In this increasingly difficult and corrupt society,Christians have to guard against becoming "of the world." Also, in Romans Chapter 12 we are told that we are not to be conformed to this world.
As we have read, true believers in Jesus will not involve themselves in many of the activities, or have the same interests, as those who don't follow a true Christian faith.Is this because it is our burden as Christians to deny ourselves? Hardly! Scripture tell us that His commands are not a burden to us.
Didn't Jesus say that-- "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"?
When we live the way we are instructed to as written in the Gospels and Epistles,we avoid many of the problems and unhappiness that befalls those who are nominal Christians and non-believers.We become partakers of the JOY that comes from living a righteous life.Many people who claim to be Christian and say they get nothing from their faith, need to ask if they are giving themselves fully to their faith? How is Is their faith bearing fruit? People who believe that being a child of God involves only attending a Church each week or saying they are "born again", are going to be very disappointed.
You say your faith is failing, not feeling alive?
Consider the following--
1. Do you pray? No need to list the admonitions on the necessity of prayer here. They are countless.
2. To me, this one is very, very important, the reading of God's Word, daily. Please read my previous posts on the Bible. If you want a sure way of feeling in touch with Our Lord than read His Word! If you don't, or do so hardly ever, it is just a matter of time before your faith grows stone cold. And NO, reading "religious" bios and Biblical sel-help books can never take the place of reading the Bible.
One final thought on reading Scripture, there is one thing that I often think about and it relates to the the simplicity of the Bible.Scripture was initially given to people who were much less educated than any of us reading this post.Granted, there are portions of Scripture that can be subject to discussion and dispute,I think of the Book of Revelation as one example. Also, I can see where a commentary on social, cultural and governmental situations as it pertains to the different Biblical eras would be of use. But, what is difficult to understand as it relates to the Gospels and Jesus' redemptive work? Throw in the instructions on Godly living as written of in the Old and New Testament while you're at it. You do not have to be a Biblical scholar to comprehend what is written.
3. Are you engaging in habitual and willful sin? I am not talking here about the sins we do as flawed humans and then deeply regret, I am referring to something deliberate like stealing from your work, cheating on your taxes,chronic lying about something, etc.
4.Are you living two lives, there is your work/friends personna where you are profane and worldly for some of the time, then, there is the Church guy(gal), the person you see every Sunday morning and Wednesday night,righteous and holy.
I'd be willing to bet my paycheck that if you say your faith has "waxed cold," it is probably because of one or more of the above reasons.
Brothers and Sisters, there is only One Way to true peace and contentment and that is through Jesus.Skeptical? Fine! But read His Words in the Gospels and get back to me. They will change your life. Stop chasing after this, going after that, only to repeat the process endlessly when you hit a dead end in your quest for the true peace, "the peace that passes all understanding."
As we have read, true believers in Jesus will not involve themselves in many of the activities, or have the same interests, as those who don't follow a true Christian faith.Is this because it is our burden as Christians to deny ourselves? Hardly! Scripture tell us that His commands are not a burden to us.
Didn't Jesus say that-- "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly"?
When we live the way we are instructed to as written in the Gospels and Epistles,we avoid many of the problems and unhappiness that befalls those who are nominal Christians and non-believers.We become partakers of the JOY that comes from living a righteous life.Many people who claim to be Christian and say they get nothing from their faith, need to ask if they are giving themselves fully to their faith? How is Is their faith bearing fruit? People who believe that being a child of God involves only attending a Church each week or saying they are "born again", are going to be very disappointed.
You say your faith is failing, not feeling alive?
Consider the following--
1. Do you pray? No need to list the admonitions on the necessity of prayer here. They are countless.
2. To me, this one is very, very important, the reading of God's Word, daily. Please read my previous posts on the Bible. If you want a sure way of feeling in touch with Our Lord than read His Word! If you don't, or do so hardly ever, it is just a matter of time before your faith grows stone cold. And NO, reading "religious" bios and Biblical sel-help books can never take the place of reading the Bible.
One final thought on reading Scripture, there is one thing that I often think about and it relates to the the simplicity of the Bible.Scripture was initially given to people who were much less educated than any of us reading this post.Granted, there are portions of Scripture that can be subject to discussion and dispute,I think of the Book of Revelation as one example. Also, I can see where a commentary on social, cultural and governmental situations as it pertains to the different Biblical eras would be of use. But, what is difficult to understand as it relates to the Gospels and Jesus' redemptive work? Throw in the instructions on Godly living as written of in the Old and New Testament while you're at it. You do not have to be a Biblical scholar to comprehend what is written.
3. Are you engaging in habitual and willful sin? I am not talking here about the sins we do as flawed humans and then deeply regret, I am referring to something deliberate like stealing from your work, cheating on your taxes,chronic lying about something, etc.
4.Are you living two lives, there is your work/friends personna where you are profane and worldly for some of the time, then, there is the Church guy(gal), the person you see every Sunday morning and Wednesday night,righteous and holy.
I'd be willing to bet my paycheck that if you say your faith has "waxed cold," it is probably because of one or more of the above reasons.
Brothers and Sisters, there is only One Way to true peace and contentment and that is through Jesus.Skeptical? Fine! But read His Words in the Gospels and get back to me. They will change your life. Stop chasing after this, going after that, only to repeat the process endlessly when you hit a dead end in your quest for the true peace, "the peace that passes all understanding."
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