Re: the cost of being a christian BL.....
Submitted by Oliver on February 24 2000 at 00:51:53
In reply to the cost of being a christian BL..... Submitted by Scott on February 23 2000 at 10:25:13
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Dear Scott, Man, I know your pain, only too well. I remember you speaking about this young lady when you first came here, and, perhaps, a couple of times in my absence. You first stated you admired the beauty of boys, they are created in "God's image" I think God knows how beautiful His creation is. He never intended us to be covered in clothing. It is also important to realize, that, to God, a woman, a man, a girl, and a boy are all beautiful. Only as humans do we see favoritisms in gender and attraction. We've seen lives destroyed because of Boylove, we've also seen miraculous mericles because of it. In my own personal walk, I have lost trust because of my lack of self control, and also seen lives saved because of my witness. Life is like that--it is a road of temptations, twists, turns, and ungodliness, it is the World. What I think you need to realize is the perspective of yourself as a being in this world but not of it. You ask so many questions and have so many concerns about this life, this moment of time that will be a long forgotten memory in the scope of eternity. Consider Jesus' Tempatation in the wilderness, Matthew Chapter 4. "The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted..." Now consider what a wilderness is--1. an uncultivated region, uninhabited region, waste, wild, barren. 2. A large or confused mass. 3. A wild condition or quality. Sound familiar? How would you define life on this Earth, wasteful? wild? barren at times? The Earth is then a wilderness. It is a place of desolation; it is not God's intent to save IT--he's going to destroy it someday. He wants to save you OUT OF IT, and into a relationship with Him. So, the right perspective about life on this Earth, is that we are pilgrims, just passing through. Our home is not here. What I'm saying, then, is that we should not be surprized when life deals us certain blows; it is something we can expect from a barren wasteland. Jesus suffered 40 days without food, to go back to the verse. Matthew 4:1 also says that the Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness. That shows us that sometimes God leads us into the wilderness, and it is the Hand of God that places you where it is desolate and barren. Why? To teach you that HE IS GOD. TO show you where you are spiritually, so that you can make the appropriate adjustments to come OUT OF that wilderness situation. That's also why James told us to delight in trials and tribulations, for it is the testing of your faith. My answer then to your question "is BL worth it" is as yours--yes-because it places me in a wilderness, and it also brings me closer to Him. The purpose of being placed in a wilderness is not to harm or confuse you, but to be a part of the developmental process of God working inside of you. It is also true that we are most vulnerable to the temptations of Satan when we are dependant on God; when we ask him for the strength to carry on because we realize we can't make it on our own. God gives us the guidence we need to make it past the trial, and we wipe our brow, and say "Man, I'm glad that's over." What happens? Our guard is let down, and at that time Satan grabs us. BE AWARE that, when we are excited that the wilderness shows a mirage of hope and joy--life seems to be happy, people are on our side, we come to the point of "it's ok to endulge in a little sin." I sense that, right now, Scott, that you are still climbing a mountain, of sorts, nearly to the top, tired and out of breath relying on God's grace, and, perhaps, seeing the top and clearing, and it's always at the top, we're on that spiritual high of accomplishment that we've done it, passed the test, and are most vulnerable to sin. You may rest when you reach the top, but I promise you, Satan won't. Be on alert. How do we overcome? Look at what Jesus did, 3 times when he was in the wilderness, he quoted and recited the scriptures. Man cannot live on bread alone, but needs every word that God speaks...Matt 4:3 Do not put the Lord your God to the test...4:7 Worship the Lord your God and serve only Him...4:16 Scott, God lead you to your wilderness, and, by His Word, he can lead you out of it. Trust that, and be joyful in trial or triumph. Be on guard, even when you are over the mountain. Speak against sin in the name of God if you are ever tempted. Love is knowing that God is Love, and that we give ourselves and everything we have over to Him. Give Him your doubts, your questions, you pains, and your trails, and He will lead you. That doesn't mean you won't fall, but when you do, just remember to get back up. Be aware of your actions while in the wilderness, will they yield conquest or consequences. The cost of living in the wilderness is priced beyond what we can imagine, the cost of getting out of it has already been paid. Prayers and blessings, Oliver |