Untitled Letter

Argument, a verbal dispute, a quarrel; you call it debate, but however or whatever you consider it – all I know is you started it.

 I don’t know but ever since I made that unintentional mistake regarding the cake, you started treating me as if you really know me, my belief and my background. Ever since I lower myself over you because of what happened, do you think you can always stoop down on me, especially regarding my faith?

 You see, I know you are a Christian; we are in a Muslim country, that’s why we call ourselves Christians to differentiate our belief from the belief of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhist and others, but if we are going out where there’s real freedom, you are to be considered a Roman Catholic as how your religion is being called; and I to be called a Born Again (Christian). You are a Christian, I am a Christian, we are Christians, but how can we tell so? Ask yourself, how can you tell that you are a Christian? For me, I can tell with conviction that I am a Christian for I believe in the gospel of our savior Jesus Christ. And how about you, how can you tell? (I am not trying to test your knowledge about your faith. As the scripture said, according to Hebrews 11:1 – Having faith is being sure of the things you hope for and being certain of the things you cannot see) I don’t know how you can tell, but let me believe that as you consider yourself a Christian, you also believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, whether how or not can you tell it.

 But also according to James, faith and action should come together hand in hand (James 2:14-26). And it seems to me, that your faith is located where it cannot be seen, and your action is separated away from it. You are trying to debate (as you call it) or argue (as I consider it) with me over one subject under same faith. Or am I wrong to believe that we are having the same faith? For you told me, with conviction that I am wrong regarding the matter. Well, I tell you, brother, who are you to judge me that I am wrong?! Please, reflect, “For God will judge you in the same way you judge others, and He will apply to you the same rules you apply to others” – Matthew 7:2

 I don’t know what’s your purpose for asking and making this fight under the same team, but sure there is. Do you want me to believe the way you do? (Brother, no religion will save you, neither I)

Does it give you a sense of accomplishment proving to yourself that you are right? (Here comes pride, isn’t it contradicting to what God requires of us – to do what is just, love mercy and walk humbly with Him? – Micah 6:8)

Are you trying to make your faith stronger? (Then, it is my pleasure to be God’s instrument)

Are you seeking for an honest answer? Or are you welcoming doubt? (If you seek sincerely, you will find – Matthew 7:7; Luke 11:9)

 Accept change if it is from Him, for every good thing is a gift from Him – James 1:17

 

 

So, your subject of confusion or conviction is why we, Born Agains, do not pray to Mary.

Your eyes might be focusing on each letters for you to read and for your mind to comprehend. Well, I really hope that you listen (John 8:47) to the words for it isn’t mine, but from God through Jesus, from the spirit residing inside me (Matthew 16:17).

 Okay, why we do not pray to Mary? Let me ask you, why do you pray to Mary?

Pray to the Father, not to the mother, saints or angels.

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret will reward you.

Pray through Jesus. He is the only way to the Father.

1 Timothy 2:5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and human beings, Christ Jesus, himself human

John 14:6 Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Clearly, as the Bible say. It is written, it was said. Saying, speaking, and telling are direct way of communication; unlike interpretation. So why bother, interpreting what happened in the wedding at Cana, for human interpretations are not united and differs. Will you believe the human interpretation rather than God’s word? For I believe, God’s word is more reliable.

Mary.

Mary was the mother of Jesus. Of all the virgins during that time, why did God chose Mary to be the biological parent of His son, Jesus Christ? There were reasons of maybes, but we agreed that maybe because there is something special about Mary that other virgins during that time doesn’t have. Okay, let’s say she is special or has something special, and so what? Jesus is far more special than his mother, for her mother was human, but Jesus is 100% God and 100% human at the same time! For it was Jesus who died on the cross and bought us back from our sins, it was not Mary. For what is more important is the spiritual parent rather than biological or worldly parent. I am not saying Mary is not important, but there is more important than her. Yes, we acknowledge Mary as the virgin mother. But we honor and acknowledge more of God’s command.

Why not Mary?

Because you cannot find in the Bible, saying that we should pray to Mary. But then, you told me the first miracle Jesus did, water turning into wine (John 2:1-12), Mary being like the mediator. But I checked, and read, she did not pray nor ask Jesus to do something about it, she just informed. How can I tell so? For it is very plain, and obvious, it’s just a sentence stating the current situation. Though, Jesus did something about it. Why? Because He still acknowledge Mary as her mother. Miracles happened because of the faith of believers who asked for it.

To / Through:

Pray to the Father through Jesus Christ

Not pray to Mary

Not pray to Jesus Christ

Not pray through Mary

Not pray to the Father through Jesus Christ through Mary

God wants us to talk, ask and pray to Him directly, with Jesus Christ as witness. Not Jesus Christ speaking on our behalf.

 

 

Situations:

·         We pray to Mary, so Mary will pray for us. Why? You cannot pray yourself that you need Mary? Are you too ashamed to come to Him because of your sins? Well, brother, humility is the key.
·         Mary cannot pray for you because she is already dead.
·         Why would you want to pray to Mary, why are you asking Mary if God already gives you a direct access to Him through His son, not through His son’s mother- it is what the Bible say.
·         If we pray to or through Mary, who are we thanking for? Isn’t it Mary? And who does God wants the credit and honor we humans can give be received? Isn’t it for He Himself, the Father or through his Son which is He Himself in human form?
·         Praying to or through Mary is not in the Bible, but why does people still do it? Are they stubborn and hard-headed, are they selfish, and are they deaf? Or maybe they already heard, but they just chose not to listen? Isn’t it exaggerating? We don’t need to over-react things, for it is simple and easy (Matthew 11:30), as He commanded. We don’t need to over-react things to be accepted by God, for by believing in Jesus Christ - His son, our savior, our only mediator, middleman – we are accepted, and loved ever since.

 

 

Brother, I am not saying I am clean, cleaner than how clean you think you are, nor more righteous than how righteous you think you are. But I believe, no religion can save you and I. It is the relationship we have with Him through our faith. I don’t even claim to know all, to have answers to all questions, for my understanding is nothing compare to His knowledge about all, even about myself. 

He wants us to build a stronger relationship with Him, to come directly to Him. But how can we build a deeper relationship with God if we are going to use or ask other mediator rather than He Himself. It’s always about Him.

I asked you, do you think God is happy with what you are doing? Did you reflect on that or did you just let it passed and fill your mind with pride? I believe in Jesus Christ and so you are, I supposed. So why fight with your sibling? If you are not my brother, then I tell you, I already won over you for I need not to fight a battle that has already been won! I believed God wants us to share the belief we have to our neighbors in this world.

Categories: shesays