ARE YOU A CULTURAL CHRISTIAN?

People use a lot of words and may not mean what you think they mean. So I say dig deeper. Listen to more of what they say. Watch what they do. Many people watched the meeting between USA President Donald Trump and Volodymr Zalensky. I could have turned off the sound and watched it because the body language was so loud. Then there is Elon Musk who is an outspoken person who wants to save the world or so his mother claims. Mae Musk says he wants to make the world better. Elon makes a lot of claims. One is his about his personal beliefs. He has said he is a "cultural Christian." What is that? Well my understanding is that it is a person who likes the teachings of the Judeo Christian ethic. Do unto others as you would have others to to you. Follow the 10 commandments. Good concepts for a peaceful life. But will concepts and ideas save you in the end?

I have met people like Mr. Musk. One was a Hindu who told some people he was a Christian. I saw him praying to an elephant statue. Another guy who claimed to be a christian was actually a universalist. Those people believe all pathways lead to God. The Bible says differently: Matthew 7:13-14 states,"wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction....Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." John 14:6 ^"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." If you are a Jewish person reading this I urge you to read the Book of Isaiah that tells of the coming Messiah.

In Christianity there are denominations and sects that believe many different things.  It can be someone’s twist on the original belief started by the first church (the original apostles and body of believers who were the eyewitnesses to Jesus on earth), possibly because one aspect does not work for them.  Or they learned some traditions from early teaching or relatives. Go back to the Word, the Bible. That is your authority, not some tradition of men.

The Bible says we are saved by grace not by works. Not by living a "good" life. We must accept by faith that Jesus lived, died and rose again from the dead for our salvation. Any other belief falls short. No other religion or faith is like true Christianity.

True belief should line up with the Bible otherwise it is some man’s idea.  True belief is faith in the Word, the Bible; and in Jesus, the Living Word.  Some say they must see it to believe it.  Well, that was an option for Thomas one of Jesus’ disciples.  If you are having difficulty, go and read it, then ask Him to show you just as Thomas did.  John chapter 20. 

I am not a cultural Christian.  I believe in the Almighty God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob and I follow Jesus the Messiah.  It is a real relationship with the living God and His only Son, not some fuzzy idea about right living that change with the seasons.  My belief is strengthened by prayer and reading the Bible. I don’t hope or wish or try to work toward some goal of goodness.  I know where I am going when my spirit leaves this tent of flesh.  Do you?  If not, you can pray and ask Jesus to save you.  Then make Him Lord of your life.  You will experience peace that passes understanding which is a great blessing.  If you do this, please let me know. 

Finally, read the Bible. In this world of so much negativity and fake news, we need the Good News. Some will complain it is hard to understand or contradictory. Those are excuses of the lazy. Now we have phone apps like the Gideon Bible app where you can just listen and have it read to you. You can also go to a website called Bible Gateway. Or you can get a modern translation. I prefer King James as I love the poetry and it is more true to the originial texts. Start with the Book of John if it seems overwhelming. 15 minutes a day will make a difference in your life. Be sure to pray before you start. Ask for God to speak to you from His Word. It is his love letter to His children. Still feel you need guidance and support? Contact me and I am happy to help. It is my favorite book!