I work at a college sponsored in part by three Mennonite denominations - obviously the Anabaptist heritage of the school is important to be passed on. But if we fall into the trap of being somehow saved by being an Anabaptist or Mennonite or Baptist or Evangelical Free instead of following Christ - we clearly have missed the point of the Gospel. The good news is that following the law is not what brings salvation! Again - don't misunderstand me - there is nothing wrong with holding onto a faith that is guided by Anabaptist teachings but if we somehow think being a Mennonite (or your fill in the blank denomination) brings salvation we simply have it all wrong. The Gospel is about relationship with Christ, with the living God. Does it make life easier - not a chance - it will probably make your life harder because Christ calls us to sacrifice everything to follow Him.
True Christianity is not about following rules, it is about following Jesus. It about being a friend to the people you typically avoid. It is about living out the beattitudes in Matthew 5 and being honest to God. It is about reaching out to the poor, the hurting, the outcasts, the dying, the hopeless. Who are the lepers of today? The majority of homosexuals assume that Christians hate them. We respond - "Oh no - we don't hate them we just don't like their sin." Do we treat divorced people the same? How about people who cheat on their taxes? Instead of being concerned about whether or not gays marry someone of the same sex - why don't we instead care that so many people are dying from AIDS?
Self-righteous bumper-sticker Christians beware - read Matthew 6. Don't toot your own horn about what you are doing for God. It's not what you do for God - it's what He does through you that is important! Okay - i'm starting to sound a little preachy...sorry I don't mean to bug ya. But don't you think we should (and I should) start following Christ rather than a list of rules & regulations.
We are called to share the life given to us not death. We are called to share grace not guilt or condemnation. We have no right to be simply grace-takers... we are called to be grace-givers as well!
G
"Religion is when God leaves the room and people make up rules to fill the space." -Bono
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