OYD
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Here's what Christianity truly means...from a believer's persective
IP:
If you are narrow minded, leave the thread now. This thread is certainly open for discussion. But, if your sole purpose is to discredit something without having experienced it first-hand, then you're in the wrong forum.
1st off, Jesus never meant for Christianity to be a religion. During his life and ministry, Jesus was as much against organized religion as most of you all seem to be today. The reason he had such disdain for organized religion was because of the immense hyprocrisy that seemed to define it. Jesus challenged the teaching of the religious leaders of his time. And, he admonished people to question the traditions that had been passed down "in the name of religion."
Secondly, Jesus intended for Christianity to be a relationship. What he taught was so avant garde for his time, they cricified him. Jesus basically destroyed the common view of the day, legalism, and introduced a new philosophy, grace. Legalism is the view that you earn your place, your salvation, your rewards from good works and being a good person. Jesus taught that NO ONE was good and worthy to receive blessings and salvation from God. In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul writes that "salvation is not from works, lest any man boast." That means that God meant for salvation to be a free gift, one that He was at liberty to extend to whom he wanted, when he wanted.
Thirdly, being a Christian is not unlike being in a relationship with a girl/guy. In any relationship, you want to do things to please the person you're with. That doesn't mean you're going to be perfect, but your attitude is one of commitment to them. It's the same with God. God knows that we're going to err. But, when we come to him sincerely and honestly in repentance, he forgives us and even forgets our sins. That's right! God FORGETS our sins (meaning he doesn't hold them against us any longer). This view is where the term "personal walk" comes from. You wouldn't infringe upon someone else's marriage. Therefore, you wouldn't suggest to someone what God has/is/will do for another individual in their "relationship" with Him.
I feel that many people, including some on this site, have misconceptions about Christianity. They were taught so many false things growing up, it's difficult to distinguish the truth now. I encourage everyone to begin to separate MANMADE tradition from GOD-ORDAINED word. Everything you were told growing up isn't what God wants you to believe. Study the scripture for yourself. Question everything you're taught. But, one thing is for sure. Everything will crumble and pass away in this world EXCEPT the word of God. It is sure. It is real. It is the very thing that created everything in existence.
Let God be true and every man a liar.
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I'm Talented.Period.
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