Second Hand Faith

Group work.  In the workplace as in school sometimes an task is done with others.  Everyone pitches in to get something done.  Share ideas, share the work, share the credit.  That's how it's supposed  to work.  Sometimes in our group though, someone is skating along on the work of others.

We all know that person.  They are on their phone, or in threst room or at the vending machine.  The work gets done because others are willing to do it.  We call this coattailing.  

Coattailing is riding on the coat tails of others.  It happens in a lot of places besides team projects.  Some politicians get into office with a particularly strong presidential candidate or with a familiar last name.  Some politicians get voted in not based on their own qualifications but because they happen to have the same last name as someone who used to be in office.  

We could add to the list those who inherit great wealth.  They get to live and be successful, not through their own efforts, but rather those of previous generations.

But the kingdom of God is not like this.  We cannot be saved based on another's faith.  Each of us has to do it on our own.  Here, watch this video from Pastor Sparks.

There is no second hand faith.  We cannot get into heaven on another's coattails.  Each of needs to work it out in our own terms and in our own way.  This creates a faith that is very personal to us.  But that what it tales if we are looking for a relationship with God and not a set of rules and traditions.