The Questions
Come to the well if you are thirsty. Come to the well to listen. Come to the well to share. Come to the well to rest. If you are heavy-laden and desire rest, come. Come to the well.
Three questions are essential: what does it mean to be a Christian? what does it mean to be saved? what does it mean to be blessed? Why are these essential? Because they are at the root of Christian belief and conversation. They are relevant to daily Christian life. Everyone believes, has faith and worships. But everyone is certainly not Christian. Yes, everyone believes in something/one, has faith in something/one, and worships something/one. What makes Christians so different? What is the big deal about 'getting saved' and 'being blessed'?
Some might look at these questions and think that the answers are obvious if you are a Christian. Well, I have been a Christian most of my life, taken theology classes and been in seminary for four years and I assure you that the answers have eluded me for many years. Mainly because no one teaches you to ask the questions. Most critical thinking is encouraged, prompted or even guided. Many of us have never really seen that approach in regard to our faith. We are taught to 'believe' and 'know,' but not to 'ask.' Well, I say: it is time to ask. Look around your church and count the disciples. I dare you to find ten in the midst of a hundred church-goers. First, question is answered. A Christian is a disciple of Christ. Think about the Gospels and find yourself in there and try to find members of your Sunday school class in there. Problematic, I'm sure. But let's be fair. Let's really take our time and go to the Gospels and study the disciples. Maybe our memories have failed us. Maybe we have forgotten what the disciples really looked, and lived, like. Take some time and study the disciples and then look again at self and church members for the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Peace
Three questions are essential: what does it mean to be a Christian? what does it mean to be saved? what does it mean to be blessed? Why are these essential? Because they are at the root of Christian belief and conversation. They are relevant to daily Christian life. Everyone believes, has faith and worships. But everyone is certainly not Christian. Yes, everyone believes in something/one, has faith in something/one, and worships something/one. What makes Christians so different? What is the big deal about 'getting saved' and 'being blessed'?
Some might look at these questions and think that the answers are obvious if you are a Christian. Well, I have been a Christian most of my life, taken theology classes and been in seminary for four years and I assure you that the answers have eluded me for many years. Mainly because no one teaches you to ask the questions. Most critical thinking is encouraged, prompted or even guided. Many of us have never really seen that approach in regard to our faith. We are taught to 'believe' and 'know,' but not to 'ask.' Well, I say: it is time to ask. Look around your church and count the disciples. I dare you to find ten in the midst of a hundred church-goers. First, question is answered. A Christian is a disciple of Christ. Think about the Gospels and find yourself in there and try to find members of your Sunday school class in there. Problematic, I'm sure. But let's be fair. Let's really take our time and go to the Gospels and study the disciples. Maybe our memories have failed us. Maybe we have forgotten what the disciples really looked, and lived, like. Take some time and study the disciples and then look again at self and church members for the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Peace
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