Submitted by oh really, Dec 7, 2007 12:49

Thanks for the comments, Mr. Peel. I truly appreciate them.

I didn't think that I would return to this site, but alas, here I am.

Like I said before, I come from an eclectic background and find much of religion to be just personal interpretations. I also find it difficult to figure out how anyone can say that his/her views are the absolute correct ones when I remember the scriptures also stating that the scriptures are not open for "personal interpretation." Moreover, with all the different opinions out there, how do we reconcile the statement that God is not a God of confusion. Man's interpretations of religous matters is absolutely confusing. How then does HE establish truth on the earth? These facts and others akin to them stump me when I view religions. Why the upside down nature to it all? Is it possible that there is no true church on the earth no matter what world religion one dissects? It sure looks that way. Though faith is the foundation to it all, just believing is insufficient when HE clearly states we can KNOW.

Compounding this is the fact that IF the Bible is absolutely 100% correct (IE 1+1=2 and not 1.9999999), why are there so many different interpretations, so many different translations, so many bickerings and wars connected to it, so many other punches flung by fellow Christians, etc. Frankly, it makes me sick to associate with bashers and other hate mongers no matter what religion they are connected to. The bashers remind me of the forgotten scripture talking about yanking the sliver out of someone else's eye when there is a beam in my own.

And hopefully, I am not coming across as a basher. That is NOT my intention. Email is fraught with the reality that it does not adequately transfer humble tones -- the tone with which I patiently and gently share my feelings. Mr. Peel, as the Savior does, I, and not nearly to the eternal capacity that HE gives, do love you as a brother.

Again, granting that my eclectic background gives me a different interpretation and perspective on matters than your interpretations and perspectives, I do know that one of the main reasons why Jehovah of the Old Testament (Jesus of the New Testament) spoke strongly to the Israelites was that they had this penchant for running off with other man-made and pagan gods. I would say mankind has not changed. Man!! Just read the story of Moses hauling the Israelites out of Egypt. How short were their memories and respect for truth??

HE had to sternly reprimand the Israelites time after time, many times leaving them to wander in the wilderness (figuratively and literally) and then as He promised in Amos 3:7, HE would call an authorized prophet (not the other way around) and attempt to establish truth among these lost people all over again. Which leads to wonder why HE doesn't do that nowadays. Are we not in need of some form of "correcting?" Probably more than ever before, I sure think our world needs at least one true prophet. Or has HE? Do we know? If so, how would we know?

Why does HE warn us of false prophets in the last days? If there are false prophets (teachers), where are the true ones? Can we have one without the other? Up-down, hot-cold, on-off, true-false,...

Would a modern-day Moses, so to speak, give a message that the "common folk" (you and I) would accept or reject? If history is any example, you and I would more than likely reject the message. And I doubt that any "modern prophet" would bring a top-10, hit-parade message. As I read the scriptures, they were scorned by the masses.

So, this leaves me wondering what to do, where to go, who to trust, etc. Personally, I really wonder. I know that day will come when I will KNOW. He promised all of us that in the last days, He would restore all things to the earth. Since He had a prophet on the earth for 4,000 years plus or minus a couple hundred years, I assume He would use the same approach. Would He not use the same approach with His gospel as taught by HIS Son, Jesus Christ? What is that really? Whose interpretation? Like the people at the time of Christ, would the true message sound close to their own traditions and interpretations, but different enough to be rejected by the masses? I wonder.

So many questions. So few CLEAR answers.

I know Jesus is my Savior. I know it. I also know that I am saved by grace and not by accumlated works of my own; however, I also know that IF I do not act according to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and seek to serve others even when it is not convenient, I can and will lose that eternal gift. I know that I must watch out for the poor and needy through diligent and continuous action on my part. That is, as I read the New Testament, the definition of true religion. I must walk the talk or lose my salvation.

Wow!! I just noticed how long this is. Sorry. I wish you well and a Merry Christmas season. God bless.

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