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Pastimes : Ask God -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Jamey who wrote (32475)	2/7/2001 3:59:18 AM
From: Chris land	Respond to of 39621

James, I agree fully with you that "salvation" is a gift of God based upon unmerited favor. Had he left that gift in our hands I'm sure our adversary would find a way to snatch it away from each and every one of us. This dream of that great man of faith John Newton comes to mind: The scene was the harbor of Venice where we had just been. I thought it was night and that it was my turn to stand watch on the dock. As I was walking to and fro by myself, a man brought me a ring with the express order to keep it carefully. He assured me that, while I preserved that ring, I would be happy and successful. But if I lost it or parted with it, it could expect nothing but trouble and misery. I accepted the present and the terms willingly, knowing that I would indeed care for it and gloating and that now I would have my happiness in my own keeping. Then a second person came to me and, seeing the ring on my finger, asked some questions about it. I readily told him its value, and he said he was astonished that I was so gullible in expecting such effects from a ring. He argued with me for some time and then urged me to throw the ring away. At first I was shocked at such a suggestion, but he kept telling me how foolish I was. Then I began to consider his reasons and to doubt the original story. At last, I pulled it from me finger and dropped it over the ships side into the water. At the same instant, a terrible fire burst out from a range of mountains, some distance behind the city of Venice. I saw the hills as distinctly as if I were awake, and they were all in flames. Too late, I realized now foolish I had been. My tempter, with an insulting sneer, informed me that all the mercy of God reserved for me was lodged in the ring I had willfully thrown away. He said I would have to go with him to the burning mountains and that all the flames I saw had been kindled on my account. I trembled in great agony. But the dream continued As I stood there, hopelessly condemning myself, a third person-or the same one that brought the ring the first time (I'm not certain which)-came to me, demanding to know why I was grieving. I told him plainly, confessing that I had ruined myself willfully and deserved no pity. He blamed my foolishness and asked if I would be any wiser the next time, if I had my ring back again. I could hardly answer; I thought it was gone for good. Before I even had time to answer, this unexpected friend plunged into the water just at the spot where I dropped the ring. He returned in a moment, bringing it with him. The moment he came on board the flamed in the mountains were extinquished, and my evil seducer left me. With joy and gratitude, I went up to my kind deliverer with my hand open to receive my ring again. But he refused to return it. He said, if you were to be entrusted with this ring again, you would soon bring yourself into the same distress. You are not able to keep it, so I will preserve it for you. Whenever you need it I will produce it in your behalf. I awoke astonished. I could hardly eat, sleep, or work for two or three days. -John Newton, an autobiography What do you think? Chris