Very well said Andrea...
The renewal of our minds is an important part in the process of unity. We can coexist with others, but we cannot truly be in unity with other Christians until we begin to be of the same mind of... walking in His LOVE
as you have expressed. God's LOVE is not bound by doctrine, but true unity is. LOVE is the bond of perfection that holds us together, but there must be a shared foundation of core doctrinal beliefs in order to have real unity.... (again... Nice quote).
With my peanut brain... this quote stumps me a little to say the least. Are you planning on "beating" me up if we're in disagreement about something? I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer but my lack of understanding of the meaning is making
me a little nervous.
No. I was laughing. I enjoy interacting with you and we disagree about a few things, not the essentials. I'm sure we'll both find one of the three major creeds to agree on. I have looked at OSAS for many years. We will disagree. That is fine and I am always glad when I have the opportunity to disagree (discuss differences) with people who do it in a manner that is edifying. Ultimately, this will either change someone's stance or edify them. That's as it should be when Christians who love the Lord interact. Even while they disagree.
Wonderful quote... and wonderful vision from God... "but I won't let you (go to hell) because your salvation is resting on My shoulders and NOT on yours and what you have done" (paraphrased). And... knowing that somehow He was going to KEEP you even while you couldn't see a way. (I don't see any "ifs" in His vision)
It was life changing, it made me realize that the Lord had started the work in me and He was able to finish it. Early in my walk He gave me a number of visions that helped me see what I was unable to see with my broken self. So much condemnation from within that I couldn't read the scriptures without wanting to give up. The Lord spoke to me in many ways. I had been a hard core atheist, raised in an atheist home and the mormons knocked on my door right after I got saved so the Lord propped me up and set me in His direction. I had another vision of following Him with my eyes looking up, sometimes I would stumble and fall bc I was looking up, but He showed me as long as my eyes were on Him, I would eventually arrive at my desired destination, although it promised to be an adventure. It was not easy, but a good hike is good for us and when we arrive at the mountain top we will have learned enough to go back down and bring folks with us next time... LOL. In one vision the Lord can teach lessons that take some years if we are willing. I was such a babe, I didn't know the Lord doesn't speak to everyone like that.... I thopught everyone got visions and the Lord would help me find my keys when I lost them and tell me what scriptures to read... it was a very intimate time. I am always so grateful.
When it comes to doctrinal differences, I always ask if I am more saved today then when I didn't know anything??? Its been 31 years, am I more saved bc I have read all those books, studied all those theological perspectives and argued all those doctrines. I was so so so saved the first day... there is no "more saved".
That said, I have seen people walk away..... I don't think the lord ever forces Himself on anyone. To not allow them the freedom to leave would be coercion..... therefore OSAS is not something I support.
Jesus always walked away, His followers had to follow Him. He did not force anyone to listen and learn.
God bless, andrea
Why..?
Sounds like Eternal Security to me. You... have been Chosen... You are a Purchased possession... meaning, (you are not your own)... You are Sealed... You are Predestined... You are Glorified... You are Reconciled...
You are Forgiven... You are Crucified... You are Whosoever... You are His Heir... You are Crowned... You are Sanctified, Justified, Complete, Perfected, Righteous, Preserved, Kept by Him, and... Guaranteed! In the eyes of Jesus... You are Innocent.
Why..?
This is called GRACE... unmerited, undeserved, and unearned.
..and as long as I desire Him, He will make sure I finish the race - even if I run really bad and limp across the finish line, it was never under my own power anyway..... but if I choose to turn away, He will not force me to stay.... no worries, where would I go? He has the words of eternal life.... those words and His resurrection power are available to us in this life... He sustains me and I will never understand why some choose another way but they do...
THE BLESSING
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Harry...
God bless, andrea