J-14: I certainly don't mean to puzzle you or anyone.
As for my post or Gregor's, what we are trying to share is that an individual can have a REAL relationship with God. This comes only through repentance (humbling ourselves before a holy God and admitting we have sinned and need his forgiveness). When a person truly comes to God in this fashion, God will forgive and cleanse that individual because that is his promise. Read 1 John 1:9.
If you're from the sixties and seventies, then you will remember songs or lyrics that portray Jesus as being a friend and so on. Although this sounds nice and "cool", he is much more than just a friend or good guy. While ELP was singing, "Pull Jesus from a hat...", Jesus was pulling me and countless others out of a dark pit and setting us free!
If you believe in Jesus, then why not take him at his word? Jesus was quoted as saying to Nicodemus, (who by the way was one of the religious leaders of his day. He was not a hypocrite like many of the other Pharisees were at the time. He was very sincere) you must be born again. If Jesus says that to a leader who knows the laws and commandments more than the average layman, how would it not apply to us as well?
Lastly, our Lord said this to the Jews that BELIEVED on him, "If you CONTINUE in my word, then you are my disciples (followers) indeed, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:31,32. Remember, he said this to believers, which many on this thread would claim to be.
Freedom only comes from knowing Christ. This knowledge can not come through church alone, nor can it come from one act of repentance. One must continually draw near in order to be satisfied and remain in freedom. As my brother in Christ said, the devil is quite slimy and will attempt in whatever way he can to deceive can keep us from knowing and continuing in the truth.
Finally, and I don't mean to be long winded, may I encourage you and others to pick up the bible and begin reading. Start with the book of John. To my Jewish friends: look at Isaiah 53. I admit, not being Jewish myself, I can not share with the same understanding as Jewish christians. Look up a group like Jews For Jesus. They can help. |
