For Those That Like Jesus But Not Church
by Alecia B. Gardner
smashwords edition
copyright 2012 Alecia B. Gardner
Notice: All things that I write are my opinions and/or interpretations. I value other people’s opinions and/or interpretations. My opinions and/or interpretations may change throughout time, or be changed by someone that is able to convince me. However, I do not approve of forced beliefs/religions. I do not believe in bullying or scaring someone into agreeing with a certain belief, religion, or opinion. If you wish to convince me to change my views, please do so in a civilized and courteous manner.
I would like to point out to those people who don't claim to be Christians, but like Jesus, good for you! Christianity isn't Jesus. Jesus is Jesus.
To follow Jesus or to follow the masses? You don't have to be a religion to follow Jesus. But you do have to know what Jesus taught, how he thought, what he did, and so forth. You have to meditate upon Jesus, follow him, believe in everything he was about even if it conflicted with other parts of the Bible... which you will find that Jesus did conflict with some of the other "God" inspired people of the Bible.
So when it comes down to it, do you follow Jesus or the conflicting teaching if you find one? Jesus, of course. In any teaching of the Bible, ask yourself if it is the way of Jesus or not? Even prophets could get confused or led astray by the devil, or even tempted to write or teach things not entirely of God... because prophets were NOT perfect. Only Jesus was perfect.
Don't disown the prophets because they weren't perfect. Just ask yourself with every little teaching they had, did it coincide with what Jesus taught? If so, follow it. But if it conflicts with Jesus, they were probably confused at the moment, just as we all are at time to time.
You don't have to obey a church teaching if it conflicts with Jesus. You shouldn't follow a church anyway. You should follow Jesus. Church is just there for a sort of "club" for people who believe in God. It's not a bad thing. It's not necessary either.
Don't look down upon churches unless they ignore the needy to fatten their wallets. They aren't all hypocrites. So thumbs up to anyone who follows Jesus as Master, whether they are a religion or not.
I was watching "The 700 Club" the other day. Someone emailed a question to them about the Bible. They asked how can someone believe in the Bible when it is just as believable as the toothfairy or Santa Clause. Here is what I have to say about it: The Bible, at the very least is a written record of history, told by historians and Biblical psychics (prophets). It is just as dependable for history as any history book is. All of the prophets involved in the creation of the Bible were human, and also prone to slipping up into sin or into believing Satan's lies here and there.
Only one person could entirely resist Satan and only one person was perfect. That was Jesus. That means that everything Jesus said is absolute truth, and is God's word. Everything the prophets said is "God inspired", but must be interpreted by individuals’ hearts to discern if Satan put in a fib here and there to try to slip people up. The Bible is filled with people sinning, even some of God's people. To know if a prophet has slipped up, ask yourself this: Is it what Jesus would say or do? Because our main concern should be to be like Jesus, not like the other people of the Bible.
Even if these prophets and Jesus didn't exist and if the Bible was a fairy tale, then look at it as a book of morals to guide children into adulthood. The child mind without guidance into correct behavior will lead to barbarianism instead of civilized behavior. Even fairy tales have their place in teaching morals or wisdom. The point of the Bible is to teach people right from wrong. It isn't to be used to dominate or to start religious wars and disputes. The point of Jesus being born was to impart his wisdom of living in peace with one another, to stand up for truth against religious ritual, and to lead people to God. As he said, he is the light, he is the way. Follow Jesus' heart, and you will not fail to find paradise. Follow your heart without God guiding it or the heart of the prophets, you may stumble.
If you can't find it in your heart to believe that Jesus existed, can you at least take the time to read what he supposedly said? Read the letters written in red in the Bible. Take this as a guide to living in world peace. Don't think about who wrote it. Think about what it teaches people in living together without war and destruction.