I Dont Go to Church

I used to attend church quite regularly when I was younger. It was a place where I found the peace and harmony that I needed at the time. Unfortunately, now it doesn't appeal to me as much as it used to. My heart is still with God but in a different capacity. My journey is more spiritually based and that suits my needs too

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Blessedsoul81 · 41-45, C

@Dreammmer: I am certainly NOT encouraging SIN in any way! Do you believe we live under God's grace as we are instructed in the New Testament? The laws of the Old Testament were impossible to achieve, so God sent Jesus as a sacrificial lamb to die for our sins,not just some sins, but ALL sins!! It is not my opinion I speak of, but scripture. In Revelation, not ONE of the 7 churches got it 100% right! We are all doing the best we can to spread the good news about God's love, because Jesus DID die for our sins! ALL sins, not just some sins!! Does scripture teach us that God has given us every possible answer? He did speak in parrables, but IF we know ALL the answers, then where does faith come in? What is the definition of faith? It is the complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Religious faith, however, is believing in God based on spiritual apprehension rather than total proof! Think about what Jesus told Thomas; John 20:29 "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed." As a minister of 20 years, I know you know your Bible, but do you truly love the people for whom you preach? Do you understand that people DO fail at times, as no other than Jesus Christ whom has walked the earth is perfect but He! We are to encourage the sinner that God loves them even though they sin. But perhaps you preach hell, fire and damnation to scare people into obedience? Do you preach at a church that also issues sanctions against the sinner in your congregation? If so, then WHY did Jesus die? WHY did He suffer SO much? Apparently you think Jesus' suffering and dying was not enoug! The sinner must be punished MORE!! Really? Does the Bible teach that or is it man's interpretation? Whether you want to admit it or not, you have opinions, MAN'S opinions, about religion and what is and is not acceptable! Ask yourself, what would Jesus do if someone in your congregation sinned? Would He prevent the guilty party from taking sacrament for six months? Would Jesus approve of the guilty party being shunned by the rest of the congregation? Would Jesus in any way approve of additional punishments to the guilty party? My faith tells me NO! He would simply tell them, "Go and sin no more" just as He did in John 8:11. Again, I thank you for sharing your interpretation and understanding of the Bible. I thank you for your twenty years of preaching the Word ... but please understand, I possess my own understanding in my walk with God. I pray for guidance in everything I do and in this particular instance, I would humbly suggest we just agree to disagree. God bless you sir.