Christianity(personal relationship with God) is a religion of Love, Peace, Righteous Justice, and Restoration. However, we Christians are doing the opposite. This has brought about confusion, and resentment to many people. Conflict among Christians, negative criticism against Christian Leadership is making things worse. We need to recognize and reconnect with the original purpose of religion, that is, goodness, truthfulness, and benevolence.
Discussion
11 comments
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You Wear His Coat Very Well
There is a magnificent story in Marie Chapian’s book Of Whom the World Was Not Worthy. The book told of the sufferings of the true church in Yugoslavia where so much wrong has been perpetrated by the politicized ecclesiastical hierarchy. That which has gone on in the name of Christ for the enriching and empowering of corrupt church officials has been a terrible affront to decency.
One day an evangelist by the name of Jakov arrived in a certain village. He commiserated with an elderly man named Cimmerman on the tragedies he had experienced and talked to him of the love of Christ. Cimmerman abruptly interrupted Jakov and told him that he wished to have nothing to do with Christianity. He reminded Jakov of the dreadful history of the church in his town, a history replete with plundering, exploiting, and indeed with killing innocent people. “My own nephew was killed by them,” he said and angrily rebuffed any effort on Jakov’s part to talk about Christ. “They wear those elaborate coats and caps and crosses,” he said, “signifying a heavenly commission, but their evil designs and lives I cannot ignore.”
Jakov, looking for an occasion to get Cimmerman to change his line of thinking, said, “Cimmerman, can I ask you a question? Suppose I were to steal your coat, put it on, and break into a bank. Suppose further that the police sighted me running in the distance but could not catch up with me. One clue, however, put them onto your track; they recognized your coat. What would you say to them if they came to your house and accused you of breaking into the bank?”
“I would deny it,” said Cimmerman.
“‘Ah, but we saw your coat,’ they would say,” retorted Jakov. This analogy quite annoyed Cimmerman, who ordered Jakov to leave his home.
Jakov continued to return to the village periodically just to befriend Cimmerman, encourage him, and share the love of Christ, with him. Finally one day Cimmerman asked, “How does one become a Christian?” and Jakov taught him the simple steps of repentance for sin and of trust in the work of Jesus Christ and gently pointed him to the Shepherd of his soul. Cimmerman bent his knee on the soil with his head bowed and surrendered his life to Christ. As he rose to his feet, wiping his tears, he embraced Jakov and said, “Thank you for being in my life.” And then he pointed to the heavens and whispered, “You wear His coat very well.”
Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God, (Word Publ., Dallas: 1994), pp. 101-102
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Or is itwhat God has done about our constant failureof being righteous before him. What we proofs every day is we can not be as perfect as he is and that is what the law demands. Both in the old testament and new.
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What is missing today is humility & compassion. L&P
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This generation of Christians doesn’t recognize truth anymore: God did not save us to do as we please but rather as we should. Today’s tolerance violates and eats away at the body of Christ as we approach God not with awareness and conviction of His sovereignty. Our posture and approach are wrong. The Church and Believer are lead not by The Holy Spirit but rather fame based, hoop-la, entertaining, apostasy wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Because we do not recognize true doctrinal teachings, or sermons we are being lead astray. That is the condition expressed from Genesis to Apocalypses.
We need a serious inventory, NOT everyone who says they are Christian is a Christian. We need to find that quite place, surrender to The Holy Spirit, and stop living our own agendas all the while asking God to live thru us: Boldly, Truthfully, Focused and un-ashamed!!!!
Food 4 Thought ?? -
Grace and peace to all. I think sometimes we misunderstand criticism and healthy critique that’s based on scripture. The apostles themselves exposed the false teaching of their day, such as gnosticism Etc. We have the same responsibility to expose the lies on the wolves about have crept in Among Us.
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So who would criticize Jesus for His strong correction of religious leaders and even His own disciples?
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37 million who share commonality and values!
Christian doesn’t appear in the Bible, rather Believers.
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The Word is living – if we read it and not self help books and blown about by every wind …
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The Word encourages and direct us to love one another, to seek peace, guide and not condemn each other etc.
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By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35 -
That is the core of being a Christian, right there!!!
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