My walk with Christ is such a beautiful and mysterious thing. I'm not feeling melancholy at the moment however, I'm feeling that sense of knowing. Just that the things I've done in this last year to improve my walk, are paying off.
When someone has spent years and years attending church faithfully, there's a fear there when you wake up on that first Sunday morning and say, "no more, I'm not going." You immediately have that fear that we are each admonished to work our own salvation out with. I worried that a bolt of lightening was going to descend from the sky and fry me. Now, where would I have gotten that from?
I'm utilizing the social aspect of computing and meeting new people daily. Although they aren't sitting next to me in a church pew, I'm reaching greater distances and achieving deeper levels of fulfillment in Christ in this way. The church successfully convinced me that I would have no ministry if I was not connected to the congregation and the building. Not true. I still speak His name to all who will listen. I still hear His voice commanding me. I still feel His presence and I'm still forming Christian bonds. I do not mean to insult anyone when I say this, but the church is a liar.
No wonder Jesus never said, "go to church, your faith has made you whole." No wonder so much of the scriptures (new Testament) are about Jesus fighting the Scribes and the Pharisees. If that's not enough to convince you that He warns against religion, then what more do you need? I'm not writing this to pull people out. I'm writing this to warn you while you're in there. Don't follow. Lead. Don't listen only, but comprehend. Know what Jesus says for yourself. Pay closer attention to His actions while on earth. He was a deity, sent by God the Father to perform the most significant act of sacrifice a man can perform. There is no way to emulate that. We cannot achieve such a high standard or place in this world. We shouldn't be working towards that.
I want everyone that reads this to know that a TRUE relationship with Christ is not about the works you do. You will gain no ground by going to church. You won't become more righteous through much attendance. All you are doing is having yourself a social gathering before the man speaks.
The Bible says, "how can anyone know the gospel accept they hear it." What if we remove all rules and belief started by someone long ago with big dreams of heading up their own church congregation, and we simply take that scripture for what it means. I read it, then share that with another. Now, if the Holy Spirit has come into my heart, then when I share it, it has power. Not to mention that the one I'm sharing it with has been drawn by the same Spirit that is working through me.
I just want people to stop fearing the lack of church attendance. It's not helping so many. My own landlord never misses a service. She is so dishonest, so rude, so uncaring about her renters. Church does nothing for her. I've known her for 8 years now, and still cannot bond with her. Lack of the Holy Spirit. She lives by her own righteousness.
I've said it before in my posts and I'll repeat it here, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father has found as pertaining to the flesh? If Abraham were justified by works then he has something to feel glory for? BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. For, what does the scriptures say? Abraham believed God and therefore it was counted to him for righteousness....but to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, this faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:1-5 (paraphrased.)
It's a faith thing, not a works thing.
When someone has spent years and years attending church faithfully, there's a fear there when you wake up on that first Sunday morning and say, "no more, I'm not going." You immediately have that fear that we are each admonished to work our own salvation out with. I worried that a bolt of lightening was going to descend from the sky and fry me. Now, where would I have gotten that from?
I'm utilizing the social aspect of computing and meeting new people daily. Although they aren't sitting next to me in a church pew, I'm reaching greater distances and achieving deeper levels of fulfillment in Christ in this way. The church successfully convinced me that I would have no ministry if I was not connected to the congregation and the building. Not true. I still speak His name to all who will listen. I still hear His voice commanding me. I still feel His presence and I'm still forming Christian bonds. I do not mean to insult anyone when I say this, but the church is a liar.
No wonder Jesus never said, "go to church, your faith has made you whole." No wonder so much of the scriptures (new Testament) are about Jesus fighting the Scribes and the Pharisees. If that's not enough to convince you that He warns against religion, then what more do you need? I'm not writing this to pull people out. I'm writing this to warn you while you're in there. Don't follow. Lead. Don't listen only, but comprehend. Know what Jesus says for yourself. Pay closer attention to His actions while on earth. He was a deity, sent by God the Father to perform the most significant act of sacrifice a man can perform. There is no way to emulate that. We cannot achieve such a high standard or place in this world. We shouldn't be working towards that.
I want everyone that reads this to know that a TRUE relationship with Christ is not about the works you do. You will gain no ground by going to church. You won't become more righteous through much attendance. All you are doing is having yourself a social gathering before the man speaks.
The Bible says, "how can anyone know the gospel accept they hear it." What if we remove all rules and belief started by someone long ago with big dreams of heading up their own church congregation, and we simply take that scripture for what it means. I read it, then share that with another. Now, if the Holy Spirit has come into my heart, then when I share it, it has power. Not to mention that the one I'm sharing it with has been drawn by the same Spirit that is working through me.
I just want people to stop fearing the lack of church attendance. It's not helping so many. My own landlord never misses a service. She is so dishonest, so rude, so uncaring about her renters. Church does nothing for her. I've known her for 8 years now, and still cannot bond with her. Lack of the Holy Spirit. She lives by her own righteousness.
I've said it before in my posts and I'll repeat it here, "What shall we say then that Abraham our father has found as pertaining to the flesh? If Abraham were justified by works then he has something to feel glory for? BUT NOT BEFORE GOD. For, what does the scriptures say? Abraham believed God and therefore it was counted to him for righteousness....but to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, this faith is counted for righteousness." Romans 4:1-5 (paraphrased.)
It's a faith thing, not a works thing.
