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Christianity was supposed to be about becoming like Jesus. | |
We went in the wrong direction. |
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Christian Pioneer - eBook for Cell Phone Everything you Know is Wrong |
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 Christianity - More than a ticket to Heaven It is quite often that people have an impression of Christianity that is not accurate or complete. Even for many that claim Christ, it comes as a surprise that there is more than just doing good to escape hell and go to heaven. The first point of confusion is about how one becomes a Christian. It is not by an act or even an acknowledgment. It is by trusting. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The gospel (good news) that Jesus died, was buried, and rose again to forgive our sins is what we trust in (the English word “believe” may not carry the full understanding that the word “trust” does). When a person trusts in Jesus, he is placed into what is called the body of Christ and is sealed with the Holy Spirit. The new Christian is set free from the compulsive power of sin, yet may continue in sin because he has not yet learned to walk by the Spirit as opposed to walking in the flesh. If allowed, the Holy Spirit can make a Christian a better person. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 The goal of this transformation is the maturity of the Christian so that he grows into Christ-likeness. This process of maturity is the transition from selfishness to selflessness. Sadly, few Christians themselves understand this process. As a result, they often portray to the world a confusing array of pompous leaders claiming magical prosperity, miracle cures, uttering gibberish, and the greedy seeking money. Alternatively, an effusive indulgence of emotional sensualism is demonstrated called “Christian love” that endorses every perversity one can imagine. Still others, emulating the Stoics, advocate for a rigid set of rules to be followed.  Into this milieu are hundreds of denominations each claiming to have the final and absolute way to be Christian. It is no wonder that so many are offended by what is called Christianity. For real Christianity there are substantial advantages to be able to have the mind of Christ, wisdom, and to know truth. It may be that without this advantage one might not be able to see all that is wrong or false in the world. What Christianity really is is the opportunity to get reconnected to God so that we can transcend the death sentence our selfish pursuits have condemned us to. Christianity spread in communities in its early history because most people lived their lives where they grew up, and as a result of this, everyone knew everyone else intimately. When a person changed to be more loving, faithful, diligent, or honest, it was such a powerful testimony that others would want the change for themselves. Today hardly anyone knows another well enough to even notice any change. Today, most who claim to be Christian show so little evidence in their lives as to be indistinguishable from anyone else. It makes one question if there is any benefit to being a Christian at all. God still welcomes the one who trusts in Jesus as seen with the story of the the father of the Prodigal son.  In the story the son was raised privileged and his natural selfishness led him to abandon his family. Having come to destitution, he returns home seeking his father’s forgiveness. |
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Information about Christianity and the Christian life. |
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