A Divided Country: Religious Liberty and Atheistic Influences

In a country where tolerance is waning and where people of various religious and ethnic backgrounds undermine the founding moral structure, there is a hope that one day we can remain "one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

About Me

Name:
Location: Washington, United States

I am an avid outdoors nut with a love for God. I spend as much time as possible outside hiking and mountain biking. I am active in youth ministry and am currently deciding between youth ministry and biology as a career path. I also have the most incredible people in my life. Most notably, my girlfriend, Jodi. It's definitely amazing how God can bless you so much through only one person. ;)

Saturday, June 04, 2005

In the light. Part 2

I believe I have said all there is to say on the subject of witnessing. I wrote the previous post because I was ashamed of the "professed" Christians out there that completely ignored me. If you did not get an invitation, then I am not refering to you. Nor am I refering to people who had other things planned on the day that had planned this. So anyway, now something different. I am working on a winessing program, as you know, where I go around and ask people questions. Let me give you an example. I modify this according to the person I am telling this to:

Hi, I would like to ask you a few questions concerning your eternal destination. (I do this usually a little more politely)

1. Do you consider your self a good person?
2. If you were to die right now, where would you go, heaven or hell?
Maybe you don't know. Here are some questions to answer that question.
3. Have you EVER looked upon a woman or man with lust?
4. Have you ever lied?
5. Have you ever stolen something?
6. Have you ever taken the Lord's name in vain.
The bible says, who ever has looked upon a woman with lust has commited adultery already with her in his heart. The bible also says do not ear false witness, which is lying, as well as stating that stealing and taking the Lord's name in vain(blasphemy), is a sin. We all know that we have looked upon a man or woman with lust. No one can deny it. I am sure we have all lied. That includes those little white ones that are for the purpose of not hurting other people's feelings. We may have not stolen something but swearing is a problem these days and almost no body can say they haven't let the Lord's name slip. If any one has answered yes to even one of these questions then by your own confession you are a theiving, lying, adulterer at heart. But there is good news. God gave His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross for all our sins. And by dying and paying the ultimate sacrifice, He has saved us through faith and by grace.

I usually close here and sign my name, CT. So anyway. To the point, I am open to ideas to better share the gospel and/or God's love. Also, if you witness online or to other people, feel free to comment here and share you experiences. Now to my next topic.

Are we saved by grace alone? I am not sure I agree with that. Yes, Yes, the bible says that by grace through faith, we are saved. But is there more. Let me ask you something. I rapist goes out and rapes some one. He runs to church and says, I am saved by faith and grace, then runs back out and rapes another person. One could argue, that is grace through faith. Am I not correct? Therfore, using that logic, there must be something more. Let us investigate. If we were saved ONLY by grace through faith, then the ten commendments would be obsolete. We wouldn't need them because all we have to do is believe that we are saved by faith and if we have that faith we are saved. Works are not needed and it does not matter if you break the ten commendments because they are considered works. So, you see, we have reached and hurdle. Faith is what saves you initially, but we have to show that faith by the things we do. Not works such as going to church and praying as often as we can to save us, but by showing God that because we love Him, we will keep His commandments. The bible clearly states, If Ye love me, you will keep My commandments. So if how can we love Him and not keep His commandments? We can't. There is ton's of conflicts with this issues. Comment freely and voice your opinion. I am totally open to your view. (But that doesn't mean I will accept it) Thanks,
-CT

posted by JustinTime | 1:34 PM

13 Comments:

Blogger Jay said...

CT,
Man you know how to keep it jumpin my friend!
Here's my "opinion" on this.
I think you have touched on a very
good subject, any Christian who thinks that they are perfect, better go check themselves!
We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God.
But what I think that you are saying is that people, Christians,
who are making repetitive sins and then, think that they can show up at church and be forgiven are wrong.
(Correct me if I'm missing your point).
Now if I'm on point with you a "BIG AMEN" brother.
What kind of example are we to the world if we are of the world!
I'm not trying to be selfrighteous
But we are supposed to set examples to the un-churched, our brothers and sisters in christ etc.. and if we are not following all of the commands, ALL, of the commands, then we are sinning!
Now you will have some who do not agree with you, I for one beleive that, the longer you are in your walk with God, the more you become like Christ or at least that should be our goal.
I think that as we mature in our Christianity, (and remember there are some who are just starting their walk) we change.
Ct,
I guess my whole point is that if
poeple or Christians think that they can get into heaven by showing up at church, and Their works have nothing to do with it, they might want to take a good long look in the mirror, Because they will see a sinner.
Our works and our faith must go hand in hand, and that I do beleive!
I am a sinner.

7:12 PM  
Blogger Conservation Terms said...

You hit the nail on the head J. That is exactly what I mean. We are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. Keep the faith. Thanks for stopping by,
-CT:)

1:57 PM  
Blogger John said...

Excellent post!

Come over to my blog! There is a project that I think you will want to get involved in.

4:02 AM  
Blogger Is It Just Me? said...

Thanks CT for stopping by at Crosses aCross America. We appreciate your support. We are adding you to our blogroll.

God Bless!

12:55 PM  
Blogger Conservation Terms said...

Thanks Kathy. I will have the links up soon. I have been working on my template. Thanks again,
-CT

1:53 PM  
Blogger Rebekah said...

Hmmm...

Hi. My personal belief is that you are almost right, but slightly off. =)

Okay, yes I believe that we are saved by grace through faith. I also believe that faith without works is dead. Now here's where I think we differ: I believe that good works are the result of the Holy Spirit's sanctifying work in our hearts on a daily basis, and we do them (good works) out of a thankful heart toward God for His salvation. That's not disregarding the commandments just because, "I'm saved by grace". On the contrary, because we are born in sin, and can do nothing but sin, the Spirit must sweetly bend our will till it resembles His. This is a life-long process and does not mean that we don't sin once we are saved.
Its what encourages me whenever I sin. To know that the Spirit is working in me--refining me like gold!

11:05 AM  
Blogger Watcher said...

It is well past the time to define your terms. What is "Grace"? Is it not a FREE, UNMERITED GIFT?? If you could do the impossible and merit salvation you would not need Grace. I assume the apostle is right in saying that "if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in VAIN!! I hate to upset this apple cart but for those of you that THINK you are without sin the Word says that you have no truth in you. Get real, a child that is born into the family of God continues to fail God. The difference is that a child of God will mourn and greive over that which displeases God. Remember Paul confessing that which he would do he finds not, that which he would not do it that which he does......are we any different???? Thank you Father for the Doing for me that which I could not do for myself......for making alive that which was dead.....for securing and assuring a place for me though I am a worm and no man. Thank you for the Grace that saves even those folks that think their "good living" somehow impresses you. Thank you for the "blood" in Jesus Christ's Name.

11:34 AM  
Blogger Rebekah said...

You said:

"I hate to upset this apple cart but for those of you that THINK you are without sin the Word says you have no truth in you. Get real, a child that is born into the family of God continues to fail God."

I don't believe anyone here has
stated or even implied that they are without sin. I agree with everything you said, although I must protest of the tone in which you said it. You seemed too harsh and insensitive for a child of God. But I am unfamiliar with your mode of expression and debate, please pardon me if I picked up the wrong vibe.

You are right: the difference between saved sinners and unsaved sinners is that the saved mourn over their sin as you have said with eloquance. But I would take it a step further and say that not only do we mourn the sin, we also strive to do better, and walk righteously before God. And as you know we cannot be assured of success without the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.

Cheers!

1:59 PM  
Blogger Conservation Terms said...

Thanks Rebekah. You are right. I believe that grace without works are dead. But it sounds like you are agreeing with me, as yourbelief is almost identical to mine. Thanks for commenting.

Watcher:
Where did I say I was perfect? There are way to many preachers these days that say that grace alone saves you. Did you not read my example? A person who believes they are saved by grace and commits a sin repaetedly and says that they are still going to heaven is wrong. The fact that God said," If ye love, you iwll keep my commandments" is the sole reminder that we, as christians, must keep God's commandments. Therefore, it is not works that saves you. Grace does, initially, but your works will reflect Christ
IN you. And as Rebekah pointed out, grace without works is dead. Not because works will save you, but because as a christian, your life will now show others about Christ. Sure a thief can be saved, but he has to turn from his ways and not commit the sin anymore. A thief as a christian is a poor example. But a thief that has accepted Christ and turned from his ways is not a thief anymore. Works are like the side dish to christianity. We must do good works not to be saved, but to show that we love Christ and will keep His commandments. That way we can also show people to Christ. Works are a wonderful thing. And used for the GLORY of God, they can do wonders. But I do agree with you that the saved mourn over their sin. I mean, if they didn't that wouldn't really show how sorry they are for their sin.

Thsanks for commenting,
-CT :)

8:53 AM  
Blogger Watcher said...

Sorry Rebekah and CT.....I will indeed work on my "Tone" because I really did not intend to offend but provoke thought....probably went about it the wrong way, sorry!

I guess I am so used to folks pointing out the failures of others and making judgements about their salvation that I feel the need to defend us poor sinners.

Jesus said to first take out the "beam" out of one's own eye. My point is simple, if we were to look at the prodigal son in "real time" we would in no way guessed that he belonged to Jesus. If we were to see and not here the theif on the cross. We would have surly guessed that he belong to the dark one. Peter and Paul going at it verbly, Paul saying he does that which he would not do. James say that God makes people sick or that he turns over their body to be destroyed that their soul may be saved in the day of judgement. Where am I going with this friends? Simply that some of God's people don't get it and are "taken out" for the good of their soul. We, of course would certainly judge in the negative......and be wrong in some instances. I have to go back to the wheat and tare's looking so much alike that it is indeed dangerous to think we can do God's work of the reaping angel. People that Rape, kill and continue in sin God will judge. In the meantime I must get back to the work of getting this big ole beam out of my eye. Peace and Love to you guys and again sorry for the poor "tone" I projected.

7:33 AM  
Blogger Conservation Terms said...

No problem Watcher. See ya around.

7:52 AM  
Blogger Danny said...

Can you say "Ray Comfort?"

4:58 PM  
Blogger Conservation Terms said...

That's right my friend. I base a couple questions from him. I have had impact on many people. It makes them think. I would try it. You might be surprised.

9:27 PM  

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