Thread: A question on Christian Scripture.

Originally Posted by hoglahoo

it is, and one gets there "through faith" - that is the simple and correct answer

That grace is not of oneself (it is the gift of God), but people tend to take it upon their own selves anyway

You see, in the past when I would have called myself a Christian, I was never able to access this to effect any real long term change in my life. Once the situation that sent me pleading had diminished I would soon return back to "having fun". It seemed as though the only power to do any changing was mustered of my own will. There was never any food available that'd stick to the ribs. In fact it seemed most of what worked for others was environmental. What kept them in check was their status within the group, their reputation, or perhaps even more, fear of damnation.

Those limits are not too far removed from the same limits that kept me, or any average person in society working within the system, taking care of your own so to speak. In good times I could be happy, but stress and worry would put me right down. Jealousy, hate, anger seemed just as normal as trust, affection and happiness.

It seems as though if one can accept the cosmos as more than material existence, as a product of creative intelligence, then isn't everything a gift of God?

Years ago, I read in Luke 6 v.46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?"

You're right! I should not. This is one reason why I do not call myself a Christian. If I were to design and build a cabinet and the door fall off should I blame the wood, or the hinge? Then what, toss it in the fire? Maybe I should have chosen better wood or a more sturdy hinge if I had certain expectations of how it should function.