quote: Originally Posted by Jennifer Bestworking:A "gift" offered with strings and conditions and horrible repercussions if you don't accept it. Was your god in the mob? Sure sounds like it, making you an offer you can't refuse.
Hi Jennifer,
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."
As BFred asked, "Where are the 'strings and conditions' you mention?"
We see in this Scripture passage that salvation is a "free gift" from God. We also see that no one can WORK for this gift. Since we cannot WORK for the gift -- there obviously are no "strings and conditions" -- for those would constitute WORKs.
Jennifer, might I suggest that you tried a taste of Christianity when you were younger -- but, because God did not dance to your tune -- you turned away before becoming a believer. That is not unusual. Many folks do that.
That is why both Billy Graham and Greg Laurie do not refer to those who come forward at a Crusade as converts. They call them "inquirers." Why? Because, in coming forward out of emotion, or because a friend went forward -- or by attending church and Sunday school as a teenager -- does not mean that these folks are Christ Followers yet.
It means that they are seeking, that they are "inquiring" -- that they have seen some of the Light -- but, have not yet made a full commitment to follow Jesus Christ. So, many of these "inquirers" will turn back to following the world.
And, Jennifer, even if you had become involved in a weekly Bible study (which you have not indicated that you did) -- along with attending worship services and Sunday School as a teenager -- that does not mean that you had made the full commitment to follow Christ.
You may believe that you did. However, the fact that you are such a militant young atheist tells me that you did not. And, being the militant young atheist tells me that you have a lot of resentment built up inside you toward God. I have no idea why. He did not leave you; you left Him -- before you crossed the bridge of salvation. So, you cannot blame God. He did not stop half way -- you did.
Jennifer, I realize that you will get angry over what I have written. That, too, is part of being a militant young atheist -- you MUST always strike back. Maybe, instead of striking back, instead of calling me names -- if you give serious thought to what I have suggested -- it could make a major difference in your life. It surely is worth a try.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill