I think that we think we know.

I think that we think we know. We know all about that Jesus guy. We know what he did. We know some of what he said. We know he died and rose again. We know some about his disciples. We know about some of those confusing parables that Jesus speaks of and we are familiar with some of what Paul says in his letters. We know the bible stories of Noah, David & Goliath, Jonah & and the whale, etc., etc., etc. Some of us even have tangible evidence to support our knowledge.

However there seems to be something in all of us that takes a hit and misses the boat. Why is it that somewhere deep inside we all know that the story and the message that the Holy Spirit wrote in the Bible is completely contrary to how we as conformists to society do life. This is what separates Christians and religious folk. I don't think I could possibly be the only one who sees this.

Religiously we really are fine. But Biblically ... it seems like we're worlds apart. With each day I live, the more I see the same thing that occurred at the Fall in Genesis 3. Humankind is so simple that it's brutally funny?

The thing I intended to point out was the word "belief." Aside from all charades and excuses for how hard our life is (and how pride tells us we have it sooo much harder than everyone else), if we were to be real with ourselves and each other, I'd wonder if we even believe the claims that Christianity (hence Christ) makes. If we took the stories as they were, with no buttering up, we would be demanded and commanded into humble, obedient, God-glorifying, selfless action. It's that simple and I think that perhaps that's why we refuse to read the Bible carefully and see what it actually says, lest we even read the Bible at all. Mark Hall of Casting Crowns echoes that "We'll live what we believe" ... Everyone has their own belief and theology of God. I wonder what it'd look like for that to flesh out at in our religious settings ... Does it line up with the Jesus of which the Bible acclaims, or is it the Jesus we want to fabricate to center around our own lives? This is what separates Christianity and religion. I fear that a lot of us live life on the latter ... Only problem with that is ... If we all we did was religion, Christ died for nothing!

The pride in me always wants to say "psh, you're past that fool" but the Spirit living in me is telling me to really search and flesh out the center of our faith. I've got a lot of studying to do.

Got one more test, 2 more papers, and finals left to go before I'm officially done with my first year of college.
-Help us Father.