Losing my religion

[webby]

I hope this is not taken the wrong way. I don't want to sound offensive, but I have a question.

I grew up in church(es) and as a result, I have somewhat lost my "religion".

I have gone to Pentecostal churches, Baptist, Ashrams (Hindu religion), you name it. I have heard people condemn Jehovah's Witness and was engaged to a non practicing Muslim, who had nothing but negative things to say about Christians.

I questioned "religion" itself and wonder if God cares how we worship.

For instance, in Spanish you call God "Dios". Of course, He understand each language, but does He care how we worship Him? Do you all think that God prefers a religion?

I know this is a crazy question, but I have always wondered about it.

[pebbles]

Hmm, your question is probably in the wrong forum, but let me say something to you. I noticed you said that you've been to many different churches, and they are of varying beliefs. The most important question I would like you to ponder is this: what do you believe in your heart? Once you answer honestly to yourself, then take it from there. :)

[webby]

Pebbles, I probably didn't ask my question the way I intended. I have so many thoughts going on at one time, it's often difficult to form a cohesive sentence :)

I believe in God, Jesus Christ is my saviour. I just often wonder if there is such thing as a "right way" to worship. Does that make any sense?

[Belle Du Jour]

Webby,
I'm currently reading the Purpose Driven Life, and one of the chapters is on worship. I believe you can go to Church with hate in your heart and claim to "worship" but God doesn't recognize it. I think you can go to work, read a book, help someone out, appreciate a sunny day with an attitude of thansgiving, and it's a form of worship.

I don't think God is as concerned with tradition as much as we are. God looks at the heart first and foremost. I think the best way that we can worship God is to follow His commandments and be kind to other people.

[pebbles]

Oh, ok! I thought you were saying you weren't sure what to believe in. Sorry! :kiss:

Ok. I started to type this really long explanation, but give me some time to think of a more simplified answer. :)

[cece22]

Weby,

I understand your question in full let me rephrase so we are on the same page. You want to know is there a right way to worship or a particular way that pleases God? To find the answers to these questions it takes guidance from God so pray to him directly and ask him. Secondly it takes serious study and meditation the best place to start is in the Bible it has all his past dealing his requirements and all of the things that he wants from us humans. Also you can learn things from others but you have to be careful not all things are true and God is a God of Truth so any religion that knowingly supports false doctrines or lies is not pleasing to God.

John 8:32 And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.
John 4:24 God is a Spirit and those worshiping him must worship in spirit and truth.

[BlkHoneyLuv2U]

Webby,
I'm currently reading the Purpose Driven Life, and one of the chapters is on worship. I believe you can go to Church with hate in your heart and claim to "worship" but God doesn't recognize it. I think you can go to work, read a book, help someone out, appreciate a sunny day with an attitude of thansgiving, and it's a form of worship.

I don't think God is as concerned with tradition as much as we are. God looks at the heart first and foremost. I think the best way that we can worship God is to follow His commandments and be kind to other people.

What she said. I know there have been times while I was still in college, I would take my kids to school and then come home, go out on my front porch with a cup of coffee and just sit and watch the squirrels in the trees, listen to the birds singing their songs, the wind softly blowing the leaves, the sun shinning through the branches. All of this would bring a smile to my face. I think God appreciates it when we look around at the things He created for us and it brings a smile to our face. I've been driving in my car and can see something in nature that makes me smile and thnak God for whatever it is.

[webby]

Thank you ladies :)

Pebbles, this is a very difficult question for me to phrase properly; I believe that Cece nailed what I was trying to say.

The reason why I wanted to bring this question to all of you, is because I knew that it would be received with love, not taken with malice.

I have always pondered what God, Himself thought of religion. For instance, does God love me more, because I'm not Muslim? Then that question would lead me to ask, well certainly God loves Muslims too; He wouldn't turn His back on them, but we worship and praise God so very differently.

[pebbles]

Thank you ladies :)

Pebbles, this is a very difficult question for me to phrase properly; I believe that Cece nailed what I was trying to say.

The reason why I wanted to bring this question to all of you, is because I knew that it would be received with love, not taken with malice.

I have always pondered what God, Himself thought of religion. For instance, does God love me more, because I'm not Muslim? Then that question would lead me to ask, well certainly God loves Muslims too; He wouldn't turn His back on them, but we worship and praise God so very differently.

Oh, I absolutely understand your plight. And I'm glad that Cece was able to answer it in a very simple and basic way. This is a difficult question for me to answer because I'm ever mindful of the fact that there are people of different faiths that will view this forum, and it is not my intention to hurt or allienate anyone. So let me put it as simply as I can. One of my favortite bible teachers said it best. Religion, in general, is fallen humanities attempt to reach up to God and be acceptable through their works and what they do. Christianity, on the other hand, is a divine gift based on what Christ has done. He did it all on the cross.

When you worship God, worship Him in spirit and in truth-John 4:23. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, giving glory that is due to His name-Psalms 29:2. Be blessed, sis! :rosebud:

[beverly]

Webby I think I can answer part of what you are asking. I recently started going to an AME church. I grew up in a baptist church all my life. Denominationally I personally don't think it matters what church/denomination it is because its all based on the same principles, Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are one. We have little things we do in service traditionally that may differ, but our foundation is still based on the holy bible. If you believe in the Christian faith, according to the bible, it is very specific that God gives eternal life and salvation only to those who believe that Jesus Christ is his son, and he died for our sins to bring us back into the lost relationship that we had before Adam sinned. Muslim, and other faiths believe either that Jesus is not the savior/son of God, or are still waiting for the savior to return. So for example, if one believes according to the Muslim faith, according to the bible, that person will not recieve salvation or enter heaven.

[webby]

Webby I think I can answer part of what you are asking. I recently started going to an AME church. I grew up in a baptist church all my life. Denominationally I personally don't think it matters what church/denomination it is because its all based on the same principles, Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit are one. We have little things we do in service traditionally that may differ, but our foundation is still based on the holy bible. If you believe in the Christian faith, according to the bible, it is very specific that God gives eternal life and salvation only to those who believe that Jesus Christ is his son, and he died for our sins to bring us back into th lst relationship that we had before Adam sinned. Muslim, and other faiths believe either that Jesus is not the savior/son of God, or are still waiting for the savior to return. So for example, if you believe according to the Muslim faith, according to the bible, you will not recieve salvation or enter heaven.

Ok...that makes perfect sense. I have always wondered about this, couldn't quite find an answer. Thank you :)

[DelightfulFlame]

Oh, I absolutely understand your plight. And I'm glad that Cece was able to answer it in a very simple and basic way. This is a difficult question for me to answer because I'm ever mindful of the fact that there are people of different faiths that will view this forum, and it is not my intention to hurt or allienate anyone. So let me put it as simply as I can. One of my favortite bible teachers said it best. Religion, in general, is fallen humanities attempt to reach up to God and be acceptable through their works and what they do. Christianity, on the other hand, is a divine gift based on what Christ has done. He did it all on the cross.

When you worship God, worship Him in spirit and in truth-John 4:23. Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness, giving glory that is due to His name-Psalms 29:2. Be blessed, sis! :rosebud:

I see what Pebbles is trying to say, but I don't agree totally. To me, Christianity does the same thing. It says that inorder to be saved you have to ACCEPT Christ. Yet the bible says that God accepts you. The credit is being taken from God when people say this.

Peter did not want to deny Jesus. He wept about the thought of it. Yet, he had to because it was the will of God. When it is God's will for a person to be saved, they will be. If it isn't, then they can't be. Will they go to hell (full of fire and brimstone) for doing something that they cannot do until it is time for them too? I don't think so. The bible says that every tongue will confess Jesus.

I said all of that to say that I was raised Baptist. Ventured into non-demoninational and pentecostal. I have lost religion, but I have not lost my spirituality, and Christ is at the core of that. I do not miss church and it's laws, and the truth really does set you free. I do sometimes miss fellowship, but realize that not everybody is able to "hear" what I'm hearing right now, so my fellowship is mostly on the internet and among a few close friends that "hear" too.

[pebbles]

I see what Pebbles is trying to say, but I don't agree totally. To me, Christianity does the same thing. It says that inorder to be saved you have to ACCEPT Christ. Yet the bible says that God accepts you. The credit is being taken from God when people say this.

I respect your views, but I'm saying what the bible says, and I adhere strictly to the book. The Word of God is clear that works cannot get you into the kingdom. You must believe and accept that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that He died for your sins. That's it. Accepting Jesus is not works, but a confession of faith. :)

[webby]

The bible says that every tongue will confess Jesus.

That one line took my breath. That says it all.


I said all of that to say that I was raised Baptist. Ventured into non-demoninational and pentecostal. I have lost religion, but I have not lost my spirituality, and Christ is at the core of that. I do not miss church and it's laws, and the truth really does set you free. I do sometimes miss fellowship, but realize that not everybody is able to "hear" what I'm hearing right now, so my fellowship is mostly on the internet and among a few close friends that "hear" too.
It sounds like I am on your path. I love the Lord, but don't always find the laws that we, as humans, impose to be Godly. I am trying to make it to church more now, for the sake of my son.

I don't want to be a do-as-I-say-parent, but I also don't want to be a hypocrite.

[DelightfulFlame]

I respect your views, but I'm saying what the bible says, and I adhere strictly to the book. The Word of God is clear that works cannot get you into the kingdom. You must believe and accept that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that He died for your sins. That's it. Accepting Jesus is not works, but a confession of faith. :)

Believe me, I respect you too...and I too am also reading the bible. It just speaks differently to me. Everything I say is based on scripture. Everyone is going to believe differently based on interpretation and what God reveals to them. He has shown us different things...all part of His will...and I'm okay with that.

ETA: Wouldn't saying you accepted Christ count as works?

[DelightfulFlame]

Webby, here's a site that an eye opener for me. I went with the intention of telling this man how wrong he was...but when I began to study the scriptures, I realized that I couldn't. www.bible-truths.com

Also, here are some of my journal entries on free will and other spirit stuff...I don't claim to know everything by any means...but I do know that what I have been "fed" doesn't add up.

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/5845

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/7802

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/7815

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/7839

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/7861

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/8286

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/8883

http://delightfulflame.bravejournal.com/entry/9633

[webby]

Delightful, thank you so much. I appreciate you taking the time to share that information with me.

To all of you have responded, I thank you too. I get so much from you all, more than words can say.

[pebbles]

ETA: Wouldn't saying you accepted Christ count as works?

Nope! Again, that's a confession of faith and has nothing to do with works. Absolutely nothing. :)

[DelightfulFlame]

Nope! Again, that's a confession of faith and has nothing to do with works. Absolutely nothing. :)

So then do you believe that baptism is not necessary to be saved? Is that also a confession of faith?

[natalied]

I respect your views, but I'm saying what the bible says, and I adhere strictly to the book. The Word of God is clear that works cannot get you into the kingdom. You must believe and accept that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior, and that He died for your sins. That's it. Accepting Jesus is not works, but a confession of faith. :)

ITA with one caveat. You are only held responsible for the "light" you are given. If someone doesn't "know" of Him, I believe they can make it into the kingdom. There is a debate of what "know" really means.


Peter did not want to deny Jesus. He wept about the thought of it. Yet, he had to because it was the will of God. When it is God's will for a person to be saved, they will be. If it isn't, then they can't be. Will they go to hell (full of fire and brimstone) for doing something that they cannot do until it is time for them too? I don't think so. The bible says that every tongue will confess Jesus.


I respect your view too Delightfulflame, but I'm not understanding how you thought Peter had to deny Christ.

God gives us free will otherwise what would be the point of Jesus dying on the Cross? What would be the point of this sinful world? God could just command us to obey, make us obey and basically turn us into drones. He grants us free will b/c He loves us.

Peter had free will and he made the choice to deny Christ. Christ saw the future and knew this would happen and told Peter this. Just b/c Christ saw the future does not mean he made Peter deny Christ.