Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Why do I need to be saved?

I have been talking to a few anonymous people who have asked questions such as: I'm a good person why can't I go to heaven? Why do I need to be saved? What is the gospel?

Well I am going to answer this question with as few words as possible. I will let the verses from the Bible speak for themselves as much as I can.

SIN is the start of the problem. Sin does not just cover murder, adultery, theft, rape etc. Sin also covers things such as greed, jealousy, slander etc. We are sinful by nature. If you think you have lived a perfect life, you can stop reading now because you don't need saving but read Romans 3:23 before your stop:

'for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God'

If you think you classify with the 'all' in the above verse, please read the next one:

Romans 6:23 'For the wages of sin is death.'

God didn't want this to be the end of the story for humanity. He wanted to re-establish our relationship with him. To do that, our sin needed to be pardoned and our lives ransomed. What did he do about it?

John 3:16 'For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.'

The book of John says that God became flesh and dwelled with us in the form of Jesus Christ. Jesus' purpose was to ransom humanity. It was always intended for him to lay down his life so we wouldn't have to. He was put to death on a cross for the sin of all men. He paid the price of our sin on our behalf. Jesus payed your debt. He was, however, without sin so death had no hold on him. The wages of a perfect life is eternal life. Three days later he was raised again. Through his resurrection the way between humanity and God had opened once more.
Now what? If you think about all of the above, the next verse is the next step:

Romans 10:9 'If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.'

So in a nutshell, that is the Gospel. That is why you need to be saved and what God did to allow it to happen.

For now don't let anything you dislike about Christianity stop you considering all of the above. This is not about the brutality of the Crusades, The Big Bang theory, evolution, homosexuals, paedophile priests and the bad example of Christians. This isn't about all the differing Christian denominations you see that bicker with each other. THIS IS ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CREATOR. Nothing else matters for now.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Mary MacKillop great lady, not great deity

Mary MacKillop was an awesome lady. She displayed a practical example of Christianity. She gave the disadvantaged an opportunity to have a better future through education. She also cared for the homeless, refugees, ex-prisoners and ex-prostitutes. Quite rightly, her life has the respect and inspiration it deserves. She died in 1909.

When I heard about the miracles she was involved in, I assumed she instigated them while she was alive.

I have subsequently found out that the miracles she performed all occurred after her death.

More recently, she apparently intervened to ensure the successful surgery of the conjoined twins Trishna and Krishna. Muslims and non-Christians also came to the catholic chapel to pray. Sr Bernadine said she believed Blessed Mary answered their prayers to save the twins. The Sister has 'great faith in Mary MacKillop'.

But come again Catholics. Can I get something clarified?

1. Who actually performed these miracles? Mary MacKillop or Jesus Christ?
2. Who is getting worshiped? Mary MacKillop or Jesus Christ?

Mary MacKillop has been given all praise and all power for the miracles. I have seen in the media people kneeling before an image of Mary praying to her. I haven't heard the name of Jesus Christ mentioned once. The media must have cut out all mention of Jesus Christ.

The kingship and power of Christ has been denied. I have seen catholics place their rosaries and other artefacts on the tomb of MacKillop and bend their knees in worship. Out of all the interviews, even the Cardinal Pell does not take the opportunity to glorify Jesus Christ.

Put down your catholic literature and pick up your Bible and read. Where does your precedence of praying to the dead come from?

Acts 14. When the Apostle Paul performed a miracle, the crowd treated them as gods, they brought their religious artefacts and symbols to them (bulls and wreaths) to offer sacrifices to them. Paul and Barnabas responded by saying 'We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news, telling you to turn from these worthless things to the living God.'
Mary was only human. Worshiping anything other than the living God is worthless.

Romans 8:26, "...the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
There is no precedent in the Bible of calling on the dead to intercede. When we pray it is through the Spirit.

Why go to Mary MacKillop when you can go straight to God?
Hebrews 4 says 'we have a High Priest and that is Jesus the Son of God. We can come boldly unto to throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need'.

You pray to Mary but do you know Jesus Christ?

In Matthew 7:22-23 Jesus says. 'Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'

This is in context of people not doing God's Will. That verse is even scary for me. Is God's Will tied to doing good works? Well yes and no. The people Jesus was talking about did good works by performing miracles and driving out demons etc but it wasn't enough. There is something deeper required...a relationship with Jesus Christ.

How does a miracle draw you closer into a relationship with Christ?
It doesn't if you are heaping all the praise on a dead nun. Do you really know your creator and judge?

Heaps of Catholics went to church services to celebrate the mighty works of their dead nun. How many will turn up next week? If you are in a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ you would probably turn up next week as well.


I am a joint heir with Jesus Christ so I am going to end this with a

Yours sincerely

Saint Rob