Pick and Choose?

Lately there seems to be a great debate among Christians and non-Christians especially when it comes to politics and the next presidential candidate. It even seems like people can't voice their opinion in less it's in favor of what others think without receiving a bashing like you wouldn't believe. You can't even post things on your own Social Media network without opening what I would call a can of worms and the war of words begins. I have even seen this happen on my own page from something as innocent as me choosing to home school my kids to where I may be casting my vote in November or what I think of the latest health care program our president is putting before us all.

I realize, one of the best blessings about being able to live in the United States is my freedoms. The freedom to not agree with what some people think, my freedom to voice my concerns as well as my freedom to support my beliefs. I often wonder where all this bashing and verbal wars come from when people launch their tirades on you via your Social Media network. Are they voicing their opinion as well, trying to get you to change your mind and consider their opinion or it is simply they don't really have a valid argument, they are just mad. Mad at everything and everyone. It's easier to find someone to blame rather than work together to try and change things.

Then today I came across the quote that I listed above this post and I thought, that is what most Christians attempt to do so why does our message seem to not get through. I had a revelation from God like I do from time to time and felt burdened to share it with you. It may just resonate something you hadn't considered and hopefully for some, it may change the way you think about Christians.

First of all we believe, without a shadow of a doubt, that there is a God. There is only one! This world did not just create itself from a cosmic speck of dust in space or anything loud noise. For those of you that argue that it did, where did the cosmic dust or loud noise come from? It all has to start somewhere and for Christian's that is God. He created everything and everyone. Even atheists believe in something. They simply believe that God doesn't exist but they believe.

Second, we believe that the Bible is the living word of God and it is our guidebook to help us through this life until we die and return to our eternal home. We believe it all! We don't randomly pick what parts we will chose to believe and which parts we won't. There is two parts to the Bible, the Old Testament and the New Testament. The old is based on the creation of everything, the fall of man and when sin entered the world, and how life existed for believers and non believers until Jesus was born. There are those that would choose to take parts of the old testament and hold them up as valid truths while ignoring the New Testament, what happened and how things changed for all of us through the power of Jesus' life here until he was crucified; how life went on with believers and non believers and ultimately where this world is headed and how it will all end.

Third, we believe in Jesus Christ, that He was the Son of God, was born, lived and died for us, to save us all from every sin man would do past, present and future forever. It is through that belief in Jesus that we can be "Saved" and thus have an assurance that when our physical body dies in this world, we will go to be with Him in Heaven with all the other believers until Judgement Day.

We don't have an organized religion, we have a relationship, not only with Jesus Christ but also with God our Father. We choose to live a life as close to Jesus as possible. We are not perfect. Never claim to be, and try to do what Jesus would want until we breath our last breath. There are some that claim that there are some things you can do that are so terrible, God could never forgive you, but the Bible speaks against that. Nothing you have done, if you confess of your sins, turn away from them and follow Jesus, will keep you from entering heaven. Look at the example of the thief on the cross, who was the worst murderer at the time, yet when he turned to Jesus and asked him to remember him when Jesus went to his kingdom, Jesus instantly forgave him and said, that the thief would be with Him in paradise. That's pretty powerful stuff and it's the truth.

I think more Christians need to love people instead of merely quoting scripture to one another. Love and live your life as though you truly believe what Jesus and God taught. I feel that people can be won that way more than attempting to get into a verbal war with them. It leaves bad feelings and thoughts for non believers about what being a "Christian" really is.

My reason behind this post it simply this, you can't pick and choose the parts of the Bible that work with you. This isn't a create your own Bible version if you will, you either choose to believe it all or none of it. I would caution you as well to understand the unique differences between the Old and New Testaments. You can't live like people in the Old Testament and think there are no consequences, that way of life in regards to the sinful things has changed because of who Jesus is and what He did. People who sinned in the Old Testament had to offer up sacrifices to God, through priests for their sins to be forgiven, now we simply ask it in Jesus' name because His was the ultimate sacrifice. It is His blood that washes us clean not a lamb or other sacrifice.

Lastly, if you need prayer for anything, please leave me a comment or email me. I'd be more than happy to pray for you or add you to my prayer requests! God loves you, just remember that and He wants you to spend eternity with Him. I hope you make a decision today and choose life!

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. " ~ John 3:16 (The Message)