What is the Truth?
What is the Message of Christ?
Many turn to the church, religion or family for the answer to these questions.
For some it would be wrong to question what they have been taught. One of the greatest blessings in my life was to discover that my sexuality was that of a gay man. This self discovery threw me into a faith crisis which left me one of only two choices.
The first would be to deny my faith completely and to live my life as if my spirituality was non-existent. I soon discovered this was as impossible as denying my sexuality...which I had given a good try for more than 36 years.
The second and really only real option was to question what I believed. I found myself split by what my heart knew and believed and what my mind told me based on what religion and men had taught me.
My heart knew that God was real, good and loving.
My mind voiced shame, fear and self-hatred. What was I to do? The process was long but the answer was simple. To put my faith in the Love and Goodness of God.
Many never think about what they believe, but blindly accept what others have told or taught them.Sometimes their beliefs only serve to be an extension to the shame, guilt and fear of significant people in their lives. This kind of faith is in direct oppostion to the Truth and message of Christ. Christ came to set us free from all oppression and slavery. True freedom in Christ brings about such a joy and ability to reach our full potential in our lives.
A healthy faith is one that can stand up to questions. It is a faith that brings hope and confidence in the face of crisis and challenge. Does your faith bring freedom and joy or does it make you feel ashamed and unworthy?
Jesus said, "He had come to show us the truth and to set us free". Faith in Christ does just this. John 8:32
I am not perfect and I have many flaws, but my faith causes me to grow into wholeness and enables me to rise above the challenges of my life. My faith is not in rules, dogmas or doctrines but it is in the Love, Mercy and Grace of my God who is commited to my and the whole worlds well-being and salvation.
God reveals and fills my heart with His love and all that he asks in return is for me to accept it and freely share his message of Love with others so they too may recieve this love in its fulness.
If your faith has not helped you rise above fear, shame, or guilt then I invite you to questions its source and relevance. Faith is the substance of things hoped for.....for many their faith is not about their hopes but more about their fear. Hebrews 11:1
May God's peace and Love Fill your heart this day!
Mike
Blogged with the Flock Browser
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