Often, we place religion ahead of the gospel. Seems that we are afraid of the gospel. We find ourselves comparing our "goodness" to others and not trusting God to take care of things. Religion is easy to do, but the gospel is so wonderful, it's almost too good to believe! So we salt and pepper it with religion to make it taste the way we like it.

What got me on this topic? I found this on our WCG website:
http://www.wcg.org/lit/gospel/believing.htm

Thought you might appreciate it...and the gospel more!

Boyd

GREAT article, Boyd! One section that stood out to me was this:

"Let me say it another way: Work on yourself and make every effort to change for the better—but not because you think it will make you less a sinner and get you in good with God. Take overcoming seriously. Do it because God wants you to, because Jesus Christ gave you a new life, because it is right, because everybody who loves you wants you to, and because it will make your life infinitely more blessed, rewarding, peaceful and pleasant. But don’t do it because you think that’s how you will get into the kingdom of God. It isn’t."

It's the Christian definition of servanthood. We change ourselves and overcome because God wants us to, because Christ died for us, and because we are to be as servants to our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

Blessings!
Nancy

And one of the things that was concerning me is the fact that we tend to live by fear, as if we were animals living by instinct, not by understanding.

In order to overcome fear, we have to see through something, not just take it at face value. Jesus was able to see through people, and find the truth, so he was never afraid. Now we have become afraid of the very thing that will save us! The Gospel of Christ!!

And of course, that is the problem from the very beginning, "I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid, because I was afraid." --Adam

Boyd

speaking of fear. When I was 21 my mother gave me a Thompson Chain KJV Bible. Sometime later I was thinking about it being a testimant and had the thought that I should sign the testimany as a statement of faith that God would save me. Yes as I went to sign at the end of Revelations this fear came over me. I had to say I trusted God and then I signed my name. I still ahve and use the Bible to this day even tho its pretty used.

Praise God for His fantastic news.
He did it. I couldn't.
dayhiker