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| The hidden terrors of Christianity |
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On the surface, Christianity seems so wonderful! Jesus died for us so we could have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved! Simply ask, seek, and knock, and you’ll definitely receive, find, and that door will be opened right up for you! Evangelists and missionaries have been taking this Good News abroad for centuries!
But I’m afraid I’ve learned that there’s a catch. Christianity isn’t as easy as we’ve been led to believe. Only after we have accepted the generous invitation and entered the inner circle of mature believers do we discover the pitfalls and hidden terrors of this religion.
Even while we’re still savoring our brand new salvation in Christ, we may start hearing something about ancient laws that we’ve got to learn to obey, or we might even be told that we are required to be perfect, just like God—although it’s ok, the Holy Spirit was given to help us out. But then we might be told that “whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” Yikes!
Then, while still relishing God’s gracious forgiveness, we might hear that “if we ever sin willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there is no sacrifice left for sins, only a fearful expectation of raging fire.” Oh no.
Then, as if the danger of willful sins isn’t enough, we hear that “no man will be forgiven for blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” What’s that?? Opinions abound, but the fact is most people couldn’t tell you whether they’ve done this or not!
And finally, although the nice person who witnessed to us probably assured us confidently that God is love, it’s only a matter of time before we find out that God is actually a consuming fire!
Who knew this Christian faith was so dangerous??? It seems the challenge isn’t becoming a Christian, it’s staying one!
Special note: If you disagree w/this post, please do so lovingly. We have a high calling in Christ to conduct our discourse lovingly, with gentleness and respect. Posts which ignore this calling will be gently and lovingly deleted. |
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| To add a comment to "The hidden terrors of Christianity" |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Whew, at least it's only the post that will be deleted and not the poster.....hehe |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Stir us up! we need it, any blog that doesn't challenge us is useless. Thanks guys And we only have to re-read 'Pilgrim's progress' to be reminded of the pitfalls...thank goodness like Paul we can say...Thank God for Jesus Christ! Halleluljah!! Buckets of love PM |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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lol....
In fact, Dennis, I was deleted a couple days ago! (yes, me, the poster!) Glitch in the system. But I'm back, for better or worse. :-)
I'm thinking of including that lil message at the bottom of all my blogs from now on. Especially since MyChurch no longer has the reference to 1 Thess 5:11 below the comment box anymore. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| Amen PM! (stirring up lovingly of course!) |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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You are absolute so right on. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord & Savior, I was under the impression it was going to be like being in a rose garden. Then the teaching began, by God Himself directly to me. There were so many areas of my life He wanted to clean up (and still is cleaning up). I thank Him & praise Him for what He has already done. I truly want to hear when I go home "Well done thy good & faithful servant". That is what keeps me seeking a deeper relationship with Him. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| That is a very thoughtful post, Pandalove! A new angle too, I admit I wasn't thinking of the pain of the sanctification process when I wrote this. But it's true, it can be really painful when God is cleaning up our lives. It ain't always an easy road! (But we certainly don't need others to make the road any harder now, do we?) |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Hi Mike! I think it's difficult most of the time b/c we strive to be good enough when Jesus died so we are good enough, not by what we do, but what He did. So do we keep on sinning? Of course we don't. Proof's in the pudding. The Holy Ghost helps, yes, but it's Christ living in us, and us dying. It's dying to self--the process--that makes this walk hard, b/c either Jesus' yoke is easy and burden is light, or He's a liar....so His burden must be easy, and His yoke, light. We must not put ourselves under the Law again, which is doing good works in our flesh, of our own initative. The only works which won't burn up will be the ones that Christ did through us. It's only been the past 2 or so months I've really understood this, after several months of asking God why the yoke was crushing me, and the burden was heavy. He let me know I'm trying to do what Jesus already did---make myself righteous. But leaning completely upon Him is what will bring about the fruits of righteousness in my life. :) |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| Lara, those are some KEEN insights. Spoken as only you and Craig Earthvessel could! (BTW, where has he been??) A great comment, sister. Wish I could star you! |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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No, indeed, Mike. We are to truly love, encourage & show compassion to each person we come in contact with.
The road is not easy, however, it is sooo worth it. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Thanks be unto God Almighty, because of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,
the way was made for us.
Just a question. If our lives belong to the Lord, it includes our will, right?
2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 1 John 2:1
4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son `to be' the propitiation for our sins. GREAT POST MIKE. Yes Mike it is hard and getting harder. But I know Him in whom I believe and He is able...... 1:12 For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day.
I love all you guys/gals. Have a wonderfully beautiful day in the Lord.
Be blessed my friends. | |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| Why am I not surprised that you posted this blog......(smile) |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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MarJay, even in disagreement, you are always pleasant and smiling. I am glad that you are my sister in Christ.  |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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I doubt I'll ever have to endure what Paul did, or will be required to. He endured under constant threat of his life. Yet, he was bold and unafraid. And still, even Paul considered himself to be the chief of all sinners. There is hope for me. When Paul writes:
7:15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 7:16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. 7:17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 7:20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
Then he adds:
7:24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 7:25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
He gives me hope that as great for the kingdom he was, he was wretched! IMAO! Thanks even more for the grace God has for me. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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He told us to cast our burdens upon Him. He who died for ALL our sins and yet we continue to worry, fret, try to bear our burdens when the victory of whatever is hampering us has already been won. I know that there are times He just shakes His head and says, "Will they never learn that My word is truth?". It is a hard road to travel but as we get closer to Jesus it gets easier. By His grace as we age we can look back and learn from some of our mistakes and say "so that was what He was telling me".
He never said it would be easy but He said He would always be there with us.
Thanks Mike |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Tim, I am so thankful for our Advocate. Today I'm praising God for his mercy!
TM, I love and worship God not b/c he is demanding, but b/c he is worth loving... he is good! He is full of grace, and gives us a hope that endures. PTL!
Mary, those are wise words indeed! Thanks sister! |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| Mike,
Romans 12:2 tells us to NOT be conformed to the world's system but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Salvation is easy. Jesus' yoke is easy and His burden, light. Lara Leger's comments are SO great. One of the things that gets in our way is the thought that this thing is supposed to be hard. The apostle Paul said that the doctrine of "faith righteousness" is the stumbling block that most people fall over (see Romans 9). The doctrine of "waiting on the Lord" is the same doctrine as dying to ourselves. We want to rush out and "git 'er done" but the Lord is our provider. The world's system tells us to take the initiative and when we do, we rob ourselves of seeing the Lord come through for us. This thing is so much more subtle than I first thought. Paul said that we "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling". Waiting on the Lord is an art and a science. The word of God defines the parameters of our relationship with God. The more we know His word, the better able we are to fight off the temptation to "fix it" ourselves. Thanks for a good blog, Mike.
-Rob |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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It isn't easy. It's Jesus and it wasn't easy for Him either. It's LIFE.
Amen, Buddio!
And Mike.... people are gonna argue with you, even if you agree with them. That is all there is to it, honeybear. yup. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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lol!! Great blog! It's kind of funny in parts, too... in a dark way... and also very insightful! Love you!! :D |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Brother,
This blog reminds me of the great lifestyle changes we undergo when we acknowledge Jesus Christ. Life doesn't really change, but the way we perceive it does. Suddenly things we used to do without a second thought, are thought of as "sinful" or "blasphemy" the list goes on... So now as a Christian we must think how we are not only representing ourselves to the world but how are we representing CHRIST? I think though, that discovering the "pitfalls and hidden terrors" are the ways through which we are meant to GROW not only in ourselves but in our faith, and more importantly GOD. Because we can't simply continue along as Christians in that "honey-mooners" phase where everything is like looking through rose tinted glasses, it would likely become boring, something else would catch our attention and away we go!
As we discover the deeper meanings to Christianity and to God we are bound to come across unpleasantness at times. Following God, and accepting his commandments and Laws are not supposed to be easy! But it’s those things that we discover as we go deeper that make us think "yes!" that give you that feeling that words can't describe (you know the one!). It’s those things we discover amidst the "pitfalls and hidden terrors" that make it worthwhile. That gives it true meaning, purpose, and allows us to receive deeper understanding.
God wants’ us to acknowledge him, God wants our love, our happiness, our sorrow, and even our anger. He wants our trust and our commitment to Him so that He may teach us. But God can't teach us until we turn around, face Him and accept that offer of Friendship that He has been waiting for us to accept since the day we were born. Its when that offer is accepted when we truly "face the music" that is true Christianity (or rather, Discipleship of Christ).
And thus being the "pitfalls and hidden terrors" but if you’re in this for the right reasons, the pitfalls and the hidden terrors are nothing compared to the rewards we receive, and the great Love we know God has for ALL of us.
Ok that’s enough for now! I didn't mean to carry on so much!
Blessings Dear Brother,
~ Jade
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| I respectfully say that 'pitfalls and terrors' are there for a reason. They are there to build us up - not tear us down. Its almost what it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11. And I also respectfully say, Christianity is not a fashion parade, its get there if you can. And can I respectfully ask a question? What pitfalls and terrors have you encountered Mike? |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| John 10:1-10 (New International Version) John 10The Shepherd and His Flock 1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. 2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. 3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." 6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved.[a] He will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| Check out the 'Slough of Despond' in Pilgrim's Progress |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Jade,
We're given the commandment to try and keep the rose-colored glasses on.
2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: The Ephesian church was scolded for forgetting her first love (Rev. 2:4). The Galatian church had to be reminded that by making the way of God difficult, they had departed from the faith that saves.
3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Christians start out all stary-eyed and God delivers them from all manner of evil. If it's smoking that they want deliverance from, God gives them freedom. How many new Christians have we heard say, "God just took that away from me!"
Eventually, we "grow up" and victory becomes a difficult struggle. The harder we try to to good, the more evil finds us. We ask for the prayers of the church, we rededicate our lives to God, and try even harder the next time - only to fail.
We are supposed to mature in this thing, there is no doubt, but if maturing means "this thing gets harder" then I think we might be doing it wrong. Victory started out easy, once upon a time, how do we get back into that mode? How did we stray so far from that place?
As ye have begun in the Lord, so walk ye in Him.
Rob |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Rob, I appreciate both your comments, and this statement...if maturing means "this thing gets harder" then I think we might be doing it wrong...comes closer to nailing my intent with this blog than anyone else, I think. (Sherlock too, with the comment about it being "funny in parts".)
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Stevie, the Lord participates in the believer's maturing process by allowing certain 'pitfalls and terrors'. I agree that there is less, if any, real growth and maturity w/o pain and/or discomfort. James did say "the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Paul went further and said " suffering produces perseverance (and perseverance, character; and character, hope).
You asked, What pitfalls and terrors have I encountered? In answer, not nearly the pitfalls and terrors I've been warned of, and seen others warned of! |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Thanks Joey! I'm counting on you, lady!
Jade, that is an awesome contribution...thanks! Indeed the difficulties and hardships are nothing compared to the rewards we receive. Well said and I feel you are right about that! Your comment reminds me of the truth that the purer we get, the deeper we have to dig to root out further evil in our lives, and the deeper we dig, the more painful it can be! (At least, this has been true for me.) God bless you! |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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Nice and challenging again Mike, but I really like what Lara had to say, especially "The only works which won't burn up will be the ones that Christ did through us. "
Yes Jesus yoke is light but we always seem to add stuff to it to make it heavier than it needs to be. We tend to do this to ourselves, but it is terrible when brothers or sisters pile the weight on our yoke for us.
We are called to do the good works that God has place before us to do, not out of obligation but through His love and charity.
Anyway thanks again for challenging us to think beyond simple platitudes.
peace my friend. |
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| September 03, 2009 |
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| "terrible when brothers or sisters pile the weight on our yoke for us."
Great point...pretty much what this blog was saying. New believers can quickly go from the exuberance of new faith to fear or even skepticism when the counselors in righteousness and prophets of doom start showing up. My in-laws, for example. :( |
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| September 04, 2009 |
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| The point....(in other words).....some Christians make this faith much harder (and scarier) than it needs to be, or was supposed to be! |
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| September 04, 2009 |
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| Thats what I figured you were trying to say, in your unique way. :-) Sorry about the weight you feel with the in-laws. |
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| September 04, 2009 |
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| Thanks Glenn, it's a serious situation. |
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| September 08, 2009 |
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I read a line just today that summed up what I have been feeling.
Gone is the child.
I sometimes long to do as my grands did this weekend and jump on a tire swing and climb and lean back hair flowing in the breeze, but even if I do for a moment, there is serious stuff going on and people in need of Christ. I can't ever stop thinking about it. Like when someone says someone died that is saved, I am way ok. I am emotional if they say a marriage split or someone is back drinking again. I would rather hear they went to be with Jesus while in service.
I feel the weight of this. If I got off topic, rope me in, but I just don't see it all as easy. Now I am aware of what it is all about. I have my light hearted moments, of course and Mule can always lead me there. lol |
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