| Author | Message | ||
| Alison1 Registered user Username: Alison1 Post Number: 143 Registered: 10-2010 |
The other day, I did my own personal study on the basic tenets of faith and made my own personal conclusions. I would like to share some of my thoughts on what I have discovered on my own. One thing that jumped out for me was 1)that we are exclusively saved, by faith, by declaring the Deity of Jesus Christ and who is He in our lives. 2) That salvation is by grace which is the forgiveness of sins that is accomplished by faith alone. Now where am I going with this. I found out for myself that yes, maybe the Seventh Day Adventists have now embraced the trinity and the deity of Jesus Christ and accept that in faith. But is their salvation sure? I came to my own conclusion that they have not. As long as they implicate works (such as the Sabbath, dietary laws, etc.) they are not saved at all (Romans chapters 3-5 and Galatians chapters 3-5 They don't realize that you cannot add to the work of God (Galatians 2:21). As we understand salvation, which is the forgiveness of sins is accomplished by faith alone. (Rom. 4:1-11). For me this really hit home for me.It has taken me a long time to really understand that I do not need to "work" my salvation anymore. For me this is freeing. And yes, I have asked God to forgive me for that wrong doing and know in my heart that I have been forgiven of doing this. My heart does go out to those who are still ensnared by the cults such Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslim, Seventh-day Adventism, etc. My heart feels so sad for those who still believe that the Seventh-day Adventists are the remnant church. And I really hate to say this but this includes even the Seventh-day Church of God and all the splinter groups from the Worldwide Church of God. Now that I have recognize this in my life, I now want to pray for those who are caught up with the faith + works mentality. Thank you for letting me share this with the group. | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 14204 Registered: 12-2003  |
Alison, praise God! Yes, you are right...and the freedom is amazing. Thanks for sharing; I understand your sadness and concern. Colleen | ||
| Butterfly_poette Registered user Username: Butterfly_poette Post Number: 289 Registered: 5-2011  |
Cults also make a big deal out of being the "one true church" and having leaders with "special insight" so everyone thinks they have to do what they say. Cults also tell people they are only saved if they stay in their group. If you leave, you are lost. | ||
| Wiredog Registered user Username: Wiredog Post Number: 296 Registered: 8-2010  |
Alison, Also what I have noticed and maybe you will too as you look at where we all came from is that Cults seem to "major in the minors" as my Sr. Pastor says. To unpack that we'd say, rather than excelling on and explaining the major points of Christianity (e.g., the Gospel, the completed work of Christ on the Cross, etc.) they focus on niche or debatable points that are not salvific or appear to give them some "unique" item with which to attract people. Often they are false when closely examined. Can we name a few? America's role in the book of Revelation. The scapegoat being Satan. EGW's "prophetic" gift, a special resurrection for those who physically pierced Jesus side, etc. |
