It's Never Enough - Page 4

Steve Epley · #31 07-10-2009, 09:48 PM

When I was young and unlearned I felt that way because I didn't understand the concepts taught in scripture. I have felt that way in decades I am saved it is NOT a struggle I am not barely making it, I am living a victorious life in Him. He is my strength, the Holy Ghost is a keeper, Jesus loves me I am His child. Heaven is on my side, the blood is on my side, the angels are on my side, the church is on my side, the ministry is on my side. I am a WINNER.
His commandments are NOT grevious and He is my burden bearer.
I love living for God just like I am living do NOT feel sorry for me.

berkeley · #32 07-10-2009, 11:10 PM

Great post Mike!

commonsense · #33 07-11-2009, 09:57 AM

Moniker,
I understand what you're saying. I've seen churches that use that method of keeping saints saved. You never measure up.
There are good pastors and churches out there that do not dwell on our shortcomings.

The key is a relationship with Him and let the Holy Ghost lead and guide you.

But, yes, it can be hard to ignore the judgement from the "saints".

moniker · #34 07-11-2009, 11:33 AM

Thanks for the encouragement.

Sometimes I feel like I'm in a cult because I do things I don't want to in order to please other people. It's like my life is not my own.

ILG · #35 07-11-2009, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moniker

My parents were the type of people that were the first ones to church, and the last to leave. They were in the Apostolic faith for several years. They raised their family in that way.

But when us kids became teenagers, my mom and dad started slipping in their commitment to the church and God. They eventually left the Apostolic faith and didn't go to church anywhere for many years.

I stayed in church even after my parents left. I never understood why they left it. I was angry at them over it. Years later, I finally got up the nerve and asked my parents why they made the choice to leave. They both said that they never felt saved. They felt like it didn't matter what they did, it was never enough.

It didn't matter if they were baptized, talked in tongues and tithed. It didn't matter if they were committed and faithful. They were always led to believe they needed to do more. They left the church because they got tired of feeling defeated. That they weren't good enough. That they were always just one little mistake away from death and Hell.

There was no joy in their lives.

For a long time I thought they said these things as an excuse to sin. But here I am, years later, and I feel the same way now they did back then.

It's never enough. No matter what I do, it's never enough. Someone is always standing by to tell me my service is not enough, my giving is not enough and the way I dress is not enough.

Someone is sizing up my kids to see if they measure up. Someone is judging my productivity. Someone is gauging my worship. And no matter how well I do, it's never enough.

There's no joy in this way.

That's how I felt when I was in the UPC. Left four years ago. I feel a lot better now.

HopePreacher · #36 07-11-2009, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Praxeas

Define "works based". Works based to me would be a church that teaches you can save yourself by your works. Yes I know Apostolic churches that do not stress works as a means to being saved.

That's one side of works based. Another side is "if you don't do these works (standards, obedience to pastor, tithe, etc...) you wn't stay saved, or maybe you weren't ever saved."

HopePreacher · #37 07-11-2009, 12:15 PM

Has anyone considered the point that there is so much dissention, judgmentalism, and divisiveness that comes out of the most conservative element in the body?

There's no getting around it; a standards oriented assembly is a works based assembly. A point in fact; if you are in a standards oriented assembly, what is the attitude of the folks in your assembly when a woman attends your services with short hair, make-up and jewelry; and she raises her hands to the Lord and worships him in tongues? I'm not talking about a new convert, I'm talking about a seasoned saint. Would they be accepted just like they are? Would they be allowed to minister from the platform?

I have been in Pentecost all of my life and I have been faithful to God in ministry, yet I am not allowed to preach in UPC churches. Why do you think that is? It certainly isn't because they are grace oriented, or love oriented.

OH well, just the rantings of an old man....

*AQuietPlace* · #38 07-11-2009, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopePreacher

Has anyone considered the point that there is so much dissention, judgmentalism, and divisiveness that comes out of the most conservative element in the body?

There's no getting around it; a standards oriented assembly is a works based assembly. A point in fact; if you are in a standards oriented assembly, what is the attitude of the folks in your assembly when a woman attends your services with short hair, make-up and jewelry; and she raises her hands to the Lord and worships him in tongues? I'm not talking about a new convert, I'm talking about a seasoned saint. Would they be accepted just like they are?

She would be viewed as unsaved.

HopePreacher · #39 07-11-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

She would be viewed as unsaved.

based upon what scripture?

*AQuietPlace* · #40 07-11-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HopePreacher

based upon what scripture?

I didn't say there was a scripture.

I just said she would be viewed by my conservative fellowship group as unsaved. That's just the way it is. I didn't say I agreed with it.

The majority of conservative churches that I've been around believe that the standards are salvational.

(yes, I know there are exceptions, I'm speaking of my personal experience)

Or they might think she was possibly saved at that moment, if she didn't know better, but she'd better learn quickly if she wanted to stay saved.