Stumbling Through Life

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Please, God – Don’t strike me with lightning! I’m just trying to figure this world out. Sometimes I think and say things that are stupid. But sometimes, too, You tell me things that are so meaningful that I simply have to write them down. This blog is nothing more than a diary of some of these thoughts.

Friday, December 18, 2009

It’s a Relationship, not a Religion

I like this concept. In fact, I try to base my life on it. So when I joined an online Christian group with this name, I was surprised to find people squabbling over the finer points of the religion; pre-tribulation vs. post tribulation, Creationism vs. evolution, does the bread really turn into Jesus’ body, does the Bible condone slavery, etc., etc., etc. I found very little discussion over how to improve my relationships with God and people.

Why? Personally, I think people like to argue. Not just Christians, either. I’ve been in vegetarian groups and atheist groups, and found just as much arguing there.

The Bible is full of rules. Regulations, thou-shalts and thou shalt-nots. Most of them were wiped out when Jesus died on the cross. So why were they there in the first place? I think the whole Bible is a big arrow, pointing to Jesus. The Old Testament points out our need for Him, and the New Testament tells about what He’s done for us and what we should do in return.

And what is that?

When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, he named two: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

If these are the two greatest commandments, all the others must be less important, right? So; why aren't Christians seen as the most loving people in all the world???
I’ll try to follow the other rules, (those that are applicable to my life,) and I’ll try to live by these two. And, if you think about it, they’re really not so bad. Love. At the risk of sounding trite, if people were all more loving, the world would be a better place.

Love, Peace, and Harmony

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