they are there and I'm not... Then I am thinking about that during the service, and not the message... I am sure God wouldn't and doesn't like that too much... I wonder if we are afraid of practicing being a real Christian and being Christlike over being religious... I think the word religious can be a double edged sword for us and makes Christians look bad...
2 comments:
Well said Sandi, I agree that many of those sitting in the pews on Sunday are there just because its the thing to do and they have done it all their lives. However when we come to Christ and learn of what He has done for us it changes the whole way we should look at going to church. Most people don't realize that God loves us too much to leave us the way we are. Does this mean it is going to be a journey of ease I think not! Many of the journeys that God has taken me on have been extremely painful because they have been. Why is that since God loves me why would he bring such pain into my heart and life. Well mostly because they were attitudes or habits that I really need to let go of. Many of them were ways that I looked at others and the fact that I held unforgiveness towards them.
The Bible tells us that we must transform our mind so that we not only see how others are but can search our hearts and know what evil lies within. One thing I have learned is that God is way more interested on our character than He is in anything else and that all we go through the Bible promises that it will be worked for the good because we love God. Many don't understand that the relationship they have with their spouses are a picture of how God wants to have a relationship with us. Think of how you were courted by your husband and how he was all you thought about and how all you wanted to do was spend time with him.. This is how God is towards us. He waits in anticipation on the edge of His throne for us to come to Him and spend time in His presence.
There is something to be said for corporate worship. I love to worship corporately because of being in one mind and one accord. Many can put their problems aside and focus on God and when that happens His glory invades the house and we are ushered into His presence where we can find peace and joy along with all our needs are meant.
Stay in His presence find all that you need in Him.
Thank you... I am glad when I have editors that help me word stuff right, lol... Not sure how to reply, becuase you said it so well... I have alot of attitudes I need to let go of... I have been working really hard at picking my Bible up and reading it... It has been too long... But it was funny how the other night when I was having a badder night than normal that the verse: It was just what I needed... I didn't want to open up the Bible and read about Job... But this is the verse I opened up too: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Post a Comment