My heart is breaking…I know I use that phrase a lot but that’s because it’s pretty much the truth. I feel in my chest a pinching and a pain, a desire to cry but no real incentive. I am so frustrated with people…people I’m somewhat close to. And as I say this, I want no one to be confused into thinking that I am perfect…I’m still working out my own salvation in fear and trembling….but…Isaiah 42:14.
Why is it so hard to believe in TRUTH? Why is it so hard to think that there is only ONE WAY to do things and that if you step outside of that way you are in sin? Why is this such a hard thing for Christians to handle? I know that it seems crude and unfair to condemn people and hold them to a standard that they “don’t know.” But the Bible clearly points out that they have no excuse. In Romans 1:18-20 it says, “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” God has made a way for every man and woman to see His glory. It is written in the stars. It is written in the sunset and the sunrise. It is written in the way the trees change color. It is written on our hearts. God has placed the truth in us, He has given everyone access to it. And those of us who are Christians…we see it…we know where to find it…hopefully without doubt. He gave us the Bible which is His clear plan for how to live life. He tells us to “stand firm in your faith, [or] you will not stand at all” (Isaiah 7:9). As Christians we are not told to condemn anyone (Romans 2:1 “for in that you judge another, you condemn yourself”), because there is NO condemnation in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), but we are told to not be “ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). So by being ashamed of the fact that there ARE strict guidelines that we are given to follow, we are denying someone else the opportunity to see a living example of that power that brings salvation. You, by choosing to allow gray (a tainted white…which DOES NOT resemble God) in your life, is you living out of fear of man.
Should you shun those who don’t agree with you? NO! Love is fuel of this fire. Jesus hung out with a lot of people who didn’t live the way He did. But He did not change His beliefs to accommodate. He said, “I am THE way, THE truth, and THE life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6). He was very clear, there is only one way to heaven…and one way to true peace (Isaiah 48:22). Christ always presented the Truth in love. The truth being that: God is good and He always and only does what is right. He is the only way to get to heaven. That there is only one Truth and anything that strays from this is a lie. That you should love your neighbor as yourself, no matter what he or she believes. Love is not always warm and fuzzy….sometimes it feels like a spankin’. Please don’t change your beliefs for the sake of being afraid to offend someone, fear of man is something we are warned against. Let us not be known for being wimpy-wimpy, shakey-shakey, chicken-chicken Christians, it does not make Christ look any better. Besides you aren’t doing anyone any favors, and you certainly aren’t being very Christ like. IT’S ALL ABOUT THE TRUTH IN LOVE!
Redeemed only by His blood and grace,
Ashley Erin Amania Ruth
Eating My Way Through It 
I want to reply but a simple Xanga comment won’t suffice. Next time at Bona…
Beautiful indeed. I was caught up in reading the passages in Ezekiel 17 and 33 last night where it talks about the christian of yesteryear (the Old testament) being always held to this unbelieveable set of rules and rigid laws that absolutely no one could live with, but all were known according to their desires and abilities to live the best they could. That’s all they had. I COULDN’T DO IT! Then I went in search for who *I* am supposed to be and under what *I* am supposed to live. Romans 2 and 3 became alive one more time for me. Here are the verses that did it for me. Romans 3:21-22 says But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. GLORY!! No matter who we are… no matter what we’ve done… no matter what we WILL ever do. If you got Jesus, you got it ALL! Let’s give Him a lil’ PRAISE!
~beJeweled
i miss you…
*sad pouty face with arms open for a hug*
I was talking to a guy in my Spanish class about that… he was really mad and confused because of all of the religions out there, when in the past he claimed to be a Christian. So I asked him why he had to be confused when he had the One true God. And then he brought up the Davinci Code. I told him that that had already been disproved and it was just like all ofthe other religions out there where ppl were trying to create a religionthat would ‘suite their opinions’ so to speak. And he felt alot better when i did not condemn him for feeling like that, but for supprting him with the Truth, which brings Life
Love yah
Hannah
GOOD JOB, Hannah!!! Great comment! Great and MIGHTY comment! =)
And fanx, Erins. Yes, it’s a cute poem. I like it. I like reading it out loud to people cuz I get to have the little kid voice that peaks and giggles while saying “do it again, do it again!!”
We’re watching this really dumb show right now about this guy who’s trying to get all these SUPER different people to come together in an office and work together. It’s strange. 30 Rock? I dunno. It’s just the dumbness…. I definitely see it.
~beJeweled
DANG IT! This laptop is getting annoying!
Oh well, all I have to say is wow, so…
Wow. This is some pretty powerful stuff, and look “Ms. Ashley Erin Amania Ruth Stricker” I LOVE YOU! And don’t you forget it! And umm, wait umm…
Sorry I forgot what I was about to say. Well you know what I mean, wait no you don’t. Well What I was meaning is this is an awesome entry, actually one of the best entries (that I’ve seen). Thanks for the verses. well gotta go! LOVE YOU ASHLEY!!! see ya sis. Oh yea and don’t forget to check out my new and improved xanga sight! Especially my sight title thing, it’s from one of the songs I just recently wrote. And watch the video at the bottom left hand corner, I don’t think you would like the one on the right =P. well see ya.
-Josiah
I agree with your comment totally. However I was watching Donnie Darko and those thoughts ran through my head. So I felt like posing the question. But thanks for the input.