Skip to main content

Reply to "Fat Tuesday"

quote:
Originally posted by smokey1:
God...you are so arrogant! You just can't stand the fact that someone doesn't believe the same way you do. Why such hostility toward the Catholic Church?

I know what I believe and I know that you are hostile toward the Catholic Church, that's enough for me. There is nothing I can say that will change your mind about me or the Catholic Church, or lesson your hostility toward me or the Church. You are just one arrogant individual! BTW...your hostile response won me a free lunch from a co-worker...Thanks

Hi Smokey,

In your response above to Beter, personally I have no problem with you or the Roman Catholic church -- as long as you realize that you are not saved by the church. The Roman Catholic church cannot save anyone; just at the Law could not and cannot save the Jews or anyone else. On the other hand, regardless of which church a person attends -- if you have, by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus Christ -- invited Him to come into your heart and be the Lord and Savior of your life (Revelation 3:20) -- you are a saved Christian believer. As Jesus told Nicodemus, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3)

We all should notice that Jesus does not tell NIcodemus, "Unless one is Roman Catholic, or Baptist, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

There is a beautiful Southern Gospel song which explains it better than I ever could:

IT'S NOT WHAT'S OVER THE DOOR

1. Some people think today,
If heaven you would see,
You must belong to their church,
Or be lost eternally.
But according to God's word,
What He's still looking for,
Is what He finds within your heart,
And not what's Over the door.


Chorus:
It's not what's over the door
Of the church that you attend,
That makes you a child of God,
And a heavenly citizen.
As the eyes of the Lord look this world o'er,
There's just one thing He's lookin' for
Can't you see that's what's in your heart
And not what's over the door.


2. Does Jesus live in your heart,
And have you been born again,
Has the blood of Calvary's Lamb,
Washed away all your sins?
Are you fully trusting in,
The crucified risen Lord,
Can't you see that it's what's in your heart,
And not what's over the door.


So, Beter and Smokey, we have to go with the Bible as the sole authority and realize, as we are told in Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Therefore, if we are asking another if he/she is a saved believer, we do not ask which church they attend -- but, instead, "Have you, by grace, through faith, invited Jesus Christ to come in and be the sole Lord, Master, and Savior in your heart and in your life?" If a person has sincerely done this, he/she is a Christian brother/sister regardless of the church they attend.

But, Smokey, I do have one question for you. You tell Beter, "God...you are so arrogant!" Why are you using God's name to add emphasis to your statement? That is a form of swearing -- and all churches that I know teach that we "do not take the Lord's name in vain." And, my Friend, by using HIs name in such a manner -- that is exactly what you have done.

My Friends, let's continue to dialogue about the Word of God and HIs will and His plan for our lives. But, let's remember that, as believers, we are all members of the same family -- the Family of God.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Attachments

Images (1)
  • 0_-_CROS_BIB-2_SOLE

Untitled Document
×
×
×
×