[Serious] For former Christians only, why did you leave your faith?

[tjdisc]

Truth.  Jesus' teachings are truth.  They hit me hard - very impactful.  I am a sort of seeker of truth - so in a way eventually I found Him (or perhaps more accurately He found me).

"I don't see how Jesus' teachings are the truth. For example, in Matthew 6:19-21 Jesus tells people not to store up for material things on earth, which seems ridiculous because followers of Jesus want nice houses and cars as much as anyone else. If they have the money, they accumulate TVs, jewelry, decorative items, gadgets, and a host of other "indispensable" consumer products. Just look at a wish list on a bridal registry for a Christian couple."


I can't speak for others nor can I judge them, but in general just because some claim to be Christian and act differently doesn't disprove the truth in the gospel of Christ.



"Are you any different than that? Do you live in voluntary poverty or do you accumulate things?"


I do not live in poverty.  In essence I fall short here.  I am a work in progress.  But I need to live as if I own nothing.  As Paul stated, I need to consider all things as loss except the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus.  Fortunately, it is not of my experience that He has a list of things that I must do before He will have relationship with me.  He knows me, knows my weaknesses even better than I do.  It is a process of sanctification as I grow in Him.  But I can't dismiss that I fall short right now.


"Jesus also taught lots of other ridiculous things, like that men should cut their hands off if they masturbate - so have you amputated your hands? Have you plucked your eyes out after looking at women? If not, then how do you find Jesus' teachings to be truthful?"


I'm not sure about the cutting off hands part - that seems to be an interpretation not necessarily what He said.  But He did say that it would be better to pluck out your eyes than look at a woman lustfully.  There was an "IF" statement there and what is meant is how important it is.  Don't look at a woman lustfully.  He said you must be perfect.  You don't hear that in many churches.  I am not perfect nor can I be on my own, but He is able - He can make me (or anyone) perfect.  He can make me stand if I could just get out of the way.