degrees

[gatheredfragments]

I've been in love with Jesus since as far back as I can remember, around five years old when I got to see him hold a lamb in his arms in a coloring book page.  From there He has been with me in the most amazing circumstances. 

God has in His soveriegnty put me on a road that traveled many spiritual concepts, and I for one believe when Jesus spoke to satan in the desert, and said "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God"...that he meant God's voice would be evident to his children no matter where their footsteps fell. 

I've never believed in eternal damnation. It is not life promoting.  It is not forgiving.  It is not love.  (Although there are things in us, and in our world that need destroyed!) Jesus died that we can all be forgiven, that we can live out our lives and grow into agape love and learn to forgive as near as possible to His own power of love. 

I suffered horrid experiences as a child.  I am an overcomer.  Glory to God on High for all this, but moreso the glory of that a damaged and hurt being could grow by the example of Christ's love to forgive those that put the injury upon it.  AND...then...by the power of God's love, see those generational sins evaporate and healing come to the one's that were lost, despite the conditional understanding they have themselves.

God is THE GOD of reconciliation, of restoration, of resurrection.  HE is the same, yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  What was forgiven by the blood sacrifice of Jesus is eternal. 

I am in sanctification.  I am pleased and thankful, and I have my tough moments when the dross gets burned off.  And then in tears and joy, I find myself shedding another degree of selfishness, and seeing those that I would have had my will over, set free in the love of God himself. 

God is love.  He teaches us to love in degrees, or as has been explained by baptisms.

All I know, is I am in love to the depth of my spirit, and the submission of my soul, and I don't mind if I'm uncomfortable, although you might hear me whine now and then.   :mblush:

The LORD of all creation complete his perfect will.  Yes.

[Kratos]

Gathered,

Great post and great attitude. Praising Him with you,

John

[Redlettervoice]

I "just now" read what you wrote about JUDE and I responded a bit. Then I clicked on your
other posts, which I am reading now to get a little more idea of your spirit.  I "thought" so!
Don't know "who" you are, but know WHO you are trusting!  Identifying with you!  And wish
to thank you for your words.  Blessings to you.  There are some "believers" too, who will NOT
perish!  Thank God, reminds me of what is written in Revelation there where it says, "a few
names that have NOT defiled" their "garments" ..........enduring substance, for that which has
been "given" from HIM will return to HIM.  God bless.

[Cardinal]

 :thumbsup: Good post, GF..........

[Chaplain]

Gathered,

That was a beautifully posted; you must truly walk with Christ!

It is interesting to me because the word Eternal and Everlasting are too often confused as being interchangeable in many denominations, but the fact is they are not!

The word ETERNAL: has the word meaning of- No beginning and No end.
The only "thing" that is Eternal is God himself.
Everything he created has a beginning... (having a starting point).
Some things He created will go on forever, thus we get the word EVERLASTING; (having a beginning but no end).

The Bible teaches that hell is a place of Eternal Fire, and "not" Everlasting Fire.
In other words: Sins being burnt off by Eternal Fire or God's Fire are very Biblical; and would signify that hell will not last forever.
In my opinion it is bad theology to confuse the word everlasting with the word eternal, but the Church has done this continually.
Furthermore, the Bible teaches us, that people who know Christ are baptized by fire and water continually while here on earth...

So I agree with you, I do not believe that hell is forever. Or who would be the people that walk the earth after it is renewed by fire?
It is my opinion that it is everyone who is not apart of the Bride of Christ!

It is my shared opinion that God will not lose anything or anyone, after this "Church-age" is over, as He is Omnipotent and truly complete!

Great Post, I loved it!