All Christians know the story of Christ and what he did for us. However trying to explain it to someone else isn't always the easiest thing to do. This video could help with a modern day presentation of exactly what God did for us in sending his Son in our place. Check it out, this is VERY powerful!
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So, there are many nowadays that call Christianity a crutch. They call those that believe in God weak. However, when you think about it, the opposite is really true. Let me explain:
Christianity is a religion of suffering. How can that be a crutch? As a Christian you have to give up many things to be a fully committed believer. For example, 2 Timothy 2:3 (NRSV) states, "Share in suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." We're in a fight (hence the soldier reference) and like an Army unit, we all share in the tough times, but also the good times. John 16:33 (NRSV) states, "I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!" Yes we will be persecuted as Christians. However -- as that passage adds at the end -- we take comfort that even though the world persecutes us, Christ conquered the world. For examples of that suffering, think of how Christians, according to Romans 13:13 (NRSV), "let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy." Ok, so as a Christian we are to not get drunk first of all. Alcohol can be a crutch. Then, licentiousness is, according to dictionary.com, to be "sexually unrestrained." It says we are NOT to be unrestrained so, in other words, Christians are to abstain from premarital sex. A clearer passage on that is Hebrews 13:4 (NRSV), "Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers." (Fornication is having consensual sex outside of marriage.) We are also commanded not to quarrel, not be jealous...wow, that's a lot. I'm not going to pretend that all Christians keep these perfectly, all are sinful. However as a Christian we are to strive for this and pray for strength from God. Also worth a quick note, we avoid these things out of love for God, it's not to save us -- that's through grace by faith. Now, let's see...atheists can have sex as often as they want (it's their choice), they can get drunk whenever they want (again, their choice)...you can fight, you can be jealous. Atheism is a very FREE form of thought. And Christianity is a crutch? Sure sounds like the opposite is true -- I need to have sex, I need a lot of alcohol, shut up you're wrong, I really wish I had that new car... I could use many passages in the Bible that refer to abstaining from sex, avoiding getting drunk and many other things Christians are to give up to and follow what Jesus said in Luke 9:23 (NRSV), "Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." Christians are even to deny themselves, not rely on themselves but on God because we are sinful. I think my point has been made that Christianity isn't a crutch, it's a hard lifestyle -- but it's the most rewarding life as it is living for God rather than yourself. So while it is suffering, we as Christians also have joy because of Christ's saving work on the cross: "My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy," James 1:2 (NRSV). Classes have resumed. My denomination blog is not up. Of this, I am aware. However, there is good reason. I am working on it, but because of the year or so of study, this is getting quite in-depth and lengthy. Therefore, in all honesty, this is looking more the length of a book/short story than a blog post. It remains to be seen what the final version will look like but once I have it fully completed I will decide how best to distribute it. So for a while news on that will be muted.
Did I mention my classes have resumed? So far they seem alright. I have a history of Christianity class that I can tell will be a lot of work -- what else am I going to think bringing home 8 textbooks for the one class? But it's a study I'm passionate about and therefore think will go well! I'm also taking some media studies classes, print journalism classes and my seminar. All of them seem like they'll make for a good semester of learning. Hopefully not as stressful as the last...that was crazy, just ask my girlfriend! But all in all it is kind of nice to be back, though if I was still off I'd have more time for my blog and my own essay as mentioned above...oh wait...forgot that's muted now, I digress. But hope everyone that had to start their classes back up again is doing well. May God bless all your efforts as you strive toward your goals -- college, high school, grade school or personal. It's a new year people, and therefore new chances to let your light shine (and by that I mean both your faith and your talents God has given you). I plan to post some blogs on devotions I've been working on in the coming weeks as well as maybe a few other topics so keep an eye on my blog. One thing you should know about me is I'm unpredictable at times, and since this is my personal blog, all bets are off...at times. When you think about work, most people get bad ideas. Work is not something most people enjoy. However, there is something to work that should be enjoyed and that is found in the scriptures. The Bible talks of work very plainly and shows the Christian what their work is worth, why they toil and how even in the tough times, it's worth it to keep working hard.
The first passage for consideration is Ecclesiastes 3:13 (NRSV) that says, "moreover, it is God’s gift that all should eat and drink and take pleasure in all their toil." According to this passage toil shouldn't be hard, shouldn't be bad but we should take pleasure in it. That is a very foreign concept to many, most everyone at times. When I'm bogged down with college stress (like now, for example), it is hard to find the joy in work. But God promises it's there and if you look for it, you'll find it. I'm starting to, try it yourself! Next I'd like to examine Proverbs 14:23 (NRSV) that says, "In all toil there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty." What this says to me is that if you toil, or work hard, there is profit. If you just talk a big game but don't work for what you want or need, then that leads to poverty. Basically help yourself and you will be rewarded. In today's society of how the Government should give people everything, the idea of working for what you have can be a bit out of date. If you work hard you appreciate what you have more. It could also be stretched a bit to say that just talking about how hard something is rather than just doing it isn't productive. As Nike says, "Just do it!" I was just about to end my study, but then I found one more passage that really hit me, it was Proverbs 18:9. I normally translate from the NRSV because of its ecumenical focus, but in this instance I'm going to use the ESV as I think it is a stronger translation in this case: "Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys." Wow. That stopped me in my tracks. If you are slack you're a brother (or sister) to the destroyer, another possible name for the Devil? (For reference, it is believed by some that the the Devil is called "destroyer" in Revelation 9:11 -- the Hebrew "Abaddon" means "destruction" and the Greek "Apollyon" means "destroyer." Also reference Job 28:22 where Abaddon [destruction] is mentioned as a person. There is some debate about this, however.) Could that be true? If you are lazy, slacking, you are not following what God wants but you're falling to Satan? When you don't follow God you are, to use this passage's wording, "a brother to the destroyer," which I take to potentially mean the Devil. Not giving something your all is falling to temptation by the Devil to be lazy. That hit me hard but it makes sense when you think about it. Out of all the passages that one speaks the most to me and I think should be engraved on everyone's work space. If you want motivation to keep working, that's it! I hope that this little devotion will be of some help to people as they work hard in school or college or at their jobs. Life can be hard sometimes, but we have a God that loves us and will not give us more than we can handle. "No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it." 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NRSV). The first sentence says that hardship or tough times are common to everyone, you are not alone. Think of all the hardships Jesus himself faced on earth! But God doesn't push you beyond your limits, but he provides an answer whether that be the right answer to the problem or the drive to keep going, you can endure it. "Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ," Colossians 3:23-24 (NRSV). God bless! |
The REaD Writer
Due to the 5-10 (on average) articles I write per week as a reporter, I no longer keep up with my blog regularily. I will keep it online, however, so my previous posts can still be viewed. Enjoy!
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