"Christians have the ability to say the most wonderful things without actually believing them."
Overheard in a sermon, but regrettably I can't recall who to credit as the source.
"Christians have the ability to say the most wonderful things without actually believing them."
Overheard in a sermon, but regrettably I can't recall who to credit as the source.
Well maybe I’m naive but I disagree. The Christian people I know try pretty hard to be kind and good and decent. But frankly, the religion demands a lot from you. Turning the other cheek, forgiving, being kind under any circumstance or provocation, fidelity to your spouse, chastity, family unity, the list goes on and we’re expected to do it with a smile.
I’m just saying that maybe what the speaker meant was that there are many people who say they believe but are still struggling and working hard to align what they’d like to become with what they current are.
I like to believe we’re all trying our best–and not just Christians. Everyone has their battles and I’d like to think we’re all trying to be better in our own way.
Funny that you should mention this because just last week I heard the junior high pastor at our church talk about something similar. He was talking to the incoming 6th graders who will be joining the youth group in the next few weeks, and he told them that the mission statement of the group is “Believing and living the gospel.” He explained to the kids that some people believe it, but they don’t live it; others live like they’re Christians, but don’t really believe it. Our jr. high pastor told the kids that his goal is to make sure that they not only believe it, but they live it too, and if they are trying to live a “good life” it should be because of what they believe, not just because it’s what they’re supposed to do.
I liked that and have thought about that a lot this week.
James 2: 19 -20 “You believe that God is one. You do well: the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?”
Ouch. Guilty as charged.
Can’t say this is true EVERY day, but there are definitely times I resemble that remark…
Seems that it is something that Mark Twain would have said.
Don’t tell me what you believe – show me what you do and I’LL tell you what you believe. I think we often talk a good talk, but either don’t have the maturity or the understanding to walk the good walk. 🙁