Myth: Religion Saves
- The Question: Is there a difference between what the Bible says and your personal convictions?
- The Problem: Not being true to our own beliefs.
- The Informing Text: 1 Corinthians 8:1-13
- The Big Idea: Personal convictions – are your standards higher/lower than Jesus’ standards?
This week we’ll continue with last week’s discussion as we dive into the first and biggest Christian myth of all – that being religious can in some way make us acceptable to God.
BTW: Some of the discussion from last week continues online! Check the pre-post below this one for comments and feel free to post your own responses and/or additions. Click on the little brown box with the number in it in the upper right hand corner of the post to see comments. *NOTE* When you post something it won’t appear until I, the moderator (Mike) approve the post. Posts must be approved because of all of the spam-posts that appear. If the posts weren’t moderated, there’d be advertisements for all kinds of stuff on here (use your imagination. You wouldn’t believe what I have to delete every week that never makes it. Just think of what’s in your email spam-box!) So, anyway, after I approve your post it will appear. Jump on in!
I understand what you all were talking about is it a sin to watch a movie with cussing??? However, most Christians will say cussing is wrong. I think that you could also say that watching a movie with nudity especially in a lusty way is wrong. I mean that is looking at lust so it has to be a sin. It may be to each person to pray about it and see what God’s tells them. But, do you not think that if a person goes and watches rated R movies over and over again. That it will have a effect on them as a christain. Just like a person may drink alcohol but only on occasion, but if he is doing every day, it is a habit. I agree it takes each person to pray about it, however I think each person who is a true Christian will know the importance of self-control.
..and self-control is listed as a Fruit of the Spirit. It’s interesting to me that as Spirit-empowered New Testament believers the emphasis seems to be more inward (what does your heart tell you, how does this affect others) than outward (here’s your list of do’s and don’t’s – follow them and you’ll be fine). A list would be easier for us because all of the thinking is already done and very little soul-searching if any is required, but then it would be so easy for all the good church folk to put on their good-mask while not being true to anyone else, themselves or God. Thank God that we have Holy Spirit dwelling within us in these days!!