Re: What is Grace?
Submitted by John Guard on June 20 1999 at 10:38:07
In reply to Re: What is Grace? Submitted by Ben on June 20 1999 at 08:06:12
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I could not agree more. Thanks Ben. Your definition of grace is much to my liking and very much accurate. I have been away from the net for so long that I have to say I miss this forum. Due to my server's miserable transfer rate, I still cannot afford the time to read all the posts (as much as I want to). However, it has always been refreshing to listen in to what my dear breathen in Christ are saying. I am most encouraged by how you guys address the problems that "your" respective kids are experiencing (note the quotations). Its rather ironic because I am myself experiencing some difficulty with "my" own kids (ugh..I hate to sound so possessive like that). On one extreme, I have a nephew who is rebellious, too involved in sensuality (nearly got sued by his girlfriend's parents for writing her lewd letters) and a "natural" liar. I also have a godson(10) whose mom seems to be "playing around" (carnally) with strangers. He has been brought up in a strict religious setting but the duality/hypocrisy/doublespeak of his environment is just making him angry and confused inside. On the other side, I have also young friends who seem so upright and mature(two 14 yrs and a 18yr old comes in mind)...but the risks of them getting swayed by the self-righteousness and "holier-than-thou" mentality of our immature breathen (or the false breathen in some cases) is quite high. I am literally thousands of miles away from them but do pray for them greatly. Its like walking a tightrope... If my approach is off-balance, I will only be doing them more harm than good. I have been praying a lot about it and I feel that GOD has spoken in my heart. HE told me that I need to make sure that the hierachy of my responsibilities/concerns are in their proper place, not to mention accept my limitations (I am not HIM). If I focus too much on these kids or my own problems or whatever....then I will gradually forget my first love. HE told me that I should fix my eyes on HIM first..and everything else will come in place. All things work for the good of all those who love GOD and are called to HIS purpose. GOD truly works in "foolish ways". I have examined a lot of so-called Christian web sites and found only mostly legalism, hatred, self-righteousness and hypocrisy...but here, amidst those that society has labeled as monsters ...here I found those whose words reflect the true Spirit of what a Christian should be about. I am honoured, very much honoured to know all of you. You are right, pedophilia in itself is not a sin...as much as the blind man's blindess was not because of his or his parent's sins...but that GOD be glorified. I can think of very few things that can bring glory to GOD better than a celibate pedophile who is doing GOD's WILL in his/her life as well as in the lives of the children he/she loves. :) I pray that someday...in GOD's Will, all true Christians can look past their differences and petty cultural biases and see only Christ in each other. It will be so wonderful to stop hiding and being ashamed of what we are, and for other Christians to accept and love us for what we are in Christ. My two cents, John Guard In Christ We Shall Stand |