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| I believe
that we all have a purpose in life, that life is not just a meaningless
plight to exist and seek pleasure or security while we do it. We often
go about our lives mainly working towards a good job, career or education,
but so little do we really think about God, who he is and what impact
he can have on our lives. |
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I became
a Christian about 6 years ago when I was a student at the University of
New South Wales. Although I had believed in God all my life, it was at
that time that I looked into the bible and discovered God's expectations
and intentions for my life, as well as the significance of Jesus' death on the
cross. I have learnt that by building my life on the words of the
bible, and putting them into practice, brings a strong and close relationship
with God as well with the those around me. |
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| I was
surprised to find that even though I had been to a number of churches in
my youth, I was never taught or called to the same commitment and standard
that the Christians in the first century were called to, even though it
is clear in Jesus word and through the teachings of the bible. |
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For example
Jesus states clearly in Luke 9:23 that "If anyone
would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily and
follow me" (New International Version). Christianity is not about
simply attending a weekly church service and paying a tithe, it is about
a daily lifestyle, a way of living. This verse calls us to center our lives
around God, rather than position our religion to fit in with our lives. |
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It is apparent today however, that while the majority of Christian churches today
do not deny that the bible is the word of
God, many are just as influenced by creeds and traditions rather than simply following
Jesus. I myself have come from a presbyterian background, also
having attended a Uniting church
(uniting Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational churches),
and a high Anglican church choir.
Religion was attending a Sunday service, where creeds and the
Lord's prayer were recited each
week, but hearts were not dealt with by the bible's standard. |
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I believe it is important today, to discard our religious background and tradition,
and seek specifically what Jesus
has instructed, simply because Jesus never described
"Lutheran" church, or "Methodist"
church or "Anglican" church, nor did He attribute
further teachings to "traditions"
that are infallible over the word of God. |
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I am part of the Sydney Church of Christ, because
it is a church devoted to applying word of God to our daily lives,
and restoring New Testament Christianity.
The church is part of a wider movement called the
International Churches of Christ,
which has been growing continually since its humble beginning
in 1979. By 1997 there were 301 churches spread out over every continent,
from Baghdad to Cairo, Moscow to Port Moresby, from Beijing to Beruit.
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