Is the Catholic Church Universalist

I write this with no intent to condemn Catholics. Catholics and those Christians who are commonly called "Protestants" differ vehemently and have since the Reformation. I'm merely pointing out what we each believe. I will leave it to God to do the judging! So please, Catholic friends, do not take this as an attack, but examine what you've been taught using scripture. You may choose to remain firm in your belief, but then again, you may change. Either is okay with me! It's nothing personal. My desire is for us to all be unified in truth.

Protestants should not be scared by the term "catholic". It means the universal church founded on Christ. However, there are various denominations which are "Catholic"; most notably in the western world, Roman Catholicism.  The term "Church" in the name "Catholic Church" presents more of a problem than does "Catholic" itself.

"Church" (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC] Paragraph 845 below) is defined as "the Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation. the Church is "the world reconciled."  According to Roman Catholics, they are the true church and other Christians can only commune with them:

CCC paragraph 838:
"Those who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church."

What is "proper baptism" according to the Roman Catholic Church? (CCC paragraphs 1234-1274) Following are the requirements: proper baptism: the words and gestures of the rite, make the sign of the cross,  be a sacrament (act of salvation), one or more exorcisms, anointment with oil, water being consecrated, prayer that the power of the spirit be put upon the water, baptism is essential for salvation, by triple immersion or pouring accompanied each time by "in the name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit",  annointment with sacred perfume, taught the catechism of the church. Any person, even one never baptized himself, can perform a Roman Catholic Baptism (CCC para 1256) using the Trinitarian Formula. (Many Protestants simply immerse once and do so in Jesus' name).

Any astute person must realize that few if any "protestants" have been "properly baptized" and as such can not "commune" with the Roman Catholics, or in their eyes, the true church.  CCC Paragraph 1400 says explicitly that non-Catholics cannot take Holy Communion in the Catholic Church. Hence, how can other denominations "commune" with the Roman Catholic Church when they cannot take Holy Communion? (CCC 1400) " It is for this reason that Eucharistic intercommunion with these communities is not possible for the Catholic Church..."

Here we find that "the church" is the Roman Catholic Church and "Catholic" by their definition means their denomination; Roman Catholic!  I'm not denigrating the Roman Catholic Church. Like other denominations (which it is) the original founders were true to the faith. Apostasy occurred gradually over time until this day when there is little in common between the doctrines of evangelical churches and the Roman Catholic Catechism! However, protestants and Anglican derivatives must agree on one thing. We do owe much to the Roman Catholic Church. Even in separation these churches protested the standard established by the Roman Catholics!

It would appear from CCC that non-Catholic Christians are not part of the church and since "the church" is the place to be saved, hence non-Catholics cannot be Christians. However, Roman Catholics seem to be more generous with pagans!

By reading history I was strongly convinced that Roman Catholics required any person to be Roman Catholic in order to be a Christian. It seems that times have changed!

At work I was talking to a very active Roman Catholic. I made the comment "Catholics believe you must be Catholic to go to heaven." My friend replied "No. Anybody can go to heaven." I informed him that historically the church insisted that all be Catholic! His reply "My sister is a nun and she says anyone can go to heaven. They don't even have to be Christians!" I said "You're wrong!" Was I surprised when I found out how wrong I am!

Pope John Paul II said “It will be in the sincere practice of what is good in their own religious traditions and by following the dictates of their own conscience that the members of other religions respond positively to God’s invitation and receive salvation in Jesus Christ, even while they do not recognize or acknowledge him as their Saviour" (cf. Ad gentes, nn. 3, 9, 11)” (Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue – Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Instruction Dialogue and Proclamation, 19 May 1991, n. 29; L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 1 July 1991, p. III). I.

Pope John Paul II said also "It must first be kept in mind that every quest of the human spirit for truth and goodness, and in the last analysis for God, is inspired by the Holy Spirit. The various religions arose precisely from this primordial human openness to God. At their origins we often find founders who, with the help of God’s Spirit, achieved a deeper religious experience. Handed on to others, this experience took form in the doctrines, rites and precepts of the various religions." (Address to the Members of the Roman Curia, 22 Dec. 1986, n. 11; L’Osservatore Romano English edition, 5 Jan. 1987, p. 7).

It would be difficult to get a Roman Catholic official to admit it, but my friend's nun sister did. All this means that the Roman Catholic Church believes in universalism, although they are harder on their fellow Christians than they are the pagan religions! The Pope indicated that pagan religions are Holy Spirit driven attempts to find Christ and that the founders of pagan religions were guided by the Holy Spirit! (i.e., brutal Mohammed was killing in the spirit to form his religion).

CCC paragraph 847:
"Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church  (pagans, i.e.), but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation."

What is the catechism saying? Those of other religions who are seeking God and try to do God's will may be saved! Muslims are seeking "god's will". Muslims try to "do good". This means Muslims will be saved! First off, "try in their actions" does not save! Salvation is by the grace of Jesus for those who believe in him as God incarnate. That's not Muslims. Muslims are doomed to eternal punishment regardless of how hard their trying to do God's will! The gods of pagan religions are not God. They are false Gods.

What is universalism? Wikapedia says "a community that calls itself Universalist may emphasize the universal principles of most religions and accept other religions in an inclusive manner, believing in a universal reconciliation between humanity and the divine." In "Herrinese", this means that the god's of all religions are God and that those in all religions will be saved by God.

Regarding my conversation with my fellow worker: I stand corrected. Roman Catholicism is Universalism. It's former head, John Paul II, preached Universalism and the CCC is Universalist!  Hence, what the Sister said was true! Catholics believe those in any religion can go to heaven without being saved.

We're to ask not what doctrine says, we're to ask what God says! It only takes one divinely inspired verse to refute universalism:

John 14:6 "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Without belief in Jesus (as who he says he is) there is no salvation. None for the pagan, none for the atheist and none for "Christians" who strive for goodness by works!

Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9  Not of works, lest any man should boast."

 

Roman Catholics believe in "works" salvation. That's why baptism is a sacrament. One must be baptized to be saved, according to them. However, in their doctrine they are more lenient. For pagans, baptism is not required. Just works. Not only is that position non-scriptural it's also contradictory!

 

Catholics believe in universalism to be inclusive. The outside world can be included to make them feel good about themselves. Progressive theologians believe that Christianity is intolerant. That makes Jesus intolerant because he claimed to be the Way? In practice many individual Catholics take this stand. Many don't.

 

Bill O"Reilly, a staunch Catholic said "If a human being lives a good life, holds sincere beliefs, but just happens to be a Hindu, an all-just and all-merciful God is going to set the guy on fire for eternity? I don't think so. In this harsh judgmental approach espoused by some true believers that has made religion in general a tough sell..."

 

Mr. O'Reilly is espousing official Roman Catholic Catechism as I have documented above. I don't blame O'Reilly. He's just believes what he was taught. To be truthful, I'm surprised! Based on Roman Catholic persecution of people with other doctrines throughout the ages, it just seems to me that Catholics cannot see the heresy in their own faith.

In summary:

 

1) Non-Catholic Christians are allowed to commune with the Roman Catholic Church.

2) The church is a place of unity and salvation.

3) Roman Catholics consider baptism necessary to belong to the "church".

4) Roman Catholics have an extensive ceremony for "proper baptism". Non-Catholics don't.

5) Hence, most non-Catholics are out of communion with the Roman Catholic Church because they do not properly baptize.

6) Roman Catholics profess that baptism is a sacrament. It's essential for salvation. Most non-Catholics don't.

7) With these thoughts in mind non-Catholic churches are not part of the "true church: (Catholic) and cannot commune (take communion) with the Roman Catholic Church and consequently not part of the body of Christ.

8) Roman Catholics believe that pagan religions were founded by leaders directed by the Spirit.

9) Roman Catholics believe that as long as pagans are doing good works in seeking God's will they shall be saved.

10) Universalism is the belief that all will make it to heaven without regard to who they worship.

11) Hence, Roman Catholics believe in Universalism.

12) Scripture tells us that the only way to salvation is through Jesus Christ.

13) Scripture tells us that salvation is not by works.

14) Pagans cannot be saved by "good works".

15) Pagans cannot be saved without accepting Christ, so catholic doctrine is unscriptural on that point.

16) Therefore, Roman Catholicism is wrong in regard to the salvation of pagans (Universalism).

17) "Inclusiveness" (Political Correctness) in CCC takes precedent over scripture.

 

 

Responding to Anger with Anger

People respond to anger with anger. Not just ruffians. Christians respond that way too. Not only do Christians get angry with those Christ commanded us to love, Christians respond to anger much the same as the pagan would!

I'll use myself as an example since I seldom get angry with myself. Likewise, I hardly ever disagree with "me" so by using "me" as an example I should not get angry as others might if I used "them" as the example. It's really difficult to keep from making others angry. By using myself as an example some will get angry and call me  narcissistic or even self-righteous. Actually, I'm just telling it as it is!

Case #1:

I'm driving on a main thoroughfare coming home from work when I make a driving error as I often do. At the time I was driving a Jeep Renegade so it was obvious that I'm a rogue and deserve what I get! I saw through my rear view mirror a car with two men. I had unintentionally cut them off and they seemed to be quite angry! The passenger, a young man of about 25, made an obscene gesture and mouthed some obvious references to me, my mom and some canines. I too became angry; and an angry Christian was I!

Both vehicles became entrapped at the next stop light. They were nearest the light and I'm about ten cars behind. I actually abandoned my Jeep, ran up to them with adrenalin flowing and was ready to scream horrific insults at those Christ told me to love. Scripture stopped me! I apologized for the mistake I had  made, but did tell the man that I had seen his obscene gesture. I then told him that if he isn't a Christian I would pray for him. He only gave me a perplexed look so I turned around and left. Through the corner of my eye I again saw that obscene gesture. I had made the man sin again.

Yes, I HAD MADE THE MAN SIN AGAIN!  Anger begets anger.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools."

This passage infers that anger is a normal emotion. We're just not to have an hasty spirit toward anger. Yes, sometimes we can be angry. That's a god-given emotion. However, we're to be "slow to anger" (Psalm 103:8). A foolish person is an angry person! It's not always foolish to get angry, but it's foolish to readily anger. There are other choices!

Proverbs 19:11 "The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression." or another interpretation (NIV) "A person’s wisdom yields patience;
it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense."

Yes, there is justifiable anger. All God's anger is justifiable and it's justifiable when one who blasphemes God is chastised. However, in this case scripture came to mind and I ceased and desisted. Because of applying Biblical knowledge (wisdom) I overlooked the offense. I wish I handled things that way all the time, but it was merely following God's word. Patience snuffs out firey emotions. Patience is in line with love and empathy.

Case 2:

I'm at a political rally in Bowling Green where I had staked out a position near and in front of the microphone where Hillary Clinton was to speak. I was holding a political sign meant to speak my political mind about the future president Bill Clinton.  As Hillary was speaking it became obvious that my sign, as well as my fellow protesters, were becoming an irritant to her chain of thought.

An angry man, an obvious Clinton supporter, got in my face and damned me to hell and condemned me with sexual epithets. It went on for several minutes until I took my eye off him. Suddenly, I had a fist in my left eye-socket!  In my mind's eye I drew back and knocked this guy through the chain-link fence beyond. Then scripture came to mind:

Matthew 5:39 "But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Yes, I was angry! God deferred my anger. I said to the man (pointing at my right cheek) "Hit me here too!"  (I know scripture was to the opposite cheeks than what mine was, but God still knew.)  To my surprise the man backed off and left me. He proceeded to go harass another, but my situation was under control.

If I had hit back, as I had pictured, it would have been me who looked poorly to others. I might have even ended up in jail! Regardless in the "New Jerusalem Banner" the paper's headlines would have been ANGRY CHRISTIAN ACTS LIKE PAGAN. That would have been me!

Case #3:

I thank God for his Holy Spirit who checks my anger (and behaviors).  However, sometimes I fail to listen to the spirit. I try to do it "my way".

One of my employees constantly harangued me. Any time I gave him a job assignment I received cursing and humiliation every time. On this particular occasion he really got to me and even though I was "slow to anger" my anger was raging!  I called him a  "__________ idiot". You fill in the blank. (You probably can because most of us at least have thought this!)

Time then stopped. He looked at me and I at him. He had never heard me respond this way before! I apologized for my language, but to my surprise he apologized to me for provoking me to anger.

Ephesians 6:4 "And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord."

 

Yes, I'm aware this passage is referring to the parent and his offspring, but the same advice is good for many other applications. I could read "provoke not your wife" "provoke not your worker", or "provoke not your friend". You get the idea. It's a general principle easily applied to any relationship.

 

Somehow, maybe my methods, I provoked the employee to anger. Since anger begets anger, he turned on me and I became angry. Rather than responding without emotion, I flared out in anger. I sinned against the man and by cursing (and unbridled anger) against God.

 

I apologized to the man, but failed to do so with God. It seems that we revere each more than God and easily take God's feelings for granted.

 

Now for my point: I get discouraged. I have many inner sins, but other than that one cursing slip; the only cursing I had done in years: by the Holy Spirit I can control my language.  Although I have many sins of the heart, my mouth is under control. It wasn't easy, but a son, disappointed in my language, made it easier. I was convicted of the sins of the tongue by a four-year old.

 

Others are really none of my business. If another person prefers anger and cursing as long as I'm not the brunt of it, it's none of my business. However, scripture tells me that I must reprove others. That's the hard part. How do I do that without being judgmental? I can't, so bear with me.  My method may be crass, but my intentions brass.

 

I've often heard cursing, off-color language and bullying by those angry. Oftentimes it's behind the back of the person who has provoked the anger. This is what I expect to hear from non-Christians, but today, this is common Christian jargon! Does the Lord rejoice in fumes emanating from his temple (the Christian)?  Likely not, but you answer that!

Off-color language is not just traditional vulgarities. There are new ways of speaking filthy. "Friggin" for instance is clearly off-color. It's used by Christians in lieu of the real word. The mind is in the same gutter regardless of the whether friggin is used or the other.

Likewise, we're not to use God's name in vain. Some say "Well, I meant nothing by it!". That's what "in vain" means! God's name is to be revered so much that it's only to be used in serious study, worship and praise. Anything beyond that is "in vain". "But", you say, "I say only OMG, gosh or Jeez!"  Again, it's not the words, but what's in the mind. These are all Christian substitutes for God's name. If you decided to use the by-word "One" for instance, if you're substituting it for God's name; it's in vain.

 

I'll ask another question: If you don't control your mouth is the heart under control?

 

James 1:26 "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain."

 

You interpret that scripture yourself. Does it apply to those who just seem to be Christians, or should it be applied to the Christian tongue as well?

 

 

 

 

The Baggage we carry in this Bizarro World

Baggage. We all have it! "Baggage" is the crude term for "a past".  When two people meet and things become serious the baggage we carry cause "worlds to collide"!

 

Every human being has a "world". It's the milieu in which we live. It's our "place"; all the surroundings of each of us. Our world consists of material objects, people, social interactions, the culture and thoughts associated with all the factors. Our thoughts make "pictures" in our mind and those mental pictures are the world to which we've become accustomed. Furthermore, our genetic makeup helps to determine who we are. We are an amalgamation of all our ancestors who preceded us!

In relationships both parties bring their own "world". When things get serious then "worlds collide". The picture of "reality" in the mind of one party is not the same picture as in the mind of the other. Everybody's mental picture is different. Those pictures effect truth, personality, motivation, possessiveness, and even appearance. Scripture tells us what to do with world's which have the potential to collide:

Genesis 2:24 "Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh."

By "leaving his father and mother" a person leaves the "world" he is part of. The husband departs for places unknown. This scripture also applies to the woman. Where does husband and wife go? They go to a "new world" with a "new picture" which is reformed by the two worlds from which they came! God tells them to do something with these two worlds. "They shall be one flesh!" The two different worlds become one. Husband and wife are to become a single entity living in unity! It's called marriage.

There's an obstacle to God's command. (Yes, I said command. It's not optional.) Satan creates a bizarro world. This world created by the great deceiver is a fiction. It's a world made up of false pictures mixed in with reality so as to confuse. Satan creates an image in the mind of the husband, the wife and maybe both of this world (earth) where each rule themselves, pleasure is the principle, and God is non-existent. This picture is so real that many fall for this bizarre picture.

God intends for worlds to meld. Satan's wish is that worlds collide! Satan throws out lies, temptation, pleasures, pride, self-worship, mistrust, jealousy, and much more to make sure that world's collide. Without the hedge provided by God in a Christian's life, world's will surely collide. If one partner lets in any darkness from the bizarro world, that "life of no light" so bizarre becomes that new mental picture. The world which ought to be for husband and wife is blurred by the darkness of the bizarro world; that world where Satan rules.

The world God created is where man and woman live in unity as husband and wife. It is now mostly in decay. This ante-deluvian type world is where we are now. That "picture" in your mind is not of God's world, but the bizarro world created by Satan after the fall of mankind. We have been deluded. We believe it to be good, but it's evil throughout because Satan is the prince of this world. The bizarro world is where we live and the picture we all have in our minds is of different bizarro worlds, each skewed to prevent unity together and harmony in living.

What must we do to live in unity and have a proper picture of our world?

Romans 13:12 "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light."

First off we are to escape from the bizarro world where darkness reigns. By putting "on the armour of light" we are changing the false picture we have which Satan has created to a picture of truth; called light. Jesus is the light of this world. If we follow his  guidance that bizarro world picture will be changed. It will be changed from a world of pleasure to a world of joy. "Fun" will assume new dimensions! What once you loved, you'll now hate! What you hated you'll now cherish. We have cast off the darkness and the bizarro world is now past.

Now that you're free of the bizarro world, you'll need to remain free!

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Just because you've let the light in doesn't mean that you're home free. The battle has just begun. There's a war going on led by principalities whose goal is to return you to the darkness from which you came. They want you back in Satan's bizarro world! They're there taunting and tempting everyone all the time, but are more forceful in attacking those walking in the light.  You need the ultimate protection; the whole armour of God!

That armour is truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Holy Spirit,  and the fortitude of the saints.  Your ultimate protection is to speak boldly what's truth and right!

Once you've escaped from the bizarro world, you're a "new creature" who has returned to God's world"

2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

 

As a new creature the picture in your mind changes. It has truth. light, love and respect that failed to be there in the old bizarro world. You have a new start. The bizarro world has "passed away" and your world has "become new"!

 

Since we're a new creature who left the prison of the bizarro world, the past is behind us. God wiped the slate clean and all that we did wrong in the past is history. It's gone to some bizarro junkyard on the the outskirts of Gehenna, that garbage dump beside Jerusalem. As Lot's wife failed to do, we have learned to never look behind. We might long for the bizarro world and linger there with that old picture too long. Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt. It will be worse for us! Paul tells us what God would have us do:

 

Philippians 3:13 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before..."

 

Unlike psychotherapy which teaches us to deal with the past, God tells us to forget the past and live for the future. We never want to revisit that bizarro world of frustration and deceit. We are to have a new picture; a picture of us living righteous with Christ. That's the new world for a new person. "New Worlds" when protected with the whole armour of God, no longer collide. These worlds of husband and wife are the same Godly picture and have the same purpose; to please God and live in harmony as one!

 

World's colliding not only refers to unity in marriage, but harmony in living with a single purpose. We can go way back to the prophet Isaiah for more instruction:

 

Isaiah 43:18 "Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
 

Isaiah asked the Jewish people to look forward and put the past behind. He told of God's reward and that provided hope for the people. "Hope" is the name of the new world picture that God puts in the minds of the righteous. Not only was Isaiah speaking of God's promise to the Israelites, but a promise of the savior to come. Jesus is our "hope" and his will should color that picture which we have in the minds of the new person that we are!

 

When dating, a prospective flame told me "I need to go home and deal with the past." I expressed shock. "What in the world are you talking about?" I asked. She responded "The past comes in layers one at a time and people must shed a new layer before they can shed the next." Needless to say, I had little desire to date a woman shedding layers or anything else for that matter. I moved on! She's probably still shedding.

 

We are not to live in the past. When I did find the right woman, I made a deal with her "You don't talk about your past and I won't either." Of course we've slipped on occasion, but for the most part, we've left the past behind! Yes, we've all had less than complimentary lives. God changes things and forgets sins! We need to do that too.  If we look back at the things forgiven by God we're against his will. Jesus spoke of this:

 

Luke 9:62 "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

 

That old world we are to leave behind and "not looking back" is the bizarro world. It's the world with baggage! If you think about it, where we're going we need no change of clothes. There will be no use for baggage. Unfortunately, those who fail to lighten that darkened mental picture must carry much baggage needed to play the role contrived by Satan. Whereas, we wear our apparel, the whole armour of God, those with baggage never put it on!

Addendum: For more on the "Bizarro World" read Genesis Chapter 9 about Sodom and Gemorrah and the "Days of Noah" in the ante-diluvian period from Genesis 6. Both are histories of Bazarro Worlds. New worlds came after one world was baptised by water and the other by baptized by fire!

Born-again Check list

There may be some doctrinal differences (as always), but here is my checklist as pertains to the word as revealed to me. I understand that on non-essential doctrinal issues others may differ, but the essentials (as I see it) are necessary. Non-essentials are marked with *).

1) I believe that Jesus is the son of God, born of a virgin, made the penalty for mankind by dying on the cross and is resurrected and is alive in heaven. (If you can't check this one, don't bother to continue).

2) I believe that I (your name) is a sinner and deserves death.

3) I'm sorry for my disobedience and rebellion against God.

4) I accept Jesus' sacrfice for me and mankind. I know that he suffered because of my sins.

5) I believe that I'm saved because of grace and not anything I've done on my own.

6) I believe that Jesus, a man without sin, took sin upon himself, and died an innocent man.

7) I believe that God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, are one and that they manifest themselves to me in different roles. (I believe in the Trinity and that there is only one God).

8) Believing and accepting the above, I (your name) have publically testtified to my salvation. (There are no secret Christians).

9)*  In obedience I(your name)  have been baptized signifying that I'm a new person (your name) who is because I (your name) is born-again.  *  I believe that the best method of baptism is in deep, preferably running natural water. (Some believe that baptism is a sacriment; necessary for salvation. Scripture then is not by grace, but of works. Although some believe this, it's doctrinal, but wrong doctrine, and can lead to many who are "saved" without the proper belief, remorse and repentance; i..e., it's dangerous doctrine, but such believers may still be saved).

10) I have faith in Jesus and that he is who he claimed to be.

11) My hope lies not in the things of the world, but in the saving grace of Jesus.

12) I believe that Jesus died for all my sins.

13) However, I believe that at the time of my salvation that I am forgiven for all my past sins. (It's essential that believers repent as they continue to sin and by repenting they become mature Christians. It's essential for a walk in faith).

14) * I believe that the commandments made by God are not a sacriment (a way to salvation), but a means of showing my reverence and love to God. (I starred this as non-essential because many can believe in "works salvation", but are still saved by grace. It's their belief that is wrong, not their relationship to God. However, it's important that they have a personal born-again experience. Works cannot save! Salvation is a gift).

15) *  I am committed to be as sin-free as I can be, knowing that I will never be sinless. I will set myself apart from the world, demonstrating that indeed, I am a new person in Christ. (This is starred because babes in Christ may not yet have this conviction and some have been deceived by Calvinism, but yet still live righteous lives).

16) As I sin I seek forgiveness. I believe that the payment for that sin has already been made, but it's necessary to respond to the correction of the Holy Spirit. (I'm not saying that you lose salvation by sinning, but a life of sin means either you were not saved in the first place or that you've forgotten your love of God)

17) I believe that I'm not left alone in this world to fiend for myself, but I can be helped and comforted by the Holy Spirit. (This is accepting the third personality of the Trinity).

18) I believe that the Holy Spirit is with us in this world right now as a comforter.

19) I believe that I'm a vessel for the Holy Spirit to live within me.

20) I realize that we no longer need a priest to speak (pray) to God, but that I am of the royal priesthood, myself, and can pray for the forgiveness of my own sins. (A true Christian must pray often).

21) I believe that I need no other, but Jesus, to intercede for me in prayer. (I did not star this as non-essential, for it's greatly important for those praying to angels, Mary and the apostles to realize that they are not to be given the honor of mediator. It's a doctrinal lie. However, many who pray to Mary and company in error still pray to God at times with Jesus as mediator).

22) I believe that prayer changes things.

23) * I magnify God first when I pray. (Not necessary to be first, but that is desirable. We must always pray in reverence to God).

24) I pray for others. I pray foremost that others be saved.

25) I love God.

26) I love other people.

27) I fulfill the Great Commission. I have a ministry to lead others to Christ.

28) I constantly walk in faith. I'm a seasoned Christian without lengthy periods of doubt.

29) I have one or more of the gifts of the spirit: love, wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinquishing between spirits, different kinds of tongues, interpretation of tongues, etc.

30) I treat others without judgment as I chose to be treated myself. I don't gossip, be a busybody, slander, curse, blackguard, and display charity to all. (These are all assurances of your salvation. If you do these things without remorse, you need to examine your spiritual condition).

31) I believe that God will never leave me nor forsake me because he sealed our relationship (our covenant).

32) * I believe that no other may break that seal, but as a free moral agent, I'm able to remove the seal at any time just as seals have been used for times immemorial. (I marked this as non-essential, but the way God has allowed me to understand scripture, free-will is necessary for salvation and necessary to maintain faith).

33) I'm assured of my salvation because I love God and love the things of God. I do works to show my love.

34) * I believe that if I do give up my faith, that I become reprobate. I have sinned against the Holy Spirit and it's not possible to be "saved again". (This is not to be confused with backsliding, where we live a life devoted to sin, but retain faith. This would be a person of little faith or a babe in Christ). (Doctrinal, but this is the way I see scripture and for me, it's essential).

35) Because of God's grace and my love for him, I believe that God will resurrect me. (This is the crucial "hope" of salvation. Incidentally, Abraham Lincoln did not believe in the resurrection of the soul).

36) I believe that all will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment. I believe that most will be found guilty, but am certain that God will say "Well done, good and faithful servant" to me.

37) * I believe in heaven and hell. I believe that heaven is for those who are God's children (through the rebirth) and hell is a place of eternal torment for those who are children of the devil. (I marked it as non-essential because both exists whether you believe it or not. However, I would caution that by denying the reality of heaven and hell, a person is in effect calling Jesus a liar.)

38) I believe that by (continual) living in sin, I am serving my father the devil, but by living in righteousness, I am honoring my father in heaven.

39)  I believe that part of salvation is full confidence in the Word and that the General Resurrection is part of God's word. (I have hope in life after death and believe that hope has led to my salvation).

40) I believe that divine scripture is the Holy Word of God and that the entire Bible is about hope in Jesus. I do not add to nor take away from God's Word. I believe that the writers, of the law, poetry, wisdom, prophecy, the gospels and the letters were divinely inspired and that their word is as the word of God. ( I left this as essential although many liberal denominations would argue that this is doctrinal. I see those as the false church and will suffer greatly when Jesus comes. So, although it's doctrinal, it is critical.)

Did Christ teach Socialism?

Did Christ teach socialism? That's really a silly question, but liberal theologians say that he did!  That's another gospel.

Galatians 1:8 (KJV) "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.  9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."

 

It's so important that Paul said it twice, one after another. I know of no other place where Paul repeated himself so exactly. It is critical! There was a problem in Paul's day. Preachers were already preaching a gospel other than Jesus!

 

What is gospel anyway? "Gospel" comes from the Old English expression "Good (or God's) spell, meaning "good story" or "good news" and it's Jesus's teachings about salvation and the kingdom of God (Religion Dictionary).  Of course "The Kingdom of God" means the "will of God:

Matthew 6:10 (KJV)  "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

 

It is God's will that we practice righteousness on earth just as it will be in heaven. "Heaven" becomes the standard of living our lives here! Since "income redistribution" is meaningless in heaven, it can't be the righteous practice for the  here and now. That leaves if "socialism" is to be practiced, it must be practiced in the context of "salvation". 

 

Salvation is not about wealth at all!

 

Mark 10:24 (KJV) " And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"

 

This passage eliminates wealth as a means of being in God's will or making it to heaven.  Salvation is a spiritual journey. It's a one-time gift which is unearned. It has no intrinsic value, and is all based on relationship to Jesus.  What does it take to be saved?

 

Acts 16:29 "Then he (the keeper of the prison) called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,  30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..."

 

Salvation is belief, specifically "we are saved by hope" of Christ (Romans 8:28).  "Hope" is not wealth! It's not something that can be taken away from one and given to another. It's an attribute that when experienced by one can be shared with others, but it is not wealth! However, socialism is all about wealth.

 

Matthew 26:7 "There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? 9 For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. 12 For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always."

 

In this instance a woman was anointing Jesus prior to his death and burial. She was "wasting" expensive ointment! Jesus, knowing his death was eminent said "me ye have not always", but "ye have the poor always with you". While we are to "give to the poor" (Matthew 19), the purpose was not to help the poor with providing wealth, but to preach the gospel to the poor! (Matthew 11:5).

 

Poverty, as was slavery, were penalties for sins. Sins of our ancestors. Poverty, specifically goes all the way back to Cain:

 

Genesis 4:12 "When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. 13 And Cain said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear."

 

A "vagabond" is a vagrant, a tramp.  In modern terms a "hobo". Poverty originated with Cain. Poverty is of God and is a penalty we still pay for the disobedience of our ancestor! That's not fair you say?

 

Exodus 20:5 "I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me."

 

Of course poverty at the time of Jesus is well beyond the "fourth generation"; that's figuratively speaking. Earth is God's footstool. Poverty is from God, and is a mild punishment for sin, compared to what's prepared for the unrepenitant in the afterlife! We like to think "God is good!" and that he is. However, God is a punishing God as well!

 

Below I summarize my points:

 

1) The gospel has nothing to do with wealth, let alone it's redistribution.

2) Wealth will not get you to heaven and heaven is our hope! (In fact scripture teaches against the desire for wealth).

3) We are to help the poor by spreading the gospel (spiritual hope) to them, not by spreading the wealth.

4) Poverty is from God and is an inherited condition because of the sin of our forebears.

5) The poor will always be here. There is no hope that all will ever be materially wealthy. (That's not God's will anyway or poverty would already be wiped out.)

6) The gospel has everything to do with the will of God. We are to be in God's will now as it will be in heaven and in heaven monetary wealth is non-existent!

7) The wealth of the poor is "hope in Jesus Christ". The riches of "hope" is obtained by salvation.

8) Not covered, but scriptural, is that for Christians to focus on the Lord, their hope shan't be in wealth (Matthew 19:21). Therefore, they are to voluntarily give to the poor because their hope is not concerned with riches, but in God!

89) Therefore, Jesus did not teach a gospel of socialism (income redistribution), but a gospel of salvation!

 

I could on and on, but will leave that up to the skeptic. I have written earlier quite extensively on socialism to which the reader may refer. However, one point I will continue to make is that socialism is evil. It's the obvious government which exists at the advent of the tribulation period, and culminates in persecution and loss of freedom (communism) in the second 3-1/2 years of the tribulation.

 

According to Marx, the Communist Manifesto is just a s well the Socialist Manifesto. That doctrine teachers against God (Judeo-Christians were the obvious target). Their aim is to extinguish the worship of God in a socialist world government. Hence, by their own admission, they are candidates to be the government of the Apocalypse!

Our Garden: Weeds on the heart

One of my first poems to Terri was called “Growing Together” and was published in the book “The Colors of Life”. It was about our marriage yet to come. I likened our relationship to a newly planted garden and the promise of fruits from that garden. It was before we got married. That garden grew!

About year later after our marriage (1997) some “weeds” grew in that marriage garden and I wrote this:

Garden's planted again.

Twas where we were last year.
Prompts a walk down memory's lane.
The time I met my wife so dear.

We planted together a life.

Crop though wasn't good.
She's since my beloved wife.
Been a husband best I could.

Cauliflower failed to grow.

Relationship was in turmoil.
The garden I failed to hoe.
I failed to work the soil.

Marriage was a different story.

We stumbled on sticky burrs.
Said things for which I'm sorry.
Things I said to her.

Planted onions too close to peas.

Causes conflict in the taste.
Spent time on my knees.
Praying marriage was not in haste.

Tomatoes complement the beans.

Cucumbers and melons were too close.
Biggest trouble we've seen...
the greatest of all our woes.

Brought up different I suppose.

Biggest problem overall.
Just as that pretty garden rose...
prettiest rose I ever saw.

That rose has some thorns.

Love her with thoughts so silly.
Honeysuckle grows on the corn...
she's my fragrant little lily!

Time caused weeds to cover.

Covers all that's good we grew.
She's my friend and lover.
She's got charm as do few!

We'll grow together, not apart.

We'll end that old weed patch.
For she's the love of my heart.
She's for me... quite a catch!

I don't remember what was on my heart that day. Some “weed” had taken root. It was significant at that time, but now it has long withered and died. However, I was committed to cut any new weeds before they had taken root. Some I have been able to cut. Others are like quack grass. You pull one leader up and another sprouts as fast. What spray is being used is what's important. Prayer changes things and in its mist, weeds just don't have a chance.

Hit and Run advice

I seldom if ever confide in anyone; even a preacher. Why? We're all human and even well intentioned people seem to "just screw things up".  Advice from the ignorant is no better than no advice at all! Those who "help out" are just like bad drivers. They strike another and then go on their merry way as if nothing happened. They are oblivious to the damage they're doing.

When one is seeking advice from another, the person advising can be sure that they're hearing only page one of a two page story. The troubled person will always put themselves in a good light and the other in a poor light. That's human nature. When I hear some ones troubles I take it with the proverbial "grain of salt". Life has taught me to believe none of what I hear (gossip) and only half of what I see (supposition).

Why do marriage and family counselors insist on seeing all parties together? It's so the most fair version of the situation is revealed. There's no way to fix half the problem and let the other half continue. When world's collide, it takes two worlds. One world cannot collide against nothingness. Hence, both worlds need a equatorial adjustment to their latitude to keep volcanoes from continual eruption! That's the same as people. Unless both parties have their attitude adjusted, personality eruptions will continue to occur!

Their are many problems with psychotherapy, but the most catastrophic problem is that therapists are not held accountable for damage done; and they're supposed to be professionals! Those with no training at all can cause even worse damage!  Some will criticize how you raise your children, but fail to see the rebellion in their own. No one needs psychological advise from those whose life is far from unflawed. It would seem that those who are ready to give advise may be the ones who need it most. Those with dysfunctional families will try to fix your healthy family using voodoo psychology. Those with bad marriages will "fix" yours by hurting yours the same way they have hurt their own!

All advice is not good. Advice is confounded by inexperience, lack of knowledge, jealousy, unrighteousness, prejudice and those just out to make trouble. It's not new! It's always been around:

2 Samuel 17:6 "When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.” 7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time."

 

"When Henry came to him, Joe said, “Linda has given this advice. Should we do what she says? If not, give us your opinion.” 7 Henry replied to Joe, “The advice Linda has given is not good this time."

 

When someone asks for advise, you can be sure that you're not getting a complete picture. Tell the person "It's unfair to (whomever) to discuss this when not in their presence. I have nothing to advise."

 

Matthew 7:12 (NIV) " So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you..."

 

That's only fair! That's applying wisdom.

 

Meddling can ruin others. Gossip can destroy what took years to accomplish. Neither of those are victimless sins.  What's more those who take their problems to meddlers and gossipers can expect nothing other than destruction. On that anyone can count!

 

Proverbs 16:28  (NIV) "A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends."

 

One of the best rules of thumb ever is "never say anything behind a person's back". If it's negative, it's destructive. If it's a compliment that compliment needs to be delivered first hand!  We've all played the "telephone game" where there's a large line of people. The first person says a sentence and after it has went through the entire line of people whispering the message to the next, the original message has been distorted beyond belief. That's the way gossip and meddling works. It's unfair to talk behind a person's back for any reason, let alone giving advise based on hearsay!

 

1 Timothy 5:13 (NIV) " Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also busybodies who talk nonsense, saying things they ought not to."

 

Come on now people. Get a life! Quit interfering in the lives of others. Let God do the judging and you do the changing. A casual comment made in derision can poison the life of another. What is "good" can be destroyed by the lips of busybodies! It takes years for a person to develop a reputation of trust and honesty, but a casual word by a gossip-monger can totally destroy what God honors and what others worked for.