I find other religions very interesting. Ya'll know I'm Christian, Lutheran, Missouri Synod if you wanna get specific, but other religions have always fascinated me in two ways. One, even though not everyone in the world is "Christian" many people have similar beliefs and similar stories to Christianity (and I'm talking about religions and cultures that had never know Christianity, too) and it makes me think that God really meets people where they are at and that He shows himself to people in ways that they will best understand. For example, I find the creation myths of certain indigenous people's fascinating when they are very similar to Genesis, even if that culture had no relation at all the the Hebrews and stuff. Two, seeing how similar, yet not, other religions are to Christianity makes me see how crafty the Devil is. Its very smart to pose something after God's design, but then tweak just a few things to pervert it and lead people astray. It's also very infuriating to me. Because I see that so many people are so close to the truth, and yet... so far at the same time. And I'm sure some/a lot of people will take offense to this, especially if you are one of the people that aren't Christian but either sees themselves as Christian (because you've been taught that you supposedly are) or you aren't and you know you aren't but you still feel you are a good person and why should I, some random person on the internet judge you who is a good person and follows your religion to a T. I get it. But personally, I gotta call it as I see it. And I see it that many people don't know how truly lost they are, and yet how truly close they are to being "saved". I put saved in quotes cause well, as a Lutheran I believe that Jesus died for everyone and therefore "saved" everyone and all you have to do is accept that gift, but I know other denominations might have a few other "rules" as to how one is completely saved. I'm kinda looking at you Roman Catholicism. I can say that because my mom in super Catholic and she already knows me and my dad kinda differ on some things (in wording especially) XD
Anyway! The point I'm trying to make with this is that I've always thought about how I can best serve God and stuff and I'm sorta wondering if I'm being "called" (the way people use that word always makes me laugh and so I'm putting it in quotes to emphasis the... overuse of it? in a way) to, basically, help "convert" people to Christ, especially those who think they know God, but have it wrong someway. Are you getting my drift. I hate to kinda call out the two groups of people I'm thinking about cause one of my good friends is one of them, and if he ever read this, I wouldn't want him thinking the wrong this. (So hey! If you ever read this, you know who you are. Talk to me about it, before you go jumping to weird conclusions, if you are.) Ok, I"ll say it. I'm mostly thinking about Mormons and Muslims. Them, more than others, because I think its fascinating that they both say that we all have the same God, but in reality, their image and description of God is not the same as "our" God, the creator of the entire freaking world and universe and all that. They both also say they believe the Bible.. sorta, but each think that their... supplemental books are actually more important because the Bible has been flawed over the centuries. So yeah... I'm not an expert on either religion, or even my own, so I wouldn't want to get into any intense stuff right now, God willing, but in the future, I think I'd like to "minister" (wow, that's also a super Christian word XD) to Muslims and Mormons because I honestly think that if they knew the real God, they'd find so much more joy and peace in their lives. (Again, I just want to say that I ain't trying to pick a fight or make it seem like anyone is some damsel in distress that I have to rescue because its my calling, but I just really honestly think that if you are either of those religions, that you are so close! So close, and I'd love to help you grow in your relationship with the true ruler of the world. Because I can totally see how someone can take this whole post and think that I'm some self rightreous crusader who thinks that they can save everyone by just taking them to church with me. That's not it. I just want to see all my friends and family, and as many people in the world all hanging out with Jesus in the end >_< Is that too much to ask for? Dx ) Yeah... I feel like I had to put that disclaimer in. It is the internet after all and people love the be all social justice warrior-y and get all enraged at things other people post. At the same time though, just because I put a disclaimer, doesn't mean I'm a timid person who doesn't like conflict. I just don't like being misunderstood, especially if its because I could have said something better or more eloquently, ya know. I can't change how you react to what I say, but I can do my best to phrase what I say in the best way that its still truthful but not mean or rude to crude to anyone, ya know. Cause I know I can just blurt stuff out sometimes. I want to be as Christ like as possible. And that doesn't mean diluting my words, but it does mean telling like it is, but... in a kind way, Remember, Jesus still told people off! That's pretty much what "rebuking: is. But he did it out of love. And that's what I want to do ^_^ Be loving, but not a push over and yet not crude or vulgar with my words. I wanna be straight, but not hurting. I want to be effective, but not repulsive.... I think you get it.
So yeah! I still need to learn more though. I don't know how long it will take me to actually start doing something like this, if I ever do, but, I don't want to get anything wrong... I want to take my time to research and know my stuff before jumping in and starting debates with people, ya know. Plus, I don't like debating. It has an air of "I'm right and you're wrong" and I don't like that. We are all human and all sinners, no one is better than another. But God still loves us all :)
Ok, I think I'm gonna go now! I think I've babbled quite enough. Toodles! God Bless!
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