Different Strokes

Today I was once again bombarded with questions about faith. I was questioning myself. I feel very strongly about my views as a Christian, but I am also open to listening to other views. You never know when someone might strike something in you that makes you think.

Today I was thinking alot about deception. Most ministers will preach that deception is a sin. I believe this to be true. I also believe many people that hold themselves to be Christ-like are among to biggest deceivers. In the church they are good, wholesome Christians. They come off as perfect. But when the service is over, they return to their sinnin' ways. I always call them Sunday Morning Christians. The one's I always say have God at the dinner table, but don't invite him out with thier friends. Anyway, when the preacher says deception is a sin and the people that allow it will burn in hell, it always gets a big AMEN! But when someone calls these same people out for sinning they say they are being picked on.

I'm not saying that they shouldn't be called out. I believe that in order to repent, first one must know what they are repenting. You can't pray for someone to be freed of their sins. You have to pray with that person and help them in asking for God's forgiveness to free them. You can't pray other people into heaven. I wish you could. That would be a lot easier.

I was saved when I was about 7 and again when I was in high school. I didn't feel as though it was my idea the first time. I was raised that once you were saved you were always saved. I have asked God's forgiveness for my sins, so in his eyes I am forgiven. Whether anyone else believes it or not.

I know we are to be Christ-like and in all honesty, I think I am. I am a good person. I help those in need. I am a good mother. I don't lie. I don't cheat and I don't steal. I am respectful and I am gratful. But I am also a sinner. I sometimes let my mouth override my mind and I have days as a mother that I would really like to sell my children. But at the end of everyday, I pray for God's everlasting forgiveness again. I pray to have patience with my co-workers and children. I pray to be a better wife and a better mother. I pray for God to help me to be a better person.

I have to believe that the Sunday Morning Christians do the same thing. None of us are perfect, not even for an hour. We must all strive to be more like Christ in our actions and thoughts. Everyone has their own beliefs. As a Christian, we must try to respect each other more and share our beliefs with each other. Otherwise we are just decieving ourselves.