One Church

Good Morning Friends, love, peace and joy to you and your family.
Some people think all religion are the same. If we just explore the surface, we 'll observe similar beliefs. But an honest comparison exposes significant disparities, even in the basic ideas. For instance, the concept of forgiveness is unique to Christianity and Judaism. Among the world's sacred books, the Bible alone teaches that an infinite, personal God completely forgives sin. And His forgiveness is not grudging or halfhearted. God says, "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them "" (Hosea 14:4).
The Hebrew and Greek words for forgiveness mean to cover an offense, or take away, put aside, let go of sin. Forgiveness relieves the resentment that comes from being wronged, thus restoring the relationship. Theologically, forgiveness is God's act of releasing sinners from judgment. In the Christian sense, forgiveness is always offered from God's initiative, and He's the only one who can forgive sins (Luke 5:21).
Forgiveness originates from within God's character because He is "a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love " (Nehemiah 9:17). But God is also free. He doesn't have to forgive sin; it's not automatic. Furthermore, His justice requires payment for sin. In other words, God wants to forgive but cannot without satisfying His justice. That's why the Old Testament priests offered sacrifices. " In this way the priest will make atonement for them, and they will be forgiven " (Leviticus 4:20). But those sacrifices were only a symbol of the permanent sacrifice revealed in the New Testament.
In Mark 2:5 Jesus shocked the crowds, when "he said to the paralytic, 'Son, your sins are forgiven ". The religious leaders understood the implications, and asked themselves, "Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?" (Verse 7). Their theology was flawless; but they couldn't bring themselves to draw the right conclusions--this Jesus was God. He could pronounce forgiveness because He was God and the sacrifice for sin (Hebrew 9:15). His death was the permanent sacrifice which "destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility "between man and God (Ephesians 2:14).
Forgiveness is not the whole of God's salvation plan, but is an essential part of the Gospel message: "Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out "(Acts 3:19). Even when a Christian sins, forgiveness is available through confession (1John 1:9) because Christ "canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross" (Colossians 2:14).
Forgiveness is more than a salvation issue. Apostle Paul tells us, "Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the LORD forgave you " (Colossians 3:13). And the LORD said our forgiveness should be limitless (Matthew 18:21-22). God will disburse whatever justice needs conveyed, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay; says the LORD " (Romans 12:19). By not holding bitterness or bearing grudges, we confirm the gracious character of our forgiving God.
Thank you! God bless you and keep you!

Why study Theology?
Such questions reveal a common misunderstanding about theology, even a bias against it. Reading the Bible, having faith, and loving Jesus all require thinking and understanding. Theology explains our reading of the Bible, builds our faith, and increase our love of Jesus. These tasks cannot be adequately done without thinking and theology.
"Theology" comes from two Greek words, which mean "God " and "word, discourse, thinking, or reflecting. " Together, in simple terms, they mean thinking about and discussing God and related subjects such as the Bible, faith, Jesus, and other big questions about truth and life and reality. The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle considered theology the greatest discipline because its main object of study, God is the highest reality. Even into the middle ages, theology was known as "The Queen of the science. "
Theology relates to two themes--truth and life. It helps us understand and organize God's truth in Scripture and advises how to live in light of that truth. Theology uncovers the universal biblical principles we can apply to our lives. Without it, Christianity is reduced to a folk religion--familiar and reassuring but unrelated to real life. Christians are then unprepared to face the media blitz of secularization and the influences of cultic falsehoods. Without understanding of the truth, our worship diminishes into tradition, our beliefs degenerate into legalism or heresy, our desire for spirituality may pursue non Christian paths, and our lives become devoid of service to God and others.
In addition to theology's practical relevance, Jesus commanded us to love God with our minds (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). Yes, we glorify God by godly living, but godly living proceeds from godly thinking, including the study of theology. Lazy and irrational thinking does not glorify God. A real lover of God and disciple of Jesus develops and uses the mind.
You may not think of yourself as theologians, and you may not practice theology in a formal setting like a seminary. But everyone who thinks is a theologian, for at times, we all ponder God and the Big questions of truth, life and reality.
Thank you! God bless you and keep you!