Karen put her feet in the fire on her last post and ya’ll know I like to jump right in.
First of all I don’t think that everyone is going to be saved. Those of us who know people who have yet to find God mourn the losses but still have hope for them. I believe that God mourned them before they came. The question that always seems to be the rebuttal is "Why Jesus?" Why? Because we who believe, SIN. No secret here. We are big sinners! And the reason that those sins are big is because we know better. We are the kid with his hand on the hot stove after being told time and time again not to do it. We have to get burned then cry out for help. We have to want forgiveness to be forgiven. If I hurt Codepoke’s feelings and I know it I must ask him to forgive me and I must ask God to forgive me.
Yes it’s that simple in my mind.
Now to turn up the heat.
None of us are actually worthy of the salvation that God has given us. I have a gay relative in a same sex marriage. Without a doubt I would trust my children with this couple. They have respect for others and in no way would ever do anything to hurt a child. Do I think that all couples are like that? Nope straight or gay some folks have no discernment as to right and wrong. I think that they are worthy of salvation and I know it’s up to where their hearts are with God, not up to us stupid stove touching human sinners.
13 comments:
I'm with ya, Milly. I can tell you all about hot stoves, and the wisdom that comes with years of healing and rehabilitating scars from my experiments. Praise the Lord He loves us, even after we ruin the lives He's given us.
Of course being me, I have to ask what you meant when you said we were not worthy of salvation and then that we are worthy of salvation?
We aren’t worthy because despite the fact that God has given us His words and a great how to book we still continue to sin. We are those kids who just can’t get it right. I picture God at times being that parent who keeps saying “Stop it Milly. I said stop it Codepoke. Can’t you hear me I said knock it off you two.” We’ve all heard them because we think about the parent “For goodness sake just go get them!” He did He sent Jesus to come and get us. Jesus make us worthy in spite of our sinful selves. We don’t earn it we are given this wonderful Gift.
I often think of salvation as a simple response to an extravagant offer. It is like someone who tries to give you the winning powerball ticket and you simply refuse to receive because you don't like the lottery (or whatever reason prevents you from receiving the ticket). Now how that ticket comes and to what degree ... I am pretty open ... for me it just means saying yes to Jesus in some fashion.
About homosexuality ... it is such a minor issue ... heterosexual sin has devastated families on a scale that is not on the same planet as the homosexual variety. But I do wonder if the government allowed gays to married how many of them would marry or would they, like their hetro counterparts just shack-up instead?
Christ died for all our sins, everyone is saved. Everyone, and no one deserves it.
Sometimes I'm inclined to agree with Mark "I come not to judge the world, but to save it"
Milly,
I appreciate your post.
It is sad those who don't know God. I pray for those who don't know Him that they may know Him, even Christian. Yes, Christians can not know Him. We must understand that their is a difference in knowing about God and knowing God. God wants all mankind to know him personally. Closely. Relationally. I don't just want to know about Christ. I want to know Him. Jesus tell us in the Gospels that many on that day will say, "Didn't I do this and that in your name. He will say, I never knew you." So, we must strive to know Him. Personally. Relationally. Walk with Him. 24/7. Surrender. Sacrifice. Pray. Learn from our teacher (Discipleship).
Milly, great post sister. Keep it up! You have challenged me as a minister to talk more to those who need that relationship with Him. Thanks! God bless you and hope you have a great week. :-)
I'm sympathetic toward those who think everyone will be saved, but I'm not ready to go there myself. At any rate, we have the obligation to live our lives as believers thanks to the Jesus Christ and his Gospel of Grace.
Milly, thanks for commenting on my blog the other day. It's cool to meet a fellow okie in the blog world.
Milly,
Great post.
The thing I love about this community is the kind way we can agree or disagree. You all have been kind and patient with me during my walk in these subjects.
Good post, Milly. We all fall short of the glory of God.
Ditto what Karen said!!
Karen,
You are absolutely right.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Just checkin' in. It's been a few days, so I thought I'd look in and saw your comment here.
> Can’t you hear me I said knock it off you two.
I was thinking about whether to reply to it when it fell off the "to do" list. Oops.
In my experience, God seldom repeats Himself. He walks quietly out of the room whispering, "I might not touch that stove if I were you," and never looks back. He's always just loud enough to be sure you heard Him, but quiet enough that you can pretend to yourself that you didn't.
And when I burn myself silly, I find He was waiting right outside the door with the aloe lotion. Not a word passes between us unless it's the sound of my repentance, and then He changes the subject pretty quickly. He's not One for "I told you so."
(Odd verification word: wmvvvr)
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