By their fruits you shall know them.

"It's called hypocrisy."

No, it's called "thinking", and it's also called freedom. Doesn't your U.S. constitution have freedom of thought and religion? Don't tell people how to think, and what to believe. It's why I dislike religion so much.

JCO- what we have is not a religion, but a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Savior. I hate religion too because it is man-made.

If a person truly believes that Jesus the Son of God, as explained in the writings of the New Testament and fortold in the writings of the Old Testament, then there is only one appropriate response.

The fact that we do not witness that response in so many that claim to "believe" says much about their belief, but even more about whether they have really experienced the new birth.

If belief is only intellectual or emotional, then it is planted in shallow soil and will not last. This is at the core of my Christian walk. My conversion was a great event, but my sanctification is a work in process. Somedays I'm afraid that I'm not a very good reflection of my Lord's work in me. The primary result of that is humility combined with faith, hope and perserverence.

Let us all encourage one another and not fall to the temptation to be too judgemental of one another's struggles.

It seems to me like there will always be those who call themselves Christian who do not practice the disciplines of Christianity or have in depth faith in Jesus Christ. They have latched onto a family association with Christianity and do not have the personal relationship with Jesus. They are oblivious to the difference and I think they are ignorant of their hypocrisy. I think I was this way when younger having been brought up in a church but never having read the Bible and not truly understanding what it was to be a true Christian. I was later drawn to read the Bible and that made all the difference. It is hard for me to understand how someone who is familiar with the words in the Bible could not want to be a part of the church and fellowship with other Christians. Sometimes people have to search hard to find the right church to fit into but it is well worth the effort. God will lead you into the right situation if you stick with Him and be willing to venture out. Blessings to you who are seeking and tomorrow is a great day to try out a church.

I knew that I had seen another wonderful devotional on this subject and wanted to share it with you. Credit to Henry Blacaby.

So I said: "Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The LORD of hosts." '(Isaiah 6:5)

An exalted view of God brings a clear view of sin and a realistic view of self. A diminished view of God brings a reduced concern for sin and an inflated view of self. Isaiah may have been satisfied with his personal holiness until he saw the Lord in His unspeakable glory. Isaiah’s encounter with holy God made him immediately and keenly aware of his own unholiness and the sinfulness of those around him. It is impossible to worship God and remain unchanged. The best indication that we have truly worshiped is a changed heart.

Have we so conformed ourselves to a sinful world that we are satisfied with unholy living? Have we sunk so far below God’s standard that when someone does live as God intended, we consider that person “superspiritual”? If we only compare our personal holiness to those around us, we may be deceived into believing that we are living a consecrated life. Yet when we encounter holy God, our only response can be “Woe is me!”

You will not see those around you trusting Jesus until they recognize a clear difference between you and the rest of the world. God wants to sanctify you as He is holy. When God deals with you, there will be a radical degree of purity about your life that is absolutely different from what the world can produce. The world, including those closest to you, will be convinced you serve a holy God by your consecrated life.

With brotherly love,

You're right Gail, religion is man-made, including Christianity. if it gets you through the night, fine. But that doesn't mean it's true.

Even Christ was basically anti "religion". The pharisees were very "religious" as far as that goes. Truly accepting Christ is a life changing event, not just something you can be taught about from childhood. That's the difference, being religious is just something you are taught or believe because someone tells you to. Acceping Christ is a personal decision and more than that a commitment to be willing to follow Him and be persecuted if called to. There are Christians in other countries dying for this obedience and someday I feel Christ followers in this country will likewise have to be willing to follow Christ no matter the cost and not just the annoyance or inconvenience of others mocking us.

I know we have different opinions but why do we have the same one all the time. If we are so wrong then why do certain ones keep coming back, over and over. There must be something that intriques them. It does me. I guess he is right, Christianity is man made, it was made by the God-man himself. It was started after he hung on the cross for all of our sins.