Sunday, June 19, 2011

Not acts but Faith

The hardest part about sharing your Faith with someone else is that humans always judge religion based on acts and how people that claim a religion behave. Many people that do not believe in God or religion see the people that practice the religion in their sin and thus do not like or appreciate religion because of the hypocrisy.

The irony of this simple idea is that the bible (word of God)actually speaks the exact opposite. God shows us that it is not about any acts or deeds that we come closer to Him, but by Faith.

"So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. For the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life." (Galations 3:11)

Faith is defined on Wikipedia as "Strong belief in God or in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual apprehension rather than proof." This definition states nothing about doing, or acting a certain way. The definition is about believing.

Sin entered our world when Eve took the first bite of the forbidden fruit and forever sin will be present in every man. No man is strong enough to be without sin in some way, shape, or form. In fact, sin is present in everything we do. No matter how hard one tries, one can never be without sin.

I recently heard something very interesting that said, "as one grows stronger in their faith and religion, they will repent more." Many people would think that as you become more religious you should repent less because you are being a better person, or acting in a more "religious" way. But really, as someone becomes more faithful to God they repent more because they realize more and more how much they sin. They also start to care and understand that when they sin, they are sinning against God himself. Faith in God does not mean you will stop sinning.

I also see that many people are scared to learn about God's word because they think that by accepting God into their life that they are now required to live a certain way. When one accepts God, they are only telling God (and no one else) that they believe in Him and are asking for him to be present in their life. God works in His own ways and at His own pace. Faith in God will grow over time and so will the way one follows God. Thinking that a drastic and immediate change is necessary to accept God, is wrong.

All one needs is true Faith to be right with God!

Keepin' it real real
-EC

3 comments:

  1. Interesting perspective here! I can relate to a lot of what you said. I always use to see Christians as hypocrites- mostly due to high school because the Young Life kids were always the biggest partiers. I think it is good and cool to talk to people about religion. Everyone has different perspective of religion and faith. Reading and talking about it helps me figure out what I believe in. I have actually become a lot more relaxed about the future because what ever will be will be. Even if you don't believe in God, you have to have some kind of faith or hope. Sometimes it's nice to know someone is looking out for you! Keep up the good work, I always learn something new from your posts

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  2. Thanks for reading! Yes everyone thinks Christians are Hypocrites. I am the biggest Hypocrite and you know that better than most but I want to be like Jesus. I know I never will be but I will always strive to get there! It helps to have some people to walk with you, thats for sure

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  3. Everyone is a hypocrite. Sometimes you have to do things on your own to know what you can do yourself. But isn't that why there is the community in the church...so you don't have to be alone? I think you can find help in unexpected places with unexpected people. Like you said, just talking about it and listening to other view points can help. How do you strive to be like Jesus without being disappointed or too hard on yourself?

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