Do you want to be saved from sin ? Do you want to go to heaven ? Do you even believe in that stuff anyway ?
It’s your choice what you choose to believe in or not believe in, however every choice has a consequence and so this blog entry, is a little about the consequences of life, the feelings that I have had and am having and maybe you also.
What is it you believe about life and death ? Have you ever thought about it ?
Many of us were taught in our childhood about Jesus and the Christian ways. And many of us, well maybe just me, have had those teachings blown out of the water by the way that others have treated us over the years.
And some of us have found that much of our faith and belief was centred around “doing” and not “being”.
Some may understand this, but in many years of my life it was all about “duty”…and some very bad teaching backed it up… (by the pathway of duty, flows the river of Gods grace) that's actually not true,
Gods grace is free and we can’t earn it by what do out of duty.
Not going to delve into the theology of that, but just to say, that I have a different understanding of some of this stuff now.
Anyway, it draws me back to the very foundations of faith as a Christian…what do I truly believe ?
Do I want to be saved ? Do you ?
Is there a heaven ? Is there a hell ? And where do I want to go after I die ?
There is much pain in this world, and I have felt it, and do still feel it, and I know that many others also feel this pain and deep deep hurt in the very core of their/our lives.
(I truly hope I have not caused any of this for you, and if I have done that for you, I apologize to you…perhaps make a confidential comment and some contact details (that wont be published) so I know who you are and I can try and make things right between us)
SO..... What causes hurt ? Pain ?
In a lot of cases, pain and hurt is caused for us by the ways in which others treat us. Or in fact the way they ignore us, or don't even see us, or reject us.
When we feel forgotten and misunderstood, unnoticed...looked down upon, seen as inferior or of little worth.
All of this, plus much much more, adds to our feeling of pain and hurt, and it is not the way of the Kingdom of God, and yet often ...in the church is where we can experience this the most, and what it does, ultimately, is turns people off "faith and belief".
It is common to hear, " if that's the way in which the church treats me, I don't want anything to do with that ". and so many go on their merry way ... away from God, because simply we were treated badly by His people. and fair enough.
So it leads me back to the original question, what is it that you believe about life, death, heaven and hell the existence of God or nothing at all. ????
My understanding of Jesus is He treated all people with fairness and justice and mercy, He had compassion on them, He forgave them... and suggested that they turn from their sinful ways.
It is what I still believe, that Jesus is my truth and that at times His people (the church) just get it wrong.
We all do at times. It's not a cop out or defence of the church, it is just that humans are flawed and we hurt each other at times, and I want to encourage you to look at Jesus and put your trust and hope in Him.
I recall one time when Jesus asked a bloke in His day...." do you want to be healed ? ".....the question remains, do we want to be healed ? do we want to be saved ? do we want to go to heaven ?
The church and humans cannot get you there...only Jesus can do that.
Finally...I was reading this quote the other day from a Christian organisation... it is helpful and also not helpful all in the same breath.
" We don't care where you have been and what you have done, we care about where you are going ".
Whilst the premise of this is great and is all about our future.... there is also a sense of whatever you have done previously doesn't count for anything.
Sadly that is how I feel at times, and others around me.
That my experience and achievements count for little.... my leadership and church planting, my ministry, my faith, my hopes and dreams all shattered because some human some place discounted me and all of that I have done in my 60 plus years so far.
Do you know what I mean ? Do you also feel that ?
Thanks be to God, that He knows all about me....He loves me for who I am and for what I attempted in His name over 30 plus years
AND...He knows YOU. And He remembers the faith you lived out, He remembers the things you did in His name and He is grateful and whilst you may feel hurt by the world and even the church, He wants to give you healing, set you free from the pain and hurt.
That is just who Jesus is.
So, do you want to be saved ?
Do you want to be healed ?
Look past human failure...
look to Jesus.
He is the Key.
This song may help you ....it has helped me many many times.
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