RE: [TruthTalk] Crucial Doctrines

[ShieldsFamily]

Terry,   I like that answer. That’s what I have to do when I get overwhelmed by the complexities of theology or life: go back to the basics.  Did God not make it possible for a little child to be saved? Have you ever known a child with Down’s Syndrome who lit up at the name of Jesus? Surely if a child can know Jesus and be saved, there is hope for us. I think it is when we get mired down in too many rules and regulations and doctrines that we lose sight of the purity of our faith in Christ, and Him crucified.  That is when we start judging others harshly.   Love and obey Him inasmuch as He has revealed His will to you. Walk in patient, gentle love for your fellow human beings, which at times is only possible if you keep the weight of your own sinful tendencies foremost in your mind. When I find myself growing irritable or angry (say in traffic!) I say out loud, “Thank You, Lord, for showing me my own sin.” Suddenly the urge to be angry goes away. I see us all for what we are: fellow travelers with a heavy tendency to sin, which can only be lifted by Him. In my weakness He is strong. PTL! J   Izzy   -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] On Behalf Of Terry Clifton Sent: Sunday, December 22, 2002 9:24 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Crucial Doctrines   This is a very complex question for a simple person such as my self, but let me answer as best I can.   Jesus gave Christians two commands.  1. Love GOD......... more than anything else....... or any one else.  2.  Love your neighbor as yourself.  If you do that, you will have a desire to follow the instructions ( Take up your cross daily, be an OBEDIENT servant, don't be part of the world system) and honestly do your best to please our Lord.  If we do that, He sees that our heart is right, even when we do not have all our ducks in a row.  God knows that we are not perfect, and He knows our heart.  If our heart is right, we have no reason to fear an honest mistake.   Blessings, Terry   -------Original Message-------   From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Sunday, December 22, 2002 08:26:32 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [TruthTalk] Crucial Doctrines   A general question for all TT'ers: With all of the haggling going on about correct doctrines, I'm wondering how important "correct doctrine" really is to getting into heaven when we die. For instance, will St. Peter be standing at the gate with a multiple-choice questionnaire and if we miss the right answer, say, on "Is the Holy Spirit a person or a force?", a buzzer goes off and the floor opens below us, and we fall into hell? My point is, it seems to me that it is less important where we ARE on the continuum of right and wrong doctrine than it is in what DIRECTION we are going. Are we headed towards God, or away? Are we really seeking Truth, or not? I believe that ALL truth leads to Jesus Christ. What if we don't have all the "right" answers to doctrinal questions? Is that more important to God than how we treat our fellow human beings? Is it more important than whether we tolerate sin in our lives? I know that what we believe is VERY important, because it does determine whether or not we are "Saved". But what are the CRUCIAL DOCTRINES that we must believe to be saved? Somehow I don't think that whether or not we celebrate OT holy days are one of those crucial doctrines for salvation. Isn't it all about who Jesus really is? If you have that right, can other doctrinal "mistakes" keep you out of heaven? Izzy ---------- "Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man." (Colossians 4:6) http://www.InnGlory.org If you do not want to receive posts from this list, send an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and you will be unsubscribed. If you have a friend who wants to join, tell him to send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] and he will be subscribed. . ____________________________________________________   IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here