www.moorematt.org
(from my journal, 8/29/15) I've been reading Matt Moore's Christian blog since July, and I find it very inspiring and true to the Gospel. Today was a very nice post "Are You More Obsessed with Your Struggles than You are with Jesus?" --- Sad to say, my answer is a big, fat YES :( I'm always thinking about my problems and how to fix it. I don't even talk with the Lord to check-in and say thanks. I'm very disappointed with myself, to say the least. That's why I'm very thankful of Matt's post~ it certainly brought me out of self-absorption! Praise God! :) |
Anyway, as I was browsing his other posts that I missed reading, I found "I'm a Christian and I don't get to Choose to Follow Jesus." The title simply meant that Christians are to follow the narrow path that Jesus instructed us to walk on~ no picking of Bible verses or laws to follow to fit your sinful lifestyle. In this post, this paragraph hit me to the core (italics are my thoughts):
A "Christian" faith that calls sin for what it is (obeys laws) but lacks love, mercy and grace isn't very Christian (this is totally me! follows rules but stingy in giving love). Likewise, a "Christian" faith that embraces the ideas of love, mercy and grace, but refuses to submit to the Bible's teaching on sin and repentance isn't very Christian (my hubby! he's very gentle and full of forgiveness but lax on sinning).
The former fleshes out in angry, loveless religion that doesn't point to Christ; the latter fleshes out in God-belittling, powerless religion that does not point to Christ too. And in my opinion, based on my understanding of the Scriptures, neither of these faiths has any kind of saving power. It is the holy faith of Christ characterized by LOVE AND TRUTH that saves.
(from my journal, 10/1/15) I showed these snippets to my husband after he woke up, and I think it hit him too. He's a really helpful and easygoing guy because he believes in good karma. But I hope he will realize that he won't be saved by this if he doesn't follow the narrow path of Jesus. I, too, have work to do~ I need to be more loving and forgiving in all aspects of my life. So help us Lord.