I think its wonderful that you have found peace (perhaps even enlightenment) in your life and I don't doubt that you have. In fact, your sincerity firmly convinces me that such is the case. Consequently, I have an obligation to myself to inquire about how you attained this inner peace as I have inquired in great detail in the past but to no avail. It seems to me that the reason you have not been able to provide any clear direction whatsoever is simply because you do not understand how YOU YOURSELF attained this "salvation through Jesus". I think you have failed to realize this and that is why you get so frustrated trying to explain this phenomenon to others. You need to admit and accept that, although you may be "saved", you don't really own the knowledge about how one gets saved and are utterly inept, as are most christians, at explaining the criteria for salvation. Given that, you need to ask yourself, if you don't understand the criteria for salvation, then how do you know that all of us on this site aren't already saved?
Anyway, here's to your health. And give Jesus (or whoever) my regards. Maybe, since you are so well aquainted with this Jesus fella and you are unable to direct me to him, you could ask him to come TO ME so I can know that in the hell you are talking about and maybe get at least a small taste of the peace and bliss you are experiencing. Thanks in advance.
K: The criteria for salvation is so simple if your willing to be honest.
: Take an honest look at your life. Your emotions, your reactions, your behavior, your relationships, etc.
This leads to the acknowledgement of sin. I know it's hard word but it's just a word describing the fallen, imperfect nature.
- Having done this ask yourself if there is anything you have or could do to perfect these areas. Be honest in how many times you've tried and how many times you've failed to bring about a "real" transformation for yourself. If the answer is that you really have no power in yourself to overcome the pain and problems that your sins have created then you can accept that maybe this isn't and never was your job.
Next take a look at your own feeling of inadequacy and guilt and ask yourself why they exist. It's like a huge bag that we carry on our back and no matter how many times we try to convince ourselves we can get rid of it on our own, it weighs us down again. Sometimes will overcompensate in other areas, sometimes we think we really haven't done anything to terrible and thus can't figure out why we feel and react to life the way we do. The fact is, is that we feel and act the way we do because we are guilty and it hangs over our heads like a mysterious cloud that won't go away.
So now after getting honest you may be able to see now that the problem humans face is guilt caused by sin.
We have a justice system on this earth where when someone trangresses the law, they have to pay for it. We have no problem with this concept. God also has a justice system. But He is a God of mercy as well as justice. Knowing that we could not pay to get out of this bondage to sin which ultimatly leads to spiritual death, he came in the flesh and paid it Himself on the cross.
Before He came, we were seperated from Him. We no longer had access to Him. There was nothing we could do to enter into His presence. So He clothed himself in humanity so that through his death and resurrection, we could cross back over. He is the bridge. Was He obligated to do this? No, and that is why we sing "Amazing Grace."
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever shal believe in Him, will not perish but have everlasting life." He not only died for us but he died a horrific death. I am human and if I was to choose to take the punishment for my child, in my humanity upon the cross, I could pass out or go into shock and deny what was taking place. Not so with God. He is pure truth and that kind of mindgame deceit is not in Him. The reality of Jesus (God in the flesh) dying on the cross is a reality that neither you or I could fathom. When he was beaten and mocked, he couldn't rationize it by human standards because He is the truth. So He took it all in the fullness that neither you nor I could comprehend. This is love!
The only reason for not believing in Jesus as Savior is because most of us can't be honest and will never admit to needing a Savior. It is pride that keeps us from this awsome gift of grace.
So if you can find it in your heart to ackowledge your a sinner then you can, with a mustard seed of faith, perhaps conceed there is a solution and God is not content to leave you wallowing in your fallen state.
So now Wayne, all you have to do if your willing, is admit your sin, believe that Jesus died to free you from your guilt and give you life, and ask him to come into your heart and do for you what you have been trying to no avail to do for yourself. Trust Him for everything and He will not fail you. This is God's promise and God doesn't lie. If you trully do this and nothing changes then you can call Him a liar and hoax. If he transforms your life then you will understand why all of us "Freaky, weak willed" Christians can't shut up about this incredible and loving God.
Because the good news is more than "being forgiven." The good news is also living the resurrected life. The bondages that are broken, the wounds that are healed, the sin that no longer torments, and the love and LIFE that shines and conquers the old nature. It's not about trying to live up to His standard of life. It's about Him living in you and through yours! If you can accept this, welcome to the greatest journey of your life!
"I have come so that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
"For He Himself is our peace, who made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostiltiy by abolishing in the flesh the law with it's commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in Himself ONE new man out of the two, thus making PEACE, and in this ONE body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached PEACE to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we have access to the Father by ONE SPIRIT." Ephesians 2:14-18
Prophesy about Jesus, 2 milleniums before Jesus came
Isaiah 53
"Who has believed our message and to whom has the arm of the been revealed? He grew up before him like a tender shoot and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to Him, nothing in appearance that we should desire Him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men HIDE THEIR FACES He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows. yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by him and afflicted. But he was PIERCED FOR OUR TRANGRESSIONS, he was CRUSHED FOR OUR INIQUITIES; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him and by HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED. We like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to HIS OWN WAY; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."
Note: When this was prophesied, death by crucifixion did not exist.
In love and light,
Kristin
