In touch or out of touch???
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
United States
June 28, 2009 10:26pm CST
While I don't go to church, there are occasions that I view a bit of preaching while flipping through the channels on the ole' T.V.
Today I would happen to catch a bit of the preachings of one Dr. Charles Stanley... I admire him greatly as I do other teachers of religious thought but I have to say that I whole heartedly disagree with the message that he was giving. Now listen, for if you listen up you might hear the voice of the true spirit speaking and if you open your bibles you will read the truth but that isn't what I was hearing as I sat astonished at the words.
Salvation and the Sinners Prayer that grace freely given to all who take the teachings of Jesus into their hearts, well we got that right and if you just listen people I would like to explain what is wrong.
Now if Salvation covers all of your past sins will it cover your future sins? Asking forgiveness once does that cover all future acts of deliberate defiance? Could a Christian lose their salvation? Well I do believe that is where the path to heaven becomes very narrow. For many will try to enter through the gates but only a few will find the key to unlock the doors to heaven. We need to always make right our wrongs in order to maintain our Christian status, we have to be in a constant walk with GOD and we have to know the teachings that are of a pure and holy spirit that is greater and in us.
The light of the world is Christ, the lie is that the devil can mimic the light of the world being also the morning star who is Christ or the Christos that is to live inside of each of our hearts. With this deep abiding love we have empathy towards others. This love makes us different.
Let no person be able to hole anything against you, and I know I have fully apologized for the errors of my life, I might not be perfect, but I'm really good... My spirit will be pure and holy, this I know...
5 responses
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
6 Jul 09
Bold claim. Sometimes I'm bold enough to make the same claim. Sometimes not.
T'is life I suppose. Still not sure if I'm a Christian or not. The Khristos, Yeshua, Jesus Christ, whatever he is called by whoever--is certainly one of my favorite teachers... And I do my best to fall his instructions, both in terms of ethics and in terms of going straight to God (unlike what so many pastors and contemporary prayers would have us do), but I'm also a student of the Buddha, and study many religions, and find that Love and living by truth transcends any denomitional or dogmatic notions... As always, it's good to read your thoughts.
DR...
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
7 Jul 09
That is why I say the foundation built by man is crumbling while the foundation that leads your path straight to GOD is pure and holy. You'll know it when you find it trust your heart, use your mind, and fill your soul with the goodness of what will be.
1 person likes this
@DavidReedy (2378)
• United States
10 Jul 09
I can only try. I'm at kind of standstill now. Spent my entire youth in a blissful search for spirituality... have found it in a minimalist sense, and at the same time am concerned with how much time I must spend on "education" and career building. I still try to remain as ethical and moral as possible (in this morally bankrupt world) but I am truthfully floundering around in the spiritual sense. Cannot seem to find that connection I had years ago. I keep asking God to guide me, and keep trying to find my own way, too... So far, no clear direction--no dreams--no signs---no deep booming voice from the heavens--the last is kind of a joke, but truly, I really wish I knew where to go that was in the 'Godly' direction.
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I dont go to church either for I feel like ya can beleive and think right with out going to a building. I just have to go outside to see all that is beautiful .
ANd I have always beleived I will get to heaven and be with my loved ones that have gone before me!
1 person likes this
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Very nice writing, while reading this I am reminded of two different scriptures Hebrews 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. A lot of people think that once you are saved than its ok to do whatever, I think this really causes a lot of people to turn away from Christianity because they see these people as being hypocrites. The second is 2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light., a lot of times people do very bad things thinking its the right thing to do or following the wrong person because they think they are right. I always use the love rule to judge if I am doing a wrong thing or right thing, Love worketh no evil, are my motives selfish or am I doing something truly out of love. If you love something/someone you aren't going to do anything to hurt it. I wish I could say I never make mistakes I have made plenty but the difference is I try not to make them over again.
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
11 Jul 09
Hi E.H.
I know all about those mistakes, I've made plenty of my own but the difference between making a mistake and having a person do something deliberate is intention. One intentional and one by accident.
Yep I try not to make mistakes and they do happen, I don't set out to cause trouble and many people do.
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
29 Jun 09
I do not agree that God needs to forgive us and that we need salvation. I believe that we are all sent here with lessons to learn and because all of us learn differently in different ways, good or bad, it is all like one big classroom for soul-learning.
Once we are all united with God (or any of the many other names this great spirit is called), we will then discuss our lessons and what we have learned.
People sell forgiveness and salvation, but God sits back and lets us sort it all out. So, let them preach and let some believe it and some, like us, not. It is all a part of the lesson.
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
30 Jun 09
Yes, I'm often reminded of the passage in the Bible a quote attributed to the Christ Jesus he said, "Those false teachers that lead the children astray would be better off to have a millstone tied around their neck and be thrown into the depths of the ocean."
I certainly wouldn't want to be a false teacher. The definition of a false teacher is one that doesn't follow the teachings my guess would be that the person also lies and never apologizes for being wrong.
The world seems to be over run with false teachers.
@nanajanet (4436)
• United States
30 Jun 09
Yes, the hypocrites who call themselves religious and are just using that as an excuse to be self-serving.
1 person likes this
@oyenkai (4394)
• Philippines
6 Jul 09
"Once saved, forever saved" -- this is the phrase that gets me really perplexed from other religious sects. I'd refrain from mentioning what specific sect it is to avoid any serious conflict.
I wonder why people think that the main act of being washed is actually the saving act itself. We should know better than that. As much as God offers our salvation for free, it's not something that he can throw at us and we'd have no choice but being saved. That's the beauty and danger of Free Will. We HAVE to choose to be saved and that choice means a lifetime of servitude to God and his good will.
Thanks for the response on my discussion!
1 person likes this
@TheGreatWhiteBuffalo (4822)
• United States
6 Jul 09
And this is a very well framed response, as I look over your words I get the feeling that you believe as I do that if we sin we must repent in order to reamain pure and holy.
We repent through acknowleging our sin to the person who we have harmed and to make matters right we make reparations and then we seek the forgiveness of the Great Spirit the Creator. If we remain true the peace beyond most human understanding will be given to us and we will have eternal life.
