Thread:Akamichi/@comment-5175866-20150911211957/@comment-5175866-20200425222405

Hi Akamichi- I vaguely remember you from several years ago (back in "those days" I guess)- a lot has changed in my life- i'm in college now studying to be a Bible Scholar, moved to a different area, work part-time etc.

I am amazed that you have come to me after these years for advice. I take this as God granting me an opportunity to make an impact on your life and I don't believe this is "coincidental". As I am writing this, I am praying that the Holy Spirit would speak through my words and that you would see God clearly.

You cannot earn God's love- going to church or tithing will not make you right with God. I am not an expert on Mormons, but from my understanding they are not Christians. On the surface they may appear to believe the same things but there are two major differences between them and Christians- they do not believe Jesus as fully God and fully man nor do they believe in faith alone for Salvation. I'd recommend Got Questions and the Gospel Coalition for more info.

Again, you cannot do anything to be right with God. No amount of good works will seal your relationship with God forever. The only way to be saved is to trust in God through the work of Jesus Christ (his death for sin and resurrection). Trust or faith is not the same thing as belief- genuine trust means you act upon what you believe. If you believe a friend will meet you at a restaurant, than you will go there, ask for a table and order your food.

Going to church, giving and praying are all good things- but they don't give you a relationship with God. You do those things not out of religious obligation or ritual, but out of a genuine heart that wants to worship God. Faith in Jesus Christ is not about religion, its about relationship with him. Someone who trusts in God should want to go to church and should want to be generous (and God asks believers too). But, those things are not an admittance ticket into Heaven. Admittance is only granted to those who trust (not just believe in, not being a "good person" or doing the right things) in God and this results in a changed life.

As I I continue to mature, I realize more and more how even know I am a a screw up when it comes to living the Christian life. Even though I know God there's a lot of times I don't act like it. That's my story and the story of countless others- it is God who does the saving, God who became a man to us, it is God who remains faithful to us in spite of our own tendencies to move away from him. That is the esscence of being a Christian- trusting God and realizing your purpose is to worship and follow him. No ritual, no state of enlightment, no church membership or good deed will ever make you right with God. God wants your heart, genuinely and authentically. You'll never be perfect and there will always be struggles (in fact Jesus said that the world will hate you if you follow him).

Having faith won't mean your life is instantly better or perfect, nor that you'll never doubt or struggle. Faith is all about trust- even though you cannot see God, you trust (with some factual and logical grounding) in what you cannot see.

Here aretwo videos that explain what I mean a little bit more. I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any more questions. I am praying for you.

In Christ, Superdadsuper, Sr. Content and Community Manager (Bible Wiki) 22:24, April 25, 2020 (UTC)