Religion and Theology

Universal Fame  Fame sometimes ruins a persons life. Some people who have been in a pedestal or have been the focus of the limelight tend to commit suicide because it is hard for them to accept failure, rejection andor embarrassment. Biblically speaking, earthly fame is of no importance. In Luke 923, our Lord Jesus Christ said And he said to all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. (RSV) This means to be able to live a life in Christ and to do Gods will, one must deny himself, his status, his fame, his wealth. In fact, I Peter 124, a disciple of Christ named Paul said for All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls. (RSV) Personal glory or fame is temporal. It is like a flower that blooms only for some time yet easily withers.

Always aim perfection, no matter what  God understands our limitations. In fact, in Psalms 10314, King David said for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (NIV) Man is formed from the dust of the earth, and literally speaking anything that comes from dust is fragile. No one and nothing is perfect other then God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. But God sent His Holy Spirit to help us thus in Romans 826 it is written Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. (RSV) We have our weaknesses. So the struggle to perfection, without the help of God, will only end in vain.

Being different is evil - Human diversity is obvious. Each person is created unique. In Job 377, He seals up the hand of every man, that all men may know his work. (RSV) We have our own unique seal from God which makes us different one from the other. So we cannot conclude that just because a person is different means he or she is already wicked. In fact, Gods advice to His people, in order for them to be saved, is to be different from the ways of the world. Romans 122 Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect, (RSV) therefore being different as the child of God does not mean evil.

Catastrophes happen when things are unplanned  Even if we plan, we have no right to manipulate Gods will. Remember that we are only created by God. In Romans 920  21 the Bible say, But who are you, a man, to answer back to God Will what is molded say to its molder, Why have you made me thus (21) Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for beauty and another for menial use (RSV) We cannot complain. So certainly, if something seem bad happened to us, it is not because we never planned but because it is what God wants to happen to us. It is not us who plan for our lives but our Creator, the Father God. This is acknowledged by the Prophet Jeremiah in chapter 10 verse 23 of his book, he said I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. (RSV)

Nonsense worrying  Worrying will just add age on our face. God said in Philippians 46, Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (RSV) Prayer is our best defense against the troubles in life. Christ is our assurance in time of tribulations. John1633 I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.

Happiness is achieved in material or external things  Happiness is not acquiring the wealth, fame and even everything in this earth. God said in Mark 836

For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life Happiness in material things like fame is temporal. But one example of true happiness is living in Christ as He said in John 1511 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (RSV) Happiness in Christ follows happiness and contentment in material things.

Better is enough, forget about the best  God has given us gifts of talents. As mentioned earlier, each person is unique, even in abilities to establish his or her own career. Romans 126 said Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them if prophecy, in proportion to our faith (RSV) A person can be successful in any field by his own making with the help of God. Our standards must be our own self base on our capacity given by God, because looking at other people as our standard is lack of confidence and low self-esteem.

Life is either winning or losing  The game of life has been a commonly used phrase to describe lifes ups and downs. But though there are obstacles, life must not be viewed as gambling, where one wins over the other. All of us must work hand in hand for the better because our reward is only one  eternal life. Like what the Bible said in Romans 828 We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. So we must not beat but rather help one another.

Varied ideas  Obviously, specifically in the religious world, people have diverse faiths. But these differences should not be treated as barrier to unity. Not all people can accept what others say or do, and it is impossible for a person to convince all people to believe in his or her faith. But definitely people may unite in one common goal especially for the good of all. For instance, we can all unite to advocate peace which will benefit us all.

Comfortable life with less frustration  By just looking around us, we can never tell that there is such comfortable life with less or without frustrations. Failures, worries, greed, depressions, and all of this kind are everywhere because whether we like it or not, they are part of our life. So it is vanity nowadays to aim for true comfort. But there is hope if we trust God as He promised us eternal happiness. Romans 53-4 More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because Gods love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.