It occurs to me that my religious beliefs are somewhat unknown to others and maybe even to myself so I thought I would write a few words for clarification. This message is an old story, an unchanging story that when I tell it for myself is the same story that others have told and will tell so please bear with me and consider I condemn you for nothing and offer you the knowledge of the gift which I’ve been given. Thus begins the closer look as to why I believe what I believe. Quite simply I consider myself a follower of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately unless clarified this statement of belief can mean various things to many different people.
Believing as I do that Jesus is the son of God and that he will return in a miraculous way takes of course faith. Jesus performed miracles which were performed to acknowledge that he was of God and in complete agreement with God. This reality that man is an important part of God’s creation and that some things are brought together in an instant which seem to be beyond the comprehension of man.
More importantly I believe that Christ lived and taught in a way to suggest that men should not spend there time condemning but saving others. He summed up the commandments to incorporate but two things. Love the Lord your God with all your heart mind soul and spirit and Love your neighbor as yourself. We can intuitively incorporate his main other teachings like turning the other cheek as just extensions to his basic premise that this life is not the end for those who believe. We are instead made aware of the battle on earth to enslave men to their sin and make them subject to the punishment for their sin. As Christians we are forgiven for sins as Christ is present in the Holy Spirit which does not allow us to unwittingly to deny God’s love.
This love is available to all human beings regardless of what they’ve done or even what they will do because in Christ the legal punishment for sin has been atoned. It is important to me to make this a personal belief such that I do not get wrapped up or condemn anyone who wants to accept Christ.
It is clear that this atonement was aimed not at the righteous but sinners, Tax Collectors, Prostitutes and everyman, all who are victims of our desire to sin. Ironically there is nothing I can do to earn this free pass from the condemnation of sin, but to recognize the one who gives it. There is nothing I can do to take this gift away from someone else who has received it. Many may try and even suggest that I’m not allowed or worthy of this gift, but I am reminded that the Good News is the Good News that Jesus died, resurrected and is coming again. That my days are short and these days are few in comparison to the reward of the gift of eternal life that awaits me and anyone else who chooses to believe and accept the gift which God has given us which is Jesus Christ our redeemer... There are certainly signs that suggest this may be the end times. The wiles of the devil and darkness continue to plague mankind, but remember Jesus Christ is the hope for everyman and his message is a message of Love for all time.
