Been doin’ a lot of thinkin’ lately. About things spiritual. How and why things are the way they are. And I’m starting to once again redefine my beliefs and thoughts. Perhaps redefine is too strong, how’s about fine tune and sharpen?
It all started with a song I sang (the one with BT and BIL) called Cry Out to Jesus. Something pulled me to that song but I wasn’t sure what it was. Perhaps the simplicity. Then, #1 buys me this book called Ragamuffins or something like that. Again, about the simplicity of God’s plan.
The questions have just been flowing, most without answers of course, but flowing nonetheless. What is salvation? What is forgiveness? I’ve long seen the Pharisaical approach the church has taken through the centuries, in my opinion we’re in the same boat today as we were when Jesus first appeared on the scene. I’ve thought that I was bucking the trend in my own way until I came upon this paradox: which came first? Forgiveness or repentence?
Best I can tell (lately) is that we were forgiven first. Yet most of what we hear in church takes the opposite approach and teaches us that we must repent, THEN be saved. Check out the “sinners” prayer: please do and please show me where that is in the Bilbe. I’m waiting.
Late.
Cherry says
December 30, 2005 at 6:37 amThank you BD for sharing your soul with us. You are loved
The Sinner’s Prayer:
Romans: Chapter 10 verse 9-10-13
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him
from the dead, thou shalt be Saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto Salvation. For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be Saved………………..
Bigjolly says
December 30, 2005 at 8:16 amAh, very interesting. Yes, that is what the Bible says (go figure). But what is known as The Sinners Prayer in evangelical circles always includes something about repentance – where is that part found?