May this day bring forth the petals of plenteous Joy. A few weeks past, the author felt that someone might be "unsettled" by a statement about the possibility that those who, first, know they are the result of the Creative Power of a Omnipotent God and, second, who sincerely seek truth, can forge healthy, genuine boundaries for the promulgation of peace and "self-discipline" among members of their communities.
It was a feeling that they might be interpreting the verse found in 1 John 4:1-3 (KJV), in an overly strict manner. This is the author's view, not necessarily, the God-breathed Truth.
1 John 4:1-3 (KJV) is as follows:
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that [spirit] of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Some believe that those, who do not accept that Jesus Christ is the Messiah spoken of in John 3:16 (KJV) or that He is the Son of God born of a virgin, yet these men believe that He lived and "walked this earth" clothed in a "fleshy" body, taught the very lessons record in scripture, and inspire men until this days, have a spirit of the antichrist. This is the "firm, fixed" conviction of some.
Others, based upon the reading of these verses accept that, if another man believes, that He lived and His Teachings are chronicled in the New Testament and are true, then this man is not allied with those who have a spirit of the antichrist. This is the belief of others.
This is a distinction that one might make upon the interpretation of a few translated words in a three verses. And, one's interpretation can have a "powerful" impact on how one interacts with others who are "labelled" differently in terms of their faith-walk.
Such interpretations, ultimately, are the "splintering forces" that produced and still generate the various denominations of Protestantism among Christians. This also likely occurs in the other many God-fearing groups.
But, before one "curses" another whom he has not met or with whom he has not had a "meaningful, sincere" discourse, simply consider this.
Search the New Testament and see if you can find a few verses which state that some will not accept or believe Christ's message, although these men can accept that He lived and experienced a crucifixion.
This is a verse spoken by Him:
Then said Jesus unto him, "Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe." John 4:48 (KJV)
These men, some Hebrew and some Gentile, believed that he walked this earth. They saw this with their own eyes, yet these men did not accept His message or prophesies.
The following are Christ's words as reported in the New Testament:
Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. Mat 9:17 (KJV)
This suggests the He himself is stating that all would not accept the "new wine" that He offered. It was a teaching that would disrupt certain entrenched communities. It would be a perfect complement for the structure of others. So, it would be expected from this passage that some would acknowledge that he existed, but doubt or deny His Sovereignty as Messiah.
Consider who He found himself among, upon his crucifixion, the wicked transgressors and others who were "condemned". For such men, he was a "ransom" freeing their hearts, minds, and souls, yea, the very Spirit of God, that dwells within them [Genesis 2:7 (KJV)] from the confines of eternal death.
This is prophesied in Isaiah 53: 3-12 (KJV) : [ Notice that although God's only begotten Son, as special as He was [John 3:16 (KJV)]. He did not live the life of a Herod, Caesar, or other "well-esteemed" leader. Such luxuries were beyond foreign for Him. As far as the author can remember, His only recorded luxuries were the one piece robe that He wore and was a gambling prize during His crucifixion plus the costly nard poured upon Him, in preparation for His burial. ]
Isaiah 53: 3-12 (KJV):
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were [our] faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he [was] wounded for our transgressions, [he was] bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace [was] upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither [was any] deceit in his mouth.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put [him] to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see [his] seed, he shall prolong [his] days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore will I divide him [a portion] with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
And, in a concluding summary, a few words from the converted Saul of Tarsus,
Romans 3:1-31 (KJV) :
What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit [is there] of circumcision?
Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
But if our unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? [Is] God unrighteous who taketh vengeance? (I speak as a man)
God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?
For if the truth of God hath more abounded through my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner?
And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.
What then? are we better [than they]? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
Their throat [is] an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps [is] under their lips:
Whose mouth [is] full of cursing and bitterness:
Their feet [are] swift to shed blood:
Destruction and misery [are] in their ways:
And the way of peace have they not known:
There is no fear of God before their eyes.
Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
[Is he] the God of the Jews only? [is he] not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
Seeing [it is] one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
And, let us not forget that teaching that many modern Christians would honestly admit is a hard-saying, Matthew 5:17-21 (KJV).
If one can regulate himself, he does well. As the heat rises in a room, the thermostat adjusts, provides cooling, and this results in comfort.
The authors comments bring much ire, at times. In a country, America, who prides itself on founding fathers who forged a Constitution that protects freedom of religion and speech, saying "have a blest day!", "may your week be filled with many miracles", or the "well-cloaked" profession of faith, "have a happy day" is met with aggression tones and disdain.
Yet, many adults permit the "loud , boisterous, and bumptious" sounds of the popular artists of the 1980s and 1990s, such as Too Short, Henry Rollins, Alice Cooper, Biggie Smalls, and others so heinous that such should ban, based upon the public obscenity laws still residing in the federal legal code. If you are not familiar with such music, you are not at a loss.
It seems that we do not much worry about "raising Cain" from the depths of his fate. In fact, some seems happier when satan himself runs amuck and roughshod over humanity and our vulnerableness.
Those seem resistant when posed with this simple question, "Would establishing the most pleasant community, based upon the teachings found in the Old and New Testament, be more of a "blessing" that living in an unrepentant Ninevah, Tyre, or Sidon. Would a New Sodom and New Gemorrah, be a better environment that a New Jerusalem?
Now, some Christian groups believe that the establishment of the promised New Jerusalem will be physically manifested. This is not the author's view or message. Yet, a much better world is possible with the faith, hope, and zeal, for such, plus a "firm, fixed" belief that, with Jehovah-Shalom's Wisdom, it shall be so. The author's longing is for one which is a "stolidly, solidly, and stayed" Spiritual existence.
[1 Corinthians15:44-58] (KJV) Speaks on the nature of the resurrection of the faithful upon the Messiah's coming:
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam [was made] a quickening spirit.
Howbeit that [was] not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man [is] of the earth, earthy: the second man [is] the Lord from heaven.
As [is] the earthy, such [are] they also that are earthy: and as [is] the heavenly, such [are] they also that are heavenly.
And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
O death, where [is] thy sting? O grave, where [is] thy victory?
The sting of death [is] sin; and the strength of sin [is] the law.
But thanks [be] to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Forgive me for saying such, if it is a strong offense, but an abundance of wealth is not an answer for any problem. Those in need of "experimental or emergency" surgery for survival that is expensive beyond anyone's imagination, likely would be forever grateful if granted ten times the funds needed for treatment and a entire lifespan of seventy years or more. And, close-loving family members would be the same. Yet, is actuality, we are all accepting the common "illusion" that every physician, including those with the best of reputations for "critical, life-saving" surgeries, are "bias-free", "well-trained", "well-versed", "well-prepared" for the experimental procedure that "might" save a life. We enjoy the belief that they truly care about our own loved one's, as much as we. We like the "Downy" soft blanket of comfort the envelopes us, when we place trust in credentials from a John's Hopkin's, or other well-respected institution. Those very letters, degrees, and certifications that might have been acquired with the same sincerity and academic rigor as a certificate in cosmetology from Xenon academy or diesel mechanics from UTI, "well-known" for its Saturday afternoon recruiting commercials. This is not a criticism of beauticians or diesel mechanics, yet your specialist who might be raking in over $500K (US) per annum, not including associated business and investments, could have be the typical student throughout highschool, college, and medical school. Yes, he could have the the "stereotypical" teen and twenty-something. So, the "Snuggle-soft" feel which surrounds your heart should be tempered with this one fact:
[ Psalm 146:3-10 ] (KJV)
Put not your trust in princes, [nor] in the son of man, in whom [there is] no help.
His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Happy [is he] that [hath] the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope [is] in the LORD his God:
Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein [is]: which keepeth truth for ever:
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
The LORD openeth [the eyes of] the blind: the LORD raiseth them that are bowed down: the LORD loveth the righteous:
The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
The LORD shall reign for ever, [even] thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the LORD.
And, the crux of the last passage, was that money nor man can save. It fact, life has taught that both shall cause more harm if one's life, if not "well-managed". And, let not this statement be a source of discouragement for ultimately the Lord controls the balance of everyman's life.
And, seeing that physical wealth can only buy the carnal, fleshly, or material, it can provide the peace that a "heaven-like" community would maintain. If fact, does not the quest for labels, nameplates, and objects that "best" one's other community members scuttle the very ship of Sion. And, for such reason, rest cannot be found in a city called the metropolis of peace.
In conclusion, on the topic of raising trouble and discord, plus the resulting social conditions, when a chilled "tall-boy" of brewed hops and other grains is more refreshing than a tumbler of iced water, after a long, difficult day of physical toil, one is headed in the wrong direction based upon the standpoint of a caring physician and that of a sincere pastor. This might signal a future when mornings start with refined, distilled corn mush than a bowl of flakes, a mixture of corn, wheat, and rice, plus milk from a cow or blended almonds.Yes, this is life.
Redirecting one's self, when slightly off-course, results in reaching the "originally-desired" destination. And, we all know each other quite well. When those who care enough that they say, "Wow, man you are so far off-course! This is not Poughkeepsie! You probably should have zigged in Albuquerque, zagged in Cincinnati, and exited on the left ramp in Plain Dealing!", so we are we directed, what do we most frequently do! Hate and vent our frustration and doubt that we can overcome our current situation. What is that famous cliche and platitude? "You should discover what life is like! You need some problems, if you are concerned with mine." And, what is the Biblically-based, but seemingly incompassionate answers,
[Proverbs 20:1(KJV)]
Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
[Proverbs 31:6 (KJV)]
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
[Isaiah 5:11 (KJV)]
Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!
[Isaiah 5:22 (KJV)]
Woe unto [them that are] mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
[Isaiah 24:9 (KJV)]
They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.
[Isaiah 28:7 (KJV)]
But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble [in] judgment.
[Matthew 7:6 (KJV)]
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Once again, talk with Jonah about what might assist those who cannot accept any value in these comments.
Perfect, the author is far from being. Yet, criticized for speaking the same lessons that have helped him, whether that be by strict adherence or the "natural consequences" of disobedience, is an everyday experience it his life.
Being that he was force-ably drugged and misdiagnosed, in that very order, upon entering a "well-respected" American university and in subsequent years, hoping that he could complete a "secular" education in the sciences for the advancement of Christian stewardship. Yet, whether this was a coordinated effort or a series of unethical, disorder behaviors exerted by those who would say an opportunity for some type of gain and would exploit anyone's vulnerabilities, especially when any retribution is not expected. Plus, knowing that they have the powers of perceived expertise, reward, punishment, and preferred affiliation, they worry little about be held responsible for any of the mayhem that might have and will ensue, especially when they have the support of local legal officials, right, wrong, or otherwise.
Also, being that he was not a "drinker of alcohol", "user of illicit drugs", or "partier", when among his high-school peers, and he was "oft-quoted" and maligned for declining the offer of trying "smoke" and saying that he did not want "drugs costing him his education". His "predetermined" route for paying college costs was an athletic scholarship, if he could earn one. These are voided with any felony charges. And, misdemeanor drug use can soon become a felony, with the simple favor of dropping a closed duffle-bag by a friend's apartment, but being stopped and charged for trafficking. And, This occurs, while being a simple unsuspecting and unaware mule.
So, ultimately, his education was a hard-fought one. One that results in a realization of a blend of dreams and desired blessings, but it was not without the burden of many vehement curses spoken over his life. And, the "unsettling" understanding that those among us whom we called doctor, healer, and. foolishly, friend care less about our well-being than many of us could accept, with a severe and persistent pang of uneasiness.
And, the more time spent around others becomes telling of their character. This includes your physician or specialist. This ever-so true when discussing those very life facts contained in scriptures and having them discounted and rejected, when they do not speak in the favor of the specialist wishes or desires. Yet, they dare say, "let go, and let god!", spelt with a lowercase "g" seeing they esteem themselves the professors of what merits following and not among the scriptures they read aloud during corporate community worship. A seeing that they claim "god-like" status, are void of any humility, following their direction would not be wise. Yet, following His is! In many of life's situation, especially those governing one's emotional state, healing is a glance away.
Consider [John 5:1-15 (KJV)]:
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep [market] a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time [in that case], he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry [thy] bed.
He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in [that] place.
Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whle: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
This might bring a rebuke from some who say that the following statement lessen the power of the physical miracle and insults the Lord's Omnipotence; but, whether Christ freed the paralyzed man from a demon of physical impotence or snatched iron fetters from the limits of his ability placed in his mind by another, the man was freed, mobilized, and proclaiming the source of his healing.
Notice the statement, "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."
He means what he said, and He said what he means. Only the Lord knows what precipitated this man's plight. Was His sin simply that lack of a sufficient faith for believing that he would not be in his "unpleasant condition" permanently? Or, was it the result of another "seemingly" more unforgivable sin.
In the case of the author, he would see some small evidence of the transformation that occurred while freeing himself from pornography in his late twenties, and it occurred again when adults well-passed the age of legal responsibility, and presumed maturity, could not accept that marriage or an intimate relationship with a woman was not a life choice of his. And, the saddest fact is that some made the erroneous claim that such a person must be either a homo- or bi-sexual. When calmly and respectfully stating than "marriage" or "romantic dating" was not an life interest of his, plus forcing him in such a direction would only result in the recurrence of unhealthy social dysfunction, he was ignored and bullied. And, such a term seems laughable, when a person is over seventy-five inches in height and weigh in around two hundred and fifty pounds. Yet, the desired physical retribution would only result in his harm more so than others. And, that evidence which was more pronounced with this "freeing" of his personage from the bounds of the sin or pornography was the manifestation of an insect infestation. Some would claim that they saw flies and insects swarming around me; others would say that such a condition was not occurring. This has occurred on more than one ocassion. One man dared say that this was some type of just reward for my behaviors. But, watch out for Matthew 7 and Obadiah 1:12; be wary of hasty judgement and gloating over another's misery. In short, the author rarely saw an insect, except on the last occasion that he ventured on the "wrong-side" of this web. Then, the appearance of such became apparent; When the Lord says, "Do not!", He is not making a suggestion and uses not the subjunctive case that is seemingly missing from the English commonly spoken in modern America, within the daily public dialogue and media.
So with this said, when you free yourself, do not ever look back.
#000-revision-start#
The following might be beyond what tender ears can absorb:
The greatest motivation for moving passed this behavioral relapse lasting nearly forty months was the utterance of one person during a rather hideous display of "live" violence. The curse pronounced was "bring them all down". In light of the apparent pain and anguish, the distant memory of a person appearing in a unexpected moment on a VHS tape likely filmed in the late 1980s or early 1990s reoccurred. This person was without the cosmetic artist's airbrushing and concealer. The lack of paints was not critical. It was the facial prosthesis that was removed and replace that left the most lasting impression and that resulted in a knowledge that what we as children accept as dangerous, does not cease being so, when we are "all grown up". And, some would say "all grown stupid"!
Yet, caution after caution, and another generation either ventures under their own volition, are drawn, or driven onward until they breach that boundary between safety and sanity, entering a region of suffering and Joycian epiphany with a tinge of remorse. So, facts are worth recording in one's own personal history. So, he does not traverse such a dangerous path again. We might pull ourselves from sinking sand on our first misstep in an unknown region, but we should be wise enough that we do not travel in that portion of uncharted territory again.
Of course, such accounts do not hit with any impact unless one is looking in the bright eyes of his own children or grandchildren and enjoying those mirthful giggles and guffaws, with the looming fear of what awaits such beauty and joy in this cruel, hateful, and unforgiving world. A world where a life only has value if a business interest can fill his large satchel of swags with its produce.
When did a person stop having worth? Was at conception in the wrong woman? But, who was Rahab?
Was it being born in a disrespected and backward region? Yet, did anyone of merit hail from Nazareth?
Is it speaking with a country twang, slow southern drawl, or a blended urban-rural country grammar that precludes one from having the respect and protection due all? Yea, can we understand the distinction and character associated with a spoken shibboleth?
#000-revision-terminus#
With such said, it does not take the most brilliant of human's realizing that trouble is on the horizon. When one's monitor has a reddish glow, while powered up during the "wee-hours" of the morning, although one is not viewing unhealthy material and could be reading scripture or enjoy Gospel music, this is the sign of a tarnished vessel. Such a problem has never occurred on computing devices, owned the author, that have never been infected with such categories of sin. Such physical vessels are only fit for remaking, should be dismantled, and reclaimed by the earth's crust.
The author's own disdain for those who profit on prolonged discontentment, some arsing from the most minor of issues, and others who simply love laying, wallowing, and pining in situations that they could arise from with sincere scriptural study does not allow him pleading with such that they make a fresh start.
My loathing for the macks of misery run deeper the the currents in the Placid Ocean on the Western most coast of the Americas. If they possess a skill for learning that permits a medical degree or doctorate in the allied health fields, whether by conniving or disciplined study, they reason well-enough that they can find, read, and comprehend scriptures, if they see such as fitting. They have likely chosen their "god" and, as such. they can enjoy its rewards and any other consequences. They are "grown".
These notes are for those who might have traveled so far from the sight of their original goal that they might find it.
As for the rest, who have sufficient education for reading and comprehending what they read, you have made your choice. If you make any adjustment in your behaviors, this is also your choice. And, your old phoney platitude of "I am an adult, I can make my own decision, I can be responsible for my own behaviors" is the only "legal code" that I shall invoke; it is the only one that such men know and understand. So decide however you please.
And, for those who are "book-smart", "people-ignorant", "human-stupid", and have an interest in becoming "Bible-smart" and enjoying life among a congregation of believers. Remember, they are small portion of the same community seen on your cities highways and byways, market squares, and not so savory places. Different men various reasons for attending church. Wolves don worsted-wools suits and sanguine ties only so they can mingle among the sheep. This is "well-recorded" in scripture.
In the author's life, it can be said, he has been much like Peter in his impetuous speech. Before the age of ten, a couple of his outspoken statements during conservative service could have gotten him lynched, impaled, or drawn and quarter. And, upon attending church, after an "unplanned, unwanted, and likely unneeded" hospitalization during the first weekend of his freshman year at a "well-respected" university with a church-affiliation, he exclaimed, "These people cannot think for themselves!" This had been said more than once among more than one congregation. It would have been nice hearing that admonishment, "Young man having a differing view of a scripture does not mean that the person expressing otherwise is in error or that you have a fault; you can hold your view, prayerfully seek guidance and understanding, and, furthermore, hold your tongue. This is the wisest approach for working and living peacefully among an group, especially a faith-based one." Yet, the reverberations of these statements still haunt me. And, old Job was forgiven for his youthful foolishness. Yet, who was that by? He might have forgiven, but it would quite a "idiotic" notion believing that those who are not Him would forgive any fault. Unless, such a fault were their own.
And, life has taught in those private moments of faith confession, that members of certain denominations accept aspects of other extra-denominational teachings not stressed among theirs, but outside the standard range of traditional held beliefs, yet not contradicting the denomination's doctrine. Such have never had any problems working and flourishing in any congregation, fellowship, or assembly. So, for those who have grown disenchanted with the congregation of their youth, start afresh. Find somewhere that permits study, growth, and work. And, do not be openly, overly inquisitive about scripture. Plus, be "well-aware" that satan lures in all the nooks and crannies of every assembly place of the faithful. In fact, he likely spends more time looking for opportunities for sowing seeds of discord in the house of the faithful than the den of decadence. So, be "as shrewd as a serpent and gentle as a dove".
And, if you have never know such a life's pursuit. Starting late mostly likely will be more rewarding that persisting in a life of "worldliness".
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