not ashamed of the gospel

[Abigail]

Hello brothers and sisters,

I'm aware I'm mostly a 'closet' believer in Universal Reconciliation. I've been wondering lately why that is so. In the past I was ashamed of the 'gospel' that is actually not really 'good news' and rightly so. The real gospel is so wonderful, I'm absolutely not ashamed of it! Yet I find myself very cautious to tell other christians what I believe. I feel that is because of the following reasons, which may not all be so valid.

- Even though I'm convinced of UR and could not believe another gospel, I still tend to struggle with the conditional mindset in which I have always read the bible before. That is, it still comes to me almost unnoticed. I am aware I need to be founded more deeply and securely on LOVE. To have discussions with other christians that want to convince me of hell etc. is not very helpful in getting stronger.
- I love to connect with other christians, whether they believe in UR or not, when people have a heart for God. I was born again before God showed me UR, and there is a lot to share. I don't want to get into discussions when we can just have good fellowship and be united in Christ. Yet it feels somewhat uneasy when I feel I cannot be totally open.
- I'm afraid brothers and sister will reject me as a sister, and will relate only to me as a problem case / unbeliever / heretic.
- I am not very good at proving a point. I can't always remember chapters & verses very well, and I still find it hard to explain some 'difficult' verses clearly.

Recently I had to get out of my closet because of an acquaintance who is a pretty judgmental calvenist just kept talking about why people often are not 'real christians'. There was a whole list of requirements to be a real, born again christian. Since he believes Jesus died only for a select few, people cannot be sure they are one of those, unless they see a lot of proof in their lives. Their assurance was not build on Christ, but on having fruits, having somehow a revelation that they're one of the people Jesus died for, and having the right biblical view on everything.
I told him I agreed with calvinism that our salvation is all God's work, and not our own merit. But that I also believed that God wills everyone to be saved and that Christ died for the sins of the whole world. And that He has sworn by Himself that every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. At some point he asked me whether I believed all would be saved. The beautiful thing was when I said I DO, I felt such a boldness in me, such a certainty and gladness about this wonderful gospel! At that moment, the acquaintance looked at me as if I was admitting that I had committed a crime or something. But I felt such a shamelessness, to glory in this beautiful gospel.
The result by the way was that I was declared to be a non-regenerated christian, and worse, a believer in a very serious heresy, so: accursed. Which is not a big deal, because I wouldn't make the requirements anyway.

I'd just like to know what you, brothers and sisters, have experienced in being open (or not) about your beliefs. What you choose and why. And what the effects are/were for yourself and your relationships.

[Ross]

To have discussions with other christians that want to convince me of hell etc. is not very helpful in getting stronger.

I.M.O this is because it is not their time to know the truth yet.
Telling is like casting pears among swine.
This is not meant to mean we are "better" than others, just blessed to know the truth before they do- their time will come.

I'd just like to know what you, brothers and sisters, have experienced in being open (or not) about your beliefs. What you choose and why. And what the effects are/were for yourself and your relationships.

My wife and kids, siblings, parents- all have been attending church.
I have sibling ministers of church.
My father-in-law and his side of the family have been presidents of the baptist union in Western Australia.
I have an Aunt who has been a missionary in Africa and New Guinea.
I do not talk to them in depth, but will answer any question that comes up in a simple manner.
Friends I used to talk with do not bring up any religious questions.
Initially this used to concern me. Now I have been shown that they will learn the truth at their allotted/appointed time, just like I have.
No matter what we say or do we have not choice in being born in the flesh- to me, this is the same as being born in the spirit, just a different Father.
Jesus work is complete- we cannot add an iota to Hus work and grace- yet mankind tries to embellish in sooo many ways.
Fortunately mankind will be  corrected in full.

[darryl]

Hello brothers and sisters,

I'm aware I'm mostly a 'closet' believer in Universal Reconciliation. I've been wondering lately why that is so. In the past I was ashamed of the 'gospel' that is actually not really 'good news' and rightly so. The real gospel is so wonderful, I'm absolutely not ashamed of it! Yet I find myself very cautious to tell other christians what I believe. I feel that is because of the following reasons, which may not all be so valid.

- Even though I'm convinced of UR and could not believe another gospel, I still tend to struggle with the conditional mindset in which I have always read the bible before. That is, it still comes to me almost unnoticed. I am aware I need to be founded more deeply and securely on LOVE. To have discussions with other christians that want to convince me of hell etc. is not very helpful in getting stronger.
- I love to connect with other christians, whether they believe in UR or not, when people have a heart for God. I was born again before God showed me UR, and there is a lot to share. I don't want to get into discussions when we can just have good fellowship and be united in Christ. Yet it feels somewhat uneasy when I feel I cannot be totally open.
- I'm afraid brothers and sister will reject me as a sister, and will relate only to me as a problem case / unbeliever / heretic.
- I am not very good at proving a point. I can't always remember chapters & verses very well, and I still find it hard to explain some 'difficult' verses clearly.

Recently I had to get out of my closet because of an acquaintance who is a pretty judgmental calvenist just kept talking about why people often are not 'real christians'. There was a whole list of requirements to be a real, born again christian. Since he believes Jesus died only for a select few, people cannot be sure they are one of those, unless they see a lot of proof in their lives. Their assurance was not build on Christ, but on having fruits, having somehow a revelation that they're one of the people Jesus died for, and having the right biblical view on everything.
I told him I agreed with calvinism that our salvation is all God's work, and not our own merit. But that I also believed that God wills everyone to be saved and that Christ died for the sins of the whole world. And that He has sworn by Himself that every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. At some point he asked me whether I believed all would be saved. The beautiful thing was when I said I DO, I felt such a boldness in me, such a certainty and gladness about this wonderful gospel! At that moment, the acquaintance looked at me as if I was admitting that I had committed a crime or something. But I felt such a shamelessness, to glory in this beautiful gospel.
The result by the way was that I was declared to be a non-regenerated christian, and worse, a believer in a very serious heresy, so: accursed. Which is not a big deal, because I wouldn't make the requirements anyway.

I'd just like to know what you, brothers and sisters, have experienced in being open (or not) about your beliefs. What you choose and why. And what the effects are/were for yourself and your relationships.

good for u !!! :dsunny: :banana: