When I was a little girl - I was baptized in the Catholic Church... My father was raised Catholic and mom later converted. Then - my parents decided to try the Baptist Church.. - my aunt went there and so we did.. I do not remember much about that - it only lasted for a short time. I do know that my dad did not like it.. He liked his beer and this Baptist Church was against drinking. Many a time a deacon would show up at our home and my dad would scare them away... or offer them a beer.. thinking about it, I have to laugh... My dear dad, bless his soul was an ornery cuss....
When I was in junior high and high school - my parents had stopped going to church.. I would go to different youth groups with friends and my sister, Debbie. Debbie was nine years older than me and already out of the house. She had become a Christian in high school and would take me along to her studies on occasion.. I also had a neighbor that went to a Baptist church and I loved hanging out with the high school group....
When I started college - I joined a sorority and many of the girls were Catholic. So on Saturday nights (before we went out partying) we went to Mass - no way would Sunday work with the hangovers... What I loved about Mass was it was always the same.... The same prayers... the same.. order... and the church was always so pretty.. I would walk into a Catholic church and I felt like I was walking on Holy ground.. There was a message that the priest taught one night - and to this day I still remember over twenty -three years later.. It was about forgiveness. He told a story about a woman who's daughter was murdered... and after the trial and after some time.. This mother visited her daughter's killer and forgave him.. forgave him completely... I remember thinking to myself that I want to be that kind of person - someone that can forgive completely - no matter the circumstances....
I slowly stopped going to church for a while.... After I was married - Dusty and I started attending a Baptist church... I immediately developed relationships with several of the people in the congregation.. I felt like I was home... I love studying the Bible... I love to worship.... I love having a real and satisfying relationship with Jesus..
The point of this story is this - Whatever church I attended - I knew God was with me. I knew He was pleased.. I was being wrapped in His word and in His grace.. I truly do not believe that God cares what church you attend... He just wants a relationship with us... He wants to be the center of our lives... He wants us to feel and know His love up close...
Yes, there are differences in religions. But if you believe Jesus is THE ONE AND ONLY SON OF GOD AND THAT HE DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS.... we're pretty much on the same page. If you believe BY GRACE ALONE WE ARE SAVED - AND IT IS NOT EARNED... we are on the same page... We need to confess our sins and ask for forgiveness.. and we will be forgiven...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’”
There must be tolerance between religions because you might be surprised on how close we really are and surprisingly many of us are completely on the same page.... God is Good... God is Good - All the Time...
8 comments:
So, you're saying a Hindu's belief is the same as a Christ follower?
I don't have anything against people. I do have something against false teaching though.
Satan is very good at messing with our minds.
Dear Father God, I pray in Jesus' name that YOU would make it very clear who YOU are and what Your purpose & will is in our lives. Thank YOU Father God, in Jesus' name, amen.
That's not what she said at all. She is talking about the differences between Christian denominations - Catholic and Protestant, and I respect her opinion on that. Other world religions, like Islam, do not believe that Jesus is the son of God. She explicitly stated that she believes that if you believe that Jesus is the son of God and died on the cross for our sins that you have it pretty well covered.
She is, also, absolutely right in that there must be tolerances between religions (and here, I would like to add - world religions), because you might be surprised on how close we really are. Our God loves all his children - no matter how they worship him! To believe that we are part of some exclusive club, I feel, is setting ourselves up for missing some of the most amazing blessings. Just because we don't understand something, doesn't make it wrong. You can take it on faith that your walk with God is right for you, but how can you say that someone else's walk is not right for them?
Kimberly, Tammy is completely correct and thank you Tammy for clearing this. I was pointing out that if you believe Jesus is the Son of God and He died on the cross for our sins then it does not matter what the name of your faith is... as long as you believe.
Thanks, Ladies!
What a sweet sentiment :)
Yes, I agree. We are all children of the same God. But I think there needs to be a line drawn. We can all gather together as believers of God and Christ's salvation, but we can't take that to the extent that we allow Mormons, JWs, and those who believe in salvation through works to counsel and become leaders in our church. And I don't like interdenominational churches for a reason. They don't preach doctrinal issues because everyone is going to have different opinions. I want to go to church where I will grow in God's word both in life issues and in specific doctrinal issues. So I think we still need to go to the churches where we are edified in that way, but we can still gather together for worship or to friendly debate doctrinal issues.
Mmmm...good word.
I think it's beautiful that you still remember the wonderful feeling of being on Holy Ground when you entered the Church and were in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacrament...and what a great "forgiveness" story you heard...thanks for sharing that.
I think that the MERCY of Jesus is SO INFINITE AND VAST that we can trust in HIS PROMISE together; for His gift on the Cross is offered to ALL...each person is free to accept it...or not.
Thanks for the post Kelly.
I completely agree, Judy. Nice to see you!
Love,
Kelly
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