Faith, Belief: and a Really Good Role Model

Jesus died to save my life.

That's not the sort of thing I'm likely to forget. (August 1, 2012)

There's more to my faith than that: I'm not likely to keep anything simple, let alone something as important as where and how I hope to spend eternity.

Here's what got me started on today's post:

"The Word became flesh for us in order to save us by reconciling us with God, who 'loved us and sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins': 'the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world,' and 'he was revealed to take away sins':⁷⁰

"Sick, our nature demanded to be healed; fallen, to be raised up; dead, to rise again. We had lost the possession of the good; it was necessary for it to be given back to us. Closed in the darkness, it was necessary to bring us the light. ...⁷¹

"The Word became flesh so that thus we might know God's love ... 'For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.'⁷³"
(Catechism of the Catholic Church, 457-458)

Acting as if God Matters

One more thing: it isn't enough to 'really believe.' Not as far as I can tell. I couldn't settle accounts with God without my Lord: but I'm not expected to sit back and do nothing after saying "I believe."

I'm expected to act as if God matters. Happily, I've got a good role model:

"The Word became flesh to be our model of holiness: 'Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me.' 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.'⁷⁴ On the mountain of the Transfiguration, the Father commands: 'Listen to him!'⁷⁵..."
(Catechism, 459)

Following my Lord is changing me, and that's another topic.

Related posts:

• Jesus
  • " 'But who do you say that I am?' "
    (October 10, 2012)
  • "The Man Who Wouldn't Stay Dead"
    (March 11, 2012)
  • "Christmas: Mything the Point"
    (December 18, 2011)
  • "To 'Make Men Gods'"
    (January 10, 2011)
  • "Just Who is This Jesus Person, and Who Does He Think He is?"
    (January 17, 2010)
• And me
  • " 'Understand God?' Ha!"
    (September 9, 2011)
  • "A Nerdy Interest in God and His Creation?"
    (August 12, 2011)
  • "Brilliant, Talented, and On Medication"
    (November 30, 2010)
  • "Faith With a Cold"
    (October 18, 2010)
  • "Having All the Answers, Knowing Some of the Questions"
    (October 2, 2010)