Believers must take the matters of faith seriously
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This world, especially its western part, is materialistic, hard, selfish, cold and
loveless. Egoism, isolationism, lack of concern for others, money and love of money,
entertainment, things and gadgets and lusts – those things seem to be this world's
"values".
This affects everyone. All humans are in many ways products of the society around them; there is no hiding from that fact. All and everyone are influenced and formed by the society they live in; even religious people are. But, that should not be. Skin-deep religion is not real. Religion must not be skin-deep only; it must be a true way of living with love and care for others. Believers must take the matters of faith seriously. This essay takes a closer look at that truly important subject.
Most people spend all too little time with God and the things of God – such as doing what Jesus taught:
Matthew 22:37 And he said to him, Have love for the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. 38 This is the first and greatest rule. 39 And a second like it is this, Have love for your neighbour as for yourself. (BBE)
Because, that means and demands doing things. Let us see what James wrote (the context was that of good works – putting into practice this with loving one's neighbour as oneself):
James 2:14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (ESV)
Often, people's religion is only a ritual, like a skin-deep facade, instead of being a real walk and talk with God. Also, most people do not really study the Bible with interest and deep thought, but more as a mere custom, or then as vain "works" of some kind. (Yes, James wrote about works, but that was good works, doing good, caring for others. Keeping up a "spiritual" facade is not works of the kind that believers are to have.)
And then – people who feel or claim that they do "not have time" for the truly important things, use hours upon hours watching the TV, reading rubbish, playing violent computer games, and who knows what else. Even in many other ways, people are influenced by what the wicked spirit rulers of this world are broadcasting and spreading around. That is where many people spend their time. Where are people's priorities? Where is the abstaining from evil and holding on to the good?
Again, believers must take the matters of faith seriously. Here is a suggestion, a seriously meant one:
First, in private or together with your family if you have one and dare to do that, figure out the actual amount of time you use daily for being together with your close ones, for doing good works such as caring for the needy, and for prayer and study and for discussing spiritual things with others.
Then, figure out how much time you use for reading newspapers, magazines and the like, and for listening to the radio or music, and the amount of time you spend watching the TV or videos (including the time that the different audio- or video-gadgets in your home are on).
Doing that will help you to find out what and where your real priorities have been and are.
For most people, the obvious conclusion after such a test (a check of the real state of things) is that the wicked spirit rulers of this world have ready access to them through their media (radio, TV, papers, magazines, music), much longer time each day, than what they use for being with God and with their family and with other human beings.
One must not think that what one does, and how one uses one's time, has "no effect" on one's life. How one uses one's time is crucial. In a nutshell: Religion must not be skin-deep only.
"Study and prayer" are not, and must not be, a goal in themselves. What is important is instead that one lives and acts in a way which is pleasing to God. That must also include being in active, positive and close contact with one's own family, as well as other human beings. And, doing good, personally.
A warning: Many preachers and churches control their followers by having them program their own brains by too much prayer and study, where the prayer and study are focused on the preacher and his church, which then become idols. Prayers easily turn into mantras which shut down the thinking mind.
Personal and deep bible study is important, but bible study can also become a parasitic thing which robs time from the family, and from others as well. It is important to have proper balance in all things.
All the time, people are fed by the "values" of the wicked spirit rulers of this world who continually push their views and "values" at humans, through the different media.
People take in those things: On the TV and videos they watch war, murder, illicit sex, lust, stealing, violence, materialism, deceiving religion, occult things, ungodliness, dishonesty, disloyalty and much more of the same kind and even worse. One must not think that one's watching of those things does not affect one or how one is. Of course they do.
The same kind of evils are fed to people through music. Listen to the words of a few popular songs, some of which you perhaps like, country music or whatever, in order to hear what you really are being fed, what "values" your mind is being filled with. Are those "values" righteous [1] and true ones? Also, much of the so-called "music" often is very destructive in itself, and is actually designed to have a bad effect on the psyche even through physical means. Add to that, all the things that "music" has as peripherals, on the MTV or similar channels and so on; horrible, wicked things.
People there in front of your TV, seeing all that horrible and sinful stuff, and they say "See what dirt they are sending!" Now, why do they not turn off that TV, instead! One must not watch such dirt, "complaining" about it. One must stop watching and taking in such evil things. It is the same with radio and printed media. Even commercials (printed ones, or on radio or TV or at cinemas) are full of deception, sex, lust, totally wrong values and even plain evil.
Why is there evil in this world? Also, the visible rulers of this world, in whose service are they? The essays ew01b.htm, ew02c.htm and ew03b.htm have more on this. The essay eo01b.htm considers what, when and where the Reign of God really is.
[1] The essay eg08b.htm contains an in-depth study on the word and concept "righteousness". A note: That essay may appear a bit "theoretical", but it also explains what practical righteousness really is and consists of. Caring for others and doing good, is a central part of true righteousness. (One does not and cannot become righteous by doing good works, but a righteous person will do good, when that is possible for her/him.) Again, the essay eg08b.htm has more on that matter.
To a large degree, the TV is the source where people in those countries get their "education" and "upbringing", and even their conscious and unconscious "moral values". That "education" through the TV and the commercials begins when people are mere toddlers.
Many people have TV-sets in several rooms. A lot of people have their TVs on from breakfast to bed-time. Some have a TV-set even in the bathroom.
It is not really parents who teach their children how to speak or what words to use or what values to have. To a large degree, it is the TV that does that. A large part of many people's vocabulary and manner of speaking comes from the TV. All the superlatives and exaggerations and simplifications and empty words that the commercials have: Those things form many people's language, more so than most other sources or factors. Those things even affect the way people think. Commercials are superficial; their "values" are skin-deep and for the most part lying and wrong. The same goes for most TV programs, news broadcasts very much included.
Many people love the TV. But how many people really love the true God (the Father and Jesus), and their neighbours? Unfortunately the answer to that question is that mostly, the TV is loved much more than God or fellow man. "We do not have time to talk with that person today, because the 173rd part of that popular soap is on TV today." "I cannot go and help old aunt Olga who sits in the wheelchair this evening, because I want to see that program." Many people may not think in that way consciously; but those (totally wrong) things are there nevertheless. They become unconscious and automatic. They direct the lives of many. People are enslaved by the TV without even noticing it.
Many wise people have thrown away their TV sets. Have you? The essay ew06b.htm has a challenge for believers in that regard.
Once again, believers must take the matters of faith seriously.
The Bible mentions many things all people should be doing and practising. Do you know what those things really are, and do you keep doing them, as a continual habit?
Do you really live together and communicate with your family, in an active way? Do you help the aged and the sick and the needy and care for them?
Do you respect people, without regard to their skin colour, economical status and cultural differences? Do you visit the sick and those who are in prison? (A note: Special advice is needed, before visiting people in prison.)
Do you really love your family and your neighbours, just as you love your own self? In action, and not just in words? Or is it that you feel you do not really have "time" (or money) for those things?
Unfortunately, many people feel they do not have "time" to visit aunt Beata who broke her hip, because they have some "important" thing to do (and something else the next night). And, unfortunately, people do not help the old lady next door, because, "She is such a strange woman; just look at her clothes." And so on.
Many people do not even have time for their own families, because of all the "entertainment" and "media" which takes their time – or work (making more money) or whatever.
Also, many people think, maybe not consciously but nevertheless, along such lines as, "We cannot afford to help the widowed Mrs. Smith with her five children, because we need a new and better car" (or a dishwasher, a VCR, a PC, a trip to Mexico, or whatever).
People defend themselves, for not helping that poor lady who is in great need of help, by saying or thinking in ways such as "She should blame herself for marrying that drunkard, anyway", and, "Why did she get all those kids". All too often people even say (or think, perhaps unconsciously) such things as "She is black, on top of that". Is that correct thinking? No!
A very serious question: How many really love their neighbours as they love themselves? (See Matthew 22:37-39 which was quoted at the beginning of this essay.)
If one has a family or lives in a family, then one's "closest neighbours" are right in one's home. That is where one must start a proper life as a believer, at home. Then one can "grow outward", to one's extended family, one's neighbours, work colleagues and so on.
That is, one must learn to really love other people and to care for them. If and when one does that, one will feel much better oneself as well, and one will probably notice that all those gadgets and cars and TV and travel abroad and so on, are not that important after all. Doing good things makes the doer feel good also, and not only those who are helped. Doing good to others can even enhance one's own health and well-being.
But, one must not deceive oneself into believing one is "something" just because one does some "good thing". Also: One must not do good works for one's own sake; that is not the purpose.
Jesus warned his disciples that the many peoples' love would grow cold (Matthew 24:12). Alright, that really may have applied to love towards Jesus. But then: Consider Jesus' words, "Inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me" (Matthew 25:45). (A note: Yes, those things were something that Jesus said to his disciples, to people of those days and not to people of our day, but there are things to be learned in that, even for believers in our day.)
Anyone who bothers to find out what the Bible teaches, should be able to see that good works are central for a true life of faith, and that those works, or the lack of them, are something people will be judged for, when that time comes.
For more on good works, see the key-word index for this site and look under the headings "Good works", "Charitable, charities, charity" and "Love, loving". A note: Giving money to some church or preacher, is not the kind of "good works" one should have or do. Regarding money in connection with religious fellowships, look under the heading "Silver and gold", and also under the headings "Philarguria, philarguros", "Mammon", "Good works" and "Righteousness".
One must always analyse what one does, and why one does things. That helps one to change the things that need to be changed in one's life. Doing that, considering one's ways and continually checking one's course, is something a believer simply must do.
It is an unfortunate fact that it is very easy for us humans to be superficial. Thus, it all too easily happens that one's religion is skin-deep only. It does not make things any better, if some preacher keeps telling one how "great" the church one attends is, or what "great" people the followers of that preacher supposedly are. It is not what one thinks that one is, that counts. No, what counts is how one lives, what one actually does (and, what one fails to do). Believers must keep checking their own course and actions all the time, and must then act upon what they find through that check. True religion must be of the heart – being faithful to God, loving him above all, and loving one's fellow humans, doing good works.
Please note that being faithful to God does not mean following some preacher or church and being faithful to that preacher or church and being faithful to them. Please also note that doing loving one's neighbour (such as, doing good works) does not mean giving money to some church or preacher. Loving one's neighbour contains many things, doing good works being one of them. Loving one's neighbour is something one does on the personal level, person to person. One expression of that can be that one personally helps people in need, in different ways. Again, in short: A believer's religion must not be skin-deep only.
(The essays ea01d.htm, ea02d.htm, ea03d.htm and eg06b.htm have more on churches. The essay ea04c.htm has more on the word and concept "worship".)
Many preachers have caused people to believe that if they belong to some church, they are "holy", "alright" and "good". But, that is not true. Membership in some church does not help one. What counts is how one lives.
Also: Some churches have a dogma regarding "church eras". People are led to think that all they need to be or do, is to "belong" to some church which claims itself to be "a good era". It is mostly the name "Philadelphia" that is used in that deception. The essay ea03d.htm has more on the "church eras" dogma. And again, the essays ea01d.htm, ea02d.htm and eg06b.htm have more on churches, while the essay ea04c.htm takes a closer look at the word and concept "worship".
After asking that question and honestly answering it, one must consider this question also: "What could I have done to help others, if I had used my time and energy and my resources in a different and more wise, righteous and loving way?"
Some people might say, "I do not know anyone who is in need of my help." But, believers must be actively interested in how their neighbours (other humans) are doing, so that they will know more about them and about their needs. Believers must talk to people and listen to what they have to say about their life and situation. There are also other ways to find out what needs people have. But, if one isolates oneself, or only mingles with the well-off, or just watches that TV or whatever, then one will not find anyone who is in need.
If someone feels that he, after a long day at work, does not have "the energy" to do anything else except watch the TV, then that person most probably is deceiving himself badly. Could it even be that it is all that passive TV watching, that makes him so tired? (Or, her.) Or, maybe it is a matter or working too much, just in order to get more money and more and more things and gadgets?
A note: Lack of physical exercise, and lack of meeting real people and being with them, also make the body and mind tired. And, so does wrong diet and late-night TV-watching.
If one considers oneself to be a believer, then one must live in harmony with "one's neighbour", in love. Then one must be actively interested in how other people are doing, instead of being anxious about how it will go for "Sue Ellen" (or whoever) in the next instalment of some TV-series, or about a "lost extra life" in some computer game.
People need one's time in other ways also: They do not need only one's fellowship and help, they need one's prayers as well (James 5:16). But, it is the doing, the actual fellowshipping and helping, that must be the priority, instead of just "saying a few words for other people" by one's bedside.
People may also need one's guidance in spiritual matters. Because of that, believers must personally, through real, deep and personal study know what the Bible actually teaches, so that they will be able to give proper and correct guidance to others. This means deep and personal study, of the Bible itself. Reading or listening to what preachers say, is not the way to go; churches and preachers deceive. (The pages es01d.htm and es02c.htm have more on bible study and tools for it.)
Also, people often need not only practical help, but also friendship and encouragement, or maybe just a shoulder to cry on. Here, the place to begin is one's own family. A great many people, religious people very much included, neglect their own families, not to mention other people.
But again, yes, praying for others certainly is important also. And then, it is not some "one minute a week" thing that we are talking about here, but real heart-felt and meaningful prayer. Not just a few mumbled words "please bless Mrs. Smith" (while doing nothing for her). Heartfelt prayer must be accompanied with love. Love must lead to action. One must see to it that one is not merely "praying" for someone, because if one "prays" for old and lonely aunt Beata with her broken hip, without helping her in practical ways or visiting her while one is able to do those things, then that will be a falsehood.
A note: If one needs more love (all people do), then one must ask for it, in prayer, from the true God who is in Heaven. The essay eb11c.htm has more on prayer.
Also: A good way to learn something, is to start practising it. One cannot learn to drive a car without actually getting behind the wheel and practising. That is how it is with love also: If one wants to "have" love, then one must practise love, and do works of love.
Love means being good to others and doing good to others. One must continually ask God to help one to really love one's neighbours, in thought and word and in actions, because that is a central part of being a believer.
Yes, believers must first and foremost love Jesus and the Father in Heaven. But they are to love their fellow human beings also.
Consider this parable:
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32 And all the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. 33 And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on His right hand, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 for I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36 I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me. 37 Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39 Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You? 40 And the King will answer and say to them, Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me. 41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire having been prepared for the devil and his angels: 42 for I was hungry and you did not give Me a thing to eat; I was thirsty and you did not give Me a thing to drink; 43 I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me. 44 Then they also will answer Him, saying, Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You? 45 Then He will answer them, saying, Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me. 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. (VW-2006, highlighting added)
A note: Most probably, Jesus directed that parable to a certain specific group, but there is much to learn in it even for believers in our day.
The essay eb13e.htm considers where believers' heart should be.
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A clarifying explanation of the short names for the bible-versions quoted or mentioned at this site, such as that NKJV stands for New King James Version, YLT for Young's Literal translation, HCSB for Holman Christian Standard Bible, NRSV for the New Revised Standard Version, and so on. → es09c.htm
What does the word "righteous" really mean? What does the Bible say about righteousness? → eg08b.htm
Righteousness goes hand in hand with good works. → Look under the headings "Good works", "Charitable, charities, charity", "Love, loving" and "Righteousness" in the key-word index for this site.
A challenge for all believers, regarding something very important. → ew06b.htm
What does the word "faith" mean? What is true faith? On the words and concepts "faith", "faithfulness", "believe" and "believing", in the Bible and especially in the New Testament, and what those things meant in the saints' lives. → eb10b.htm
Check your bible knowledge. A basic self-test with 15 biblical questions (with answers and commentary). → es04b.htm
Many people wonder, why does God allow evil, sickness, pain, war and suffering? What is the biblical answer – does the Bible explain that matter, or in some way make it understandable? → ew01b.htm
What does the Bible say about the Pharisees? Also, why did Jesus call them vipers, snakes and actors? → eo12c.htm
The so-called "divine right of kings" – is there such a thing? Are kings, rulers and governments appointed by God? → ew02c.htm
What is the Kingdom of God? Where is it located? Does it exist already, or is it only going to be established in the future? Or, is it only something "in the hearts of men" as some have claimed, quoting the translation "within you" in Luke 17:21? → eo01b.htm
Matthew 6:33, "But seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you". What did Jesus mean? How were the disciples to go about "seeking the Kingdom"? Also, what did the expression "all these things" really refer to, and when and where were those things to be "added" to those disciples? → eo10d.htm
Luke 12:34 and Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". What does that mean? What was Jesus talking about? → eb13e.htm
How should one pray? A study on prayer, prayers and praying. → eb11c.htm
The Babylon of the book of Revelation, what or where is it? What about the Beast, or beasts, that are mentioned in the book of Daniel and in the book of Revelation? → ew03b.htm
Worshipping God. What does the Bible say about worship, when it comes to New Covenant times? Serving God is something important, for many believers. There is a custom to gather for worship services. Indeed, for many people, worship is the same as going to church or attending church. But, where does the word "worship" really come from, and what does it mean? And, what about praise and giving thanks and "offerings", and so on? In what way and when and where should believers be serving and worshipping God? → ea04c.htm
Regarding money in connection with religious fellowships. → keyw-s5.htm (Look under the heading "Silver and gold".)
Matthew 16:18, "I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it". What was Jesus talking about? What is the immortal assembly or ekklêsia which he said he would form, and where is it located? Is it an earthly religious organisation in this world – a church – or is it a heavenly assembly that has as its members the saints who have become immortals? → ea01d.htm
The origin and meaning of the word "church". → eg06b.htm
What does Galatians 4:26 mean? It talks about the heavenly Jerusalem and is a part of an allegory regarding the two covenants. Why have some preachers then claimed that it refers to some church? This essay finds the facts regarding the allegory of Galatians 4:21-31, and shows what the different things named in it pictured and symbolised. → ea02d.htm
The meaning of the words Christ, Christian, Messiah and Messias. Also: Did the saints call themselves "Christians" – christianos or christianoi? → eg07b.htm
Church eras – do they exist? Are there seven "eras of the Church", as some have claimed – "Sardis era", "Philadelphian era", "Laodicean era" and so on? Is there any biblical basis for that dogma? The question in a nutshell: The seven assemblies mentioned in Revelation 2 and 3 – were they contemporary assemblies of saints in the days of John (as the book of Revelation describes them), or are they, as some have claimed, successive "eras of the Church of God" that exist in later times and continue to our day? → ea03d.htm
How to study the Bible in a deeper way. Some simple guidelines and notes on study methods. Also, advice and information on easily available practical study helps and useful modern-day tools and resources which, on top of many other things, can help one to view and translate the Hebrew OT and Greek NT texts. → es01d.htm
How to understand the Bible. Easy keys to interpreting and understanding Scripture in a better and deeper way, by avoiding certain fundamental but common mistakes and errors in bible study. These vital keys are really the basics for objective bible study. Knowing these keys will make many things easier to interpret and comprehend, and one will see several central matters in the Bible from a new and different perspective, especially in connection with the Gospels and the Epistles. → eg02c.htm
For real and thorough in-depth study and exegesis of the Scriptures, an interlinear bible with Strong's numbers and a concordance with a lexicon and bible commentaries are not good enough; a computer bible is needed. Some facts and recommendations regarding bible study suites for computers, including tools for word search, word study and adding and editing your own electronic marginal notes verse for verse, tools for studying the Hebrew text of the Old Testament and the Greek text of the New Testament, and links for download of bible software (both free and commercial). → es02c.htm
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