will I find faith on the earth

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by JB on February 17, 2017 at 10:05pm

I see you talking about Christianity and Christians, and a simple religion. Could you "in your opinion" explain the difference in "religion" and " Christianity " ?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 18, 2017 at 8:59pm

Hi JB,
What is the difference in religion and Christianity to you?

Every single belief is called a religion.....even atheism is a belief/religion.

Here is a definition of religion: Religion is a cultural system of behaviors and practices, world views, sacred texts, holy places, ethics, and societal organisation that relate humanity to what an anthropologist has called "an order of existence".[1] Different religions may or may not contain various elements, ranging from the "divine",[2] "sacred things",[3] "faith",[4] a "supernatural being or supernatural beings"[5] or "some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life."[6]
Religious practices may include rituals, sermons, commemoration or veneration (of deities), sacrifices, festivals, feasts, trances, initiations, funerary services, matrimonial services, meditation, prayer, music, art, dance, public service, or other aspects of human culture. Religions have sacred histories and narratives, which may be preserved in sacred scriptures, and symbols and holy places, that aim mostly to give a meaning to life. Religions may contain symbolic stories, which are sometimes said by followers to be true, that have the side purpose of explaining the origin of life, the Universe, and other things. Traditionally, faith, in addition to reason, has been considered a source of religious beliefs.[7] There are an estimated 10,000 distinct religions worldwide.[8] About 84% of the world's population is affiliated with one of the five largest religions, namely Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism or forms of folk religion.[9]
With the onset of the modernisation of and the scientific revolution in the western world, some aspects of religion have cumulatively been criticized. The religiously unaffiliated demographic include those who do not identify with any particular religion, atheists and agnostics. While the religiously unaffiliated have grown globally, many of the religiously unaffiliated still have various religious beliefs.[10] About 16% of the world's population is religiously unaffiliated.[9]
The study of religion encompasses a wide variety of academic disciplines, including theology, comparative religion and social scientific studies. Theories of religion offer various explanations for the origins and workings of religion.

This word is not as important as the belief or faith. It seems in the most recent years religion/religious has become a very uncomfortable word, but what it describes is the faith/belief of those who are Christians, Buddhists, Catholics, etc. When someone asks you what religion are you, what do you say? Do you say I'm not religious but I believe in Christ Jesus? The definition alone claims that you are religious, you are devoted to a certain theological belief. Only in the past few years has this word been used in songs and rhetoric that it is bad to be religious. I'm religious, not in traditions or said weird routines, but in the fact that I am in adoration of the Lord Jesus Christ and want to be holy, want to follow Him in all He has spoken throughout His written word without concern for what the world thinks of me.

I suppose my concern is we are so concerned with semantics, that we very rarely deal with bigger issues of why so many "Christians" are numb and ill equipped . Not being critical, but being honest. Rarely do I see someone who stands up in the midst and claims Christ Jesus.....at work, at play, at anything, I see smiling faces who just ignore and are willing to walk the road of least resistance. Whom are told at every avenue and venture that they are Christian, but just "flawed". The God we believe in brings change into the hearts and minds, the Gospel is ignored or shredded into some kind of little notebook that says we are saved while all the while not living, experiencing, or having the power of God into our lives. It's insidious and manipulitive. It's distorted and washed down.

Lately I'm reminded of Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JB on February 19, 2017 at 12:18pm

What is the difference in religion and Christianity to you?

Every single belief is called a religion.... even atheism is a belief/religion.

I find that a lot of the churches that claim to be “Christians” are indeed nothing more than a metaphysical religious sect. They have a form of godliness, but are denying the actual power of what a Christian, or Christianity, is all about, or represents.

Christianity to me is not a religion, it’s not a system of ethics, it is not a set of rules and regulations to guide man’s conduct, i.e. a list of do’s and don’ts to live by so they can gain heaven as their eternal home, or resting place. A religion carries with it: a tendency to give a person a sin consciousness when they miss the mark, “or sin” rather than a righteousness consciousness, which comes with a truly born-again child of God…a new creature, or species. One that knows and believes what Rom.4:8,9 has to say, QT, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. True Christianity is actually unity with Deity. Our spirit is the only part of us that is “born again” or recreated in the image of God.

 I’m not trying to be judgmental, but the Word says in Prov.16:25, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Lord Bless.

JB        

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 19, 2017 at 7:51pm

Hello JB,

I hope that this reply finds you well. Thank You for the response.

You stated that Christianity is not a religion, i.e. [because] it's not a system of ethics, it is not a set of rules and regulations to guide man's conduct, i.e. a list of do's and don'ts to live by so they can gain heaven as their eternal home, or resting place.

My question to you is do you believe that there are specific things we are called to do as Christians to receive the gift of eternal life that Christ Jesus died to give all of humanity? What I'm trying to display in this inquiry is the idea that if you do nothing at all, i.e. continue living in sin, don't ask for repentence, do not walk in holyness, do not follow the Lord, will you live in eternity with the Lord Christ Jesus for eternity? Is that what the Bible, His Word states? If that is what you believe then wouldn't that be universalism? Everyone is going to be joined with the precious Savior no matter how they live and conduct their lives?

I might add and please forgive me for my ignorance towards your last statement, but while I'm not confused about the verse, I'm confused about your statement....:

I’m not trying to be judgmental, but the Word says in Prov.16:25, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

It just seemed kind of a weird passage and a weird statement, i.e. saying "I'm not trying to be judgmental" . Ironically, that is exactly what you are trying to be and I don't claim issue to it.....but I'm not claiming a way that seemeth right unto man, I'm claiming a way that seemeth right unto God my friend and only God.

BTW, the Bible never tells us not to judge, it tells us to judge with righteousness.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JB on February 21, 2017 at 4:16pm

My question to you is do you believe that there are specific things we are called to do as Christians to receive the gift of eternal life that Christ Jesus died to give all of humanity?

Of course,

#1. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 #2. Repent, and be born again.

#3. And Obey the Word of the Lord.

I believe anything other than that, falls under works, and as the scripture says;

 Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
¹⁶  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the [faith of Jesus Christ], even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by [the faith of Christ], and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.   [Brackets are mine]

Romans 3:27-28 (KJV)
²⁷  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
²⁸  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Galatians 3:2 (KJV)
²  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:5 (KJV)
⁵  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

  QT. continue living in sin, don't ask for repentence, do not walk in holyness, do not follow the Lord, will you live in eternity with the Lord Christ Jesus for eternity? Is that what the Bible, His Word states? If that is what you believe then wouldn't that be universalism? Everyone is going to be joined with the precious Savior no matter how they live and conduct their lives?

I think the answer would be pretty obvious, wouldn't it? one that does that, hasn't repented. One of the first requirements.

My question to you is do you believe that there are specific things we are called to do as Christians to receive the gift of eternal life that Christ Jesus died to give all of humanity?

Of course,

#1. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

 #2. Repent, and be born again.

#3. And Obey the Word of the Lord.

I believe anything other than that, falls under works, and as the scripture says;

 Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
¹⁶  Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the [faith of Jesus Christ], even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by [the faith of Christ], and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.   [Brackets are mine]

Romans 3:27-28 (KJV)
²⁷  Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
²⁸  Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Galatians 3:2 (KJV)
²  This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

Galatians 3:5 (KJV)
⁵  He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

  QT. continue living in sin, don't ask for repentance, do not walk in holiness, do not follow the Lord, will you live in eternity with the Lord Christ Jesus for eternity? Is that what the Bible, His Word states? If that is what you believe then wouldn't that be universalism? Everyone is going to be joined with the precious Savior no matter how they live and conduct their lives?

I think the answer would be pretty obvious, wouldn't it? one that does that, hasn't repented. One of the first requirements.

 

Prov.16:25, there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Please don't look at this scripture as it being the words of JB. they are the words of God.

See, to me He is speaking of the religious, Pious, Pharisaical, one that thinks he must do works, going to church as an obligation, same with paying tithes, feeling obligated doing all these things, and relying on them to gain acceptance with God. He is not talking to the new creation saints.

Do you have a hard time seeing, or understanding this? The bible itself seems weird to some folks. But to those that have received Christ as their savior, we read 1Cor.2, and see that God has revealed these things to us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searches all things, yea even the deep things of God. See it is the natural man that cannot receive, or understand the things of God. Not the born again, Spirit filled Child of God.    

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on March 27, 2017 at 9:54pm

JB,

You said:

Christianity to me is not a religion, it’s not a system of ethics, it is not a set of rules and regulations to guide man’s conduct, i.e. a list of do’s and don’ts to live by so they can gain heaven as their eternal home, or resting place. A religion carries with it: a tendency to give a person a sin consciousness when they miss the mark, “or sin” rather than a righteousness consciousness, which comes with a truly born-again child of God…a new creature, or species. One that knows and believes what Rom.4:8,9 has to say, QT, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. True Christianity is actually unity with Deity. Our spirit is the only part of us that is “born again” or recreated in the image of God.

That's what you said and you did include scripture, so thank you for that.....but there are "rules and regulations"  according to the Bible, there are standards and obedience to follow, have you missed that fact?  It's vitally clear all throughout the Bible to me, have I mistaken the Lord's Word about obedience and discipleship?  Have I misunderstood about "without holiness that no one will see the Lord".  Have I mistaken so many scriptures on how to live and abide in the Lord that I don't understand?

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David . on February 18, 2017 at 3:55pm

I love Our Lord and you are absolutely right
It's not about III or me me me. It's about obedience unto holiness and serving all mighty God. + there is a scripture that says be angry and sin not, And religion to me is to be like the Pharisees and Sadducees, and not have the Lord in your heart. Keep the Lord first and everything else will fall into place. Thanks for posting, I needed this fire within me stirred up.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on February 18, 2017 at 9:13pm

Amen David,

I agree and you made me smile. But with saying that you are of the belief that the word religion means rites, ceremonies, and traditions that the Pharisees and Sadducees had while not having the Lord in their heart.

I don't believe that....about religion, it's truly not a bad word, but a word that signifies what religion you are.

The Pharisees and Saducees did not have the Lord in their hearts, they were all about tradition and standing before men than they were being circumcised in the heart and humbled before God. They were concerned about the outside of the cup, not the inside.

Stay stirred up, My Friend

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by David . on February 19, 2017 at 5:24am

Hi Watchmen
I was preaching one time and a brother asked
me what denomination I was ? I replied back
and said Jesus denomination. And thanks for
shedding light on what religion means, it made
sense to me.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Tammy on March 21, 2017 at 9:08am

To back up the view that religion isn't a bad word we have James 1:26-27 

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by thewatchman on March 27, 2017 at 9:57pm

Amen Tammy!

There are various "religions" of this world, everyone has one whether they like to believe it or not.  

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JB on March 28, 2017 at 5:07pm

Did Jesus have a religion, or religious?

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page