Now that Christmas is over, we're headed towards new years, and I think reflection is a good thing. 2021 has been a trying year for me, and 2022 seems like it will continue in that same direction for at least the first few months. I have been thinking about any progress I might have made towards salvation, and the one realization that keeps popping up is understanding or knowledge of something isn't a guarantee that it will actually happen. I study theology because I genuinely want to learn how to find salvation.
to the heart of the issue, 2021 has been a huge loss in that goal. But I have learned some principles about it. For instance, three things have to happen in order for sin to take place; opportunity, temptation, and desire. Desire is the most dangerous of the three. Take away any one of the three and sin wont happen. An example would be shoplifting. Everytime you go into a store, you are tempted and have the opportunity to carry out your desire to steal something, if that's your "besetting" sin. I don't steal, not because i'm worried about getting caught and going to jail, I don't steal because I recognize that its wrong. I know I don't like it when something I own gets stolen. so I have no desire to steal anything. keep that in your mind for now.
the two most dangerous questions I could get asked are 1. why do you want to be a Christian? my completely honest answer is, because I don't want to goto hell. that's it. no other reason. I understand that everyone that is born, unless they are "reborn", hell is where they will go. so now the second dangerous question is, if everyone was guaranteed to goto Heaven, regardless of what they did or being reborn, would I still want to be a Christian? I have no answer for that. probably would be a no. So some people ask, why Christianity? why not another faith? my response is, I grew up in a Christian home and church. I have never had a reason to question Christianity. its what I have grown up with. I have never had any religious experience I don't think, and I feel like most of the religious stuff I do, I do because "its what you're supposed to do."
So, how does one change their desire? That is a question that I cannot find an answer to. Most people I hear and see when asked about Christianity, they talk about knowing Jesus and joy and peace of assurance. I don't feel any of that. In fact, I feel the complete opposite. I met my pastor out one day for a drink at starbucks. I sent him an email asking if he'd like to meet and discuss some stuff, he said yea. I was SOOO nervous being around him. I get that he's a human being and sinner also, but we're talking about a pastor. If that guy had any idea of how evil I am, he wouldn't have met with me. and if I get nervous being around him, imagine my fear of being in front of Jesus on Judgement day. I cant think of a more terrifying thing. Absolutely terrifying.
Where does this leave me going into 2022? Good question. and as I sit here, typing this out, i'm thinking will 2022 be the break through year for me? I have no idea. I'm not sure of what kind of response i'm looking for, but I suppose we just have to take it day by day. Hope for the best. So here's to a hopefully great 2022 to all.
to the heart of the issue, 2021 has been a huge loss in that goal. But I have learned some principles about it. For instance, three things have to happen in order for sin to take place; opportunity, temptation, and desire. Desire is the most dangerous of the three. Take away any one of the three and sin wont happen. An example would be shoplifting. Everytime you go into a store, you are tempted and have the opportunity to carry out your desire to steal something, if that's your "besetting" sin. I don't steal, not because i'm worried about getting caught and going to jail, I don't steal because I recognize that its wrong. I know I don't like it when something I own gets stolen. so I have no desire to steal anything. keep that in your mind for now.
the two most dangerous questions I could get asked are 1. why do you want to be a Christian? my completely honest answer is, because I don't want to goto hell. that's it. no other reason. I understand that everyone that is born, unless they are "reborn", hell is where they will go. so now the second dangerous question is, if everyone was guaranteed to goto Heaven, regardless of what they did or being reborn, would I still want to be a Christian? I have no answer for that. probably would be a no. So some people ask, why Christianity? why not another faith? my response is, I grew up in a Christian home and church. I have never had a reason to question Christianity. its what I have grown up with. I have never had any religious experience I don't think, and I feel like most of the religious stuff I do, I do because "its what you're supposed to do."
So, how does one change their desire? That is a question that I cannot find an answer to. Most people I hear and see when asked about Christianity, they talk about knowing Jesus and joy and peace of assurance. I don't feel any of that. In fact, I feel the complete opposite. I met my pastor out one day for a drink at starbucks. I sent him an email asking if he'd like to meet and discuss some stuff, he said yea. I was SOOO nervous being around him. I get that he's a human being and sinner also, but we're talking about a pastor. If that guy had any idea of how evil I am, he wouldn't have met with me. and if I get nervous being around him, imagine my fear of being in front of Jesus on Judgement day. I cant think of a more terrifying thing. Absolutely terrifying.
Where does this leave me going into 2022? Good question. and as I sit here, typing this out, i'm thinking will 2022 be the break through year for me? I have no idea. I'm not sure of what kind of response i'm looking for, but I suppose we just have to take it day by day. Hope for the best. So here's to a hopefully great 2022 to all.
