Hard Questions
Has Religion Done More Harm Than Good? - Hard Questions
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Read:
Galatians 3:15-22
15 Dear brothers and sisters, here’s an example from everyday life. Just as no one can set aside or amend an irrevocable agreement, so it is in this case. 16 God gave the promises to Abraham and his child. And notice that the Scripture doesn’t say “to his children,” as if it meant many descendants. Rather, it says “to his child”—and that, of course, means Christ. 17 This is what I am trying to say: The agreement God made with Abraham could not be canceled 430 years later when God gave the law to Moses. God would be breaking his promise. 18 For if the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.
19 Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins. But the law was designed to last only until the coming of the child who was promised. God gave his law through angels to Moses, who was the mediator between God and the people. 20 Now a mediator is helpful if more than one party must reach an agreement. But God, who is one, did not use a mediator when he gave his promise to Abraham.
21 Is there a conflict, then, between God’s law and God’s promises? Absolutely not! If the law could give us new life, we could be made right with God by obeying it. 22 But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.
Reflect:
What happened in this passage?
What does this passage tell us about God?
What does this passage tell us about people?
What does this passage tell us about the relationship between God and man?
Respond:
What will you do differently because of this passage?
Share: We’d love to hear from you. What did you learn in this passage? How will you respond because of it?
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What translation is this?
1 reply
New Living Translation
I see in this passage the Love of God for his creation.
We a;; have sjn, needed a Savior to save ius.
I appreciate your taking the time to form a response, Pastor Nat. I See your hesitancy to comment on the Bible prophecies regarding the churches in the last Days. I also Know that the Bible calls us to exhort one another, even the churches, especially in these last days. No matter what position we hold. We are not to be held back by fear or anything else. We must be humble and meek and respectful, yet Bold when speaking the Lord's Words, guided by the Holy Spirit. Perhaps you are not comfortable addressing in this particular forum?
I do appreciate your responding, Pastor.
May the Lord Bless you in your efforts to Serve Him
I do appreciate your responding, Pastor.
May the Lord Bless you in your efforts to Serve Him
1 reply
Hey Sarah. Thanks for replying. I didn't see a question in your comments below, so I didn't "respond to it." But yes, I agree, what we are seeing was predicted in Scripture. "Pastors" will tickle the ears of their congregants. Leading people away from the truth. Many churches today are filled with false converts with false hope. These leaders will be held accountable!
I hope this helps with any confusion or lack of response. God bless!
I hope this helps with any confusion or lack of response. God bless!
Many churches , even those with the word "Grace" in their name, do not preach true Grace. There is a huge emphasis on works, acts, and deeds. Many folks find it daunting, impossible, they feel like failures, discouraged, shamed. It turns people away from God rather than towards Him.
Many Pastors, when questioned on the subject, are not appreciative of being questioned, and some are even hostile. Some, will shun that parishioner in such a way that the person leaves the church.
The Bible clearly indicates what will happen in the churches during the last Days. It also warns of false prophets. Shepherds who do not preach, teach, and exemplify true Grace themselves are an insidious part of this category. They are misleading their flocks.
Churches that are reporting record numbers of attendees since Covid struck, yet preaching false doctrine to them are a dangerous breed, and quite prolific. As the Bible foretold.
Many true Christian Believers have left church life and the legalistic, organized religion behind now and get together in their homes to read, pray, and discuss the Bible amongst other true Believers, after encountering this in church after church, over years.
I would appreciate your thoughts, as this is being encountered by Many
Many Pastors, when questioned on the subject, are not appreciative of being questioned, and some are even hostile. Some, will shun that parishioner in such a way that the person leaves the church.
The Bible clearly indicates what will happen in the churches during the last Days. It also warns of false prophets. Shepherds who do not preach, teach, and exemplify true Grace themselves are an insidious part of this category. They are misleading their flocks.
Churches that are reporting record numbers of attendees since Covid struck, yet preaching false doctrine to them are a dangerous breed, and quite prolific. As the Bible foretold.
Many true Christian Believers have left church life and the legalistic, organized religion behind now and get together in their homes to read, pray, and discuss the Bible amongst other true Believers, after encountering this in church after church, over years.
I would appreciate your thoughts, as this is being encountered by Many
2 replies
The "church" is Jesus who lives in the hearts of ALL TRUE believers...not professing believers in an institution or building down the street from us with a steeple on top, although there r some there. The "steeple" church has gone post-modern, emergent, New Age, which is hastening an apostate institution. I agree with Sara...she's right on. I feel bad for new, baby believers looking for truth in the "church" as they can easily be mislead...
Sarah, thank you for your comments. There's much to cover in there. So I'll try to hit some of the main points that stick out to me.
Works vs Grace: It seems that churches operate on a pendulum. They swing from one extreme to the other. They move from grace to legalism and then back to grace. The problem is grace and works are connected, but not in the way some churches promote. We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8-9) and the result is works (Eph. 2:10). We don't do good works or obey to earn or keep our salvation. We do them as the outflow of that grace.
It's also true that some preachers/pastors get defensive when questioned, but I don't know if this is the norm.
Regarding people leaving the churches and forming home churches, people leave churches for many reasons (both good and bad). Legalism and license are offensive to the gospel, so both should be avoided. We as Christians should not badmouth the church, because it is the bride of Christ. God makes us the church, so let's strengthen and encourage its health, sound teaching, and growth!
Works vs Grace: It seems that churches operate on a pendulum. They swing from one extreme to the other. They move from grace to legalism and then back to grace. The problem is grace and works are connected, but not in the way some churches promote. We are saved by grace (Eph 2:8-9) and the result is works (Eph. 2:10). We don't do good works or obey to earn or keep our salvation. We do them as the outflow of that grace.
It's also true that some preachers/pastors get defensive when questioned, but I don't know if this is the norm.
Regarding people leaving the churches and forming home churches, people leave churches for many reasons (both good and bad). Legalism and license are offensive to the gospel, so both should be avoided. We as Christians should not badmouth the church, because it is the bride of Christ. God makes us the church, so let's strengthen and encourage its health, sound teaching, and growth!