I’m sure to ruffle a few feathers with that blog title, but watch this video, Christian Religious Lie #8: “The Holy Spirit Convicts Unbelievers of their Sins”, by Steve McVey and my comments follow:
It seems that focusing on sin isn’t just what Christians do, even unbelievers do it too…
Jesus said “I came so that they would have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10)
He didn’t say, “I came so that I could take away people’s sins” or more to the point…
“I came so that unbelievers would stop lying… stop cheating… stop drinking… stop smoking… stop cussing… [insert favorite sin here]”
No, that’s not what’s important to God. Life is.
Because the whole purpose of us having our sins forgiven is so that we could receive Jesus’ life!
We were born into Adam, spiritually dead, with a sin nature. That’s the reason you need salvation through Christ. One I learned this, I now have a better answer for people if they ask me “Why do I need to become a Christian”….
It’s NOT so you can avoid getting burned alive for eternity…
It’s NOT so you can “become a better person” by straightening up and stopping sinning…
It’s NOT so you can be blessed by God…
It’s because you’re literally DEAD. Your spirit is DEAD. And you need life. The life of Christ.
Why it LOGICALLY can’t be just about sins…
Why am I attacking salvation as a means to “become a better person”?
Because that’s the faulty view that so many believers, and especially unbelievers hold today.
Here’s why it can’t LOGICALLY be just about sins…
Being a “Good person” is what most people think Christianity is about. But the definition of a “good person” is totally different depending on who you ask!
It’s a fallible, human, finite view of “good”… influenced by that person’s society, culture, and time period.
I gave an example the other day to my friend, A: To you, you’re a good person, based on your morals and your culture. But in the middle east, there’s a guy who has a 12 year old wife, (which is the norm in his culture) and according to his culture and his morals he’s a good guy too.
But just the thought of a man being with a 12 year old girl is disgusting to you…
And THAT’s the problem with human morals. They’re skewed… they’re based on our limited, finite, human view.
That’s why I’ll never tell anyone that they need to become a Christian to “clean up their life”… or “Become a better person”…
HECK, there’s probably a lot of unbelievers that are “better people” than me. They probably stop to pickup hitchhikers, join the peace corp, walk for cancer, don’t swear, are vegetarians–whatever.
But that’s not the concern. The concern is LIFE. The concern is Christ.
Bottom line: Christ came to give you LIFE — not to take away your sins or make you a better person.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section…
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5 Things I’m grateful for today:
- Bought a new bible two nights ago, it should be here soon!
- I can glorify God not just through things like this blog but my “secular” business too
- “I’m completely perfect JUST the way I am… but… I could also use some work”
- My Dad got the job he wanted!
- Hot showers. seriously. try losing your electricity once or twice
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Your Mom 03.12.08 at 8:51 pm
Have you read the bible? Smoking is not a sin. Drinking is not a sin. I don’t even remember cussing being a sin. You are an idiot.
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Have you read this blog post?
I wasn’t saying they WERE sins… but… you seem to be convinced of your superior intelligence and you have it all figured out. So I won’t bother explaining it
– Caleb
Janice 03.15.08 at 11:14 am
That comment defintely didn’t come from your mother.