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Are Our Efforts All In Vain?

Posted: Sunday, April 02, 2006

by straight talk

I guess one of the hardest things in religion is the understanding that no matter what I do I cannot save myself. The only way to salvation is via the free gift of God. Yet, does not God say that He gives us free will? If we have free will then I would suspect we must have a part or role to play in our own salvation. In my humble opinion I believe we must embrace the three things expected of us as Christians. The first is to love God with your whole heart and soul. The second is to honor him with praise and worship and the third is to obey his commands. His commands would be the Ten Commandments and those attributes He expects to be practiced by His followers.

We know by all Christian denominations that man is a sinful, wretched creature. We understand that the just man falls seven times a day. Some denominations place rankings on the type of sin committed with some being minor and some major. However, we understand that God says he detests all sin and He has no rankings- sin is sin. He also says that no matter what you do to gain salvation your efforts are but rags. He specifically casts out sacrifice and other forms of offerings. So just what is left for us sinners. The answer is quite simple - MERCY! We must go to God and ask Him to forgive us our trespasses and seek His Mercy. We do this trough prayer and direct communication. He is faithful to forgive us. However, while forgiven there is a price to pay for that sin because God is a just God. This is where penance and reparation come in. We can do this now or later, our choice! We all shall pass through the fire before we can enter His kingdom and only our good shall follow!

Now we believe that God made us in His image. We maintain the physical attributes of God. However, by allowing us Free Will, He does not force us to love Him. We can reject Him or Accept Him and we reject via our rejection of His commands. It could be the simple sin of envy, lies, omission, pride. Then again it could be grave sin like rape, murder, lust, greed. Yet, in all of these actions we do two things- we reject God and hurt someone else. Albeit some to a greater extent than others but we still do it. That is not demonstrating love, compassion, mercy but the opposite towards those we sin against. It can be that we also sin against our own being by rejecting Gods mercy or in a lack of faith or harming ones self via drugs and other forms.

So as we analyze our walk each day, depending on the situations we encounter we can start to realize how we commit these sins. Certainly, since He who made us knows all things, we cannot hide it from Him. So what must we do. God says we must confess our sin and He who is faithful to forgive us will do so. He also says confess your sins to one another. That is if we have offended anyone we must go to them and ask their forgiveness. We should also forgive and pray for those who have offended or hurt us. I ask, how many of us do this even though we profess to be Christians- followers of Christ? Well if your honest with yourself then perhaps we all don’t at times? Therefore we cannot judge each other because we are all as guilty. Only God judges by our actions and deeds.

So when we look at the world situation, the wars, conflict, destruction, exploitation, greed, selfishness, pride, lust, jealousy, lies, omission, deceit and all the other sins associated with these actions one wonders just how many of us are TRUE followers? As leaders, do we consider this first or say religion has no part in the job you do and maintain they are separate? Of course many say they go to church and tithe and even say “what sins do I commit" and they miss the entire point. God Himself says “The Meek Shall Inherit The Earth". What are the characteristics of being meek? Humbleness, Love, Mercy, Compassion form the basis for identification of a person of this character? Can you truly say you are and if not, do you call yourself a Christian? I guess there are a few more obligations and responsibility in holding or professing that title? As mentioned, it is not in the professing, it is in doing what is expected.

Now we know as Christians accept that Jesus was sent as a sin offering for all man because God knew how really wretched we are and that we cannot help ourselves. He had already destroyed the world once and now He must compete His plan of Salavation for us all so that no one should perish who's name is written in the book of life. He knew, left to our own devices, we would fail, so He sent us the King of Mercy- His Son- Our Lord Jesus Christ as a one time everlasting offering of Himself! Therefore when we look at all that “man" created we find no true, lasting beauty in our creation. Oh sure there are some beautiful things man has created and gloats over- the seven wonders are an example. However all that man creates will eventually crumble and vanish. But what God has created is pure and everlasting beauty and we are a unique part of that creation. He made us in His image, a unique creation, with no one like us in the entire universe. He Gave us an everlasting soul which He breathed into us a spirit when He formed us from the dust of the earth. So we are immortal creatures. Yet, it all boils down to faith and trust in Him and a decision as to where we elect to spend our eternity. He allows us to chose- accept, or reject.

I chose to repent, be born again, to change my ways and to start to practice those attributes He who made us expects us to do. When we go to church it is not just to meet the crowd after services at breakfast, be seen, to be important and recognized or is it something we do each week as an activity or just for the entertainment. It is however, to fall down on our knees and worship GOD in Love. We must yearn for God and seek Him, not because man says we have to, but because it is right and just to love and honor Him. We must also learn to be silent in church before the awesome God we profess to love for we have entered into His home and His presence in the Tabernackle, which houses His true body and blood. We are not going to a mortal wedding event or some other social affair but a spiritual wedding and union with Him, recognizing God is due our respect. However, God is simple in that He enjoys song and music and allows us to sing to Him in praise and worship during services because He says this is a pure form of worship. It is not rules or rituals set by man that will get you into His kingdom it is FAITH and the practice of Love for Him. It is the works we do that stem from faith and love that demonstrate and prove to others we are followers of His. However, we should never find fault in those rituals, since there [as Paul states] are many ways for each of us to reach God and some of us may need these to grow in our faith. It is only when rituals are practiced in the belief these alone will gain paradise that you must reflect on your actions.

Therefore if we all elect to change, to be truly “Born Again" we understand we will fail but that Jesus is faithful to save us. However, it remains for us to make the good fight and not to have a part in sinning as best that we can. We must also recognize that when we worship in the spirit we are united with He who is Spirit and while we are in the world, with all its sin and temptation, we are not of the world.

I also believe that if we Christians practiced that which we claim we are this world will change. Is it that hard? The answer is yes, for it truly means change in a way which is counter to our fleshly desire. However, it can be done with work and perseverance. We must also demand it of our leaders, who profess daily they are believers and we must hold our bosses and those in authority to the test, while respecting their authority over us. We must look for the mercy, love and compassion in their leadership, while understanding the great trials they go through and their temptations. We must always remember, as jesus illustrated to Pilate that no one has power over you who believe except that which God allows them to have and God knows His plan for you! However, if their actions are not what expected, do not judge them, but practice love and mercy and ask God to help them. Pray for them, but hold them to that which they profess and make sure they are aware of their actions so they can also change and turn from their ways. To remain silent, is not to do your part as Christ commands. We must be able to speak out in love and compassion and the key is to demonstrate our faith. Will our sworn enemies change? Only God knows His will for them. However, truth and Love can change the most hardened heart. How sad we never take this approach. We are quick to destroy each other in all ways.

So we must pray for each other and make efforts to practice the virtues of Love, Mercy and Compassion. Finally- forgive me, if I have offended you directly or indirectly by these thoughts, words, or this deed- for I too must start somewhere- God Bless!

Robert T. Melaccio Sr. Copyright ©2006 Robert Melaccio

Robert Melaccio Sr. has worked in the computer industry for 40 plus years in a diversified business and managerial environments. He enjoys freelance writing, giving seminars for young adults and teen groups as well as being an accomplished award winning poet of published poetry. He has worked teaching and as a youth minister. He is married and has three children and three grandchildren.

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