Entry #4

Question = What does God expect us to do for other cultures and faiths? 

Culture, faith, beliefs, and religion are such sensitive topics to so many people groups. This can be evident through historical events and society today. Personally, I have had many experiences related to faith and bringing the gospel to other people groups. One prime example of this happened to me during a missions trip to Thailand. A group of teachers, friends/students, and myself went to Thailand during my freshman year and while I was there I felt an overwhelming love from God. I could feel his presence while we worked and played with the children. Through feeling his love I knew that my main mission was to simply show His love through my actions. Hopefully, by showing the love of God through my actions and words the children and even adults could come to know Him deeper. 

Throughout the Bible God indicates that love is the most powerful weapon we can use. He also expects us to approach different cultures with an open-mind, willingness to serve, and above all LOVE. 

I think that it is very important to not force a religion or belief on someone and give the free-will. God gave us free-will to believe in Him or not by giving us the ultimate choice to eat the apple or to trust in Him. We have all ultimately failed the test but, He loved us so much to give us a second chance and offer us forgiveness. By doing this we all have a second chance and the choice to follow His laws and commands or to fall deeper into sin and regret. From the example that God has set for us, I think we can come to understand that this is how we should seek to be, especially when approaching other cultures and faiths. The most that we can do is simply show God's love through our actions and hopefully, by doing this simple act, people will, one by one, realize that he is the supreme King of our world and our hearts. 

God calls us to love one another as ourselves and to serve Him with all of our hearts, souls, and minds and through His commands/teachings, we can approach different cultures with an objective to show His love and not try to force people to believe, but to simply give them the option. God calls us to serve all and love all under all circumstances and whatever burden He gives to us to carry. 

Deuteronomy 10:12, "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." 

2 Corinthians 9:13, "Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else." 

2 Samuel 22:3, "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him."