Christianity boils down to attitude. The position and condition of your heart speaks volumes about your relationship with Jesus.
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When Quoting Scripture Inflicts Harm
6 years ago
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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9 comments:
Complete nonsense. Christianity is entirely a matter of relationship, not attitude. To say it is dependent upon how our heart makes a mockery of the work of the cross.
Anonymous 9:17 - why don't you tell us how you really feel? - lol
Christianity is all about the cross - that was a given - but what about our relationship with Christ? We can do all the "right" things and have the wrong heart and fail.
I suggest that those who Jesus addresses in the following passage did "good" things, but didn't have their heart set on Jesus.
Matthew 7:21-23 - 21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
NIV
I contend that it is having your heart set on Jesus that is the most important thing in our Christian walk - obviously the work of Christ is paramount - I'm talking about our part!
P.S. - Anonymous 9:17 - why wouldn't you sign your comments?
We ought to be able to own up to our thoughts and ideas.
I absolutely agree with that statement.
If we as Christians have a heart full of negativity, then that has a negative affect on our relationship with God. The Bible has lots of passages about our hearts. One that speaks to me in particular is in 2 Cor.
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
I'm not an expert, but I truly believe that the heart plays a very big role in our relationship with God.
I don't think its "nonsense"
I agree w/ the post, especially the second statement. Having a deep heart felt relationship with any one is usually all about the heart, something that can't be explained by the mind. Deep heartfelt relationships take alot of work and desire, I think for most that's why having a deep personal relationship with Jesus does not come easy. Labeling ourselves as a Christian is much easier and is somewhat simply an "attitude".
I never thought the first statement made much sense at all. While attitude is important, it is FAR from what Christianity "boils down to".
It is an earthly mentality where as if "I am good, and have a good attitude, I am a good Christian". I agree with the statement above that it waters down what Christianity really stands for. The term "Boils down"
is defined as "the essential element"
I know some Mormons that have some amazing attitudes, they are not Christians. Attitude is not the essential element of my relationship with Christ
Anonymous posters - you make great points - I may not always agree with your points - you don't always agree with mine - that is OK. Why hide behind Anonymous?
I'm torn between removing the anonymous option so people will know who is responding and maybe have less responses because people are not willing to claim their opinions - or - leaving it alone and allowing people to leave comments with no identity.
Any words of wisdom?
I differ with the latest Anonymous. I think attitude is everything. I quoted Matthew 7:21-23 in an earlier post where people did the right things but for the wrong reasons. Today I quote this passage...
Philippians 2:5 - Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: NIV
and this one...
Ephesians 4:22-24 - 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. NIV
Obviously it is not all attitude - and I'm not talking about a good attitude about life but your attitude toward Christ.
An attitude change toward Christ and not toward self. As one of my favorite passages says...
Romans 12:2 - Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. NIV
The renewing of the mind is the changed attitude - Christianity boils down to attitude - the position and condition of your heart toward Christ.
It's easier to change/transform the mind, ex. accepting salvation vs. going to hell for eternity. I think even non-chrisitians would choosee eternal peace vs eternal suffering, most perfer happiness vs othewise. But even w/ the mental change or atleast appreciation of the better choice, we are still challenged daily by our natural not always 100% God/Spirit -pleasing desires. I guess it goes back to those words of "continuing to fill up with God inspired things vs worldly things", then the Spirit would have more room to navigate vs our natural desires. It has always seemed to me easier if GOD didn't give us free will, & we were just 100% Godly rebots. But I guess he truly loves us (even in spite of our sinful selfs, thanks JC!) more when we "willfully" seek/respond to him. I guess it all comes down to investing daily and often in that Praying thing doesn't it! Much harder than working out.
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