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I posted this in r/Christianity as well but I thought I should ask here too, since we share similar beliefs already. I’ve grown up agnostic but I noticed a lot of my best friends are christians, specifically progressive christians. I want to learn about christianity but I’m starting from absolute zero, and I don’t know where to start. Any advice?
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The most important thing to do first is to read the Bible as much as possible. This is because most Christian pastors today have deviated from the true teachings of the Bible. Additionally, all religions are man-made. Therefore, do not put your faith in religion, but instead, believe in the Word of the Bible and in God. God is love.
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;(Romans 12 : 9-11)
I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers, Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.(Philemon 1 : 4-6)
…He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.(3 John 1 : 11)
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.(Romans 13 : 8-10)
Christians who believe in religion instead of God, trust in the church instead of Christ, and rely solely on pastors’ sermons instead of the Word of the Bible are not true Christians. Because they serve both God and the world alongside materialism, heresies, falsehoods, and distortions continue to spread, leading to endless claims upon claims, and heresy upon heresy. This is the tragic reality of Christianity today.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.(1 John 3 : 8)
Since they all serve both God and the world alongside materialism—corrupting the faith with falsehoods and heresies—many Christians today seek only worldly concerns.
Instead of pursuing the hope of Christ, following the sacrificial love of the cross even to the point of giving their lives, they live a faith centered solely on their fleshly lives—seeking solutions for their jobs, businesses, families, children, relationships, and health. This is nothing more than a faith of the flesh, no different from that of non-believers. Far from being examples of light and salt, such people are hypocritical, deceitful, and self-serving—their words and actions do not align, and they possess a duplicitous, cunning, cruel, and impure faith that is indistinguishable from the world.
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.(2 Corinthians 7 : 10)
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.(1 John 2 : 15-16)
Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.(Jacobs 4 : 3-4)
Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.(Ecclesiastes 11 : 9)
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.(Psalms 17 : 14)
Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!(Isaiah 5 : 8)
Since the very purpose of their faith in God is solely for their own happiness, success, and prosperity, their belief is one of the flesh. Their prayers and lives are driven by worldly desires and greed, calling upon God’s name in vain while seeking only their own lusts and selfish ambitions. As a result, they inevitably fall under the influence of the god of lust, the god of materialism, the god of greed, and the god of this world—leaving them trapped in a lifelong cycle of sin, unable to break free. Their faith is nothing more than a fleshly, worldly faith that leads only to repeated sin.
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.(1 John 3 : 8)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.(Romans 1 : 21-25)
Many people claim to be saved, yet their faith is nothing more than a hypocritical, conscience-seared belief. They spend their entire lives sinning, regretting, and repenting, only to turn back to sin again, caught in an endless cycle. Over time, they either become indifferent to their sin, grow increasingly bold in it, or worse, begin justifying and rationalizing their sins with endless excuses.
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.(1 John 3 : 14)
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness….(2 Thessalonians 2 : 9-17)
The most important question is: What do I believe for? Do I believe in God to live the life of Christ, pursuing the hope of Christ by following His sacrificial love—even to the point of sacrificing my own life? Or do I believe in God only for my own worldly happiness, success, and prosperity? The answer to this determines whether God is at work in one’s life or whether Satan is at work. However, instead of following the love of the cross,—where one lays down their life—modern Christianity has become the greatest adversary to God, the greatest heresy, and the greatest assembly of Satan. Because many so-called Christians pursue only worldly success, prosperity, and personal happiness, yet still expect to enter heaven.
….No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon….(Matthew 6 : 19~25)
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.(Psalms 115 : 4)(Proverbs 11 : 28)(Psalms 135 : 15)
Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.(Proverbs 23 : 4)
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.(1 Timothy 6 : 9-10)
Christians universally believe that when they pray in God’s name, it is God who is at work. However, the true evidence and fruit of modern Christianity show that it is often Satan and demons, disguising themselves as God, who are actually at work. Because many serve both God and the world—alongside materialism—seeking only their own happiness, success, and prosperity, they attempt to practice the love of the cross while still clinging to lust and greed. As a result, their so-called acts of love are nothing more than self-righteousness and hypocrisy, no different from the superficial kindness and generosity that even non-believers display. And as they claim their practices as love of the cross, instead of the love of the cross becoming an example of light and salt to the world, it has instead become a subject of mockery.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.(Luke 6 : 32-33)(Matthew 5 : 46-48)
Today, most Christians engage only in worship that is led by evil spirits. Yet, they mistakenly believe that they are within God’s grace, divine inspiration, and spiritual teaching. No matter how much they pray in the name of Christ or call upon the name of God, this does not mean that Christ or God is the one responding and working. It is not just the act of prayer that determines who is at work, but rather what is being prayed for. Those who seek material wealth will be influenced by the god of materialism. Those who pursue lust will be influenced by the god of lust. Those who desire physical pleasure will be led by the god of the flesh. Those who long for the world will be ruled by the god of this world. Anyone who prays for worldly desires, fleshly indulgence, and greed is not being guided by God but instead by the gods of this world—the spirits of the flesh, lust, and greed.
… Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.(1 John 4 : 1-8)
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;(1 Timothy 4 : 1-2)
…Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the alter? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth.(1 Corinthians 10 : 14-24)
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.(1 Corinthians 12 : 1-2)
As they called them, so they went from them: they sacrificed unto Baalim, and burned incense to graven images.(Hosea 11 : 2)
This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing….(Jeremiah 13 : 10-11)
Whether it is Christianity, pastors, or any teaching—if it deviates from the Word of the Bible and teaches ideas, knowledge, or doctrines that are not based on Scripture, do not believe it. Never. We believe only in God and Christ as revealed in the written Word of the Bible, and we follow the power that comes from them. We believe in the divine power that follows love. No amount of awakening, determination, or commitment—stirred by the emotional impact of sermons and teachings—can stop people from falling back into sin, trapped in the cycle of sinful habits. True truth leads people to receive God’s power, which enables them to break free from such a life.
…(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.(2 Corinthians 10 : 3-6)
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.(Romans 6 : 16-18)
For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.(Romans 8 : 19-21)
Today, the teachings and emotional impact of Christian pastors—rooted only in words and theories—are no different from the teachings of any other religion. In the Bible, this is referred to as leaven. True truth leads people to receive God’s power, which works within His love. Teachings that rely solely on words and theories—no matter how emotionally moving—are neither God’s wisdom, nor truth, nor His Word. They merely corrupt the Word, teaching human knowledge, human doctrines, and human philosophy instead. Those who do not know the true power of God that sets people free from sin are nothing more than the blind leading the blind, lost in ignorance and foolishness
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.(2 Timothy 3 : 16-17)
For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.(1 Corinthians 4 : 20)
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.(1 Corinthians 2 : 5)
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.(1 Thessalonians 2 : 13)
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.(2 Corinthians 12 : 9)
The teachings and emotional impact of pastors’ sermonss—leading people into a lifelong cycle of meaningless repentance and self-reflection while repeating sin— are not the divine truth that follows God’s love, backed by His power.
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness...(2 Thessalonians 2 : 9-17)
You must make every effort to receive God’s power. Seek God’s power that follows the love of Christ. This is the only way you can bear the true fruit of Christ.(Romans 12 : 2-3)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.(1 John 4 : 1-6)
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.(2 Corinthians 11 : 13-15)(Matthew 24 : 24)
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.(Revelation 2 : 9)(Revelation 2 : 2)(Romans 16 : 17)
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.(Matthew 7 : 15)
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