Dear Barbara,
Thank you for your post. If I implied in any way shape or form that I set myself up as judge of anyone, that was not my intent. We will all stand before God alone, and He will judge each one.
However, that being said, all I am proclaiming is what the Gospel says. Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no man cometh to the Father but by me". That is not mysterious, dear sister.
Paul said in Galations that if any man (or woman) comes preaching any other Gospel than what I have preached, let him/her be accursed. That is very strong and clear language.
I have the utmost respect for the jew and the buddist's right and privilege to worship and seek God as they choose. But if Jesus Christ is not their savior and Lord of their life, in love someone must tell them the truth, they are eternally lost without Christ's shed blood over them.
I recently read a brief biography of George Fox. Dear Brother Fox did not give any hint that he believed contrary to what I have stated above. If you know otherwise, please tell me/show me.
Yes, I would welcome the jew, the buddist, the drunk, the pervert, anyone into a meeting, as long as they are orderly. Let the light shine upon them and in them. But if they are not fed truth according to the glorioius Gospel, we have not extended them love.
The Bible plainly states that God is love. It also announces God's love that we did not merit has been extended to us in an unprecidented way by Him sending His only Son to die in our place. That is the good news of the Gospel. If this is not the message of the Christian, it is not good news.
Other ways require personal works of self achieved righteousness. It is called "religion". Christianity has nothing to do with religious works. Christianity, regardless of the label or denomination must place all it's eternal hope in what Jesus has already done for us and imparted to us by our faith in Him.
Paul said that it is impossible to please God without faith. But that faith dear sister, must have the proper object. The object of the faith of a christian is the cross, what Jesus did there on our behalf. If this is not the source of your eternal hope, then I do not judge you, but my concern is for the security of your soul for all eternity.
I do admit that I am more in line with the FUM than any other branch of Quakerism. I have contemplated starting a meeting here in Baton Rouge of FUM. I have enquired with the FUM for assistance in doing that. But that does not stop me from meeting with the friends here in Baton Rouge. I did go to the meeting here a couple weeks ago, and in fact, intend on going again this coming First Day, Lord willing. I did not disrupt this meeting when I went. I sat in silence with all, enjoying my salvation and the fellowship with God that it affords me. At one point in the meeting, I did read aloud the first 5 verses of Psalm 103. I had no discussions or contentions with anyone, and left in peace.
Only God sees the heart. Only God can judge. Those who's eternal hope is in the shed blood of Jesus Christ on their behalf have already passed from judgement into light. But faith in Jesus Christ is not one of many ways, in my humble understanding of scripture, He is the only Way. Thanks be to God. His righteousness is imputed to me by my faith, and I find rest in my soul holding all my eternal hope in what He has already won for me. Paul said in Ephesians, that we are already seated with Him at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places. How can this be? Because in God's eyes, we are already home. Alleluia.
It cannot be my heart to offend anyone. But the Gospel itself offends some. So be it. I am obligated to speak the truth in love. The results are up to God by His Son, through the working of the Holy Spirit. To God be the Glory, now and forever amen.
