So many Christians today - and, in some areas, I include myself - are so caught up in the world that, as you say, joyinhim, there is little or no difference between them and the nonChristian. And, isn't there supposed to be?
The world. Greed, self-serving, lovers of self, immorality, instant-gratification, paranoia, hate-mongering, corruption, intolerance, finger-pointing, etc. etc. permeate the fabric of today's world. We have a society that has no need for a God, even though, in reality, it needs God more than ever before. It just doesn't know it or care to know it. Science will take care of all of our ills eventually ...it's just a matter of time.
And, for the majority of us who are evidently suffering the effects of depression, stress, mental problems, past and present abuse ('abuse' - the most bandied around word in society today) and other symptoms caused by mind/body affiliations, psychology will provide the answers. And, if this theory doesn't fit, another theory might. Who needs God? We simply need a good therapist and a large wallet! And, therapists, psychologists, sociologists, social workers, etc. are currently being churned out of universities and colleges as fast as a McDonalds' hamburger. So, we will soon be able to have a personal therapist apiece. Who needs God?
Here in Australia, probably the U.S. and Britain too, there has been a gradual 'dumbing down' of the population by the media and the government. The majority of people are incapable of thinking for themselves. True! And, why should they as long as someone else can do the thinking for them? So, even the thoughts and opinions of people are basically the thoughts and opinions of 'educated' others. My, we have enough experts in all areas of academic disciplines these days to sink a battleship. Who needs God?
The Christian Religion is probably way up there with the media and the government in regard to 'mind control'. How many people, do you think, actually read and COMPREHEND their Bibles? Or, how many, do you think, would sooner opt for the overall tenets of their particular church without knowing why? Even those who may read and believe they have an understanding of their Bibles are possibly - in fact PROBABLY - influenced by the biased interpretations of their church or pastor. This, in turn, clouds their own judgment and understanding of the scriptures. Check out the umpteen threads on this forum for a great example of that!
Can one get by on a simple faith? Of course one can. And I think that we need to get back to the Bible basics in a world that requires more than the basics. I believe that we're living in the most difficult time period in our history to preach Jesus to an unbelieving and uncaring world. Apart from the fact that society has little or no need for a God, Christians themselves can often give that same impression to society. Sadly, much of Christianity and the Christian Church has compromized so much in order to get 'butts into pews' that it's become JUST like the world.
I'm possibly no better than those I refer to and I need to start practicing what I preach. What say that more of us start to make the effort? Every day that goes by brings Jesus' coming a day closer. So, time IS running out for the world. We need to get back to Bible basics, gang, and that DOESN'T need to mean 'dull and boring!'
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