Dear freeus :
I read your last post and there are many things in it that I could respond to in depth...however I don't want to lose your respect of me or in the high position that I hold , which is an ambassador of my Lord and Savoir Jesus Christ. So, for that reason would you allow me to respond to only one comment that you made..
Remember the story of the pharisee and the publican praying in the temple. The pharisee is on the front row and praises God by saying , Lord I am so glad that I am not like other men. sinful, prideful, arrogant ( I'm paraphrasing also ) OH, big point, he also says that he pays his tithes in full !!!
The publican is on the back row , cannot even lift up his head in the presense of GOD, and says Lord, I know I am a sinner, I don't even know if I can change my nature ( also paraphrasing ), I cheat people, I'm crooked, I lust for the things of this world, is there any way you can forgive me ????
Jesus said that the publican came away forgiven of God and justified by God---- J U S T I F I E D just as if you never done it ......like the little boy said !!!
This was from JESUS ...He is so great.. My point being this, you said that you cannot imagine the commission of the thought being as bad as the commission of the act...My point is this....it can actually be much worse if the thought separates you from the love of God..
The person who commits the act may plead for Gods mercy while the goodie -two- faced or two shoes whatever you want to call them may still think they are not like other men, those other SINFUL men that God "hates " so much..As in !st John 8-10 " For if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us !-- We make him a LIAR and his word is not in us "
In truth and love , my brother in CHRIST, feel free to discuss any topic here, I promise you that you will recieve the respect and consideration that you are due as a child of God and as a joint heir................gregor |
