03 Jan '15 18:18>2 edits
"Why Christianity is NOT a Religion"
"The way to be right with God in every religion is by earning your way. It is based on works, not grace. Christianity is different from every religion in this aspect: all other religions (including Mormonism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism) state that you must earn the right to be reconciled with God. It is by what you do in this life (good deeds or bad deeds) that determines your eternal destiny. Christianity is completely different from this. It is not religion. My high school American Literature Teacher, Mr. Patton, (who wasn’t a Christian) described it this way:"
“The difference between Christianity and every other faith in the world is that all other religions are about man trying to reach up to God. Christianity is about God reaching down to man.”
"This is a very important distinction, and it is core to what I believe, so I would like to try to clarify what I mean. Here is the way I am defining religion:
Religion is a system of beliefs or a code of moral conduct that judges (qualifies or disqualifies) a person based on their adherence and obedience to certain codes, rules, laws, traditions, or the performance of required acts.
Religion (almost universally) is enforced by those in power in an attempt to maintain, increase, or abuse their power over others.
Religion is the creation of man and is not the intention or design of God. A modern day example (taken from the movie “Footloose”, starring Kevin Bacon) is a preacher who believes that dancing leads to promiscuity and destructive behavior (the Bible does not speak against dancing). He uses (abuses) his influence and his position of authority to convince his congregation that dancing is evil and forbids it. He sets up rules that are not in the Bible and adds additional beliefs that Jesus never endorsed. He is trying to control the people, using their trust of his authority to force them to believe his version of the truth. He adds rules that don’t exist in the Bible. In this example, he even has good motives, but he is still being religious and this “religion” is not from God.
This is so very common. People have used Jesus to justify adding so many “requirements” to being a Christian.
Here are just a few of the countless examples:
• Not drinking alcohol • Not listening to certain types of music • Insisting that church meet on certain days • Only certain forms of music can be used in church • You can’t be saved unless you are circumcised • Reciting ritualistic prayers • Saying you aren’t saved unless you get baptized • You can’t eat certain foods • Requiring you to perform rituals • Being saved is conditional upon attending church or church membership • Saying that you have to earn your salvation by doing good deeds. I could go on and on. When Jesus was on the earth, religion was very rampant..." (to be continued)
http://philippians1v21.wordpress.com/why-believe-in-jesus/why-christianity-is-not-a-religion/
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Author: "I am Scotsman in the tradition of my heritage: a warrior, a poet, a patriot, a scientist and engineer, a musician, a student of history, a defender of freedom, and a lover of Jesus Christ. I have been an Officer, a Captain in the US Air Force. I have served in Oman, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan. I have been a Flight Test Engineer and a Program Manager.
I am a Boeing Engineer designing the next version of the 747 passenger and freighter aircraft. That is what I am on my own.
Jesus Christ has rescued my soul and through Him I am so much more. Those are now my disguises. What I really am is a bondservent of Jesus Christ. A missionary immersed in one of the most indifferent cultures towards Jesus Christ to ever exist. It is my endeavor to live for Christ and through Christ. For me to live is Christ. He is the focus, direction, and meaning in my life. Everything I do is in Him and through Him. I am his tool to create more and better followers of Jesus.
~ Te Deum Laudamus -Jake McWhirter" http://philippians1v21.wordpress.com/about/
Your Comments in Reply to the statements of this Scotsman who believes in Christ for his salvation and eternal life?
"The way to be right with God in every religion is by earning your way. It is based on works, not grace. Christianity is different from every religion in this aspect: all other religions (including Mormonism, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism) state that you must earn the right to be reconciled with God. It is by what you do in this life (good deeds or bad deeds) that determines your eternal destiny. Christianity is completely different from this. It is not religion. My high school American Literature Teacher, Mr. Patton, (who wasn’t a Christian) described it this way:"
“The difference between Christianity and every other faith in the world is that all other religions are about man trying to reach up to God. Christianity is about God reaching down to man.”
"This is a very important distinction, and it is core to what I believe, so I would like to try to clarify what I mean. Here is the way I am defining religion:
Religion is a system of beliefs or a code of moral conduct that judges (qualifies or disqualifies) a person based on their adherence and obedience to certain codes, rules, laws, traditions, or the performance of required acts.
Religion (almost universally) is enforced by those in power in an attempt to maintain, increase, or abuse their power over others.
Religion is the creation of man and is not the intention or design of God. A modern day example (taken from the movie “Footloose”, starring Kevin Bacon) is a preacher who believes that dancing leads to promiscuity and destructive behavior (the Bible does not speak against dancing). He uses (abuses) his influence and his position of authority to convince his congregation that dancing is evil and forbids it. He sets up rules that are not in the Bible and adds additional beliefs that Jesus never endorsed. He is trying to control the people, using their trust of his authority to force them to believe his version of the truth. He adds rules that don’t exist in the Bible. In this example, he even has good motives, but he is still being religious and this “religion” is not from God.
This is so very common. People have used Jesus to justify adding so many “requirements” to being a Christian.
Here are just a few of the countless examples:
• Not drinking alcohol • Not listening to certain types of music • Insisting that church meet on certain days • Only certain forms of music can be used in church • You can’t be saved unless you are circumcised • Reciting ritualistic prayers • Saying you aren’t saved unless you get baptized • You can’t eat certain foods • Requiring you to perform rituals • Being saved is conditional upon attending church or church membership • Saying that you have to earn your salvation by doing good deeds. I could go on and on. When Jesus was on the earth, religion was very rampant..." (to be continued)
http://philippians1v21.wordpress.com/why-believe-in-jesus/why-christianity-is-not-a-religion/
___________________________________
Author: "I am Scotsman in the tradition of my heritage: a warrior, a poet, a patriot, a scientist and engineer, a musician, a student of history, a defender of freedom, and a lover of Jesus Christ. I have been an Officer, a Captain in the US Air Force. I have served in Oman, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Kyrgyzstan. I have been a Flight Test Engineer and a Program Manager.
I am a Boeing Engineer designing the next version of the 747 passenger and freighter aircraft. That is what I am on my own.
Jesus Christ has rescued my soul and through Him I am so much more. Those are now my disguises. What I really am is a bondservent of Jesus Christ. A missionary immersed in one of the most indifferent cultures towards Jesus Christ to ever exist. It is my endeavor to live for Christ and through Christ. For me to live is Christ. He is the focus, direction, and meaning in my life. Everything I do is in Him and through Him. I am his tool to create more and better followers of Jesus.
~ Te Deum Laudamus -Jake McWhirter" http://philippians1v21.wordpress.com/about/
Your Comments in Reply to the statements of this Scotsman who believes in Christ for his salvation and eternal life?