Posted by blue on July 15, 1998 at 01:09:56:
In Reply to: Three Questions for ya' blue posted by D J Lancaster on July 14, 1998 at 11:40:32:
: In what way does religion serve men?
First, what it doesn't and won't do. It will never bring a time of universal brotherhood here on earth. Jesus' prophecies of the end times as well as the books of Daniel and the Revelation all point to never ending strife.
Frankly, I don't see where the Bible is of much use to a non-believer. The message is that once you have been saved, God will change you. "Practical Christianity" seems to me to be a big waste of time, yet it is the message heard in churches across America. Christianity is only practical when God causes it to be so:
The wrong message: "Change your life and come to God."
The right message: "Repent and believe upon God, and He will change your life." (Galatians 2:20, John chapter 15)
I disagree with most Christian activism. The way to correct the politics of our country is not for me to preach to politicians what the Bible says they should do, but rather to pray for their salvation. When they become true believers, God will change their hearts accordingly. You won't find me protesting outside an abortion clinic for the same reason. Very few true believers get abortions. If I perceive an "abortion problem" then I should pray for spiritual revival in our country today and the abortion problem will go away when God chooses to act.
The church in America seems to preach "tips for Christian living," which is a disgraceful approach to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So what do you get of religion? A true Christian will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, meekness, temperance [self-control] (Galatians 5:22. If every person exhibited this fruit, we would have a remarkable world indeed. If you claim to be a Christian and you do not see these characteristics growing in your life, you may need to ask if you truly are saved. Now we all remain sinners, but the Christian life must bear fruit. That's the point of James 2:26. Most everyone gets that verse backwards, and then it doesn't make any sense with the rest of the Bible.
That's a visible way religion serves mankind. The more true Christians, the more good fruit. The big way it serves men, of course, is eternal life.
See ya' soon.
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