I have a lot to say on this one, but I, too, feel kind of locked away. I struggle with what others think, and that often prevents me from participating or asking for prayers that I need. It's kind of frustrating that I feel that way around certain people, but I know beyond a doubt what I have in my heart. For the first time in my life I am trying to listen to Him instead of living up to the expectations of others. Yet at the same time, I know sin is sin. I believe if you confess to be a Christian, there should be a difference. Your behavior is different, your choices are different, what you say and do is different, what you watch and listen to is different, how you treat others is different. We are human and make mistakes, but we should at least be putting forth some type of effort. And hiding under the label "Christian" doesn't make you one. And God will put you where He wants you when He wants. We will all see difficult times, and it has nothing to do with how you are living. However, I wouldn't want to go through these times without Him!
Donna, I agree with you. We are so close to the end of time, I believe. For many years, I lived my life trying to please everyone else because I didn't want people saying bad things about me, but I have gotten to the place where I no longer live my life to please others, but please HIM! If He's pleased with me, I don't care what anyone else thinks! But if He is NOT pleased with me, it doesn't matter who is! That verse that talks about working out your own salvation with fear and trembling has really hit home with me in the last year! I've seen people go to such extremes, more worldly because they think "since Holiness people are wrong about some things, they are wrong about everything", and that simply isn't true! But on the other hand, there are a lot of SAVED people out there who may not see things like I do, but God is our judge and there are things that may be wrong for me and not for others. I am sure people will wonder about me and where I stand, so I make the statement that I am Holiness from the top of my head to the sole of my foot (feet, LOL!), but it's GOD'S Holiness, not man made mandates (is that the right word? LOL!) God's Holiness is what I'm striving for, trying to live LOVE toward others and let them see Jesus in me... I don't always feel like I succeed, but I try! I still feel judged sometimes, but I don't worry about it! He is the one who has the power to cast me into Hell or swing the Gates open for me to enter in! :D O God, please let me please YOU above anyone else!!! That is my prayer! I appreciate you, Donna! I am glad to have reconnected with you! I love you!
I'm glad we reconnected, too! It's good to have others to talk to. And I don't think you're initial post was pushing anything!
Yes, I have too often seen people focus on what others do wrong as an excuse for them to avoid religion altogether. Sadly, I've seen comments on articles where people will actually state "another reason to be atheist". No earthly man died on that cross for you. No earthly man is Christ. We are not perfect, and we make mistakes. We are not the ones to be worshiped. However, we still need to be careful and strive for what God wants us to do so that we won't be a stumbling block for others. So the key is, like you said, to work our our salvation with fear and trembling and do what we can to please Him. Then, everything else will fall into place.
I have a lot to say on this one, but I, too, feel kind of locked away. I struggle with what others think, and that often prevents me from participating or asking for prayers that I need. It's kind of frustrating that I feel that way around certain people, but I know beyond a doubt what I have in my heart. For the first time in my life I am trying to listen to Him instead of living up to the expectations of others. Yet at the same time, I know sin is sin. I believe if you confess to be a Christian, there should be a difference. Your behavior is different, your choices are different, what you say and do is different, what you watch and listen to is different, how you treat others is different. We are human and make mistakes, but we should at least be putting forth some type of effort. And hiding under the label "Christian" doesn't make you one. And God will put you where He wants you when He wants. We will all see difficult times, and it has nothing to do with how you are living. However, I wouldn't want to go through these times without Him!
ReplyDeleteDonna, I agree with you. We are so close to the end of time, I believe. For many years, I lived my life trying to please everyone else because I didn't want people saying bad things about me, but I have gotten to the place where I no longer live my life to please others, but please HIM! If He's pleased with me, I don't care what anyone else thinks! But if He is NOT pleased with me, it doesn't matter who is! That verse that talks about working out your own salvation with fear and trembling has really hit home with me in the last year! I've seen people go to such extremes, more worldly because they think "since Holiness people are wrong about some things, they are wrong about everything", and that simply isn't true! But on the other hand, there are a lot of SAVED people out there who may not see things like I do, but God is our judge and there are things that may be wrong for me and not for others. I am sure people will wonder about me and where I stand, so I make the statement that I am Holiness from the top of my head to the sole of my foot (feet, LOL!), but it's GOD'S Holiness, not man made mandates (is that the right word? LOL!) God's Holiness is what I'm striving for, trying to live LOVE toward others and let them see Jesus in me... I don't always feel like I succeed, but I try! I still feel judged sometimes, but I don't worry about it! He is the one who has the power to cast me into Hell or swing the Gates open for me to enter in! :D O God, please let me please YOU above anyone else!!! That is my prayer! I appreciate you, Donna! I am glad to have reconnected with you! I love you!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we reconnected, too! It's good to have others to talk to. And I don't think you're initial post was pushing anything!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have too often seen people focus on what others do wrong as an excuse for them to avoid religion altogether. Sadly, I've seen comments on articles where people will actually state "another reason to be atheist". No earthly man died on that cross for you. No earthly man is Christ. We are not perfect, and we make mistakes. We are not the ones to be worshiped. However, we still need to be careful and strive for what God wants us to do so that we won't be a stumbling block for others. So the key is, like you said, to work our our salvation with fear and trembling and do what we can to please Him. Then, everything else will fall into place.