Romans: The Prelude

Posted on February 21, 2012 by Matt Smith

Courtesy of CreationSwap

To me Romans is the only book of the Bible I need to read. Of course that’s wrong, but that’s how much I love the book. Everything you need to know about the entire Bible is right there in that book. Romans doesn’t contain everything there is to know about the Bible, but like I said, it’s got everything you need.

A while back I embarked on a journey through Romans. I am going verse by verse and either rewording it or writing what I think it’s telling me. I feel like I need to share some of that here on reconciled.

Romans gives the reader a bird’s eye view of who God is. I don’t think any other book paints the picture of God’s love better. Now, considering the Gospels, and the depiction of Jesus’ crucifixion, that’s a bold statement. However, we’re all born with brains that think a certain way and for whatever reason the Gospels didn’t get through to me like Romans did.
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Is Morality Holiness?

Posted on February 16, 2012 by Matt Smith

Courtesy of Creative Commons

When morality or how good we behave becomes the foundation of our faith we are left with one great big question.

How good do we have to be?

With so many denominations, sects within those denominations, and opinions it’s hard to tell. Where does morality end and arbitrary rules begin?

Please understand that I’m not trying to get around the sin issue. We are called to live holy lives. That’s clear in scripture.

What isn’t clear is what exactly living holy means.
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Pain and Suffering

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Matt Smith

Courtesy of Creation Swap

If you want answers look away. I’ve got way more questions than answers today, but maybe I can talk my way through this.

It’s the age old question of why there is pain and suffering. As a Christian it is both easier, and more complex, to answer.

A heartless response is that those who are not Christians aren’t God’s children so why would God protect them? But that just doesn’t feel right. It feels mean.

That line of thinking leads me to Christians. If God doesn’t protect those who do not believe, then why do bad things happen to Christians?
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In God I Will Trust

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Matt Smith

Courtesy of Creation Swap

Today, I’m writing to myself. I need a pep talk so I’m going to regurgitate all the juicy little things I’ve come to truly believe the past few years.

Refrigerator verses aren’t going to keep you true if they are recited as if they’re magic. The Bible isn’t magic. The Bible is true.

There once was a man named Jesus who walked the earth. Day in and day out He strove for perfection. He achieved perfection. He did what I could not do so that I could get what I could never achieve or deserve.

Jesus, God on earth, allowed Himself to be ridiculed and beaten. He went to a torture device and allowed Himself to be executed for my sake.
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Prop 8 and the Adulterous Woman

Posted on February 9, 2012 by Matt Smith

Courtesy of CreationSwap

The Problem

So a California appeals court has ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional.

This will probably go to the United States Supreme Court.

Why is this a big deal about Prop 8? I’ll tell you.

Prop 8 a big deal because it exposes what’s wrong with the Church. It will anyway.

The big-wigs of the evangelical church are getting ready to start preaching about the United States being a Christian nation. They will talk about the sanctity of marriage. The will talk about gay activism being hateful and how they are coming after our children.

That may be true, but it doesn’t matter.
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