***When I came back to Chicago nearly 3 years ago for my surgery, I started a blog as one place all family and friends could go to read updates on my health. I then realized it was also a way of promoting awareness. Shortly after that, I started a second blog, for the purpose of sharing my faith. As time went on, I became convicted about something.
It was wrong of me to separate the two, as my faith, Jesus, is the absolute reason for my strength in getting through this. I could not exclude Him from my health blog even if others suggested to do so. Thus, I started talking more about my faith on my main blog. Now, many times, it's more about Him than me, which is where I came up with the current title 'About Me, Not About Me'. This story may be about me, but really it's not about me, it's about Him. That old blog still sits out there no longer being used. So I decided over time I will begin to move those posts from there to here to have everything in one place.
In just beginning to read some of my first posts, I've realized the amount of work God has truly done in me. A lot of times we hate the journey and want to get to our next destination, but it is in that very journey that God molds you into who He created you to be. Enjoy each mile of your own journey and know that God is working through you if you let Him.***
Originally Posted: September 13, 2013
Salvation Debate
So for some time now, God's been telling me to write on a certain topic. As you can see, I haven't written on this blog in quite some time. The main reason was I was unsure what to write. I don't know why I'm doubting. If God says "write" I'm sure once I start typing He will give me the words to send out. This is also a topic of controversy, but that shouldn't matter, since ultimately if I'm doing what God wants that's what matters.
Today a friend asked me something that had to do with Catholicism. This got me rattling off to her all about something which I later realized was the exact topic God told me to write about. God was definitely using my friend as a means to get through to me. It worked. So, here it goes...
Within Christianity, there are many denominations. Some Protestant Christians believe Catholicism isn't a Christian denomination. What I feel God wants me to do here is briefly describe some of the differences so that those reading can take that and go find out for themselves.
One major topic which I feel is the one God wants me to touch on is that of salvation- I mean that is pretty much the most important topic right? Our life here on Earth is extremely short compared to that which we cannot even fathom, that of eternity- are we going to spend it in Heaven?
Catholicism believes that you have to get baptized- preferably as a baby (and receive the other sacraments), have faith/trust in Jesus, and you must do good works all in order to be saved. Christianity outside of Catholicism believes in salvation by grace through faith alone.
So does salvation come through good works or through faith alone? The major conflict here is that one says you HAVE to do something in order to be saved. The other says that salvation is through faith alone. Are you going to get into Heaven without doing good works? I don't think you are. BUT I don't think that's the question to answer here. Why? Because of this... If you are saved by faith alone, ultimately you will be transformed into wanting to do good. So the result here is that both groups are striving to do good.
Still that doesn't answer it. But I'm not going to answer it. I'm not God. My advice is to search for your own answer. However, I must say, keep this in mind. Jesus died on the cross for our sins. For OUR sins. We were forgiven right there... for all the wrong that we would do in the future. We are human, we are sinners. We needed a Savior, Jesus Christ. A Savior. Dissect that thought right there.
I think that's all He wants me to write for now. I hope this makes someone out there, preferably many someones, want to go search for the answers themselves. Research your religion. Read the Bible. Find your answers in the Bible. Is what you've been taught found in the Bible? Does it need to be found in the Bible? If it's not, who taught it and what does that mean in regards to what you believe in? Do you have a religion or do you have a relationship with Jesus? Is Jesus in your heart?
God bless you.
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. -James 2:14-17
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. -Ephesians 2:8-9
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