Religious? Or Faith In Christ?

I read a recent Fox News article regarding statements made by Chris Pratt and I, too, do not think I am a “religious” person. The article states: "Over the years, the actor has faced criticism for being associated with religion." It is a pattern of attack when non-believers have doctrinal issues with religious organizations. In this instances, Pratt is accused of associating with a church questioning the LGBT+ basic beliefs. By such an association, he faces cancel-culture - which can kill careers.

There are people who use “religious” as a description when they really are describing a person of faith, not a person who is virtue signaling. 

When a person of faith relies on scripture, some use the “Bible thumper” pejorative to deny the value of scripture. There are church leaders who deny the importance of scripture even to the point of replacing it with current social value. 

What I am is a person of faith. I have faith in a number of things. Some apply to earthly things - such as my husband. I had faith in him when we married and promised each other to be faithful until death does us part. Now, sixty-one years later, I have the knowledge my faith was not misplaced. There is a story about our meeting, for another blog.

That is only one instance that affirms that faith is what operates within a person who is a follower of Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Savior, and multiple other factual titles.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

Now there's the description of Christians - a follower of Christ, as defined in:

And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch. (Acts 11:26 KJV)

Jesus taught his disciples, the disciples taught others, and the process has continued for over two thousand years. Along the way there were arguments. At this point, I think the majority of denominations still believe belief in Jesus remains a necessity:

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)

May I remind you again - don't stop at reading these singular verses I post. Ephesians 2:8 should definitely be read in context. The verse following explains why virtue signaling isn't a part of salvation at all. Oh, there needs to be works (again - read this in context):

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. (James 2:17 KJV)

If you have a digital Bible, search with the two word "faith" and "work" with "search for all the words" selected.  With e-Sword you will find 15 specific verses, all in the New Testament. Disciples James and John wrote about it, along with Apostle Paul. I find Paul's verse here to explain a good deal why he changed from following Jewish Law as opposed to believing Christ in faith:

Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; (Romans 9:32 KJV)

All of this says the focus should be on Christ, even when we are accused of being against what is socially and even legally acceptable today. There are boundaries within love. Here are two examples I use often:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

Now take a look at 1 Corinthians 13 - the chapter defining what love is, and isn't. Start this time with:

Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (1 Corinthians 13:6 KJV)

Just as doctors are promising to "do no harm," love cannot support iniquity, Greek ἀδικία defined by Strong's as: 

(legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness (of character, life or act): - iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.

It does not stop with legal injustice, though removing injustice is a human necessity to protect other humans. It includes moral wrongfulness as well as a person's character. Often we speak of getting to the heart of a matter, for thousands of years actually, since David made a specific request of God when he recognized his sinfulness:

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalms 51:9-10 KJV)

That's what the Bible offers. God remains the same - even today. Please do not cancel Him by ignoring Him and His word. Follow some good advice that takes a good dose of faith:

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: (Isaiah 55:6 KJV)