Religion and Faith as Instrument of Hope - Essay Example

Religion and Faith as Instrument of Hope Faith is an instrument of hope. When you feel the world is crushing on you, and nobody is there that you can cling to, lift up your hands to God and you will be all right. This is a part of a beautiful song, which was taken from the Bible. And the book of life says "Come near me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy burden. I will make your load easier to carry. Come near me and you shall have rest (The Holy Bible, New International Version, p.539). Truly the heavy load gets lighter, out of the blue, a solution to a problem just appears and help from friends keep on coming. But those are possible only when you have faith. Because the solution that came isn't the one you're asking. With faith, you'll realize that there's One who knows what's better for you. This happens not more of a Divine cooperation but usually with God's intervention answering your prayers. But that holds true only when you pray, because prayer indicates the presence of faith. Faith can grow through constant prayers. We must have faith to keeps us strong. Through faith, we can easily understand and hurdle life's difficulties. When we cannot anymore comprehend what is going on, there should be something aside from the intellect that will explain. And that's faith. Where reason ends, faith begins. Defender of Faith Marx was a soldier, a defender of his people and country. Later, he became a defender of faith where his principle as a good officer clashes with his principle as a good citizen and a Jew. It was a difficult situation for Marx especially when he was just recuperating from the trauma of war and at the same time strengthening his Jewish faith. But as defender of faith, Marx can be a good sergeant, a good Jew and a better human being all rolled into one. Softening a hardened heart doesn't mean tolerating wrongdoings. Going against Grossbart is just correcting a wrong attitude and that did not make Marx less of a person who is just beginning to practice his religion. The act shows the courageous character of Marx typical of a soldier and a must for a defender of faith. A defender of faith defends what is just and what is right. The analysis is, turning against a co-worker who has an attitude problem made him a defender of faith. Tolerating Grossbart would be a way of going against the principle of being a defender of faith. Even Jesus Christ became furious when he entered the temple and saw the place becoming a venue for businesses. He upturned the tables being used by the moneychangers and the places of dove sellers and He drove the traders. He claimed "The Scripture says that this temple should be used for praying, but you are using it as "place for thieves"(The Holy Bible, New International Version, p.546). A defender of faith naturally possesses a very strong faith that is acquired and develops through years of practicing the religion. Religion doesn't promise an easy life, a bed of roses so to speak. But no matter how difficult life is, a person with real faith will not be overwhelmed by it. He knows the Lord up there helps him carry the load. He is too much aware that God will not give him a problem that is too difficult that he cannot bear. In every problem that God gives, there is always a corresponding solution. Every problem that is solved greatly contributes to the growth of faith. To be a defender of faith, one can learn many lessons from the Bible. Of course, Bible is a Christians' Book of Life. A Model of Christian Charity People in different countries and places have different status in life. There is a widening gap between the rich and the poor. Some people belong to very influential and well-to-do families while others live an average life and are obedient to the powers that be. What could be the reason for this Perhaps it is God's wisdom that different people live differently. The Model of Christianity has the following reasons: So that beauty can be appreciated more by seeing the opposite and so that man can be grateful to his creator that he has received more blessings than the others. That God's design to have many people around him so that men may interact with one another and share each other's blessings, and so that men will be happy that he has a part in glorifying the goodness of the Lord and be grateful in having a opportunity to serve his brothers and sisters and be happy that the Lord made him an instrument in bringing God's glory to other people. So that God can have more opportunities to show the working of his Spirit in restraining the work of the evils and so that those who have more in life will not trample upon the those who have less in life. Although God sympathize with the poor, He doesn't want them to rebel against the wealthy. So that men might need the help of other men and realized that no man is an island. That bonding will be the result of their frequent communication, and when they're too close to one another and love exist between them, they can realize then that they are equal, no rich no poor. In the eyes of God, they are all His sons and daughters. Another reason why God allows the rich and the poor to co-exist is because He wants to dispense justice and mercy. Poor can show mercy to the wealthy people on account of sudden exposure to danger of sickness. The wealthy can in turn help poor people get their justice when they need it. God must have made different lives live differently for variations and to eventually observe how one particular class in the society integrate themselves or mingle with or show support to another class. His purpose is to form bond through classes of society but perhaps it is man's choice to widen the gap between the rich and the poor. The hardheadedness of man also brought the failure of justice and mercy to be dispensed by the rich to the poor and vice versa. Men are also separated by religions and sect. One very intellectual member of a church made different interpretation of the bible and so he formed another religious group. Another enterprising member saw religion as a profitable business so he went on to establish his own. Religion is not understood only by the intellect and should not be mistaken as doing a lucrative business. A true church ask donations from its parishioners just to be able to support the church's daily activities and in the improvement of the facilities for the good of the members. Churches also do civic and charity works. Church is one model of Christian charity. It unites the people of certain locality, asks donations from its member based on their capacity to give and whatever excess in the church operational expenses are given as help in many forms to less fortunate members of the congregation. Some wealthy members of the church initiate civic works like free medical and dental services for those families who cannot afford costly medical treatment in clinics and hospitals. Low-cost housing are provided to the indigent members by wealthier and more generous church organizations that try to imitate the Human Habitat Foundation. Church promotes development and growth of faith in its members. Regular churchgoers have strong faith and are believed to be more blessed. People go to church because it is their only hope of salvation. Parishioners pray not only for the salvation of their soul but also for their economic salvation. Although, community doesn't prosper too much because of religion, a community with a big number of churchgoers is a clear indication of a strong community. Although, some quarters also think that churchgoing community isn't a guarantee that it will be saved comes judgment day. Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God Jonathan Edwards wrote about ten pages of horrifying scenes that can happen to the soul of sinners. True to the title of his article or homily, Edwards tightly stick to it and did not divert to any related topic. He had the wisdom to choose Deutronomy 32:35 in the introduction as it is true that anytime man can slide down to his death and eventually eternal damnation. It is the sin of man that gives weight and makes it heavy for the Lord to handle and hold thus causing man's downfall. On the other hand, the author also states that the only reason why man has not dropped into the pit of burning brimstone is because God's hand has held him up. Out of God's mercy and compassion man remains alive and wakes up every morning. Despite the very vivid description of the author of the horrible place where sinners will fall (you can almost feel the heat), God is a god of mercy. If man is already too heavy because of sins, he can unload by means of repentance, a change of heart, to be born again and by being a new creation. Through these, man can become lighter again. But author says, man is not save yet. He can still slide down and being alive is upon God's pleasure. The city of Sodom and Gomorrah should not have been destroyed had there remain just few repentant people in the city. God's patience, mercy and compassion were seen on this particular period in the Bible. When a disciple asked Jesus how many times could he forgive his brother, Jesus' answer was almost infinite. If Jesus asked His disciple to forgive that much number of times, then we can just imagine how long is the patience of a merciful God. Edwards had so much expounded his subject that anyone who reads his article or heard his homily might have gone immediately to confession. Numbers of those who confessed their sins on that particular day Edwards read his homily might be a record high. The same is true perhaps with those who do fasting and abstinence as atonement for their sins. Nobody can foretell his own death. It comes just like a thief in the middle of the night. Not being his too careful will prevent him from dying and his eventual going to hell. Only God can save him. And that is not because of his own will but through the grace of God. The usual word that can be heard from a man who is going to die is his regret that he was not able to prepare for his death. That could clearly indicate that he admits that he lived a sinful life and was not able to repent or corrected his ways when he still has time to do it. The man now fears for his soul. He may had lived a prosperous life free of any inconveniences that a poor man experienced, but now he foresee that he will experience the opposite when his soul go to hell. He realized in his deathbed that in dying, all men are equal. He may have saved abundant of worldly things when he was alive, but did not save intangible objects, which he can bring to heaven (The Holy Bible, New International Version, p.577), he is now destined to go to hell. Faith can save man from the fires of hell. Different religions are having debates about what particular religion can really save mankind from eternal damnation. If he had a strong faith, says one member of a particular belief, but happened to have a wrong interpretation of the Bible, then he will not be saved. How unfair! That statement sent people hop from one religion to another to find what religion will really save them. For some, it is enough that they believe in one God, live according to the Scriptures and lead a clean life. They believe that that will become their passport to heaven. Open Boat It's another horrifying story. But not about falling into a pit of fire that doesn't die. It's about aching muscles and breaking back brought about by continuously rowing for a couple of days and nights alternated by few minutes of sleep. Open Boat is an almost never-ending journey in an endless ocean with big waves that can submerge their lifeboat. The ship that they have boarded had sunk and the only thing that keeps them dry is a lifeboat. Open Boat is an unscheduled and accidental journey of four men going to nowhere. The captain, the oiler, the cook and the correspondent have endured two days and two nights in the vast ocean without food and just little amount of sleep just when they could no longer paddle. Although, they did not talk about it, apparently they have developed a kind of bonding that gave them strength and endurance. They have seen a land but "It's funny, they didn't see us". The next time that they chanced upon a land, people on the shore did not do anything to save them. They suspected they were mistaken for fishermen or picnickers. Finally, when they spotted another land and mightily swam ashore and were welcomed by the villagers, they found out that the oiler, the biggest among the men and who is an expert swimmer was drowned. The story is not about religion. It is a story of faith in each other that made them endure the cold ocean. They uttered no prayer and were just fatalists. They exchanged addresses and said that if anyone died, at least the family will be informed. It's not about faith in God. But the Almighty had spoken that it's not because you're big and a good swimmer, you're saved. If it's your time to die, you will die. Conclusion Faith is an instrument of hope. If one is a non-believer, he doesn't have someone to cry on when things do not fall into their proper places. When he cannot decipher the present turn of events and cannot find any answer to his question, chances are, he might end up a lunatic. But when faith is there to provide the answer, you'll come into a realization that it's wonderful to have faith. What shall one do to develop faith Just look at your surroundings and notice all things going on smoothly. Who controls them Look at the sky at night. Who placed the moon and the infinite stars in the infinite universe You will find no better answer but God. Have faith. Reference: The Holy Bible, New International Version, New Testament, Matthew 11:28-30, p.539 NIV Gift and Award Bible, Revised 2001, Zondervan Corporation The Holy Bible, New International Version, New Testament, Matthew 21:12-13, p.546 NIV Gift and Award Bible, Revised 2001, Zondervan Corporation The Holy Bible, New International Version, New Testament, Luke 12:32-34, p.577 NIV Gift and Award Bible, Revised 2001, Zondervan Corporation Read More