Gay Pastor's(xupc)recent Letter to the UPCI ! ! !

[J-Roc]

Is it a lifestyle of sin and rejection of God that gets you to hell or do we believe God is very technical regarding sin (such as a lie or calling a brother/sister an idiot) and that it alone will get you a spot in hell? When the rapture takes place, do we think that the body of believers (the millions that are to be caught up in a twinkling of an eye) will all be in perfect unison and purity from any sin whatsoever in their life....or will there be a pause of 1 minute for everyone to throw in 6 Hail Marys in order to purge them of their sins...and will the ones that were sleeping at that moment get sent to the hot seat because they didn't make it in time to say their Hail Mary? Seriously, do you believe the body of believers will be in perfect purity? or do we really have a better hope in Christ knowing that his righteousness, not ours, is what makes us righteous?

[Rhoni]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

Is it a lifestyle of sin and rejection of God that gets you to hell or do we believe God is very technical regarding sin (such as a lie or calling a brother/sister an idiot) and that it alone will get you a spot in hell? When the rapture takes place, do we think that the body of believers (the millions that are to be caught up in a twinkling of an eye) will all be in perfect unison and purity from any sin whatsoever in their life....or will there be a pause of 1 minute for everyone to throw in 6 Hail Marys in order to purge them of their sins...and will the ones that were sleeping at that moment get sent to the hot seat because they didn't make it in time to say their Hail Mary? Seriously, do you believe the body of believers will be in perfect purity? or do we really have a better hope in Christ knowing that his righteousness, not ours, is what makes us righteous?

JROC,

I believe that we who are believers are covered in Christ's righteousness...yes. But as the book of Romans so clearly tells us...does the grace and mercy of God give us license to sin? NO/God Forbid!

There will be no time for hail Marys, not that they help anyway since Mary is a person just as we are, but the day of salvation for us is now. Acts 2:38, John 3:3-5 gives us the way: We must be born again of the water and the spirit. We must repent [change our thinking and behaviors to show forth fruits of repentence], be baptised in the name of Jesus for the remission of those sins, and we have the promise of the gift of His spirit to help us live a live free from the practice of sin. Evidence of this gift of His spirit is evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the spirit gives the utterance. He is the door, there is no other way...

Blessings, Rhoni

[J-Roc]

Originally Posted by Rhoni

JROC,

I believe that we who are believers are covered in Christ's righteousness...yes. But as the book of Romans so clearly tells us...does the grace and mercy of God give us license to sin? NO/God Forbid!

There will be no time for hail Marys, not that they help anyway since Mary is a person just as we are, but the day of salvation for us is now. Acts 2:38, John 3:3-5 gives us the way: We must be born again of the water and the spirit. We must repent [change our thinking and behaviors to show forth fruits of repentence], be baptised in the name of Jesus for the remission of those sins, and we have the promise of the gift of His spirit to help us live a live free from the practice of sin. Evidence of this gift of His spirit is evidenced by speaking in other tongues as the spirit gives the utterance. He is the door, there is no other way...

Blessings, Rhoni

Rhoni,

The "hail mary" part was in jest....

I am not suggesting the other side of the pendulum, either, with regards to license to sin....neither extreme is useful. But so many talk about sin as if they think believers will be in perfect purity before the throne of God when Christ comes for the church....now that is pretty silly to believe, IMO. It is this thinking, that many are in danger of self-righteousness.

That is what is so wonderful about the cross of Christ and the redeeming work he did for us at Calvary....so that while I strive to please and obey his commands because I love him and want to bring him glory....in the end, his righteousness, not mine, and his blood that cleanses my sin is what saves me...what comfort in knowing that He stands in my representation before Almighty God....ahhh, my redeemer lives...

SOMEONE PLEASE POINT ME TO THE CROSS!

[ManOfWord]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

Rhoni,

The "hail mary" part was in jest....

I am not suggesting the other side of the pendelum, either, with regards to license to sin....neither extreme is useful. But so many talk about sin as if they think believers will be in perfect purity before the throne of God when Christ comes for the church....now that is pretty silly to believe, IMO. It is this thinking, that many are in danger of self-righteousness.

That is what is so wonderful about the cross of Christ and the redeeming work he did for us at Calvary....so that while I strive to please and obey his commands because I love him and want to bring him glory....in the end, his righteousness, not mine, and his blood that cleanses my sin is what saves me...what comfort in knowing that He stands in my representation before Almighty God....ahhh, my redeemer lives...

SOMEONE PLEASE POINT ME TO THE CROSS!

Yes, thank God for the cross!!! Without it, we would all be toast!!!

It is unfortunate that in many "Apostolic" circles now and in years gone by, that the teaching has primarily been, "any unrepented for sin" will be an instant ticket to the soul roast. While that preaches great and gets many people to the altar week after week after week, I don't think it is true. There is NO WAY that everyone will completely free of sin at the moment of the rapture.

Now, we can debate 'til the cows come home at what point a person is over the "line" and is in danger of hell fire, but the only one to know that true answer is the Lord Himself. I will still try my best to call 'em like I see 'em from the scripture, but some things only preach well and don't hold up to logical or scriptural scrutiny.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by ManOfWord

Yes, thank God for the cross!!! Without it, we would all be toast!!!

It is unfortunate that in many "Apostolic" circles now and in years gone by, that the teaching has primarily been, "any unrepented for sin" will be an instant ticket to the soul roast. While that preaches great and gets many people to the altar week after week after week, I don't think it is true. There is NO WAY that everyone will completely free of sin at the moment of the rapture.
Now, we can debate 'til the cows come home at what point a person is over the "line" and is in danger of hell fire, but the only one to know that true answer is the Lord Himself. I will still try my best to call 'em like I see 'em from the scripture, but some things only preach well and don't hold up to logical or scriptural scrutiny.

You are right MOW, and that line of preaching has caused many to give up in frustration, because they felt hopeless in their efforts to be "spotless". When we talk about it being God's righteousness that we take on, then we are accused of being soft on sin. If we preach more about what Jesus has done and less about the terrible dangers of failing, more folks would believe and keep on repenting, getting up and keep walking in faith with the Lord.

[crakjak]

Originally Posted by J-Roc

Is it a lifestyle of sin and rejection of God that gets you to hell or do we believe God is very technical regarding sin (such as a lie or calling a brother/sister an idiot) and that it alone will get you a spot in hell? When the rapture takes place, do we think that the body of believers (the millions that are to be caught up in a twinkling of an eye) will all be in perfect unison and purity from any sin whatsoever in their life....or will there be a pause of 1 minute for everyone to throw in 6 Hail Marys in order to purge them of their sins...and will the ones that were sleeping at that moment get sent to the hot seat because they didn't make it in time to say their Hail Mary? Seriously, do you believe the body of believers will be in perfect purity? or do we really have a better hope in Christ knowing that his righteousness, not ours, is what makes us righteous?

Paul declares that it His righteousness, we all have seasons that we are more in tune to the Spirit in us, so it is illogical to think that we could all be in perfect purity in and of ourselves. But thank God it is the blood of Jesus that imputes God's righteousness to us. Do we just continue in sin, of course not, we submit ourselves to God and confess our sins, and as He works in us His righteousness brings us closer and closer to the image of Christ. We focus too much on what we do, and not enough on what Jesus has and continues to do on our behalf. Great questions you raise.

[Scott Hutchinson]

Stone me I eat catfish.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Scott Hutchinson

Stone me I eat catfish.

lol And I eat oysters.

I'm the author of the article for those who are interested in having an intellectual conversation about it.

[chosenbyone]

Originally Posted by brad2723

I'm the author of the article for those who are interested in having an intellectual conversation about it.

Are you sure you're ready for that, Brad?