Almost saved- so near and yet so far

[Scott Hutchinson]

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

Where do you get that from? Sounds awful sweet but brother, if I'm heading toward an eternal flame I'd want somebody to tell me no matter how bad it hurts! Why are we so afraid to tell people where they're going? With the rapture right around the corner, why waste time trying to make people happy, trying to be nice? We can be nice all the way to hell, but I'm not interested.

I'm not suggesting that we are not to warn the lost.But there are folks in church who love to pick apart everybody in church,but when it comes to someone pointing something out in their life,they scream bloody murder so to speak.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

This is typical response whenever truth is unveiled, "Oh, I don't want to judge, let's just leave that up to God." Well, we have a BIG problem here. Do you really want to just wait until you're standing before God to find out whether or not you made it? Wouldn't you rather have someone telling you the truth, truth that may hurt but truth that will save your soul?

This thread was opened beautifully! Is it really worht an earring, a beard, a glittery watch? Do you really need to show your elbows that bad? Why does everyone want to see how close to the edge they can get?

Hell just isn't worth it!

Bro Ogatt? Is that you?

[noeticknight]

Originally Posted by OnTheFritz

I'm willing to take the chance that this isn't what God is all about. Yep, I'm willing to risk it.

Make that two.

[El Predicador]

Originally Posted by missourimary

So near and yet so far... another version:

Power went out a couple weeks ago so I went by the local Dennys to grab a bite and read.

Even from a distance the family which walked in was obviously Apostolic.

The mother and daughter had long hair to the middle of their backs, and the man was dressed nice and with a long sleeved shirt.

I instantly felt that rush when you unexpectedly come across a fellow Apostolic.

Then they got closer.

First I heard them speak roughly to the waitress, demanding a better table. Then I noticed them call the waitress several times for things that they could have easily gotten themselves, and cause a stir when she tried to take care of someone else before coming back to them yet again. As they walked to the buffet line, the daughter pushed in front of me without even an "excuse me". None of them said hello, though they must have seen that we were Apostolic too... when I tried to smile and nod to them, they turned away with frowns. When they left, the waitress sighed. They'd left her $3.00 and an invitation card to their church.

So near and yet so far.

1 John 4:7-8 "beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God, and everyone that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God for God is love..."

If you look the part, other Apostolics may recognize you as one of them. But it's only if you act the part that the world will recognize you as having something they need.

Excellent

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by El Predicador

Excellent

Said just like Mr Burns.

[El Predicador]

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

This thread was opened beautifully! Is it really worht an earring, a beard, a glittery watch? Do you really need to show your elbows that bad? Why does everyone want to see how close to the edge they can get?

Hell just isn't worth it!

Nothing is worth it !!

[Socialite]

Originally Posted by El Predicador

Nothing is worth it !!

What a waste of my 5 minutes.

[OldPathsII]

Originally Posted by Socialite

What a waste of my 5 minutes.

Five minutes could be used to change your eternity. That wouldn't be a waste.

[Jason B]

Originally Posted by OldPathsII

This is typical response whenever truth is unveiled, "Oh, I don't want to judge, let's just leave that up to God." Well, we have a BIG problem here. Do you really want to just wait until you're standing before God to find out whether or not you made it? Wouldn't you rather have someone telling you the truth, truth that may hurt but truth that will save your soul?

This thread was opened beautifully! Is it really worht an earring, a beard, a glittery watch? Do you really need to show your elbows that bad? Why does everyone want to see how close to the edge they can get? Hell just isn't worth it!

Now thats what I call a zinger. LOL Revealing your elbows is "close to the edge" and hell just isn't worth a "beard".

This would be funny if it wasn't so sad. Your view of God is of one who rules with an iron fist, who is a dicator, and who is waiting to see if you put on a t-shirt so you can burn in hell with murders, theives, adulters, and the like.

I can imagine that conversation in the context of a conversation at the local county jail,
Q "So what are you in for?
A. Murder 1

Q. What about you?
A. Possesion and intent to distribute

[the two look over to the new guy-obviously looking out of place]
Q. What are you here for?
A. multiple offenses, I didn't shave for 3 days, got hot while mowing the yard and rolled up my sleeves, revealing my ungodly elbows, and wore a brass watch from the local dollar store. Also, my wife will be arriving shortly, my child had some gum in her hair, and my wife had to use scissors to get it out. Captial offense where we're from.

OPII you're right HELL ISN'T WORTH IT. There is NOTHING worth missing heaven for. But in all our desire to make heaven, we need to realize that the source of our salvation isn't ourselves or our own righteousness. It is the grace of God and the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to us through faith. Thus we need not fear, viewing God as a judge seeking to condemn us, but rather knowing that Jesus Christ is our advocate, who never loses a case, and has already defeated death and hell.

[UnTraditional]

I want to live as close to God as possible, and He has placed things within me to want to live. But, when there is no power of God, men make rules. This is now what I am seeing, a lack of God's powers and rules implemented to mask what is missing. And, let me say this that I know of good Baptist brethren who live more saved that some Ultra-Con Apostolics.