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Well Nick, On the human side it always feels good to be supported and looked after, and it is your Forum, and I know that you did not intend it to produce dispute, but only a good spirit, and I am sure that you are a faithful ally to any who are your friends, so I am sure everyone feels goodness in your support, and I can't help but feel that too.
I feel "another" message though coming up here, and feel compelled to say it. I have gathered that Terry is coming from a Jehovah Witness stand, and many likley are aware that it's a strong stand so that these people feel truly convicted about their beliefs, and they also feel that what they are doing is trying to provide the real truth for our benefit. So even though we may disagree and might be offended by the differences in beliefs, these people's feeling is sort of like they are trying to help you, to offer you the true way to God. So I can't really despise anyone for that.
But I learned myself along the way that I don't have the full copyright on God, but he is able to make himself known to other people just as he has to me, and other people are ale to hear and know him, just like me. When I get into trying to give someone the entire outline, which points out all their lack of knowledge, it only offends people and it can give the impression that "How could I ever meet the standard if I have to know all this."
God isn't that hard, and how can he be if he says a child can perceive him? It may be true that the Holidays originated from pagan ideas but God looks on man's heart and many a heart sees and feels and celebrates the rising of Christ on this day, and I am sure God is not offended by that.
The J. W.'s have never been willing to believe me that I do know God and am saved, because my Salvation doesn't coincide with their beliefs, but regardless of what "religion" someone claims, and even being a person of long time and strong faith, with obvious evidence of God in my life, I have come to realize that I cannot judge another man's faith, which is between him and God. God is not restricted by man's forms of religion, but he can meet any man's heart in any place, and I have seen evidence of Christ and his Spirit in people who participate in religions that I do not agree with.
But anyway, if Love is God's Spirit and we claim his Spirit, and the presence of his Spirit of Love is the evidence of him far more than any knowledge or beliefs we claim, then this kind of Love that is his is able and willing to understand and care for even those who disagree with us, to look past even offences and recognize what may be sincere motives. We ought to not let pride divide us or cause us to have anomosity toward others, because Jesus did not have anomosity even toward those who crucified him.
Even if we are right about something, religious debate stirs up strife and God himself assigns this to evil, and perhaps because human pride rises in these kind of atmospheres, and human pride is like having a log in my eye while I try to pull the sliver out of my brothers; it's blinding.
God's Love and feeling anomisty toward someone are contrary; we can't possess both at the same time. If God is not offended by our lack of understanding, we should not either be offended. Man is not our enemy or God's enemy, but he loves us all. I'm sure you all agree.
Love kim
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