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CHRISTIAN CONCERNS page 2
religion
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| CHRISTIAN CONCERNS |
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| Searching Beyond Tradition |
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| It should be pointed out that I do not claim to be a better or worse Christian than anyone else, I am simply a Christian that feels that there is always room for improvement and room for us to grow closer to God, this is what has motivated me to search beyond tradition and write the sometimes unsettling things that I have written below. Jesus was persecuted for telling people things they did not want to hear. He was persecuted for pointing out that people were not living the good, Godly lives, that they believed they were living. It has always been the tendency of mankind to stray from God without realizing it. Proverbs 21:2 All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart Over the last ten years of much quiet time with the Lord, I have observed what I feel are some serious problems that we as Christians are facing. ____________________________ THE ANALOGY OF FROG AND THE HOT WATER . A frog in a pot of cool water does not notice any danger as the pot is heated. Because of the gradual increase in the water temperature, the frog does not sense danger until it is too late, and it dies. It is possible that for many years, spiritually unhealthy things have been introduced into our lives in gradual, slow, steps? Is it possible that because this has happened slowly, that we have not noticed any serious spiritual danger? Do we as Christians have a responsibility to examine this possibility? ________________________________ MATERIALISM Materialism is a difficult topic, we all know that we need and want material things, so at what point does our wanting material things become something contrary to what our Heavenly Father wants of us? THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR Do we treat others differently based on what they do or do not own? Do we feel differently towards them? Do we take greater pride in who we are based on what we do or do not own. If we continue to always want more material things, it may be safe to say that we have a problem. A constant desire for more and more material things tends to take our thoughts away from God, and away from Godly things. It is very important to not put too much value on material things. Matthew 6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money ____________________________ If we truly accept Christ into our lives, we are transformed. At this point material things are no longer a priority. Our love for God and our desire to serve Him should be our greatest motivation, we are a new creation in Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test? ____________________________ The following verses give us a idea of what attitude we, as Christians, should have regarding our futures. We need to continually remind ourselves of how temporary our time on earth is. We need to focus more on where we will spend eternity. In doing this, we will not stray as far from God. James 4:13 Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. ______________________________________ ARROGANCE We as Christians often take a great deal of pride in what we have achieved here on earth. We tend to forget that it is because the Lord has blessed us with talent and abilities that we were able to achieve anything. Romans 11:18 do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you. ACCOMPLISHMENTS ?? People all over the world are taking a bow for their accomplishments, when the truth is, a natural chemical in our brains, called serotonin, is largely responsible for our accomplishments. Often those who achieve the most are those who are fortunate enough to have a natural, healthy, God given amount of serotonin. Most of us do not understand how ignorant, arrogant, and fortunate we are, to have the healthy God given amount of serotonin that we have. ____________________________________ MORE CHRISTIAN DANGERS Another area of serious spiritual concern to me is entertainment that promotes or makes light of promiscuity, violence, and profanity. ADVANCING THE HUMAN RACE Unfortunately, we often mistakenly believe we are raising the bar when in fact, we are lowering our morals. Especially in the entertainment industry, we believe we’re raising the bar or pushing the envelope, when we push sex, violence, and offensive language and behavior to it’s next level. _________________________________ There are likely other areas that we as Christians should be examining. I would like for all Churches to start pondering and discussing this issue. It does involve some sacrifice, it does involve leaving our comfort zone and speaking of unpleasant possibilities. But there is gain in doing so. We love and want to serve and please the Lord. If my concerns are valid, let us not be as the alcoholic which remains in denial but rather let us take the first step towards recovery and admit that we may have a problem. Let us pray that our hearts will be open to God's instruction and influence. God bless all of us in our Christian walks and may we have it within us to take a closer look at our responsibilities as Christians. If anyone shares my concerns or feels my concerns are unwarranted, please write and share your thoughts with me. Thank-you, jim martin -- harpj@wcn.net More Christian Concerns page 2 ---- http://maxpages.com/biblehope/CHRISTIAN_CONCERNS_page_2  |
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