flavio said:
[bI can't really see how so much importance could be placed on the personal savior thing over Grades should be awaqrded based on performance and effort. [/b]
Take courage Flav., ya stand in a big crowd of folks who feel jus' like ya do!
It's only a natural thing to wanna "work" in order to earn our way, but that's what distinguishes the Christian faith from "religion". Religion is spelled, DO........but Biblical Christianity is spelled, DONE. ('Cause it's about exceptin' what Christ has done to make it possible for us to have a relationship with God, as well as a place with Him in Heaven for eternity.) Christ's righteousness is applied to our "account", if ya will, when we accept His sacrifice which atones for our sinful condition, by faith.
It's a free gift which cannot be earned, but rather jus' received. A very frustratin' concept, no doubt. 'Specially in a culture where self-reliance is stressed as strongly as it is, an' receivin' gifts of any kind, leaves folks feelin' like, "I owe ya one". That mindset is a tough one to get over, no question!
Sadly, all too often, folks feel like they jus' gotta get their lives in order, in order to approach this "mysterious" Holy God who punishes for sin. Not so! He wants folks to come to Him in whatever messed up state we're in, an' receive this free gift..........He loves us that much.
Don't know how many years ya've been at the business of tryin' to earn a desireable place in the "hereafter", if ya have, but I'm 33, an' I tried alot of different ways of appeasin' my conscience in those regards. Nothin' I tried left me with any lastin' sense satisfaction that I could truely be found acceptable in the sight of a Holy God............I'm jus' too selfish!
A person has to let go of the attitude of pride that says, "I don't need God's help, I can do this thing myself", which is, perhaps the most difficult hurdle to get over. Typically, most folk trip over this one, fall, an' never get back up to even try again.
Interestingly, I find that God knows, very well, how to bring down even the stongest-willed folks amoung us, an' many curse Him for it, but I'm greatful that He allowed me to get over myself long enough to believe, an' be set free from the endless treadmill of tryin' to earn my own way, (which is impossible, accordin' to His word)!
He won't force the free will He gave ya, Flav. Ya gotta wanna get off the treadmill. When yer ready, you'll find Him there to set ya free as well.
For what it's worth, that' my 2 cents.........Peace bro.
