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To: Dr. Eckleburg

For the sake of argument, would you say it is acceptable for a self aware individual to commit his soul to anything in an act of ignorance?

Let’s pretend you weren’t as sure in your beliefs as you currently are, and that the whole thing was relatively new to you. You didn’t understand anything outside of “God created everything, God loves you, and Jesus died for our sins.” You were not familiar with the greater tenets, you were not familiar with the Sacramental practices, and you were operating mostly from a position of ignorance.

Would it then be right to commit your soul to ANYTHING, not fully understanding what you were doing?

At this point, I am of the firm belief that God wanted me to commit myself, but to do so knowingly and without doubt. It took more than the “you should be baptized” speeches given by so many at those churches. Unlike some of my friends, and so many of the folks I saw at those churches, I didn’t want to do it just to “be one of the cool kids.” No joke, when I went to my friend’s Baptism, there were a number of those types. Even she was Baptized because she really liked my Baptism. Thing is, we were Baptized at different churches by different people, and she wasn’t satisfied with hers because it “wasn’t as nice as mine.”

She was missing the point. So many do.


543 posted on 07/19/2010 9:04:47 AM PDT by HushTX (quit whining)
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To: HushTX
Let's pretend you weren't as sure in your beliefs as you currently are, and that the whole thing was relatively new to you. You didn't understand anything outside of "God created everything, God loves you, and Jesus died for our sins." You were not familiar with the greater tenets, you were not familiar with the Sacramental practices, and you were operating mostly from a position of ignorance.

Would it then be right to commit your soul to ANYTHING, not fully understanding what you were doing?

None of us "fully understands" this life, God, our salvation, grace, mercy, justification, Christ's sacrifice or His resurrection.

But your question was answered by Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago...

"Be not afraid; only believe." -- Mark 5:36

The rest is all part of our post-justification sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Who believes to the saving of their soul? Men who have received God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. And what is grace? Grace is not anything we deserve or accomplish. Grace is God's unmerited favor, given to whom He will and ordained by Him from before the foundation of the world. Read Ephesians 1.

All the rest is epilogue.

Thus Christ tells us not to be afraid, but to run headlong into belief because our salvation by grace through faith in Christ is the will of the Father. He promises to catch us.

Therefore faith is trust in Christ and His obedience in fulfilling the Law perfectly for us and His perfect righteousness which is mercifully imputed to us, and not in our own obedience, righteousness or deserving.

"Deserve's got nothing to do with it." - Wmilliam Munny.

All this truth is predicated not on the doctrines of men nor on the efficacy of any sacraments nor rituals nor pagan superstitions, but on the perfect word of God, men's only rule of faith and practice. Read your Bible. Learn the truth.

580 posted on 07/19/2010 12:20:25 PM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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