Thoughts on Falling Away

by special request...

falling away thats one of those things you don't usually get asked
about.I'll give you the heady systematic theology answer first. In its
simplified from is stated as such; Those who are truly saved will be
preserved until the end, and those who are preserved at the end were
truly saved.

Sounds like a whole bunch of double talk right. It's the P in TULIP
(preservation) it's what baptist call "eternal security" you know once
saved always saved and all that. What about the "fire insurance"
conversions? The get your life right before Jesus comes or before you
get in a car accident and spend your eternity in hell folks.

I just can't swallow a sinners prayer "open sesame" salvation.

Salvation is a process it's the already and not yet it is bringing
down the kingdom and fleshing it out. The idea of falling away is for
those who are not submitted as sheep to the shepherd. If a wolf hangs
out in the pasture and wears a coat of wool whole life and learns to
eat sheep food and baah (in tongues) real well it does not make him a
sheep. A sheep is completely submitted to the shepherd and is always
following.

Now always following does not mean never sinning. But salvation is a
higher calling than just taking the name sheep (christian) it means
seeking to learn submission in every aspect of life.

The only "eternal security" is a life of continuous discipleship. I
sin, but I am a disciple of Christ I am always seeking to know him
more and understand/ recognize his voice more clearly. Sometimes I am
disobedient but thats why I have authority in my life and
accountability, and have made myself a part of a community.

Scripture says people will do a lot of stuff in HIS name and on
judgment day will be asked to depart from the presence of God because
he NEVER knew them. Once God knows you and you truly know God I don't
think your going anywhere.

What of those who follow passionately for a while and turn away and
come back? If they truly seeking God presently the past is irrelevant.
Did they lose their salvation? The past is irrelevant. What if they
get hit by a bus before the can come back. That is not for us to judge
the souls of man. We can only judge the fruit of man and check what
bears witness with our spirit.

At what point does disobedience become denial of the Holy Spirit.
When we stop bearing fruit, no man can say when this happens. It is a
matter of the inner man and we don't have the ability to understand
such things. It could be instant, a week, two years or it could be
someone who struggles with sin for years but is always mindful of God
and truly desiring growth.

But remember the Christian walk is one of victory. Not to say we are
untroubled or tempted or even that we don't deal with the effects of
sin. We do. But greater is he that is in us than he that is in the
world. Ultimately we should not suffer for years with the same
affliction.

All that to say the systematic theology answer is right as long as
your definition of salvation is correct. Sorry this was so long I hope
you answered your question. I am not worried about loosing my
salvation, outside of that I can only look at peoples fruit and check
my spirit. The rest is up to GOD.

j.

Rants Rent and Lent

Forty days without meat, sweets or spirits. It’s not the latest diet fad out of Los Angeles, and unless the Vatican hired a marketing team this year it probably wont be in any fitness magazines. I would love to se Lent repackaged as the Vata-kins diet. It would help make sense out of the astonishing number of holy fasters that come out this time of year.

Growing up with one side of my family Irish Catholic it always amazed me how many people in my family got spiritual whenever Lent came around. I suppose it’s a step up from the Christmas and Easter only crowd. It’s almost like a contest of who can out fast whom. Aunt Jan is giving up sweets, well uncle Jim is giving up sweets and cigarettes. Not to be outdone Grandma Unice will see your sweets and cigarettes and raise you a bottle of wine.

Why is it that every year, three or four days after Lent starts, people finally start catching on, and I guarantee all over the world people are having the same conversation. Where someone who is seriously talking about their commitment to fast or give up something is surrounded by would be comedians making jokes about giving up shaving, (legs, beard, etc) or class or something stupid like paying bills. But my absolute favorite is when people give up smoking for Lent. If you’re going to quit for that long why not just give it up for good? But hey with all the money you save on shaving cream, the electric bill, and cigarettes maybe you can buy a new lung.

Any way, Catholic or not I think the spirit of Lent is great. The idea of giving up something to develop a closer relationship with God should always be encouraged. It’s one of those things that has to come out of a spirit of growth and not religious pressure. So while you may not loose a ton of weight, or save a bunch of money you just might hear a word or two from our Father. Which believe it or not is better than meat, sweets, and spirits.

This is a piece I wrote for the opinions section of the Lee Clarion
J.

True Wuv or just You, Wuv

An entire day day dedicated to a concept wonderfully misunderstood by most, and truly displayed by few.

Love is supposed to be birthed out of selflessness, yet the very term "I love you" starts with "I".
Love is supposed to be patient, yet how often do the single cry, "when will my other come!"

Have we forgotten the words of Christ who said, "Greater love hat no man than this, that he gives his life for another." Guess what that doesn't mean just diving in front of a bullet for someone, it's a deeper call than that. To give one's life is to give up one's greatest most prized possession (self) for the benefit and well being of others.

Love is kind...when someone stays over your house do you give them the nicest bed, pillow, blanket, in the house or do we offer the "guest materials" i.e. the broken futon, some couch pillows, a sheet and the care bear comforter thats been sitting in the closet for who knows how long. I am exaggerating but do you get my point.

I am talking about not letting your self be a variant in the love process, truly going the extra mile, giving your extra coat etc...

You (that is to say you all) are loved by the father, don't keep it all to your self.

God the father is love, we are called to be and do what we see HIM doing, we are called to do and be a standard of love.

THE BEGINNING
j.