PowderedGold
22nd July 2007, 02:09 PM
First of all, many thanks to everyone who's sent me birthday wishes :hug:
I would like to share a little anecdote with all of you that concerns one of the more important spiritual revelations of my life and hear any opinions you may have on this particular revelation because, to me, it is very powerful and a major part of why I am a Christian.
Years ago, when I was still being indoctrinated into my cult (go to www.cultwatch.org (http://www.cultwatch.org), click on "Cults" and then "ICC" for more details), my minister, a fellow member, and myself had a private meeting at my minister's apartment where we also had our weekly Bible studies. The topic was Christ's crucifixion (am I spelling that right?)
Chris, my minister, asked me to close my eyes while he read a very vivid and eloquently written prose description of Christ's arrest, crucifixion. He wanted me to listen to his words, imagine the scene, and try to experience as much as I could of what Jesus suffered.
He explained that Christ loved humanity so much that he was willing to suffer this agony and death to offer redemption to mankind, even if they weren't deserving (as we all known none of us are.)
This is a powerful message, but not wholly convincing to me. I think that most people would suffer torment and death if it would give all mankind a chance to enter heaven, including themselves. I think there are even many people who would do it simply to ensure their families and close friends access to eternal life.
My revelation was this: Christ didn't just die on the cross to redeem mankind. He suffered betrayal, torture, humiliation, and death for ME. He did it for me, personally. Even if he knew, in his omniscience, that no one else on the whole planet was going to accept his offer, Christ loved me, myself, me personally, enough to suffer torture and death just so that I, someone who couldn't possibly be less deserving, would have just the CHANCE to enter heaven, even if I might refuse. That's how much he loved me.
THAT is a powerful thought to me.
I would like to share a little anecdote with all of you that concerns one of the more important spiritual revelations of my life and hear any opinions you may have on this particular revelation because, to me, it is very powerful and a major part of why I am a Christian.
Years ago, when I was still being indoctrinated into my cult (go to www.cultwatch.org (http://www.cultwatch.org), click on "Cults" and then "ICC" for more details), my minister, a fellow member, and myself had a private meeting at my minister's apartment where we also had our weekly Bible studies. The topic was Christ's crucifixion (am I spelling that right?)
Chris, my minister, asked me to close my eyes while he read a very vivid and eloquently written prose description of Christ's arrest, crucifixion. He wanted me to listen to his words, imagine the scene, and try to experience as much as I could of what Jesus suffered.
He explained that Christ loved humanity so much that he was willing to suffer this agony and death to offer redemption to mankind, even if they weren't deserving (as we all known none of us are.)
This is a powerful message, but not wholly convincing to me. I think that most people would suffer torment and death if it would give all mankind a chance to enter heaven, including themselves. I think there are even many people who would do it simply to ensure their families and close friends access to eternal life.
My revelation was this: Christ didn't just die on the cross to redeem mankind. He suffered betrayal, torture, humiliation, and death for ME. He did it for me, personally. Even if he knew, in his omniscience, that no one else on the whole planet was going to accept his offer, Christ loved me, myself, me personally, enough to suffer torture and death just so that I, someone who couldn't possibly be less deserving, would have just the CHANCE to enter heaven, even if I might refuse. That's how much he loved me.
THAT is a powerful thought to me.