Posted by Pastor Steven on September 16, 2002 at 11:04:46:
In Reply to: hrmph...... posted by clover on September 15, 2002 at 14:00:31:
: i'm sorry. i haven't posted in awhile, but i have to rant a bit.
Can I rant back? I love you too much to watch you make a huge mistake and say nothing. ;-)
: most of you know my history in the church, or basically my lack thereof. it has taken me twenty three years to find a church where i feel welcomed and at home, and most
importantly loved. the fact that i've managed to stick with the whole "church thing" for over a year is a feat in itself. thru' so many of you, and especially pastor steve, i have
learned of god's love for me. i have finally learned that it doesn't matter how screwed up my life was and how much trouble i was into (and believe me, it was a lot), god
loved/loves me no matter what. i have been forgiven for my sins and accepted for who i am.
: Isaiah 54:4 "Fear not, you will no longer live in shame. The shame of your youth and the sorrows of your widowhood will be remembered no more, for your Creator
will be your husband."
: now if this is said about our past, could it not also be used in the present? why do people feel that they have to point the finger and scorn for decisions they don't agree
with? this is the very thing that made me leary of christians to begin with. it's that self righteous, holier-than-thou attitude that pushes me away.
Is that what we are like? I think you know better...
Is this really what you think this Isaiah 54 means? We continue to live in our past ways but we no longer feel any guilt about it? We just do whatever we want because Christ died? Is this what you think I have been teaching? Sure hope not...
Do we continue in sin and do as we please? Do we take the high price Christ paid for us for granted? What about pleasing Him? What about following Jesus and living by His Word? What about being recreated in the divine image? What about partaking of the divine nature? What about all the rebukes in the New Testament of the interpretation of grace that you just presented?
Isaiah 51:7-8 "Do not be afraid of peopl'es scorn or their slanderous talk, For the moth will destory them as it destroys clothing....But my righteousness will last forever."
Do we scorn you? Because we love you enough to risk your anger to tell you the truth are we now slanderers? I dare say this passage about Israel wasn't meant to tell your friends and your pastor who love you that God will destroy them for giving you good advise. Just a hunch... ;-)
If you were playing in the highway and traffic was coming, and I told you that you should not be playing there, would that seem like pointing the finger? Sure--if you didn't see the traffic. How much is love worth if we see you making a really bad mistake that we know from experience you will regret one day, and we say nothing? You have a lot at stake, and you have a lot to lose (including what is most important to you right now). If you do not let Jesus be the Lord of this part of your life, can you expect Him to bless it? After 47 years and lots of personal mistakes, I know of what I speak. I only pray you will trust me enough to know I want only the best for you. (Why would I want to deprive you of something good?) I only hope you can learn from my mistakes and other's mistakes, and not have to learn by personal pain. Commit your ways to God and HE will bless all you do.
I have emailed you a longer response. :-)
I love you, Corriga.