Stay On The Narrow Way

Sounds like you are more like me, trying to balance your own understanding of what it means to be saved vs what other groups believe salvation is.

Now, I believe salvation is ALL GOD. No one would even desire God, IF He first did not draw people to Him. No One could be justified before God; if Jesus had not accomplished what He did (Sinless Life, Suffered Died (shedding His Blood), buried, and raised the third day. No One would remain part of God; without His promise to lose NONE who were given to Him.

I will now share two stories of two individuals. One individual will fall under your legalistic side of the equation and one will fall under the lawless side. Both claim to be Christian or Believers (believing exactly what I have described above). Externally, their actions appear to match up with someone being led by the Holy Spirit. As far as I can tell, they are indeed Christian. While, I will describe each individual; I will not attempt debate and try to prove they are Saved; because they each in my opinion has a flaw –but there is no way I can claim that “flaw” means they are not saved. Heck if – flaws prevent salvation – I have MILLIONS of my own!

The Legalistic Gentleman (as you defined) is in His forties. If I had to describe him, it would be a perfectionist – a person who makes sure every “I” is dotted and every “T” is crossed. I would say he takes Pride (though he denies it) that he follows the rules. He does not work on the Sabbath (Saturday) – in fact that is his worship day. He tithes 10% of all money earned. He Funds Homeless shelters, and works to ensure the poor in his town are feed and clothed. The list could literally go on for pages. He claims he is following all the rules – because it is his way of showing the love and respect for God – for everything God has done for him – like saving him! In fact – according to him – any “Christian” who does not attempt to follow these rules that were laid out in the Bible is being disrespectful to God and does not truly Love God. He claims he understands that everyone cannot keep all the rules (thus the reason for Jesus doing what He did) – but insists that IF one does not at least make the attempt – they are dishonoring God and possibly are not saved to begin with.

The Lawless Lady (as you defined) is a lesbian (same-sex attracted). When I knew her, she was not partnered and she was in her sixties and never been married. I had spoken to her multiple times about it, and you do realize out of the entire Bible there is only one passage that even remotely talks about it (for Lesbians). That passage of course is Romans 1 – and the best interpretation one can arrive at in that passage is that it (same-sex attracted) is not that it is a sin – but a punishment. She too claims to be a Believer in Jesus Christ – she believes exactly what I describe above – meaning it is all God and none of herself. Externally, she is probably one of the most loving individuals that I have ever met. She gave of herself constantly – either meeting various individual’s needs personally – or raising awareness of the need to the church group and having the group meet the need. She passed away a few years ago, so can say nothing more about her.

In my opinion, out of the two people described above – the most Christ-Like is the Lesbian. Though I have to admit the gentleman does a lot of “Good Works” – and he does claim to know that his Good works does not save him … simply his way of honoring God.

Over five years ago, I became seriously sick with a rare form of cancer. Praise be to God, for allowing me to go into remission. During this time, I learned that things are not always – such “Cut and Dry” as people tend to make them. Reminds me of a lesson my mother told me years ago, “do not judge someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.”

The Point of that saying is of course – you have no clue how God deals with each of us as individuals. The best you can accomplish is share the exact same experiences of them and then see what your reaction was.

The reason I share these stories – is simply to show both of these individuals would have found your broad brush strokes of lumping them into one category or the other as offensive. Implying they were not Christian – even when you know nothing about them. I mention the Good Samaritan story – simply to remind – that it is best to show mercy – even it is to a supposed enemy.

Does that mean I think you should not do these pieces?

By no means! I think it right and proper that everyone should continually exam their beliefs.

But I do think it a dangerous tactic to flat out say
If someone does X, Y, or Z -- then that means they are not a “REAL CHRISTIAN”