WHY SO MANY BELIEFS ABOUT ONE GOD!!!

Do you ever wonder why there are so many denominations of supposed "christian" churches? I've always thought about this, but not as much as I have lately. I believe the answer is relatively simple... PEOPLE ARE STUBBORN!!! I include myself in this statement. I don't like to be wrong, and that is wrong. That is PRIDE getting in the way of my rational thought process. Most people who read my site or most of the sites I read are religious blogs. They all claim to understand the Bible to the fullest and are more than happy to tell people they are wrong when it comes to what the Bible says (yes, me included). Here's the kicker, most of them have different beliefs. Which leaves us to the following; are we all right?

Is there more than one way to interpret the Bible? Some might say "yes." I don't think God would do that to us, though. I think He has given us a definite set of rules to follow. Then why are there Baptists, Catholics, Methodists, and so on??? Some of you people use terms I have never even heard of before I started reading blogs..."Covenant Theology," "eschatological," "Partial Preterist," "Amillennialist," "Dispensationalism," and many, many others. Then there are also the labels given for what we believe; "Reformed Christians," "Conservative Evangelical," "Arminian," "Calvinist," and again many, many more. I wouldn't know whether you were making fun of me or agreeing with me if you told me I was one of these. This is my fault. I should be better versed in the history of these beliefs, but still, why are there so many labels. Again, I think it all comes back to being stubborn. We all want to be right with God. Guess what? We can't ALL be right with God if we all think He told us to do different things. I think I know what God wants of me. I do not go the simple route. I believe God wants us to live in accordance to His Word. I think God wants us to be baptized. I think God wants us to repent. I think God wants us to worship Him with reverence. I think God wants us to put Him first in all we do. Some people see these things as "works." Some people think we do not need to do any of these things. Some people think I'm crazy for thinking God wants me to do these things. I just don't get it. I think it is better to be safe than sorry. None of these things affect my life negatively. If anything, they make me a better person; more Christlike. I'm not saying I'm perfect. No one is, but I believe we should strive to be as close as possible. God wants us to do that.

What do you think "christian" means?

Acts 11:26 states, "and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch."

Acts 26:28 says, "Then Agrippa said to Paul, 'Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?'"

1 Peter 4:16, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name."

These are the only three places in the New Testament where the term "christian" is used. The Bible says that christians are disciples. Now what must we do to become a disciple?

Luke 14:33, "In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple."

We must give up everything! We must give up our worldly way of living. We must give up our pride. We must give up our ego. This is what God wants us to do. We must lay all of our earthly ways aside and follow Him. Some think doing this is a "work." It is not a "work," it is our duty.

The Bible tells us some might take persuasion to become christians because there will be sacrifices on our parts.

The Bible tells us we will more than likely suffer as christians, but to praise God for it. Why would we suffer? Because by the way we live, people should know we are christians. This is not something we are to keep hidden from others.

Which kind of brings me back to my original statement. People are stubborn. People want there way to be the right way. Only God's way is the right way. God doesn't have 50 different ways. He has one, but people don't want to believe that. Just because the Bible says something, they don't want it to really mean that. People want things the EASY way. They want to get by on the shear minimum. They don't want to have to change their lifestyle. They don't want to have to go to church. They don't want to have to "look the part" of a christian. They want to live in comfort. They want to have it their way. They want (beg) us to tell them God doesn't approve of them acting a certain way. Then they pull the "the Bible says don't judge" card out and go one thinking they are right. People always want to be proved wrong before they change, but then won't listen when you try to have a conversation with them on why or how they might be mistaken. This is why there are hundreds or thousands of denominations. Because this world is made up of people. Proud people. Mean people. Rude people. Sarcastic people. Loving people. Caring people. Deceitful people, and all types. There is a reason for this. God wants only the CHRISTIAN people. We have our choices. We can be any type of person in this world. The gift for choosing to be the right type of person is awesome! God said, "any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple." Are we prepared to see if He is bluffing? Is that a gamble you are willing to make?