Day 192 "The Christian Life On Autopilot"

The do's and the don'ts! They seem to come with every religious organization. Investigate for yourself the primary tenets of the major religions throughout the world and see what each believer must or mustn't do. When I Googled the major tenets of world religions, I came to the site, "The Best Schools Staff." Here I found this paragraph introducing the various world religions. I found this introductory paragraph to be enlightening and concise with its description of religion.

Religion is a vast subject. Actually, that’s an understatement. Religion touches on everything about the world around us, from the explanations we seek for the creation of the universe and our purpose within to the higher power behind these things to the way we behave, treat one another, and interact with society to the values, laws, and beliefs that govern us. Whether you are a person of faith, a skeptic, or something in between, the concepts of spirituality, organized religion, and morality effect us all. They produce cultural constructs, power dynamics, and historical narratives. They can also produce philosophical innovation, ethical reform, and the advancement of social justice.

Okay, so there are a lot of religions in our world beckoning us to follow this way or that way. Google for yourself "world religions" and you will find a synopsis for each one for you to peruse and look over.

So why did I choose Christianity? Actually, I feel that Christianity found me. Almost all of the religions you will encounter or read about have the same tendency: man's activity and performance to reach God, towards meeting a certain standard that will qualify the practitioner to participate in a life after this one. For most religions, it is man doing the pursuing of God. In Christianity, however, I found a distinct difference- God purses man. The Christian faith boldly states that man through his own efforts and lifestyle cannot live a life that merits acceptance by God and reconciliation through one's human efforts is futile. The standard of perfection and holiness are not achievable based on merit and behavior. But Christianity goes on to say that God so loved the world, that he made a provision, an atoning sacrifice of his Son, to pay the penalty and take the blame for our iniquity and sin. Through Christ, we have been made holy and totally righteous before God and our relationship as a child of God has been reconciled. Nothing on our part is warranted. God initiated and implemented it all. What initiated it? A love that God has for us.

Which brings me to the heading of this blog "Walking the Christian Life on Autopilot."

Love is a powerful motivation and catalyst. Most religions focus in on the do's and the don'ts, rather than seeking to transform the heart. And yet, it is the heart and through one's mindset that directs one's actions. Here is my point: if one chooses to love, putting the interest of others before one own needs and desires, and seeking the best in the lives of those that one should cross paths with, what higher ground can be taken or achieved than that which has undertaken with love as one's guiding light and beacon?

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe

yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and

patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances

you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together

in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14

Loving in the moment, every conscious moment, will do more towards fulfilling the do's and avoiding the don'ts, even when one is not even cognizant of what the do's and don'ts are!

"The commandments, 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not

steal,' 'Do not covet, 'and whatever other commandment there may be,

are summed up in this one rule: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love

does not harm to its neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the

law." Romans 13:9-10

This is why "to love" is the greatest commandment. It fulfills everything. So, as you go forward in your Christian walk, focus on loving, not on the rules. By doing so, all the do's and the don'ts will be taken care of. Love is the autopilot mechanism for the life of a believer in Christ

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we

should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

1 John 3:1

If you think Christianity is just another religion that focuses on a list of do's and don'ts,

then think again. Christianity is about a relations with God and mankind. Initiated in and born out of love, we have been set free from fear and our need to perform in any particular way. The way a Christian acts, is not to attain a certain position or blessing, but out of recognition that a certain position or blessing has already been bestowed upon the life of a believer. Therefore, there are only two things to consider and follow as a believer in Christ- and everything flows down to just these two points:

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through

love." Galatians 5:6

"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus

Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us." 1 John 3:23

Give it a try. In his love, see you tomorrow....

"Carpe Momentum in Love." (Seize the moment in love)