I know exactly what you mean. I was raised in a religious
setting, and admittedly, for the most part, my ears were closed to the
"holier than thou" Sunday religious sermons.
I just wanted to learn the basics "the good, the bad, the do's, and the don'ts." Everything else was for those who were obsessive - and I certainly wasn't, nor did I have any intention to be. I just wanted to know what was right, so I could know what was wrong. I wanted to find a way to learn what I needed to know, without having religion consume my entire life or take over my whole existence.
Thankfully I found a way - beginning by understanding the difference between religion and spirituality. Wikipedia defines religion as: "a collection of belief systems... and world views that relate humanity to spirituality... " Whereas "spirituality is seen as a path toward one or more of the following: a higher state of awareness, perfection of one's own being, wisdom, or communion with God."
Here is what I learned about the basics. The GOOD is: God is very much alive and real, and can do amazing things in our life, if we trust and believe. The BAD is: if we don't believe, He cannot help us, so our life will likely endure the consequences. The DO is: if we do whatever He expects us to do, He will shower us with Blessings and give us a good life. The DON'T is: if we don't obey Him, our life will suffer. Clear enough?
So how can we incorporate God into our life, without becoming consumed by religion? A great example is "Yahshua" (pronounced Yah -shoo'-ah.) Now Yahshua was a great advocate of God. In fact, was on a mission to teach others about God, but it's interesting to note that much of what was taught and learned was during ordinary life examples; such as during a wedding feast while distributing barrels of fine wine. On fishing expeditions with friends out on the open sea; while traveling to unknown destinations, and making new friends along the way. At times, roughing it out in the wilderness; while other times, celebrating memorable meals in upper rooms. Point being, the best way Yahshua found to establish the wonders and love of God was while experiencing life.
I share all this because I believe Yahshua had a great way of teaching the truth. He showed through illustrations how much God truly loves us, so many could understand in a non-religious, non "in-your-face" sort of way.
Yahshua showed by example the right choices to make in any given situation or circumstance. He was a history maker and initiated changes still felt today. He was fearless, mighty and a powerful leader with many followers. He was a rebel, a challenger of practices and world views, and a women's equality supporter. He met with Kings, Government officials and Church leaders, initiating changes in legislation, politics and religious beliefs. Yet through all this, did only what God commanded, and only what was right. He went around doing good and helping those in need. He did not advocate religion, although spirituality He did. What you may not know is Yahshua is the translated Hebrew name for Jesus, the Christ. Point being, if Jesus Himself showed by example the way to please God in a non-religious way, I believe we should follow suit and not get caught up in religious tradition either.
If you're anything like me, you would willingly live a spiritual lifestyle, if you could still have a life. Truth is, the whole point of following Jesus is so we CAN live! Why is understanding this important? Because we cannot "communion with God" unless we are first willing to follow Jesus.
How can we follow Jesus? By understanding what is written in the Bible. There are many good Bible-based churches focused on Jesus, not religion. They will lead you to the truth. When you know the truth you will know what's right. When you DO what's right, it will please God. When you please God, He will do amazing things in your life. This is how you can know God - not religion.
------------------------------------
"Yeshua is the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Joshua." Iesous is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Jesus." Thus, the names Joshua and Jesus are essentially the same; both are English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names for the Lord." Quoted from: http://www.gotquestions.org.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Yeshua-Jesus.html#ixzz2MDqi0FIm
I just wanted to learn the basics "the good, the bad, the do's, and the don'ts." Everything else was for those who were obsessive - and I certainly wasn't, nor did I have any intention to be. I just wanted to know what was right, so I could know what was wrong. I wanted to find a way to learn what I needed to know, without having religion consume my entire life or take over my whole existence.
Thankfully I found a way - beginning by understanding the difference between religion and spirituality. Wikipedia defines religion as: "a collection of belief systems... and world views that relate humanity to spirituality... " Whereas "spirituality is seen as a path toward one or more of the following: a higher state of awareness, perfection of one's own being, wisdom, or communion with God."
Here is what I learned about the basics. The GOOD is: God is very much alive and real, and can do amazing things in our life, if we trust and believe. The BAD is: if we don't believe, He cannot help us, so our life will likely endure the consequences. The DO is: if we do whatever He expects us to do, He will shower us with Blessings and give us a good life. The DON'T is: if we don't obey Him, our life will suffer. Clear enough?
So how can we incorporate God into our life, without becoming consumed by religion? A great example is "Yahshua" (pronounced Yah -shoo'-ah.) Now Yahshua was a great advocate of God. In fact, was on a mission to teach others about God, but it's interesting to note that much of what was taught and learned was during ordinary life examples; such as during a wedding feast while distributing barrels of fine wine. On fishing expeditions with friends out on the open sea; while traveling to unknown destinations, and making new friends along the way. At times, roughing it out in the wilderness; while other times, celebrating memorable meals in upper rooms. Point being, the best way Yahshua found to establish the wonders and love of God was while experiencing life.
I share all this because I believe Yahshua had a great way of teaching the truth. He showed through illustrations how much God truly loves us, so many could understand in a non-religious, non "in-your-face" sort of way.
Yahshua showed by example the right choices to make in any given situation or circumstance. He was a history maker and initiated changes still felt today. He was fearless, mighty and a powerful leader with many followers. He was a rebel, a challenger of practices and world views, and a women's equality supporter. He met with Kings, Government officials and Church leaders, initiating changes in legislation, politics and religious beliefs. Yet through all this, did only what God commanded, and only what was right. He went around doing good and helping those in need. He did not advocate religion, although spirituality He did. What you may not know is Yahshua is the translated Hebrew name for Jesus, the Christ. Point being, if Jesus Himself showed by example the way to please God in a non-religious way, I believe we should follow suit and not get caught up in religious tradition either.
If you're anything like me, you would willingly live a spiritual lifestyle, if you could still have a life. Truth is, the whole point of following Jesus is so we CAN live! Why is understanding this important? Because we cannot "communion with God" unless we are first willing to follow Jesus.
How can we follow Jesus? By understanding what is written in the Bible. There are many good Bible-based churches focused on Jesus, not religion. They will lead you to the truth. When you know the truth you will know what's right. When you DO what's right, it will please God. When you please God, He will do amazing things in your life. This is how you can know God - not religion.
------------------------------------
"Yeshua is the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Joshua." Iesous is the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew name, and its English spelling is "Jesus." Thus, the names Joshua and Jesus are essentially the same; both are English pronunciations of the Hebrew and Greek names for the Lord." Quoted from: http://www.gotquestions.org.
Read more: http://www.gotquestions.org/Yeshua-Jesus.html#ixzz2MDqi0FIm
Author of Insight In Sight: Was I Born Like This? A straight gone gay gone straight lady, who shares the journey and how she did it. http://www.sylviehache.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sylvie_Hache
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