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Pastimes : Let's Talk About Our Feelings!!! -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Edwarda who wrote (38519)	5/24/1999 8:17:00 PM
From: Sidney Reilly	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 108807

Hi Edwarda, I remember once saying to my husband, when he was ranting on about "justice," that none of us could withstand that perfect scrutiny in God's eye. We pray for mercy. Yes, "except for the grace of God there go I." It would do every christian well to remember that before throwing any stones at anyone. Far too much of that going on, throwing stones. The doctrine that I touched on is valid. It's entirely by faith that we are saved, and not by works, lest any man should boast. It is the gift of God. And it's for God to separate those of faith from those who never believed. The bible does say there is no other way to the Kingdom of Heaven other than Jesus. Narrow is the way leading to salvation, but wide is the path to destruction. Look at how much we stumble and how easily we are tempted and brought down. God's salvation had to take that into account or no one would ever be saved. But we all have to take the step of accepting Jesus. SR

To: Edwarda who wrote (38519)	5/24/1999 11:45:00 PM
From: jbe	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 108807

This sounds like the Presbyterian doctrine of the "elect" who are saved, which, btw, always seemed terribly grim to me. Sorry to butt in here, Edwarda, but since Sydney did not address this point in his answer, I couldn't resist... What Sydney is talking about is justification by faith, versus justification by works. What the Presbyterians (Calvinists) were talking about was something very different, and indeed much grimmer. They were talking about Predestination (an idea that goes back to St. Augustine). That is, they believed that God decided in advance who would be saved, and who would not be. In other words, you were born damned or saved; so neither faith nor works would save you if you were predestined to damnation. How those folks got all the way from Jesus to Predestination is beyond me, but the ways of the human mind are even more inscrutable than those of the divine.... Joan

To: Edwarda who wrote (38519)	5/25/1999 12:05:00 AM
From: epicure	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 108807

Who would you rather have around you if you were a God? Toadies who believed in you because they were afraid of going to Hell or honest seekers who would like you if you exist, but wouldn't believe in you without proof? If I was a God I would despise people who asked me constantly for "favors" and who expected a quid pro quo for "good" and "decent" behavior, and who only believed in me because they were afraid not to. I think I would make a very decent God if given half the chance- so forget my former Presidential aspirations, I was thinking too small.

To: Edwarda who wrote (38519)	5/25/1999 10:24:00 PM
From: Sidney Reilly	Respond to of 108807

Hi Edwarda, If there is an all-knowing God, surely our worth in such a God's eyes is all that could possibly matter. Such a God would know, even when we falter in faith (consider Thomas) and even when we are wrestling with moral and emotional dilemmas, who of us is of good heart and seeking always to do good. Such a God would know that true goodness of heart and spirit is rampant among people who are unbelievers and who find "Christians" disturbing when they are represented by people like chris. I certainly agree that God is merciful and full of compassion for all of us. We are easily entangled and stumble often. He had to make a salvation that allowed for that. And He did. He's full of mercy and I believe He will "bend over backwards" to bring as many into His kingdom as possible. I do disagree with the "holy rollers" who go around beating everyone on the head. I would rather show mercy and also receive mercy. I hope that is more clear than my last post! S SR