I am taking a religion class at Mid Continent on the internet. I think it is great to know what all religions believe. It is much easier to witness to them knowing what offends them, their customs and practices. So far I have studied the Jewish, Islam and now Zoroastrianism.
I have to write and essay on each religion and then comment on the others that have posted theirs on blackboard. Today I noticed a question to one of my posts. It was say that this person thought that religion and faith were the same thing "spiritually". In a simple answer I just explained that they were different by definition and "spiritually".
Hebrews 11:1 says:
What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.
Then a little further we see
Hebrews 11:6
So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.
A great example of religion verse faith is in the Pharisee's that Jesus dealt with. In Matthew 5:20 he says this :
"But I warn you--unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!"
Matthew 23:1-3
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2"The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the Scriptures. 3So practice and obey whatever they say to you, but don't follow their example. For they don't practice what they teach.
Time and time again Jesus would have to deal with the "religious" Pharisees. They knew the book and tradition. They followed ceremonies. They talked the talk, but they never understood that is was by faith man would be saved. That is why they would miss the boat when it came to them knowing that Jesus was the Messiah.
Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
The scripture plainly explains that we can live by religion (which is lifeless and dead) or we can live by faith. See in religion we can boast about how well we do. In faith though we understand we didn't do nothing is was God's grace that saved us. We are going to put all our faith in his Son (The Messiah) and follow him.
2 comments:
I could counter all that with God's word as well. I will not simply because it will not change your mind. Your viewpoint is a typical copy, cut, paste document. If I was to Google the argument against it you would see a valid presentation. I will say that God's Word is Complete and accurate in it's current version. Be careful of the false teaching in which you have fell pray to. Knowing what others say is ok...adopting man's attempt to discredit it is not. I am not going to delete this post for I want others to see the dangers of false teaching and adopting pieces of the bible to fit man's wants. Faith will produce works...But Jesus didn't die for works. He died for us that would have faith in him. Your faith has made you well...the thief on the cross didn't work. Maybe you would like to discredit the apostles writing as well. ---Sozo
Hi, could you please counter...if I am wrong, I'd really like to know it...but I do seriously believe that he wasn't an aposle.
I have more points on my blogsite as well...I just had a few on your site.
Thanks,
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