I understand the need to accept Jesus as Lord, but is it necessary to be part of organized religion when so many of the leaders and "believers" are the worst offenders? Is it wrong that we are teaching a more loving God? One with whom anyone can develop a peronal relationship? No, through Jesus, we have learned that, though there are consequences, there is also forgiveness within that relationship.


We all have the ability to know God and to have a relationship with Jesus as our Lord and Savior without the interpretations of man (church). Jesus was a good man, a great role model, and a fine teacher; that cannot be denied. It is up to all of us to learn that He was so much more.


We are born in sin and through our acceptance of Jesus through baptism we are absolved of our original (innate) sin. It is through our growth and confirmation in faith and penance that we can hope for salvation.


Most importantly, we must remember that we must lead by example. The problem is not the kindly teacher, it is ignoring the consequences of not holding ourselves accountable for all we do and make an honest confession when asking forgiveness.

 

Thanks for replying to our blog Stephie. You bring up some solid concerns and points. It’s clear you put a lot of thought into it. Here are a few areas where we may not fully agree…

Organized religion can be just that...religion. Religion seeks to reach God through our own efforts...simply not possible. However, Christ clearly establishes the foundation and basis for The Church in His time on earth. What man has done to mess that up is immeasurable, but a Christ-centered, God-structured fellowship of believers is necessary and Biblical.

Concerning teaching a more loving God, God is love. But he is also Holy and cannot have sin in His presence. While this is fertile ground for debate it can be summarized in this way: Truth without love is brutality, but love without truth is hypocrisy. We must have Christ’s heart in these matters.

Concerning our hope in salvation, it rests squarely on and only on Jesus Christ. While our growth, confirmation of faith and penance will be recognizable in the fruits of our character and in our actions, no amount of these things can gain for us, or secure for us salvation.

I agree that personal accountability is essential in the life of a strong disciple. But corporate accountability is where the rubber meets the road. Knowing that our sin can destroy us if hidden and dealt with alone (Satan loves this), and also knowing that Christ takes us in whatever condition we are in, puts a person in a place where they don’t care who knows about their sin, they just want it to be dealt with. This is where the church comes in again.

Thanks so much for taking the time to discuss these important and eternal issues!