Religion That Goes Beyond the Church
Religious When Convenient When you look at things happening around us you have probably noticed that religion is often used when it is convenient.
We see it in government, the justice system, the media, even the church.
In many ways society has developed a "do you" attitude, with little regard for right and wrong.
Some gravitate toward picking and choosing what is OK based their own feelings, having little tolerance for truths that do not line up with their personal beliefs.
Apparently this is not all together new considering the Bible speaks to this same issue; "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"but not everything is good for you.
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is beneficial.
" (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) We see it in government, the justice system, the media, even the church.
In many ways society has developed a "do you" attitude, with little regard for right and wrong.
Some gravitate toward picking and choosing what is OK based their own feelings, having little tolerance for truths that do not line up with their personal beliefs.
Apparently this is not all together new considering the Bible speaks to this same issue; "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"but not everything is good for you.
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is beneficial.
" (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) Morality Limited to Sundays Another noticeable trend is the push to separate the Bible and church from just about every aspect of life.
There is widespread belief that religion and morality should be exclusive to the church.
But is this really the way God intended for it to be? Consider the way the gospel was originally spread; Jesus selected a group of disciples to go out and preach things he had taught them.
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
" (Matthew 28:18-19 NLT) As a result of the disciples work, churches developed all over the world.
Today we seem to have gotten this reversed; we now look to the church to spread the gospel instead of individual Christians.
Spreading the Gospel With most people faith is a very personal thing and something that is rarely shared openly.
Think about people you know who will tell you most of their personal business but do not discuss their relationship with God.
I realize this is partially due to many different religions or viewpoints about religion which can complicate discussion and creates tension.
However, I wonder if the world would be better if Christians increased healthy dialogue about religion? Not in a condemning or forceful manner (i.
e.
legislating against same sex marriage or abortions) but out of love and the understanding that we all struggle with some type of issue.
10 As it is written "There is no one righteous, not even one.
Romans 3:10 (NIV) If religion is left exclusively to the church how can it reach those that do not go? You can reach more people outside of church than you can inside of church.
People need to be reminded of God's goodness at the mall, the grocery store, in the gym and any other place they frequent.
"Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.
16Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear.
This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.
" (1 Peter 3:15-16 CEV)
We see it in government, the justice system, the media, even the church.
In many ways society has developed a "do you" attitude, with little regard for right and wrong.
Some gravitate toward picking and choosing what is OK based their own feelings, having little tolerance for truths that do not line up with their personal beliefs.
Apparently this is not all together new considering the Bible speaks to this same issue; "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"but not everything is good for you.
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is beneficial.
" (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) We see it in government, the justice system, the media, even the church.
In many ways society has developed a "do you" attitude, with little regard for right and wrong.
Some gravitate toward picking and choosing what is OK based their own feelings, having little tolerance for truths that do not line up with their personal beliefs.
Apparently this is not all together new considering the Bible speaks to this same issue; "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"but not everything is good for you.
You say, "I am allowed to do anything"-but not everything is beneficial.
" (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT) Morality Limited to Sundays Another noticeable trend is the push to separate the Bible and church from just about every aspect of life.
There is widespread belief that religion and morality should be exclusive to the church.
But is this really the way God intended for it to be? Consider the way the gospel was originally spread; Jesus selected a group of disciples to go out and preach things he had taught them.
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
" (Matthew 28:18-19 NLT) As a result of the disciples work, churches developed all over the world.
Today we seem to have gotten this reversed; we now look to the church to spread the gospel instead of individual Christians.
Spreading the Gospel With most people faith is a very personal thing and something that is rarely shared openly.
Think about people you know who will tell you most of their personal business but do not discuss their relationship with God.
I realize this is partially due to many different religions or viewpoints about religion which can complicate discussion and creates tension.
However, I wonder if the world would be better if Christians increased healthy dialogue about religion? Not in a condemning or forceful manner (i.
e.
legislating against same sex marriage or abortions) but out of love and the understanding that we all struggle with some type of issue.
10 As it is written "There is no one righteous, not even one.
Romans 3:10 (NIV) If religion is left exclusively to the church how can it reach those that do not go? You can reach more people outside of church than you can inside of church.
People need to be reminded of God's goodness at the mall, the grocery store, in the gym and any other place they frequent.
"Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.
16Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear.
This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.
" (1 Peter 3:15-16 CEV)
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