14 Jul '07 17:54>1 edit
Originally posted by metbieropOk, I will adress this particular statement. I view it as being the issue that seperates us. On the one hand, you say that you live a Christian life for the most part. You say you are a "good" person. In fact, you are better than most Chrisitians you know. Well that is great!!! Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back. However, are you still not a sinner? And if God is holy, can he embrace you as such?
[b]True they did doubt his word.
There really is a difference. This my sound strange to you but I don´t doubt the Christians teaching. I live to Gods word much more then many Christians I know. Therefore I don´t think I have excluded him from my life.
Most religions teach that as long as your good deeds outweigh your bad deeds you will make it into heaven, and that is what I hear you saying when you say that you are "better" than most Christians you know. Cconversly, Christianity teaches that God has made provisions including Christ's sacrifice on the cross to wash away our sins so that he can embrace us as holy like himself. Why this is, is somewhat of a mystery but I have my theories. Again, if you want salvation go to the source that offers it, not what you or I think. I also think his sacrifice for us prevents us from forming a pompous attitude of I am better than other people because I was good enough to make it into heaven. All glory belongs to God because everything came from him.
Lastly, Christianity is not just a philosophy. It is not just a myriad of "good" rules to follow. Christianity is a walk and a relationship with the Almighty. This is another distinguishing factor that sets Christianity apart from all other religions and is something lacking in what I hear you say. God placed in us the need to relate to one another and this includes relating to God himself. God also placed in us the desire for those relations to be grounded in love. In fact, without love we are nothing. Therefore, you may exclude God from those of your loving relationships if you wish, however, the #1 commandment in the Bible is to love the Lord with all of your heart, soul, and mind. Are you then doing so by simply adhering to a few Christian rules and rejecting the ones you do not fancy? After all, if you followed all of Christ's teachings, I would assume that you would consider yourself a Christian. Christ said that if you loved him you will desire to follow his commandments in order to please him.
To sum up, if you say you love God, should you not spend time with him like you so with the ones you love? Should you not place your faith in him like you do with the ones that you love? Is he an impersonal God to you and would you recognize his voice if you heard it?