I am a bible believing Christian. I believe the bible is the manual for our lives. ( like a manual on how to use something you purchased.)
"All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right."~ 2 Timothy 3:16
I can assure you I am not a Jahovahs Witness. I have had the experience of talking to them before at my door. I have discovered in conversations with them that parts of the bible mean nothing to them. (they don't believe or agree with what the bible says and admitted it to me.)
I too believe there are alot of religious cults. That is why I stick with the bible. I go to a non-denominational bible believing church where the bible is taught....cover to cover. No adding...no subtracting.
I like to stick with what Jesus said in the bible. For example: "Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is." ~ John 14: 6&7. Another that talks about the trinity of Jesus is: Philippians 2: 9-11
I have always been taught and understood from reading the bible that we should have a personal relationship with God. Not just a 'feeling.' I pray and I know He hears me. I have seen his answers. He has spared my life and my husbands. I have had a burden to pray...and later found out at that persons life was in danger at that particular time. I have even been burdened to pray for my family. Only to discover it was Me (and my unborn child at the time) who's life was in danger. I have never seen a semi tip over that far without falling over ever before.
Jesus is my compass, my guide, my best friend. No other has ever been as faithful. "your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my paths." ~Psalms 119:105
I trust Him. "For the word of the Lord holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust." ~Psalms 33:4
Many times when I talk about God, Jesus, Gods love, the bible, I get alot of hostility. No surprise. Jesus said, "When the world hates you, remember it hated me before it hated you. The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don't. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you." ~John 15:18-19.
I find it ironic that if a person talks about God and the bible, they are considered getting preachy and self rightous. But when any other religion is mentioned, they are not. Maybe that is also why I found the above bible verse.
I have been digging more and more into Gods word the bible because I want to learn more about God and what he wants for my life. The more I read, the more I learn about Gods love, his truths, how much he loves me...
"If I...can fathom all the mysteries and all the knowledge...but have not love, I am nothing." ~ 1 Corinthians 13:2
"And this this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best."~ Philippians 1:9-10
Shihonage, You mentioned that,"I believe that religion was formed by men in Jesus' name, while ignoring the deeper truths Jesus lived and preached." What parts may I ask, do you believe were ignored? When men form religions that are away from Gods word...I believe it is because it(the bible) pricks their heart and they don't want to see it. (my assessment) We like to live the way we want. Get there our way. "We just want to have fun." I know. I have been there. I still struggle with giving up the wheel of my life. I still have MANY shortcoming. Always will. That is why I keep going back to Gods word. I mess up....and then it is "Okay God....I messed up. Now what do YOU have planned for me." When It should have Him first. Kind of like: "Okay Dad...I guessed I had to learn from experience instead of listening to you first." Oops.
I am no better than the next person here. Just a person saved by grace. Not by anything I have done. If we could be saved by what "We" do ourselves....people would be able to boast. Salvation is a gift from God when He sent is son Jesus to die on a cross for our sins only to rise again. The bible tells how to be saved. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." ~Ephesians 2:8-9 and this sums it up well for me: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." ~Galatians 2:20
Here we are at Easter time again. I can't help but think about what God did for me. His love for me and the world. To send his Son into the world for us. "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." ~ 1 John 4:10
We must be worth alot to him for God to do that for all mankind. No one can give salvation but God. I can't give it. The bible tells us how to receive salvation. I could sit here and say what I think in my words but my words mean nothing. To believe God, His Son Jesus, the bible, His love for us...is something each of us has to decide for ourselves.
Wether we embrace Him is up to us. We can accept him or reject him.
God: Here is the wheel of my life. Love, Jules