"I sure hope there is a God, that is my new philosophy... summed up in one sentence."
We had a short conversation about religion and the world - everything that's wrong with both and that was his conclusion.
I believe in the Gospel, I believe we are all sinners and that we all have one punishment coming for those sins... I believe every single person sins every single day - even the self-professed Christian of which I am one. I also believe in John 3:16-17...
We had a short conversation about religion and the world - everything that's wrong with both and that was his conclusion.
I believe in the Gospel, I believe we are all sinners and that we all have one punishment coming for those sins... I believe every single person sins every single day - even the self-professed Christian of which I am one. I also believe in John 3:16-17...
John 3:16-17 (KJV)16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
During our conversation, I was silent... I did not speak in defense of my faith, the Gospel needs no defense. The gospel is alive and breathing - transforming on its own. I did not interject my beliefs onto him or tell him he is wrong... What did I do? I prayed... I prayed silently to myself the entire time he was speaking. I asked for guidance and bravery, I asked for words... I asked for an opening and heard only... Wait, listen and learn.
His philosophy was the last sentence he said. During the duration of the conversation he summarized the state of hate in the world, how in the name of Religion people groups war with one another - battle... Take what's not theirs... Murder innocent people in the name of some gods. Some stand on their righteous soap box and shout insults and commandments at one another... This god, that god --- those gods. Lovers of nature, lovers of evil, lovers of the sun, moon and stars... Rocks... Or those who simply believe in nothing at all.
Mention was made that "Religion had its place", created when our world was "more savage" and humankind needed laws and rules help shape society. His argument can be made that we are beyond those antiquated beliefs which are narrow minded. His words... "We are more civilized now..."
I saw in him, not only his belief but the tide of humanity and my heart broke. Of course, I believe what I believe so strongly that I am commanded by the great commission to share the good news of Christ.
His philosophy was the last sentence he said. During the duration of the conversation he summarized the state of hate in the world, how in the name of Religion people groups war with one another - battle... Take what's not theirs... Murder innocent people in the name of some gods. Some stand on their righteous soap box and shout insults and commandments at one another... This god, that god --- those gods. Lovers of nature, lovers of evil, lovers of the sun, moon and stars... Rocks... Or those who simply believe in nothing at all.
Mention was made that "Religion had its place", created when our world was "more savage" and humankind needed laws and rules help shape society. His argument can be made that we are beyond those antiquated beliefs which are narrow minded. His words... "We are more civilized now..."
I saw in him, not only his belief but the tide of humanity and my heart broke. Of course, I believe what I believe so strongly that I am commanded by the great commission to share the good news of Christ.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
But in those moments with him, my heart broke. Deep down, past exterior shells of humanity we all search and seek. Wanting to understand the meaning of life, the origins of time... Where do we go when we die? Is there a hell? Is there a heaven? Is there God, where is God? Has God abandoned me?
I wish more people would say, in honesty... Their hopes like he did... I did not speak not out of fear, or because I believed he was right... I didn't speak out of obedience, I know I will have an opportunity to speak with him again - I was supposed to hear his heart.
Turn on the 6 o'clock news on any given day and I am sure we can see for ourselves how humane our world is... how civilized... Parents killing their children, mothers abandoning their sons. Mobs of people inflicting harm for midnight sales and deals. Laws upon laws for gun control and murders, slaughters still occur in schools and movie theaters... Clinics and on sidewalks. More civilized you say? And people don't want my Jesus... People want a fix... until you start sharing the life saving message of the Gospel.
Jesus says... Love thy neighbor as yourself... is that antiquated?
I wish more people would say, in honesty... Their hopes like he did... I did not speak not out of fear, or because I believed he was right... I didn't speak out of obedience, I know I will have an opportunity to speak with him again - I was supposed to hear his heart.
Turn on the 6 o'clock news on any given day and I am sure we can see for ourselves how humane our world is... how civilized... Parents killing their children, mothers abandoning their sons. Mobs of people inflicting harm for midnight sales and deals. Laws upon laws for gun control and murders, slaughters still occur in schools and movie theaters... Clinics and on sidewalks. More civilized you say? And people don't want my Jesus... People want a fix... until you start sharing the life saving message of the Gospel.
Jesus says... Love thy neighbor as yourself... is that antiquated?
Jesus Anointed by a Sinful Woman (Luke 7:36-50)
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!
Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
“That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins? And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman is touching him. She’s a sinner!
Then Jesus answered his thoughts. “Simon,” he said to the Pharisee, “I have something to say to you.”“Go ahead, Teacher,” Simon replied.
Then Jesus told him this story: “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?”
Simon answered, “I suppose the one for whom he canceled the larger debt.”
“That’s right,” Jesus said. Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t greet me with a kiss, but from the time I first came in, she has not stopped kissing my feet. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.
“I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.” Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your sins are forgiven.” The men at the table said among themselves, “Who is this man, that he goes around forgiving sins? And Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Kindness, grace... repentance and eternal forgiveness... I can see where this message would offend. Jesus never condemned her, never belittled her or made her feel lowly... instead He saw her heart. He knew she came to his feet honestly searching and seeking - and the door was wide open.
Is there a God? Do you know my Jesus?
Is there a God? Do you know my Jesus?
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 (NASB)
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