[Shinchonji] How close are you to God?

The Word is fully God (Jn 1:1-3) and we believers are created in His image
 and likeness. Should we not therefore be the manifestation of the Word that
 has created us? That being said, we must not only have the Word in our hearts but
 also act according to its truth.

The scriptures teach us the virtues that we should embrace and practice
 in our lives, for instance, love, compassion, forgiveness, honesty, trust,
 respect, patience and more. Unfortunately, some people who claim to be
 true believers think and behave quite differently from how they ought to. It
 is so easy for “Christians” to create conflict and abuse others emotionally
 and even physically in the name of God – while others turn a blind eye because
 of the title religious people carry.

What is the point of attending service and listening to God’s word if your
 heart is filled with anger, hatred and undesirable thoughts? God’s word is
 often referred to as gold or precious stones (Rv 3:18; Mt 25:14-28). That
 you may listen to it with the wrong attitude is akin to you keeping precious
 jewelry in a filthy box. Of course, our natural defenses kick in, even when reading
 statements like the latter, and quickly we are all guilty of finding various
 justifications for why we are not these kinds of people. But let’s be honest, all
 of us have been in this position, and we all need to carefully examine our own
 hearts before we present ourselves before God. After all, we can fool others,
 we can even fool ourselves, But we cannot fool God.

If we are to be true children of God, we must read and understand the
 scriptures, inscribe the Word in our hearts and put them into practice. Every
 day, we believers must wash our robes and make them white in the blood,
 the Word, of the Lamb who has saved us through His precious blood.
 ( Rv 7:14) Then we will be the true light that shines through the world and for
 which God will be proud. Amen