The Presbyterian Church (and many other Christian churches) have a doctrine that stresses "Grace" over "Works". At the risk of oversimplifying, the gist is that we get into Heaven based on God's Grace- through Jesus dying on the Cross- and not by any works that we do.
I often wonder if the stress on Grace to the utter ignoring of works leads some to discount works as just an afterthought or even as useless. Some people take the extreme and think that if they believe in Jesus that they don't need to worry about anything. Joel Osteen preaches that God wanted us to be happy and successful.
Yet I wonder if this builds complacency. As a relatively blessed person in the world- especially one born in America to a relatively well-off family, I have been given many things without working to get them. I can only conclude that these were gifts to me- and subsequently that I should do something to deserve them. In short, if I waste these gifts, it won't go over so well in the Afterlife.
That isn't based on any Biblical verse or church dogma- it is just a feeling I have. I figure that we are here for a purpose- and that purpose has to be a little more complicated than just to see who accepts Jesus or not as their savior. The concepts in that belief- in my opinion: unselfishness and humbleness- are probably the most important, but along with that I really think that we are also here to determine if you deserve what you started with. I'm not sure why or how- but I just know in my heart that if I don't use the gifts God has given me it won't be a good thing.
1) is our purpose here "only" to see if we accept Jesus?
2) what is the purpose of the Afterlife?
3) what will the Afterlife be composed of?
4) was Revelations just written in the style of the day?
5) what place do "works" have in faith?
Welcome to The Red Cell!
If this is your first visit here, please take a moment to peruse the posts and comments. Try to see things from the vantage point of someone who does not know God.
The "Red Cell Thoughts" are not to be taken as a position of this blog- they are meant to stir thought. Please feel free to post other thoughts, questions, and possible answers. All posts are anonymous, but feel free to provide your name if you so desire. The Red Cell facilitators reserve the right to edit comments that are rude or offensive. Having said that, a little bit of offensiveness may be allowed- because if we offend no-one, then we might not be working hard enough! Remember, the Christian religion was founded on questioning the prevailing wisdom of the day and the Protestant Reformation continued that tradition. Don't be afraid to question all your assumptions.
Showing posts with label works. Show all posts
Showing posts with label works. Show all posts
Monday, March 30, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
