I wanted to spend time commenting about the aspects of faith that interest me the most.
Grace is an important aspect of the Christian faith. We receive Grace as a Free gift from God. "Similar to a pardon by a Governor of state. He can give a prisoner who is facing execution a pardon, or his Grace, if he wants/wills".
Why would God will for us to have Grace? Because God desires to know each of us. He loves us and wishes to have fellowship with us.
If you find yourself wanting to learn more please contact me. In the meantime ask God to help clarify his message so you may better understand it. The paradigm is that there is a lot to learn, but it's really very simple.
Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 “For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Questions
I often get asked a lot of questions regarding my faith and Church. For those that do not know me I am Christian and go to The Rock Church (which is a non-denominational Charismatic church) in a city nearby my house. I want to make clear I am learning everyday and that I have not been ordained as a pastor. I hold no employment at TRC, but I have a desire to know God, and to know the Truth. Because I have studied many different religions my family in-particular like to discuss my experiences and conclusions. Because of that curiosity I thought I would share what I found helpful on my journey of getting to know our Father in Heaven, his son Jesus Christ, the power of His Spirit and the message of Hope. These are clearly my thoughts on this matter and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts of my Church or it's staff; although I will try my best to be as bibically correct as possible.
Tonight was a good night for discussion and the topic at hand was how does My faith in Christ compair to the New Age philosophy of a higher power. Because early in my own journey I struggled with this concept I thought it might serve a purpose to post some thoughts and try to help others understand how they differ and why. If I am not clear please ask me and I will do my best to clarify. Obviously for space reasons I will not be able to use a lot of my material, so I welcome questions. For reference I am using information I found online at www.vatican.va .
To Start, the statement below sums up the two sides fairly well. It is my hope that even if you disagree with my viewpoint you will be able to at least follow along and possibly find some "food for thought" in the process.
"For Christians, the spiritual life is a relationship with God which gradually though his grace becomes deeper and in the process also sheds light on our relationship with our fellow men and women, and with the universe.
"Spirituality, in New Age terms means experiencing states of consciousness dominated by a sense of harmony and fusion with the Whole. ..not to meeting the transcendent God in the fullness of love, but a sense of letting one's individuality sink into the great ocean of Being".
Jesus is the difference here. There are many great philosophers, and traditions. There are many good sayings and ancient ways. Jesus is what distinguishes. Jesus was not just a man, or great philosopher. Jesus was divine and he saves us from the mess we can make out of life. Some people find it hard to see ourselves as sinners. I know I struggled with this too. God's spirit will help you understand this. We have all fallen short and understanding this is a process. We are born into a fallen world. Asking God for clarity and forgiveness isn't just you talking to yourself. This allows god to work in your life and make this message relivant.
The Bible is inspired by God.
People say the Bible was written by man. True, it was written by man, but it is inspired by God. What do I mean? I mean that no one would write the bible to just feel good about their journey. The bible contains Good News to those who follow Christ, but it is not easy or comfortable to follow all the time. The bible is God's plan and God's way of communicating with us how to live life. It is full of truth and will convict even the nicest and hard working person. I can find many things I would personally like to leave out if I had written it - just like anyone I don't like to read what I need to work on, but that's the point - it isn't inspired by people or great idea's and that is what makes it realivant yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A Great quote...
Grace is different that Justice and Mercy:
Justice is getting what we deserve.
Mercy is not getting what we deserve.
Grace is getting what we do not deserve.
Tonight was a good night for discussion and the topic at hand was how does My faith in Christ compair to the New Age philosophy of a higher power. Because early in my own journey I struggled with this concept I thought it might serve a purpose to post some thoughts and try to help others understand how they differ and why. If I am not clear please ask me and I will do my best to clarify. Obviously for space reasons I will not be able to use a lot of my material, so I welcome questions. For reference I am using information I found online at www.vatican.va .
To Start, the statement below sums up the two sides fairly well. It is my hope that even if you disagree with my viewpoint you will be able to at least follow along and possibly find some "food for thought" in the process.
"For Christians, the spiritual life is a relationship with God which gradually though his grace becomes deeper and in the process also sheds light on our relationship with our fellow men and women, and with the universe.
"Spirituality, in New Age terms means experiencing states of consciousness dominated by a sense of harmony and fusion with the Whole. ..not to meeting the transcendent God in the fullness of love, but a sense of letting one's individuality sink into the great ocean of Being".
Jesus is the difference here. There are many great philosophers, and traditions. There are many good sayings and ancient ways. Jesus is what distinguishes. Jesus was not just a man, or great philosopher. Jesus was divine and he saves us from the mess we can make out of life. Some people find it hard to see ourselves as sinners. I know I struggled with this too. God's spirit will help you understand this. We have all fallen short and understanding this is a process. We are born into a fallen world. Asking God for clarity and forgiveness isn't just you talking to yourself. This allows god to work in your life and make this message relivant.
The Bible is inspired by God.
People say the Bible was written by man. True, it was written by man, but it is inspired by God. What do I mean? I mean that no one would write the bible to just feel good about their journey. The bible contains Good News to those who follow Christ, but it is not easy or comfortable to follow all the time. The bible is God's plan and God's way of communicating with us how to live life. It is full of truth and will convict even the nicest and hard working person. I can find many things I would personally like to leave out if I had written it - just like anyone I don't like to read what I need to work on, but that's the point - it isn't inspired by people or great idea's and that is what makes it realivant yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A Great quote...
Grace is different that Justice and Mercy:
Justice is getting what we deserve.
Mercy is not getting what we deserve.
Grace is getting what we do not deserve.
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