Why do you think God allowed Protestantism?

[una_fides]

It’s pretty simple to understand that God created the flesh to be inhabited with knowledge of good and evil making of us gods, for we are made in His image.

That required a separation: Gen 2:24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

The wife are we in the flesh made after Adam, both bone and flesh requiring a rebirth of God’s spirit to gain salvation of our dead spirits.

So, either we are saved or we are not, no in between s.

Here’s how that works, while we are yet sinners, meaning still alive in the flesh, Jesus died for our sins.

If Jesus’ death does not cover any sin possible than you have a point, but Jesus death covers all sin and is able to deliver any sinner from the “state” of sin to everlasting life yet……….while we are sinners.

So, a state in between (purgatory) can not exist because in Christ, either all are lost or all are saved.
What mankind has done is place conditions, requiring this or that in order to achieve a desired governing practice by keeping people in bondage.

Being in bondage to some belief for some is adequate for lack of further study and or of gaining freedom worship God without conditions.

Peace>>>AJ

If you believe that everyone is saved, then please comment on the verses I posted in this thread: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=309520

Also please respond to my earlier Scripture reference in this thread that Christ explicitly said that “few are saved” and that “many” will try to enter heaven but not be able. He also said that “many” will come to him and say Lord have we not done all these things for you, and he will say “depart from me you workers of iniquity for I never knew you” and they are then cast into hell where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Doesn’t sound very pleasant does it.)

I’m also curious as to the source of your interpretations. Did you make them up or are you gaining them from an outside source? Where are you coming up with these interpretations of Scripture?

Regarding Purgatory, it is the state where souls who are not yet completely purified go before entering heaven. Think of it as cleaning yourself up and painfully scrubbing off dirt before going to a wedding banquet. The souls in Purgatory are already justified and are in a state of grace. They have been forgiven all their sins because they sought such forgiveness by God’s grace, but they still have certain attachments to sins as well as temporal punishment due to the sins they committed that they must atone for. It is in this process that they are purified and made completely holy and without sin. We are not just declared righteous to get into heaven while we remain sinful because nothing sinful can get into heaven. We can and must actually be made righteous to get into heaven. As the writer of Hebrews says, we are to “strive for the holiness without which we cannot see God.”

 

[look3467]

Regarding Purgatory, it is the state where souls who are not yet completely purified go before entering heaven. Think of it as cleaning yourself up and painfully scrubbing off dirt before going to a wedding banquet. The souls in Purgatory are already justified and are in a state of grace. They have been forgiven all their sins because they sought such forgiveness by God’s grace, but they still have certain attachments to sins as well as temporal punishment due to the sins they committed that they must atone for. It is in this process that they are purified and made completely holy and without sin. We are not just declared righteous to get into heaven while we remain sinful because nothing sinful can get into heaven. We can and must actually be made righteous to get into heaven. As the writer of Hebrews says, we are to “strive for the holiness without which we cannot see God.”>>>una fides

There is absolutely no evidence in scripture to say that a person is justified but not yet pure enough requiring cleansing in the expired state.
Give me the chapter and verse and give me the reasons why that should be as you say.

I’m also curious as to the source of your interpretations. Did you make them up or are you gaining them from an outside source? Where are you coming up with these interpretations of Scripture?>>>una fides

Basically, my main source is the bible. But because religious organizations limit the study of the word to their views, I was forced to seek enlightenment else where.

To sum it all up, all my sourced pointed back to the bible but with a different view of which I now hold.

Now, a question would be, had I not been able to find it alone in the bible? Yes, and no.

No, because unless I am able to see a different view I shall not be able to distinguish, and properly discern what I know is truth.

Yes, if God would have just given me instant understanding, but that is not how it works.

There must be a struggle through and obstacle course (life) to where knowledge of good and evil is exercised to the managing of it for the good, rather than for the evil.

My journey (spiritual) has taken me through some paths that are outside the normal established religious views so that I may see the spiritual truth that binds all of them together.

The bible has always been my main stay and one which after my journey has solidified many things that had no answered to me before.

So: I now share those finds to whom ever for their scrutiny and or enlightenment.

Also please respond to my earlier Scripture reference in this thread that Christ explicitly said that “few are saved” and that “many” will try to enter heaven but not be able. He also said that “many” will come to him and say Lord have we not done all these things for you, and he will say “depart from me you workers of iniquity for I never knew you” and they are then cast into hell where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Doesn’t sound very pleasant does it.)>>>una fides

I did explain it in former posts but probably because my explanations are long that they were either not understood or missed completely.

The whole premise of “the few” was designed to limit or to shut out, cut off, if you will the favored son status of the Jewish nation.

Before Jesus goes to the cross the Jewish nation were the sole inheritors of the kingdom of God, after all, they were given the laws to carry.

The question is how God can include the rest of the world (Gentiles) into an inheritance that was allotted to only one group of people. (Jewish)

Some examples are clearly seen of that being that way in Cain and Abel, Esau and Jacob, in the saying “the first shall be last and the last first” and in Jesus and the Jewish High Priests.

The first borns inheritance is stolen by the second born as we see Jesus as a thief in the night stealing away the Jewish inheritance by cutting them off spiritually.

So His saying “of a few”, and “through me only”, and their saying “Lord Lord” is Jesus telling them that they no longer are sole inheritors but will be co-inheritors with the Gentiles through Him.

Now, after Jesus’ resurrection, the whole picture has changed to what Paul said: Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Jesus has made one of two, therefore bringing salvation to all mankind not just to the were “favored son”.

This view, you will not find in the Catholic religion, though it is open to it, but in the rest of Christianity, it is either heaven or hell, no if’s and but’s.

I am a Christian because I am a believer in Jesus Christ, savior of my soul and without a doubt saved for all eternity because I placed all my faith in what Jesus said to me: Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

My soul has found its rest in Jesus, therefore I cease to work towards my salvation: that is not to say that I wouldn’t continue to live righteously, but rather enjoy trying to live righteously because I know in whom my soul rests in, and I am persuaded that He is able to keep me to my earths end.

Let me give you this verse of assurance; Rom 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
Understanding that in tribulations we joy, is because we already are assured of our salvation.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[guanophore]

Does that mean that in my ignorance of the Catholic faith makes my views as of no value?

Of course not! If it were not for people ignorant of CAtholicism, there would be no need for Catholic answers! I have learned a great deal since I came here.

Well, if one is not open to other than, yes.

Openness to learning non-Catholic faiths does not equate to a willingness to embrace them. The Apostles forbid us to embrace any other gospel other than the one that was committed to us by them. If you think this is spiritually immature of me, then may I be a faithful babe in Christ, rather than getting carried away by every wind of doctrine.

No, I know you have faith, without question. But knowledge is in degrees, otherwise, we’d all know the same thing and experience no new thing.

I agree. MIne has increased in many degrees since coming here. Knowledge, however, will not save us.

It is the experience of life with the knowledge we have that we can either learn or continue to repeat until we do learn correctly and add to our knowledge as a more seasoned mature individual.

The apostles taught that maturity would be found in clinging to the Traditions that they taught.

No, to see other than what is restricted thought, one has to be open-minded to outside knowledge which when weighed against what we already learned will either add or subtract to our understanding.

My thought it not restricted. I have chosen to embrace the faith that was committed by Jesus to the Apostles. This limits my willingness to stray from that faith by embracing heresies.

Learning about the heresies, however, is very beneficial to my faith.

Having a base foundation, is essential otherwise, one will be led astray.

We are in agreement on this point. For Catholics, our base is the Church that Jesus founded, as He is the cornerstone, and the apostles and prophets are the foundation.

Your foundation is the Catholic fundamentals of which will either limit or allow the individual to explore beyond what it teaches.

No. Exploration into heresies is nowhere forbidden as an intellectual pursuit. God gives us freedom, but there are boundaries to our freedom. The boundaries keep us safe from damnation. For example, if I receive another gospel, I will be anathema.

 

[guanophore]

One of the reasons some of you are on the non-Catholic religion thread is one of two things, curiosity and or to convert.

Sorry to disappoint you, but I fit neither of these.

Which in one way allows you to experience the views of non-Catholics while the other to sharpen your spiritual swords.

Having lived as a Protestant for 20+ years and spent three years at an evangelical seminary, I can assure you that my experience of non-Catholic views is in now way limited to the threads on this board.

How can God unite spirit and body without that living soul having knowledge?

It is possible!

What is impossible with man is possible with God.

Consider a new born, is it not a living soul without knowledge?

One would be in error if one equated “knowledge” with intellect. The Soul knows God, whether the mind has developed or not.
Jesus said that “of such is the kingdom”.

We all are Eve with Adam (spirit of God) in us originally, but because we become individual entities, as gods, we become separated from God and are strictly, Eves as in flesh only.

It sounds like this is going to a non-Christain place, so I think I will not be able to continue this discussion.

I’ll accept your answer.

Thanks!

Let me see if I read you straight: since it is not a question of salvation for no one, then it must mean that they are all going to be saved anyway, but because they are not all pure enough to enter heaven, they must be prayed out of purgatory “state” ?

Do you mean “all” who are in purgotory? If so, yes. Purgatory is the state in which the soul is purified and made fit for heaven. No one is purified who will not eventually arrive.

If that is what I read as you meaning to say, then the state of hell must not exist?

No, not a bit. Hell is where the souls reside who have rejected God.

It’s pretty simple to understand that God created the flesh to be inhabited with knowledge of good and evil making of us gods, for we are made in His image.

This seems to be beyond the scope of this thread. However, I will say that God created us to be in fellowship with Him, and desired that He be the source of our knowledge. Adam and Eve took it upon themselves to acquire a source other than God, committing idolatry.

So, either we are saved or we are not, no in between s.

I agree. Purgatory is only for the saved.

Here’s how that works, while we are yet sinners, meaning still alive in the flesh, Jesus died for our sins.

If Jesus’ death does not cover any sin possible than you have a point, but Jesus death covers all sin and is able to deliver any sinner from the “state” of sin to everlasting life yet……….while we are sinners.

Yes. It is beause of this free gift that we are able to have the blessing of being purged and made fit for the Kingdom.

So, a state in between (purgatory) can not exist because in Christ, either all are lost or all are saved.

I will agree that your notion of purgatory cannot exist.

What mankind has done is place conditions, requiring this or that in order to achieve a desired governing practice by keeping people in bondage.

While this is true, I fail to see what it has to do with CAtholic Teaching.

Being in bondage to some belief for some is adequate for lack of further study and or of gaining freedom worship God without conditions.

There are many ways to be in bondage, but I agree, sometimes it is lack of knowledge. However, God has placed conditions upon worship, and it is our duty to follow them. We are to worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.

That is His spirit, and the Truth that He has revealed, not what we want it to be.

 

[look3467]

Of course not! If it were not for people ignorant of CAtholicism, there would be no need for Catholic answers! I have learned a great deal since I came here.>>>guanophore

I’m glad you have!

Openness to learning non-Catholic faiths does not equate to a willingness to embrace them. The Apostles forbid us to embrace any other gospel other than the one that was committed to us by them. If you think this is spiritually immature of me, then may I be a faithful babe in Christ, rather than getting carried away by every wind of doctrine.>>>guanophore

I understand!

I agree. MIne has increased in many degrees since coming here. Knowledge, however, will not save us.>>>guanophore

Let me ask you a few questions. Was knowledge of good and evil responsible for Adam and Eve being cast out?

Where they not two key trees in the garden?

Do they both contain knowledge?

1. Tree of knowledge…good and evil= death?
2. Tree of life…Knowledge of God’s salvation=life?

Knowledge itself does not save, but without knowledge of the saving grace of God (Tree of life) meaning Jesus, we remain in the former condition.

Wisdom =understanding of knowledge.

So, knowledge is a key factor, but understanding knowledge gives us wisdom to make the right choice.

The apostles taught that maturity would be found in clinging to the Traditions that they taught.>>>guanophore

If a child clings to the father legs, it stabilizes the child for the moment, but maturity comes with age, knowledge and experience.

Spiritual maturity comes by experience to where we can stand alone because we have Jesus anchoring our souls.

Apart from that, we may still be as children, innocent in the learning process.

My thought it not restricted. I have chosen to embrace the faith that was committed by Jesus to the Apostles. This limits my willingness to stray from that faith by embracing heresies.

Learning about the heresies, however, is very beneficial to my faith.>>>guanophore

Again, I think that is good.

No. Exploration into heresies is nowhere forbidden as an intellectual pursuit. God gives us freedom, but there are boundaries to our freedom. The boundaries keep us safe from damnation. For example, if I receive another gospel, I will be anathema.>>>guanophore

That’s OK to.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

Sorry to disappoint you, but I fit neither of these.>>>guanophore

Good for you!

Having lived as a Protestant for 20+ years and spent three years at an evangelical seminary, I can assure you that my experience of non-Catholic views is in now way limited to the threads on this board.>>>guanophre

I am not supprised! Seems to me that your assurance of salvation was always in question and never really understood.
I to would be in a similar condition if I were not assured of my salvation.

What is impossible with man is possible with God. >>>guanophore

Not an answer that applies to my question.
Question was addressing the consequences of knowledge.

One would be in error if one equated “knowledge” with intellect. The Soul knows God, whether the mind has developed or not.
Jesus said that “of such is the kingdom”.>>>guanophore

Knowledge of good and evil is what caused the separation, and knowledge of God (Jesus)is gives life.

Children are innocent of wrong doing until we pollute their minds with worldly things.

It sounds like this is going to a non-Christian place, so I think I will not be able to continue this discussion.>>>guanophore

You have every right to.

Well, you have been good to be civil about this discussion and I have enjoyed conversing with you.

I’ll be lurking in the shadows (a cliche )and comment here and there.

Pace>>>AJ

 

[Matariel]

I am not supprised! Seems to me that your assurance of salvation was always in question and never really understood.
I to would be in a similar condition if I were not assured of my salvation.

Catholics take the biblical view of salvation-- while we are not, 100% assured of salvation no matter what we do, we are confident in our salvation inasmuch as we do not remove ourselves from God’s grace. Jesus said we must perservere to the end.

 

[look3467]

Catholics take the biblical view of salvation-- while we are not, 100% assured of salvation no matter what we do, we are confident in our salvation inasmuch as we do not remove ourselves from God’s grace. Jesus said we must perservere to the end.

Salvation is a work of God not ours.
If we happen to know it, understand it, then we shall know 100% sure that we are saved.

1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

“Now” is a present tense word.

Being a son means being born into the family of God and gaurenteed eternal life.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[Matariel]

Salvation is a work of God not ours.

I know, I never said that it wasn’t His work…

If we happen to know it, understand it, then we shall know 100% sure that we are saved.

As long as we perservere to the end like Jesus said, yes.

 

[MelanieAnne]

Salvation is a work of God, true. Acceptance is our job. We have the free will to refuse or reject. The “once saved always saved” folks seem to neglect this bit, or make excuses for whether or not a sinful person has truly accepted salvation.

Our faith accepts salvation, but reminds us that is our job to reconcile ourselves to God through the appropriate sacrament, as ordained by Jesus.

When you have the fullness of faith as established by Jesus Himself, you have all the “parts” ~ none are missing.

 

[look3467]

I know, I never said that it wasn’t His work…

As long as we persevere to the end like Jesus said, yes.

Dear friend, preserving to the end for the sake of salvation is an attempt at futility!

The preacher, King Solomon noted: Ecc 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

Know why is is written as such?

It is to give God the glory of salvation and not to any works or preservence of mankind endurance’s.

Jesus is the only one that had to, I mean He had to, if He were to bring salvation to all mankind.

So, in your salvation (Jesus’ preservence to the end for you) you are able to work it out to your end with full assurance with joy, patience and long suffering to the glory of God.

If after we have received our salvation and should neglect its power, we are doomed to suffer loss as though we had not received it in the first place.

Read what Paul’s instructions were to the congregation who caught one of it members sleeping with his mother: 1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

You see two distinct operations? One the soul shall be saved at the day of the Lord Jesus, and the other, destruction of the flesh.

Even if the man was caught in adultery with his mother.

Ref: 1Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

What is the point here is that mankind has to acknowledge God as Savior, no if’s and but’s about it.

God is sovereign and no one besides Him shall prosper.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

Salvation is a work of God, true. Acceptance is our job. We have the free will to refuse or reject. The “once saved always saved” folks seem to neglect this bit, or make excuses for whether or not a sinful person has truly accepted salvation.

Our faith accepts salvation, but reminds us that is our job to reconcile ourselves to God through the appropriate sacrament, as ordained by Jesus.

When you have the fullness of faith as established by Jesus Himself, you have all the “parts” ~ none are missing.

All you said is fine and good except it is all without assurance, but in hope of.

As long as there is an attempt to please God from the heart, none shall be turned away.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[jean8]

No I can’t say I did. I will look it up on the net tonight Thank You Nancy

nancy,
Did you think we as humans would all get along? lol
Why do they have ‘debate’ boards?
Keep your heart on Jesus Christ. All christians believe God sent His son to save us from our sins. “He who does not honor the son does not honor the Father, who sent him.” Jn.5:23

I see you have written Jn.3;16. this is known as “The Little Gospel”

God bless you,
jean8

 

[una_fides]

There is absolutely no evidence in scripture to say that a person is justified but not yet pure enough requiring cleansing in the expired state.

There is plenty of evidence including in the verse I quoted from Hebrews, but your interpretation that you gained outside of the Tradition in which the Bible was handed down has hindered you from seeing and understanding it.

Basically, my main source is the bible. But because religious organizations limit the study of the word to their views, I was forced to seek enlightenment else where.

Great, so where did the Bible come from? It is a Catholic book. The individual books were canonized by the Catholic Church in 397 AD! If it were not from the early Church fathers decisions as to which books were and were not a part of Scripture, you would not have your Bible as it is today. If you trust the decision of the Catholic Church’s Tradition on compiling the correct books of the Bible into the canon of Scripture, why is it that you disregard their Tradition on everything else?

Now, a question would be, had I not been able to find it alone in the bible? Yes, and no.

No, because unless I am able to see a different view I shall not be able to distinguish, and properly discern what I know is truth.

You do not need a different view than that which has been received by the Church through her Tradition. The same Tradition, which St. Paul urged the Thesalonians to cling to.

My journey (spiritual) has taken me through some paths that are outside the normal established religious views so that I may see the spiritual truth that binds all of them together.

Do you see that you are now claiming to be the soul source of authority in determining truth from error based solely on your own personal interpretations of things. God has given authority to the Church to interpret the truth according to Scripture and Tradition both of which explicitly attest to her authority given to her by Christ. Have you read and studied the early Church fathers by chance? Has your life experience led you to them yet? If not, I strongly suggest you start reading what they had to say about the Church and her authority and how that came from Christ and his apostles. The same fathers who compiled the Scriptures according to this same apostolic Tradition.

The bible has always been my main stay and one which after my journey has solidified many things that had no answered to me before.

Great AJ, then start learning the Tradition in which the Bible was handed down. The same Tradition that predated the Bible itself. The Church came before the Bible and compiled the Bible. If it were not from the Church, you would not have the Bible which you claim to be authoritative. What authority does it have if you cannot know that it is truly inspired except from another authority outside of your own personal opinion. For this reason, Christ founded his Church, so that we can know the truth and the truth set us free.

 

[MelanieAnne]

All you said is fine and good except it is all without assurance, but in hope of.

Peace>>>AJ

What part of what I wrote gives you that idea? There is nothing I said that indicated lack of assurance.

 

[RevDrNorth]

Name one or two reasons you think God allowed Protestantism.

I think one reason might be that Catholicism is so… difficult, that maybe God wanted there to be an “easier, softer” way that would lead people to Christ (and He knew that many would then be led to the RC Church)?? Just a thought.

Also, i think that Protestants generally focus on different things than Catholics do, different “aspects” of God, things that are nonetheless very important… like, well… i just think that sometimes they are more… friendly… & i feel they may trust in God’s mercy more than a lot of Catholics…

A nun in college told the class that the Reformation helped to force the Church to combat some of the abuses going on in the church at the time. For her it was a time of correction and Counter Reformation (Reform). She said the Church was protected so that when it got out of line, God corrected and stabilized it. Obviously I am paraphrasing.

So, I guess for Catholics you can look at it like a Joseph experience. The Protestants may have intended it for one purpose BUT God used it for another (restoration within His Church).

Incidentally, she was an excellent prof and wore a habit.

 

[look3467]

There is plenty of evidence including in the verse I quoted from Hebrews, but your interpretation that you gained outside of the Tradition in which the Bible was handed down has hindered you from seeing and understanding it.>>>una fides

The stumbling block here for you is quote “interpretation that you gained outside of the Tradition in which the Bible”.

The basic belief of faith in Jesus as our Savior is sacrificed on the alter of interpretations which results in divisions.

We both and everybody on this forum’s thread that I can note are believers in Jesus as their Savior.

In that we are in total agreement.

Now, because the family has many siblings, not all siblings will honor the father in the self same way. Yet, we are still family and bound only by love, because blood relatives does not guarantee membership in the family, only if it is by adoption.

So, my faith in Christ assures my salvation despite my short comings.

While as you have faith in Christ as well, but not with assurance because salvation becomes conditional based on behavior.

I have no problem with your view except that it would make your yoke easy and your burden light if you knew by faith the fact that you are now saved and not in danger of losing your salvation.

All else is debatable.

Peace>>>AJ

 

[MelanieAnne]

AJ, you’re making assumptions that may not, in fact, be true. Kindly consider that.

 

[look3467]

Great, so where did the Bible come from? It is a Catholic book. The individual books were canonized by the Catholic Church in 397 AD! If it were not from the early Church fathers decisions as to which books were and were not a part of Scripture, you would not have your Bible as it is today. If you trust the decision of the Catholic Church’s Tradition on compiling the correct books of the Bible into the canon of Scripture, why is it that you disregard their Tradition on everything else?>>>una fides

It is what is in the book, the contents, the spirit of the message and not the pages, the binder that holds them.

The bible is interpreted in many ways due to the motive of the reader.

God has designed it so, that by which He would have to be sought after in faith rather than by any other means.

What I find in the pages of the bible first and foremost is Christ crucified.
Why is the next question and then how does it apply to me.

After I have determined (discerned) the right answer due to the Holy Spirits measuring of my hearts desire, will grant me understanding.

That understanding will by faith grant me the gift of salvation because it is the circumcision of the heart where the transformation begins, and the working out is the effort to cause the body to conform to what is within.

Baptism of the heart is the immersion of the heart in Gods love and which the indication of it is in the desire to follow in body Baptism, signifying the change of heart.

And that is the main message I find in the bible. The rest of it details the struggles of mankind in the attempts to reach God with whatever knowledge, span in time and circumstances are at the time.

Example would be if you were born say 100 years prior to Jesus’ appearance, or maybe after Jesus’ resurrection. Or you were born a Muslim, a Jew, or gentile would dictate what form of religious practice and under what circumstances were at the time.

Today, there are many religious beliefs (as like many siblings of the same family) by faith believe in Jesus Christ.

Because we are not all Catholics (like saying "because we are not of Abraham) does not mean we are not adopted, included with the seed of Abraham.

For Paul said: Rom 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

Why is there no difference? Because it is by faith that Christ is able from “these stones” raise up children to Abraham.Luk 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

And so we are: 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

That…my friends is where its at. Now, in what form you wish to worship God is up to you, as long as the bond of sibling love is there which unites us.

I can not speak to say a Jehovah’s Witness, a Mormon or any one else concerning their form of worship, but I can speak to them of what Christ means to me, how He has changed my life, how He watches over me, my family and all my doings.

And if they are pricked at heart by the holy Spirit, then perhaps they too will look into what it is that makes me see them as sibling of the same family, yet not knowing it.

Christ alone is my strength:

Psa 62:7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.

I want to share that with whom ever God places in my path in the form of testimony, my life, my works, my conversations.

How I reflect the love of God is a credit or a discredit to Him and or a reward or a loss to me.

That’s… it!

Peace>>>AJ

 

[look3467]

Do you see that you are now claiming to be the soul source of authority in determining truth from error based solely on your own personal interpretations of things. God has given authority to the Church to interpret the truth according to Scripture and Tradition both of which explicitly attest to her authority given to her by Christ. Have you read and studied the early Church fathers by chance? Has your life experience led you to them yet? If not, I strongly suggest you start reading what they had to say about the Church and her authority and how that came from Christ and his apostles. The same fathers who compiled the Scriptures according to this same apostolic Tradition.>>>una fides

What is key here is between myself and God! No one, no religious body, tradition can effect a change in my heart save the Holy Spirit Jesus.

Is that not what Paul said? Rom 2:29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.

Thank you Jesus for the instrument(Catholic Church)in your hands to deliver me the word in print, the bible,and for touching my heart, cutting the fore skin of my heart to reveal the head, which is Christ.

That is what circumcision of the heart is and I can tell you that that is independent from any institutionalized religion.

It is between you and God and no one else.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

When and after the word of God pierces the heart to expose Jesus then cheerfully and joyfully we give of ourselves.

2Co 9:7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

Peace>>>AJ