Half Truths

It is imperative to acknowledge that teaching half-truths is detrimental, as it leads to a lack of conviction in the truth. Unfortunately, Western Christianity has settled into a pattern that prioritizes everything in the Bible except topics such as sin, hell, sanctification, suffering, and submission of authority. Thus, it has become a religion of its own. However, it is crucial to remember that half-truths are more dangerous than lies themselves, and it's better to be honest about the absence of God than to provide incomplete information.

In America, we have many religious books and churches, but we see very little conversion. This is mainly because people are not rooted in their identity and instead rely on self-righteousness. Self-righteousness manifests in two ways: one is through self-perfection, and the other is by looking for perfection in others. However, righteousness in Christ is not dependent on our perfection. It's a gift received through grace. Self-righteous individuals tend to struggle with forgiveness.

Christianity vs. Religion

Some Christians have confused Christianity with religion, and as a result, replaced Christ's teachings with the traditional practices of men. However, in true Christianity, the Holy Spirit - the third person in the Trinity - plays a significant role. To have the Holy Spirit in our lives, we must ask Him to come through accepting Jesus Christ into our hearts. He then helps us live for God.

To build a relationship with the Holy Spirit, we first need to acknowledge that He is our helper. The Holy Spirit is always there to help us in everything, including mundane tasks such as changing a tire or going to school. He lives within us, providing strength for life, hope for the future, and wisdom for all situations. Through the Holy Spirit, even foolish people can become wise and knowledgeable. As someone who was once foolish, I know this to be true.

Who live in your heart? Christ or Other religions?

In John 3:3-5, Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, a moralist, and told him that to see the kingdom of God, one must be born again. Nicodemus asked how this could be possible, and Jesus explained that one must be born of water and the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. This means that we must invite God into our lives and ask for Him to change our nature. We do this by confessing and believing in Jesus and acknowledging that God raised him from the dead to forgive our sins. Christianity is not just a religion, it's about a person - Jesus, who lives in us and helps us to live out our faith. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the trinity, dwells in us and ministers Christ to us. Therefore, we must ask ourselves: who dwells in our hearts - Christ or other things, such as other religions?

The Sanctimonious Saint

As a child, I was brought up in a religious culture that placed great emphasis on performance and strict adherence to religious laws. As a Catholic, the primary belief was that one could attain salvation by living a holy life and practicing penance. However, I experienced this as a form of bondage, rather than true spiritual liberation. I realized that religion has been a stumbling block for many people, causing them to reject the faith. The main hindrance for people from coming to Christ is often not their sin or the devil, but rather the behavior of some believers who prioritize adherence to religious dogma over the practice of Christ's teachings.

When individuals prioritize their own cultural or traditional practices over the teachings of Christ, they risk asserting these practices and traditions as the model for Christianity. In my experience as a young individual observing such traditions, it became evident that such religious practices were far removed from the teachings of Christ.

Christ did not come to establish another religion, but rather to offer a personal relationship with Himself and with God the Father. It is important to note that God is not in favor of religion and the false sense of security it can provide. Rather, God offers a new life through His Son Jesus Christ, which is not based solely on morality, but on the grace and forgiveness available through the relationship with Him.

Since our heredity is corrupted by sin and the fall of man, a new life is promised through Jesus Christ. While it is true that Christians should strive to set an example of morality, Christianity is not solely about morality. The purpose of Christianity is to offer new life to those who are reborn and regenerated through the Spirit of God. Thus, Christians are no morally superior to individuals of other religious beliefs; rather, they are sinful people who have been given a new life through their faith.