I Believe In Jesus and His Ultimate Sacrafice

Allofus, I had no idea of the problems you face when I wrote my first comment. You will notice that I didn't block you, which I could've done. It's not that I wish to go it alone, it's like I feel that I have to. I have never met anyone with the same feelings about religion that I hold. I would dearly love to have a church to attend, to have like minded people to support and be supported by. However, that does not seem to be my lot in life. I did not take your comment as reaching out, I took it to be the same kind of "you listen to me and not your own heart" type of critisizm that I've dealt with all my life. Yes..I am ready to judge myself, I know the person that I am, mistakes abound in my life. All I can do is to be earnest and try to do my very level best to live life to the best of my ability. "If it were possible, even the elite would be deceived" is a powerful admonition to me to seek out what God is telling me, not what other people are trying to shove down my throat. There is no way possible that everyone is right, there are too many diverse views for that to be so. I do my best to do what I think is right, giving everyone else the opportunity to do the same. I would never try to force my views on anyone else, and only discuss such things at the behest of others. It is a private matter to me and was only expounded here b/c it is an essential part of me, and that is what this site is all about for me. Honesty. I want people to know my views so that they will know who they are dealing with. I appreciate the fact that you were trying to reach out, but it only felt like more judgement to me. I struggle every day to meld my human nature with my sincere wish to do what God has intended for me to do. There is judgement at every turn. "You should do this", "You should believe that", I have carried this burden with me for many years. I am on a journey of self discovery as well as one to know God and his plan for me. I do the best I can, and try to leave others to their own journeys. Unless bidden to do so, I do not step in with my own moral guidance....it's not my place to do so. I am but a student myself, and don't feel like I have the right nor the accumen to do that. I wish you peace and progress in your life, I hold no ill will towards you. I only wish the same from you.

hawlemnyair, it is enough and more than I deserve. I appreciate your support more than you know!! :-)

Penny Webb

You are making some important steps in the right direction, just make sure they are what God had intended. It is true Jesus died for the penalty of all our sins, but it does not mean we have a license to go all wild and wooley. We still strive to do what God intended for us in the first place, but the stiving is no longer just for ourselves but to respond to the love God has shown us.
The quote you use, "Judge not least you be judged." is in complete and a little out of context. We can not pass judgement ie...punishment, on others, but Jesus has given us standards to live by. It is not judgement to tell someone what they are doing is not what God would like them to do, or is considered a sin by God's standered. The problem comes in when we devalue someone because of where they are in thier walk with God. A new Christian is not going to know as much as someone who grewup in the faith. Likewise we do not know how far that person has come, they may have had a very rough life and is now living a much better life but not one we ourselves would live. Because God has each of us on our own plan of salvation. Paul writes work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Because each of us is accountable for our own actions, but we can help each other. By being there for each other and encouraging and lifting each other up when we fall. And fall we all will sooner or later.
Love your brothers and sisters in Christ enough to say what you think is wrong, but love them enough to hold them up even if they are not happy with that.

Allofus, I think you're fullofit. I am so comforted in knowing that you are so well versed in the Bible and know just exactly how God intended us to uinderstand His word and what to do with it. By the way, I must have an incomplete Bible because I just can't seem to find the Book of Allofus in mine. Is that in the NT or OT. Or did the Lord collaborate with you when He was putting it together.

It doesn't matter one whit if a person is a new Christian or an old Christian or how well versed in the Word they may be. I am a relatively new Christian, having come to the Lord about 10-11 years ago, I am 60 now, and have come across many people who can quite chapter and verse - and they will eagerly and easily tell you so -yet are so shallow in the Lord and loose in following Him.

The lenght of time one has been a believer hasn't a thing to do with anything; God simply asks that we believe in Him. He has given us His Word fo follow to the best of our individual understanding and capabilties. He knows we will stumble, hence His grace and forgiveness, and asks only that we try as hard as we can and to continue in our belief of Him. My belief and understanding may be 180 degrees in yours but that's not the point. The point is simply that we believe. We don't have to agree in our beliefs and opinions as long as we believe that there is one God, one Savior, that He is the path to our salvation and try our hardest to follow Him.

OMG!!!!!! Could you be any more judgemental??????????????? People like you are the reason I have nothing to do with organized religion...What gives you or anyone else the right to tell someone what God's plan for their life is? Are you God? Are you privy to his plans? Does he consult you?
There is but one plan of salvation....the ulimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ himself...."work" out your salvation? Ye are saved by grace, through faith , not of works , lest any man should boast. Salvation through works is not biblical..you should know this, as you seem to have read at least part of the scripture....I need no holier than thou person to tell me about my salvation...I will thank you to keep your opinions about that to yourself....it's between me and God.....and none of your business....if I need your opinion, I will ask for it...my salvation is assured........I have read the entire bible through many times and not only read , but studied. My beliefs are my own, not handed to me by someone who thinks they know what I need. God will judge me in the end, and yes..I will pay for my mistakes. As will everyone else..including you.

Sorry but you seem a little jumpy there. I did not question your salvation and yes I know a great deal of the bible. The passage I was talking about is only to believers (those with salvation). It is simply talking about not taking your salvation for granit. I was not even trying to judge you, you seem ready to do that yourself. I know many people who have tried to go it alone as a believer and it is difficult. And no I do not know God's specific plan for you but I do know what God has put down for all of us to follow.
I apologize for trying to reach out to you, you seem to not need anyone but you. I do have issues of my own, as a matter of fact more than whats on the site, but I am trying to do what I can and I take help from others when I can. God did not create us to be lone Christians but to be a working body of believers, diverse and unique but still working towards the same goals which God has put down in His word. I hope you come to understand that and that I and maybe others are just trying to reach out to you in love and care.
Sorry you were offended.

Snoose78, I had the same reaction when I first read the comment from allofus. But then I went to his profile, and saw that he has many personal problems, check it out and you'll see what I mean. I try to give others the benefit of the doubt, and this is especially true of allofus.....there is much for him to overcome. Your philosophy is much the same as mine, and so I am very sympathetic, but we must give people with handicaps a little more understanding than we normally would a critic. I wish you peace and understanding in your walk with God.

Penny

Right on Baby!!!!! :-) I believe that we don't have to be perfect, that would be impossible anyways sense the only perfect person is Jesus which, sense he is also God he would be perfect!!! But like you said, we should try to be like Jesus and keep his commands.

Right on sxdup. This is good that you feel these ways. Sorry i would normally have something better to say to express the fact that i support you but i am tired. So right on it is.

Well, I don't know what I believe, but I will tell you this. As far as I'm concerned you have definitely got a place in my heaven. : ) I love ya Pen. I think you're AWESOME!!!!!

Love Me xxoo

If I had read your profile before commenting, I never would have written a word....obviously you have enough problems.

I know that you do, baby....it's one of the many topics about which we feel the same!!!!

Your Penny Webb ybybybfb!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Indeed...for if the power of the Holy Spirit is discounted, what power could suffice in His stead??

Thank you for this inspiring post I wish all Christians could see it your way.

There is one sin that cannot be forgiven. That is Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

I can't tell you how pleased I am that you have faith !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, DreamHaven...I feel the same way about you!!!!

Love you, chickie!!

Penny Webb :-D

Sure thing, blacksheep5!!!!!

Penny