I started reading a book today. It’s called the Names of Jesus.
See how many you can ramble off… and … GO!
Lamb of God
Comforter
Alpha & Omega
King of Kings
Almighty One
Wonderful Counselor
Prince of Peace
You can keep going, but we could probably be here all day sharing all the names that have been mentioned to describe God.
But the purpose of this book is not necessarily in the main heading and rather what comes after that – Discovering the person of Jesus Christ through Scripture.
I was only into the 2nd chapter and I was already thinking to myself how my idea of God has changed throughout my short 33 years. It also made me realize how each part of my faith journey has gotten sweeter and sweeter with every step.
We were baptized in the Orthodox church when we were babies. I don’t remember much because we left the church when I was little. We were then enrolled in a Baptist school just down the road from our house, so at that time my mom figured we might as well start going to church there! Why not, right?! So we did…. I went to school there for about 9 years! However, during the last couple years of our journey there, we started attending non-denominational churches in our area.
See how many you can ramble off… and … GO!
Lamb of God
Comforter
Alpha & Omega
King of Kings
Almighty One
Wonderful Counselor
Prince of Peace
You can keep going, but we could probably be here all day sharing all the names that have been mentioned to describe God.
But the purpose of this book is not necessarily in the main heading and rather what comes after that – Discovering the person of Jesus Christ through Scripture.
I was only into the 2nd chapter and I was already thinking to myself how my idea of God has changed throughout my short 33 years. It also made me realize how each part of my faith journey has gotten sweeter and sweeter with every step.
We were baptized in the Orthodox church when we were babies. I don’t remember much because we left the church when I was little. We were then enrolled in a Baptist school just down the road from our house, so at that time my mom figured we might as well start going to church there! Why not, right?! So we did…. I went to school there for about 9 years! However, during the last couple years of our journey there, we started attending non-denominational churches in our area.
It was during this early part of my journey as a Christian when I learned about salvation.
I can still hear the words ringing in my ear, “Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save your sins?” I said “I do”. Then they said, “Do you accept Jesus Christ into your heart as the leader of your life?” I said “I do”. And then… I was saved! That’s all I remember. Nothing more. So as I was reading, about the chapter that defines Jesus as “Our Savior” it made me realize how much I was missing from this concept.
“A lot of Christians think of salvation as getting to go to heaven.” It’s a belief they proclaim and then they wait for the Second Coming.
I can still hear the words ringing in my ear, “Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross to save your sins?” I said “I do”. Then they said, “Do you accept Jesus Christ into your heart as the leader of your life?” I said “I do”. And then… I was saved! That’s all I remember. Nothing more. So as I was reading, about the chapter that defines Jesus as “Our Savior” it made me realize how much I was missing from this concept.
“A lot of Christians think of salvation as getting to go to heaven.” It’s a belief they proclaim and then they wait for the Second Coming.
However, salvation is not about saying “I do.”
It’s about knowing God and following his ways… “We need to be interested in the God who saves us, not in salvation as such. We need to be interested in loving God. Life is about God. The Bible is about God. Church is about God. Sacraments are about God.”
There is soooo much more to salvation. There is so much more work…and that work makes it so much more fulfilling!
To sum things up: Salvation is not a guarantee. It is not an end point. It’s journey.
At the beginning, that can be difficult to see, (and that is ok)… And my hope is that no one stays there. Because God doesn't want you to stay there; he sent his Son to save ALL!
There is soooo much more to salvation. There is so much more work…and that work makes it so much more fulfilling!
To sum things up: Salvation is not a guarantee. It is not an end point. It’s journey.
At the beginning, that can be difficult to see, (and that is ok)… And my hope is that no one stays there. Because God doesn't want you to stay there; he sent his Son to save ALL!
For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. ~ John 3:17
My journey began the moment I stepped (or perhaps was carried) into the Orthodox church. Though I was very little I still experienced God. We were then led to the next step where I proclaimed my belief in God and salvation, which occurred 23 years ago.
I wonder why its taken be 23 years to see the difference?
(stay tuned for the next phase…)
I wonder why its taken be 23 years to see the difference?
(stay tuned for the next phase…)