life, love, *motherhood, and then more
Oh you know you what want something, actually.
I was having a conversation with a friend, someone who believes in another God. Now usually I steer far, far away from God in my conversations with friends (unless they're from church, because you know lah how church-goers like to incorporate church-speak into their vocabulary, but a bit on that on another day)…
So… where was I?
Yeah, like I was saying, I don't usually like to discuss God and what I believe with friends because the topic is a little too sensitive to be spoken about over expensive Flat Whites, but I couldn't weave my way out of this one. She wanted answers to her questions, so I tried my best to be as non-committal as possible. Then there came the painful one about faith, blind faith, and why I believed in it…
'You know,' she began. 'I still don't get it. how do you expect to go to Heaven just by believing in Your God? And you drink, you guys smoke, are promiscuous.. you guys do all the wrong things. You disregard the laws set by Moses in the Book… Don't you get it? You need to follow rules to make things come true.'
'The rules will follow the moment faith kicks in. Faith is dead without good works lah, that's what we believe, but then again, without faith then there cannot be good works either. So you can't have one without the other… anyway… why are we talking about this? Something lighter cannot izzit?'
'But I want to know.'
'Okay. This thing called faith, faith is usually a little bit blind, just like why you choose to follow the rules in your religion. I follow the rules too, but then again, my faith just isn't that strong yet. But I must disagree with that line about expecting to go to Heaven by following rules-lah. The point is not because I want to go to Heaven. That's a side point. I dunno how to explain this lah. This topic too tough can talk something else ah?'
She was stunned for a bit, I think. And then, the clincher made it, 'I still don't get it. If the point is not to go to Heaven, then what's the point of believing in God?'
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about 3 years ago
Again, I’d just like to express:
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
about 3 years ago
For me, believing in God gave me the sense of hope, hope in a very harsh world with its harsh reality. The media, newspapers, news on television are bombarded by countless of bad news that I can’t help feeling lost, discouraged and yeah, hopeless!
I believe the very purpose of why we are created in the first place is to worship Him, engage in a meaningful relationship with Him. Heaven is just the end result, the side effect of that relationship with Him. Instead of focusing on the blessings (going to heaven, blessed financially, healing, etc), we should instead focus on the blesser, Him.
Putting my focus on God gave me that sense of renewed hope that “even though” everything may not go smoothly for me. What’s the point of obeying the rules, when our lives are NOT emotionally and spiritually connected to God. Following a set of rules for the sake of following. He is looking for a relationship with His people.
How many of you know that religion is something that doesn’t work, but a relationship with God does, regardless whether you are a Christian, Muslim, hindhus or Buddhist.
Faith is a lifestyle, a journey of discovery. It is a life long process. We sin along the way, we mess up, that’s why we are called humans, if not why would Jesus even bother to come down to earth and bore our sins at the cross. Humans screw up not one time, but ALL THE TIME.
It would be sad if a life of faith (regardless of the beliefs you hold on to) is limited to following a set of rules. You do this, you get this. You don’t do this, you don’t get this.
Salvation is a free gift (something the world cannot grasp, “no such thing as a free lunch” concept). You don’t need to do anything, but simply believe and receive it with faith.
But in the word, it also specifically says, “work on your salvation with fear and trembling” DAILY. Meaning it‘s a journey.
I will end with this,
I was almost jailed not too long ago. It was the most difficult and trying period for me, for my family and my friends. No I didn’t kill, rape, or steal. I was involved in a major accident involving both me and the motorcyclist (to which he miraculously recovered). God gave me the strength to pull through, despite the trying times, His words gave me hope, His healing saved me and etc. and now that’s something REAL, nothing can take that away from me and my family. That whole experience changed me.
The world may never understand or agree with my philosophy or debates, but there’s no doubt that they are inspired by the testimonies of my faith in this journey of discovering Him.
Bless you.
(sorry mini for being so long-winded)
about 3 years ago
‘I still don’t get it. If the point is not to go to Heaven, then what’s the point of believing in God?’
You said it…that’s the clincher LOL!
about 3 years ago
What is Flat White? Toasted bread? Roti Canai?
Sometimes I wonder why is it so difficult for people to just accept and respect each other’s religious beliefs.
about 3 years ago
Because religion makes you selfish.
about 3 years ago
oh i think i just wanted to shared the hilarity of this conversation that’s all.
about 3 years ago
Oh I remember having the answer to that question. Guess it’s time to rethink my faith again… =)
about 3 years ago
Abit the weird la your friend’s last response. isn’t belief/faith about leading a good life (read:not the bermoolah-moolah ringgits that kinda materialistic good) by following your religious faith..faithfully? To be a good person, etc?
If misconstrued, it could be said that the foundation of her faith is very iffy,(not criticizing, i don’t have any right to chuck any stones) cos believing just to achieve a reward is.. adoi i give up. There seems to be an ‘answer’ skirting the edges of my mind but there’s just too many factors to throw in. Can tear out hair and die.
Is there really, ever a ‘clear answer’ to this sorta thing?
about 3 years ago
Some dogs just love their owners naturally.
Some need to be shown who’s the master.
I guess we’re like animals in God’s eyes. No
doubt we’ve progressed from blind idol
worshipping pagans but the carrot and stick
approach still has too be brought out.
about 3 years ago
CK YAP says: I guess we’re like animals in God’s eyes.
I’m a bit perplexed with this one because we are created in the image of God so it’s like saying God is an animal himself! And besides i personally beleive he holds us in much higher regard than that of ‘an animal’. Why else would he go to the trouble of dying for our sins?
‘I still don’t get it. how do you expect to go to Heaven just by believing in Your God? And you drink, you guys smoke, are promiscuous.. you guys do all the wrong things.’
First of all ‘just believing in God’ will not get you into Heaven. A bible verse/passage (which i can’t recall the specifics) says that when the time comes for judgement, many will acknowledge God etc etc BUT will not get their share of the reward having been one of the many ‘two-faced’ Christians out there who come to Sunday all Holy but indulge in various sins during the week. Like you said faith is dead without good deeds.
Even a non-believer can acknowledge that God is a supreme omnipotent being capable for great miracles but he still won’t get into heaven.
Secondly,
I drink is a drink, smoking is bad for you but it isn’t a mortal sin and flirting is a natural behaviour. So I don’t see how the occasional drink, smoke or flirt is ‘so wrong’. Of course everything in moderation including moderation :p
And as for ‘I still don’t get it. If the point is not to go to Heaven, then what’s the point of believing in God?’
I still can’t stop LOL-ing
about 3 years ago
wah really clincher la…if ur friend do it jus to go to heaven, wouldnt the almighty guardians of heavens gates turn her away, being able to see through to her real intentions?
which brings me to a point…
wats more important as a criteria to enter heaven?
1) believing in all this yet not DOING things a good christian does..(assuming there are ppl who are capable of this)
2) not believing in god n jesus yet DOING things a good christian does coz he is naturally a good person
3) dont really believe in god n jesus but tries to do what the doctrine says good christians should do coz wanna go into heaven coz believe in heaven (s’thing like ur friend)
hmm..point to ponder eh? have a g’day all readers!
about 3 years ago
You have just been assaulted by a NEW ATHEIST!
Fear as they take over the world hahahahahahhaahahah!
counter extremism with extrism! religious fundamentalism and science battle it out! the fight of the century!
the ultimate showdown! of! ULTIMATE DESTINY!!!!!!!!!
about 3 years ago
Oh wait the friend believed in another god.
my bad.
you have just been attacked by………….
A RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALIST!
about 3 years ago
a conversation isnt really one if the person wants you to answer things in a specific way or specific answer?
*shrugs*
but hilarious clincher line there anyway
about 3 years ago
I forgot to add earlier.
What sets Christianity apart from all other religions is that the focus is on ‘a relationship with’ God. Commune with him, confide in him etc just like you would a best friend.
It’s not just about following a strict set of rules which anyone with a brain can do.