Does it matter? It Should.

When we look at the BIG picture, what do WE see?
I am contemplating,"What is the BIG picture?" Have I served you? Or, haven't I?
The Word of God tells us plainly what the "signs"of the end times and the second coming will be. Jesus starts out saying "take heed, let no man deceive you". That's pretty darn plain, wouldn't you say? So, what's this "heed" thing all about???
Regardless of whether or not He meant this literally or as a metaphor, the meaning is the same either way.
He said, "Pay attention! Use your brain! Examine, with you senses! See with your 'minds eye'! Discover by use! Know by experience!" Hummm, sounds like FAITH is involved here.
Are you JUST a casual, cafeteria Christian? If you ARE, then you better pay REAL close attention. Because you HAVE to begin to LIVE, by Faith.
What is it about Christianity that sets us apart from the rest of the world religions? I'll tell you what it SHOULD be. A personal, intimate relationship with the Savior of the world. That's what!
Christ died in OUR place, so that we too could "experience" resurrection life. How do we do that, you might ask? Well, you start by grace and end through faith. Look at Eph 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God. From that verse it looks like He initiates the whole thing, because He does. And, we are the recipient of this GREAT love!
GRACE is God's divine influence in our hearts that is reflective in our lives. How is it reflective in our lives? It is reflective by faith and the "knowing" that 'without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he that cometh to God must BELIEVE that He is, and that He IS a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him'~ Heb 11.
And, what's the reward? It IS resurrection life. We no longer live unto our selves, but experience God's gift of grace through the faith that He gives to us. Well, how do we 'know' that this IS actually happening? He gives us faith, to 'know' and experience His grace working in our lives. And, how does THAT happen? It happens to us just the way that it happened to Jesus. We 'act' on what we 'hear', and THAT is Faith in action.