Brothers in the Faith???
Yesterday I saw an old friend. A man who was an elder in the church I attended for so many years. He is now an ordained minister. We spent many hours together over the years in church and church related functions. As we spoke yesterday we seemed to be on common terms for a while then as he detected some of what I now believe he commented that I believe in “universal salvation” and attempted to correct me that surely there “is a hell to shun”.
I sensed the feeling of rejection that often comes in such situations. It never gets easier it seems for me to handle such experiences.
Today, on the ABC news 20-20 site, I read the following words from Bishop Carlton Pearson….
“The people who created hell for me are people who used to love me and will call themselves followers of Christ. It wasn’t some secular, atheist, God-hating infidel that denounced me … my own brethren, with whom I sat, and ate, whose babies I dedicated."
I can relate to that. It sometimes seems that the broader I see the grace of God, the more my old “brothers” wish to point me to hell.
Isn’t there something terribly wrong with that?
Steve,
I have finally realized that in the eyes of many I will always be judged and I am headed for Hell. I am learning to deal with this, but as you said above, “It never gets easier it seems for me to handle such experiences.” Today as I headed down the Highway to get lunch for me and my co-workers I turned on my favorite song. I am driving down the road singing as loud as I can and immediately I am filled with this inerrancy. I felt like I could fly!! I swear I even heard Jesus laughing at me! I had given myself goosebumps. My personal goal right now is to stay true to myself. Anyway, Steve…these lyrics are for you my friend
ENIGMA LYRICS
“Return To Innocence”
That’s not the beginning of the end
That’s the return to yourself
The return to innocence
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Love - Devotion
Feeling - Emotion
Don’t be afraid to be weak
Don’t be too proud to be strong
Just look into your heart my friend
That will be the return to yourself
The return to innocence
If you want, then start to laugh
If you must, then start to cry
Be yourself don’t hide
Just believe in destiny
Don’t care what people say
Just follow your own way
Don’t give up and use the chance
To return to innocence
That’s not the beginning of the end
That’s the return to yourself
The return to innocence.
I know what you mean Steve. I have had many experiences just like that and it is sad that those who should know better…DON’T.
And Mindy……you always have something to say that lifts my spirit and makes me want to sing.
Hi steve,we have all been there brother and contiue to be put in that position throught the ignorance of men.Not knowing what the spirit of grace has already did in christ.If we are taught error we will teach others error.In hear Paul saying, hey you,!!! that want to be teachers of the law do you hear what the law says?I’am afriad they don’t hear what the law said, steve and still don’t hear what the law says.Those that teach it should themselves live by it.They keep on adding the law to others and not themselves in so doing break every law in the book.Blind leaders of the blind steve.They make christ of none effect at all.Christ redeemed the entire world if they want to stay in ignorance to that fact so be it.I had the same mindset as these people steve.But i was ignorant just as they still are.But now i’am free from that ignorance.Our only prayer is that they be free also.Keep your heart established in grace my friend.They will come to the knowledge of the truth for it is Gods will that they do.
kenneth.
Mindy that was just lovely sister thankyou for sharing thast here.
kenneth
I love that song by Enigma as well.
Some people still have yet to grasp the idea that all will (eventually) be saved…including their enemies (and those enemies, I think, include those who don’t hold to the same doctrines and teachings they do). At the moment, they’re still “locked up in stubborness” waiting to be shown mercy, waiting to learn this fantastic truth.
Mindy, thank you so much for that song. I have never heard it but will make it a point to do so. The words are wonderful and also thank you for always being so encouraging.
And thanks also to Cliff, Kenneth and Shelly. You all rock!
It is always so much better to hear from people who believe in doing all things to encourage. I have always loved Pauls words that challange us to do all things for edification. Thanks again my friends.
What the poor man doesn’t realize is that he’s been listening to the wrong voices. But that’s ok. Assure him that the power of the Cross of Christ brought redemption to him whether he believes it or not. He can believe in hell if he wants, and he can live in fear all his life (and miss out on the abundance), but the day will come when he will rest in love, not work in fear… and receive an abundance of life beyond comprehension. Be happy for him! And tell him what his future holds. Maybe he can find some peace in that which he is not required to believe. Maybe he can rejoice that the work is done… with, or without his consent. Maybe he will find his heart made new again through the power of an incredible, deep, pure love.
Rejoice with him that his redemption has come, and his salvation is near!
I think it hurts more when someone you have known rejects you. Its one thing to get caught up in the blogosphere where you expect all sorts of wierdness but when its close to home it isn’t easy.
My feeling is the error of hell is a very very deep rooted notion that cannot be extracted without a lot of pain. The pain of having our very “orthodoxy” proved void. And those who have come through - it takes months if not years to change the way we have been taught to believe.
We look to one another for support when we suffer the rejection; and I am thankful to Steve, Geo, Bruce and all you guys for the support you have given me recently.
Steve- I have not experienced this from a friend, JUST a close family member (eldest son). I think when it is a family member, it’s more open, overt. It hurts! But, thank God, I know it really doesn’t matter in the long run. I love him just as much as ever, just as God does. I so much want for him to experience the joy of letting the fear go and enjoying life as God meant for us to. Some day, perhaps soon it will happen. Good post.
I thank God for this site and others that let me bask in the grace of God freely given to ALL. I feel sad this morning because I received an email from someone who said “I send this to you because I love you” and it was a devotional about “not forsaking the assembly”. I haven’t been to “church” in more than 2 months. I know she really cares for me and she sent it with a right heart, but I didn’t have the guts to tell her that it is hard for me to sit in service with pastor praising and glorifying the love of God out of one side of the mouth, and with the other side of the mouth saying but if you don’t receive the love, God will honor your request with eternal separation.
Sometimes, I just get so down, so confused. To make it worse, My life is not in the best of order right now. I am struggling with drinking too much, which sets me up with an endless cycle of sin/repent/sin/repent. But I really don’t think returning to an institutional church would help me much. I feel that much of my problems started in the institutional church. At any rate, thanks to all of you who are so encouraging. Even though I don’t comment much, I still read these blogs and have been really blessed by so many of you.
Shalom from San Antonio……..
Blessings to you Nancy. We miss your input. You are loved!
Nic, I’m glad to support you. It can certainly be difficult dealing with some traditionalists as we all find out from time to time. And you’re right. it hurts more when it comes from someone you know and may have trusted. You’re also correct about the difficulty in breaking free from our orthodoxy. It has taken me years.
Don, I’ll bet your son will come around some day. Just keep loving him unconditionally, as I know you are. It’s very difficult to resist love.
Nancy, always remember that our Savior dealt with ALL of our sin, past, present and future. So please don’t condemn yourself. Having said that I hope and pray that you can live free of all addiction. May our Fathers love be the only addiction in your life because believe me, we all need it tremendously and you can be absolutely sure that it is always there in abundance for you Nancy.
Love to you all.