Mis-representations. Everything gets misrepresented by someone or something at some point in time. For example, people claiming to be part of an organization that stands for peace yet they argue constantly with their family. In some people's eyes this would a) tarnish the name of the group itself because they stereotype. The one looking in on the situation will see the individuals anger towards their family and take it to mean that the entire society just claim to want peace but never really try it for themselves. or b) other people would see that it was just one persons actions and that the others in the group needed to be seen individually, for one person does not reveal the thoughts and deeds of the rest.
I feel in my heart that something regarding Christians needs to be cleared up. (enter strict, manly, deep, pious voice here)...clears throat "Well...hmm we as Christians have attained that which the rest of the world doesnt have. We are bound for heaven and they are destined for hell due to their abominable, offensive deeds. The detestable sins are despised by the Lord and therefore His wrath shall reign upon them, but shall spare us since we, His children are saved and do not cause Him anger..." give me a freakin break...DO NOT take this as Christianity. I as a Christian am no better then you as a non Christian. And you are saying...well how is that not Christianity, I have met people like that who claim to be the best goody two shoes.
Well let me lay down one of the key beliefs of the Christian faith...it comes from Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. " Let us take a peek at those two verses.
I feel in my heart that something regarding Christians needs to be cleared up. (enter strict, manly, deep, pious voice here)...clears throat "Well...hmm we as Christians have attained that which the rest of the world doesnt have. We are bound for heaven and they are destined for hell due to their abominable, offensive deeds. The detestable sins are despised by the Lord and therefore His wrath shall reign upon them, but shall spare us since we, His children are saved and do not cause Him anger..." give me a freakin break...DO NOT take this as Christianity. I as a Christian am no better then you as a non Christian. And you are saying...well how is that not Christianity, I have met people like that who claim to be the best goody two shoes.
Well let me lay down one of the key beliefs of the Christian faith...it comes from Ephesians 2: 8 and 9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. " Let us take a peek at those two verses.
First of all...by grace we have been saved. Grace in the dictionary is defined as "A favor rendered by one who need not do so" or "Divine love and protection bestowed freely on people" a favour, a free gift. If I extended to you a gift that I had bought for you would you get the praise and glory for accepting a free gift? Or would I get the praise for going out of my way to give you a gift when you never expected it? Of course, the giver would be the one deserving of thanks.
The second part is that we have to believe by faith. This is described in the Bible in Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Sure, we as humans have to have the faith, have to do the believing BUT...faith itself is a gift from God! We could not have faith or hope in Him without Him first creating that characteristic or action in the first place.
Thirdly and lastly, it is not by works. Works, deeds, actions, all the same thing. It is saying that no matter how many elderly ladies you help across the street, or the amount of money you raise for charity or no matter how many sundays you attend church (all actions) you WILL NOT make it to heaven. Simple as that. Am I bragging because I get to spend eternity with the Lord...heck no...because as I have been showing you it is nothing I have done. It was a free gift from the Father available to anyone.
The second part is that we have to believe by faith. This is described in the Bible in Hebrews 11:1 "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." Sure, we as humans have to have the faith, have to do the believing BUT...faith itself is a gift from God! We could not have faith or hope in Him without Him first creating that characteristic or action in the first place.
Thirdly and lastly, it is not by works. Works, deeds, actions, all the same thing. It is saying that no matter how many elderly ladies you help across the street, or the amount of money you raise for charity or no matter how many sundays you attend church (all actions) you WILL NOT make it to heaven. Simple as that. Am I bragging because I get to spend eternity with the Lord...heck no...because as I have been showing you it is nothing I have done. It was a free gift from the Father available to anyone.
Simply accept. That is all we have to do, the Lord is holding out to you a free gift that we cannot boast in. Not by works, or deeds, the things that would direct the honour to us, but by faith, a gift, a free gift that we can only accept.
Do not allow your opinions of Christianity to revolve around misrepresentations, see it for what it truly is, normal human beings accepting a free, beautiful gift we do not deserve...that is also readily available to you! Accept His love, His forgiveness and rejoice in Him for little me and you, insignificant to the world were loved so much by Jesus Christ that He suffered and died for my sin and yours. So now all that is left for us to do is to simply accept.
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