This is a question we all ask or have asked at one point or another. Keep in mind, I am not against "the fellowship of believers" (1John 1:7) that is according to scripture, and a "church" or "religion" that sticks addtions to what God's Word says is what creates the defiance we see against God in our generation! The rules of religion are to "take care of the widows and orphans"(James 1:27), but God's rules are spread throughout the entire Bible.
To remember all of them, to keep just one of them is a life long attempt. This is where Jesus comes in...He died(John 3:16) so that we would not have to die due to sin, and took away "authority" of the law over mankind, and made a perfected thing called grace in His death.
It's pretty amazing that in death we find life!(John 11:25)
As a christian, this happens to everyone, I promise. The Bible says that we don't operate by our feelings but by faith. (Galatians 3:11) When you got saved you had to do it on the "faith" that God was real, His son was on earth, and He died to save you from sin. It may have sounded easy, but it is one of the biggest steps of faith, think about it. You have to believe in your heart, which can be tricky, that God had a son, born of a virgin, and that He was thinking of YOU when He went to the cross...that is an amazing amount of faith. God wants us to prosper spiritually before anything else, and that means that we will be in "dry times" in our spiritual walk so we learn to rely on Him. He allows us to sometimes not feel saved. But we are not to operate by feeling anyway. Look at my death page, that might help. Always PRAY about it. Give it to God, let it go, and it isn't easy, but practice training your mind to not walk by feeling. After your salvation, you are destined for Heaven, rest in that peace, and ask God to take away your doubt.
Yes. All the bands on the band page are Chrisitan bands, but are not all "ministry" bands. Let me explain. A lot of the bands are "christian bands" because all the members are christians, and they play music. With "ministry bands," the bands entire purpose is to minister the gospel, on stage, off stage, on the tour bus, on the street, everywhere! The "christian" music scene has grown so much, and not everyone will be heard when being "preached" to, although none of these bands shove the gospel down you throat. I challenge you to listen to their music, read the lyrics, and see for yourself what you think about them. I hope you like them, and hope you are praying for ALL musicians worldwide, secular as well as chrisitan!!
The recent additions of U2 and Johnny Cash are some of my personal favorite artists. Cash has confessed Christ on numerous occasions, as have the members of U2. These musicians have kept on carrying their crosses in the secular area they are most influential in, that is a great testimony. Keep ALL the bands in prayer.
The answer to the question very simple is no, but let's get a little more detailed in why no is the answer. The main difference in Christianity vs. other religions is not so much in doctrine, but in grace! The word we so often use, grace, is one that is in all accounts not related to God in most any other religion!
In the words of Philip Yancey, "The notion of God's love coming to us free of charge, no strings attached, seems to go against every instinct of humanity. The Buddhist eight-fold path, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish covenant, and Muslim code of law- each of these offers a way to earn approval. Only Christianity dares to make God's love unconditional!
The evidence stands more strong than I can put in the small space I have to write the brief answer to the question, but let me answer in another way. Let's see how Jesus himself dealt with the issue;
"Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him" Psalm 34:8
Jesus replied, "If you only knew the gift God has for you and who I am, you would ask me and I would give you living water." John 3:4:10
I can reason with you all day long, but the Word of God (the Bible) says it very simple, try it and find out! (Taste and see...) That is the idea behind Christianity, the choice is yours, that is the way God wants it to be, make a decision! If you would like to know more about Christ, his claims, or would like to get to know Him, click here.