I've been in the "church" my entire life. There were no rules that had to be met, there were no real expectations. We didn't have to pass any tests or classes, really, so as to move on because of what we had learned in Sunday School, etc. Everyone assumed that we all knew the same things, and sadly, maybe we did.
Shorly after I was baptized, and with my long 1970's hair still wet, I proceeded to walk 1.5 blocks down the street and steal a bag of rubberbands for my newspaper business. I had no idea of what I had just done. "What, me? I just made a committment to be a.....a what? A SLAVE to Jesus?" I had no idea that I had made a public proclamation that I would abandon myself, completely and wholly, and dedicate my entire being to My lord, Master and Jesus. Of course, that day, the day of my baptism, my life just continued to spiral more and more out of control and deeper into sin. My church performed an incredible dis-service unto me, by allowing me to be baptized, which caused me to trust and believe that I really and truly was saved, a genuine "obedient" child of "God". But I was not. I no more had the Holy Spirit in me that Judas.
I have been lost and confused, right along with every, EVERY other "Christian" that I have been exposed to....which is thousands. How do I know? There was no Holy Love within their hearts. Regardless of what I said or what I did to try to get help, no one ever came to me. I was the weakest of the weak; really struggling in so many ways, yet no one ever came to me, just as the scriptures repeat over and over.
We, the flock....we are told what to do, what to think and what to say. I do not blame us, but I do hold our pastors, elders and teachers responsible, and I do this because God's tells us that He is holding them responsible. Not my words at all! But honestly, I do not even blame our immediate pastors, elders and teachers, for I don't know that they, nor anyone from generations prior, knew that we have all been involved with a fake, and desperately faulty system. I have awakened to this and just want to pass along the idea. May it be judged by people at will....I encourage that.
Since my awakening, a full Romans 12:2 transformation, I have learned that it is best for me to keep my mouth shut in terms of giving the Gospel to another, as I had so much to learn. I really, truly believed that I knew the New Testament, but my heart was hardened. It just was....and as much as I just can't hardly believe it, man, I was just not seeing very deep. Truly, how God hardens our hearts is nothing short of an amazing miracle in itself....I am so thankful for hardened hearts!
At this time in my thinking, I would say that unless we have been taught the Gospel by one that is genuinely indwelt by God's Illuminating Helper and Teacher, or unless we feel that God's Gracious Holy Spirit has taught us on His own accord, then we should remain silent until our wisdom turns to understanding. If we don't do that, we'll harm someone with a false gospel...and leading others astray, even into hell, is something that God takes very seriously. After feeling the Raw, Almighty Power of God, I choose to obey and no longer mess around.
I have lot's or responses to get to....I hope this was sufficient. Thank you for your gracious example by which to follow. Much respect....