Are you sure you can enter the gate? Matt 7:21-23 Jesus say to Christians "Depart From Me..."

layhoma said:

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]My Brothers and Sisters, what do think ? am I any close to your interpretation of the verse or do you have a different one you would like to share. I am always quick to listen and slow to talk.[/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] [/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] [/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]Blessings![/background]

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Hey layhoma! Actually, I think you are pretty much on the ball! Those verses may sound like Jesus is turning away Christians, but the simple fact is they 'never knew him', or he them. It is not enough to say Jesus is in your life. It's not enough to go to Church and sing the songs and put money in the plate. It's not enough to say you're a Christian. As you say, to 'know' Jesus, we must have a relationship with him. We must receive a new heart and the Holy Spirit and then walk in our faith and love, becoming closer to, and more like Christ.
None of us are perfect...Jesus interpreted those two 'commands' down to thoughts, just to prove that no one can measure up. It shows how much we need him...not just as a salvational 'figurehead', but as someone actively involved in our lives, helping us grow and enabling us to effect real changes for the better. Without that help, we are forever stuck in our sinful lives.

Jesus is teaching that, for those in our midst who willfully pervert scripture, He never knew them. There are many wolves in sheeps clothing today, and one of the biggest lies they teach is that the law was done away with. Nowhere do we find any of the law 'cancelled' out, only the sacrificial ordinances, as Christ was THE sacrifice above all else. His blood atones for the sins of His sheep.

In 1st Timothy 2:3-4 we're taught by Paul; "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God." This 'falling away' is considered the apostasy and we clearly live in those days when so many -- especially among the Christian ranks -- seek to do away with Jesus' eternal and unchanging Laws.

God never changes (Malachi 3:16) and Jesus warned us in John 14:6; "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" meaning that any other person claiming to offer the 'way, truth or life' is an obvious false prophet and antichrist by Biblical definition. Concerning the apostasy, the Master also taught us; "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity [lawlessness] shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:11-13)." It's my hope that this particular study will help other Christians to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 1:3)" and help us all to never fall aside to these 'new doctrines.'

Following on the heels of 'taking away' both the Word and crucial baptism are those sham prophets that like to teach against the eternal Law of Yahweh the Law-Giver. The enemy will do all they can to keep you as an 'unclean vessel' and sin is what separates us from God being "a transgression of the Law" as we can read in 1 John 3:4; "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." The unchanging food laws are usually where evil men will start sowing their lawlessness in the hopes that well-meaning Christians will eat swine or buzzard in order to defile themselves. Ironically, most of the false prophets who promote the eating of unclean foods are also the ones who abstain from it themselves while pushing that immoral agenda. The Law is essential, it's what we're judged against by the 'living Word' so we must always contrast man's teachings with that of the Bible and when they don't correlate we have to choose the scriptures, period.

Jesus taught "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil [perfect]. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:17-18). Do those sound like the words of a Savior who 'abolished the Law of Yahweh? The strange thing is that Jesus taught the Law, carried a script of Deuteronomy, continually battled against the scribes and Pharisees who sought to replace the Mosaic Law yet the tireless snakes love to push Biblical lawlessness on the children of God.

In Deuteronomy 7:9-10 we're taught; "Know therefore that Yahweh thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face." Also, over in Ecclesiastes 12:13 we learn; "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man" so anyone that would teach against the Law of Yahweh is seeking to promote the kingdom of 'the lawless one' or 'the prince of this world (John 12:31)." The 'whole duty' of man is to fear [reverence] Yahweh and keep His eternal Law.
Jesus plainly taught "If ye love me, keep my commandments" in John 14:15 among other places so naturally the only way the serpent enemy can support their lawless agenda is to teach the erroneous doctrine that Jesus isn't God. This is the very aspect that defines them as antichrist according to the four Biblical definitions of the very word yet so many 'money changers' love to say that 'all gods are one' or that Jesus Christ is just a 'good man' or 'excellent prophet.' The Word of God teaches that there is only oneGod and His name is Jesus or Emmanuel (God with us) and that "by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they bethrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence (Colossians 1:16-18)."

Thankfully, we're saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8) but the Law given by Yahweh is in a sense the only real glimpse of the 'morality' of Yahweh and we must always strive to please our Father. In Leviticus 11:14 it states; "For I am Yahweh your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy" so let's do all we can to follow His commands.

layhoma said:

Matthew 7:14

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it[/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)].[/background]

Matthew[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] 7:21-23[/background]

Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to Me,'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day,'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them,'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.

Frankly, These two verses had me petrified for many years. The more I hear from Christians sharing their interpretations by trying to find scriptural references that may explain or crack the code, the more confuse it gets. Here are two basic arguments I've often hear or have read:

1. Free Salvationist- Salvation comes to anyone who has "faith," and faith is nothing more than believing the correct doctrines about Jesus. Such faith is simple to accomplish and easy to identify. That is why "salvation by faith" is so gracious. We are saved by faith alone.

2. Lorship Salvationist- Salvation comes to the one who has faith, but faith involves much more than mere doctrinal beliefs. True faith must be lived out, and it inevitably leads to good works.

So what do you think is the key to unlock the mystery of Matthew 7:21-23 ? Do we all Christians practice lawlessness ? I think so because I personally feel that anyone who breaks the 10 commandment is considered practicing lawlessness. No one is sinless, no saints, not Billy Graham and not even the Pope! If anyone of us could abide the 10 commandment there would be no need for Jesus to die for us. His blood cleanse us from sins in the past, present and future. He came because He knew we couldn't fulfill the law. Each day we need to continually pray for his forgiveness because we all fall short in the Glory of God.

Do we need to spell out our imperfections? I'll just name a simple two that I know I will never overcome:

1 John 3:15 " [background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don't have eternal life within them."[/background]


[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]Matthew 5:27,28[/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] " [/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]You have heard that it was said, "Do not commit adultery. But I tell you anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already has committed adultery with her in his heart".[/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]Just recently I have come to a revelation from a good Brother in Christ and helped me solve this equation. The reason why Jesus would turn some of us away is because there will be those who never had a [/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]RELATIONSHIP[/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] with Him. It's just that simple ![/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]In my crude attempt to define a relationship with Jesus. I would say and ask myself if I have ever truly trusted in HIS guidance, blindfolded figuratively speaking, that I would make no attempt to depend on my own strength, wits or power but totally submit to HIM wholeheartedly to lead my life for better or for worst and know HE would always gives us the best even in situations that appear to be grim. Look past all the good works and lawlessness, these are superficial (but not unimportant) compared to having a genuine relationship with Jesus depended simply in trusting HIM.[/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]My apologies because creative writing has never been my strong suit and English is my second language so you will have to deal with my dramatic usage of words.[/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]This is not a doctrine but just a revelation revealed to me through the Holy Spirit in addition to some inspirations from my Brother in Christ.[/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]My Brothers and Sisters, what do think ? am I any close to your interpretation of the verse or do you have a different one you would like to share. I am always quick to listen and slow to talk.[/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] [/background][background=rgb(249, 253, 255)] [/background]

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]Blessings![/background]

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layhoma, Hi

What I say...

As for vices, you will over come, if you will not give up on Jesus. Continue to read the bible.

You asked what these scriptures mean...

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

[background=rgb(249, 253, 255)]What Jesus is saying here is that he is the way and few there be that find him.[/background]

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Here Jesus is talking about false religions. People are being deceived by false teachings. They need to read the bible, all of it several times to see if they are being lied to.

So what Jesus is saying...

There are churches that are force feeding lies to people to appease their appetite for sin.

About two thousand years ago Jesus said...

Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Continue to read the bible and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you, pray that God will make a eunuch "pure thoughts." even with your love, to bring forth children only. When I would be out helping the homeless I asked God over and over, "Dear God help me to love my enemies." Love is the gift of God, no man knowing it, he being evil."

This is what the Holy Spirit has taught me.

Love, from your brother in Christ.

-Roger, God's Scribe

Roger said:

layhoma, Hi

What I say...

As for vices, you will over come, if you will not give up on Jesus. Continue to read the bible.

You asked what these scriptures mean...

Matthew 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

[background=rgb(249,253,255)]What Jesus is saying here is that he is the way and few there be that find him.[/background]

Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Here Jesus is talking about false religions. People are being deceived by false teachings. They need to read the bible, all of it several times to see if they are being lied to.

So what Jesus is saying...

There are churches that are force feeding lies to people to appease their appetite for sin.

About two thousand years ago Jesus said...

Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Continue to read the bible and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you, pray that God will make a eunuch "pure thoughts." even with your love, to bring forth children only. When I would be out helping the homeless I asked God over and over, "Dear God help me to love my enemies." Love is the gift of God, no man knowing it, he being evil."

This is what the Holy Spirit has taught me.

Love, from your brother in Christ.

-Roger, God's Scribe

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Your problem Roger is that you are denying that Jesus left us a church , Jesus only form His Church ,Why aren't you a member of His Church ?

you all seem to say pretty much say the same thing. i believe you are all right. here are a few other things that were shown me by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to Me,'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day,'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them,'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.

lets look at the first portion of this verse. "Not everyone who says to Me,'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven". in this verse we know that that the ones Jesus is referring too are those that are saved. why we know this is because you don't call Jesus Lord if you are not saved. now i believe the kingdom of heaven is referring to a reward. i will explain how i come up with this later. but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. this part refers to how well we follow and obey the commands of God. Many will say to Me on that day,'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles? And then I will declare to them,'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS. this part also shows us that the ones Jesus was referring to are saved. look at what is happening. people are getting set free from demons, miracles being performed, and ect all in Jesus' name. some think that this is talking of satan's doing but that cannot be because Jesus already addressed this when he talked of how one kingdom cannot be divided against itself or it will fall. so these people had to be doing these things in Jesus' name and thus must be saved. the thing is that God will use us to display his glory no matter where we are in our relationship with Christ. so who are these people that will enter into the kingdom of heaven and who are doing the will of God? the above posts make it pretty clear who God is referring to. it is those that are hot for God.

now as to the kingdom of heaven as the reward. this part i am still putting together as to how it will work. but what is being referred to as the kingdom of heaven is the millennium. it is those that will get an experience of what the future holds after the 1000 years are up. the few who are chosen will rein with Jesus as his bride in the new jerusalem while the many who were called will be those that live outside new jerusalem and after the 1000 years when satan will be released will be deceived to come against God. sorry but this part is a new study that i am doing and i am a little uncertain still how all the pieces fit together. this is just what i understand so far.

God bless

neophyte said:

Your problem Roger is that you are denying that Jesus left us a church , Jesus only form His Church ,Why aren't you a member of His Church ?

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neophyte, Hi

Let me tell you a story , it is called...

The man who talked to himself.

One evening John, George and Butch and I where sitting together in Ferdinand Plaza Park, Pensacola. Across the way on another bench a young man came and sat down.
He was talking very loud to himself, so I said to my friends, "I'm going to pray the deliverance prayer for him and you repeat the words I say. After we finished praying
the young man was quiet. George jumped up and said, "Roger, we need to go over there," but I said, "No, but he will come over to me and sit down in front of me."
What do you think he did? Yes, he came over and sat down in front of me. George jumped up and said, "Roger, he did everything you said."

Jesus said, To him that believes greater works shall he do than I have done...

Therefore...

Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

I say to you...

John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Go and do you likewise.

Love is the Law of God. I love you.

-Roger, God's Scribe

Roger said:

neophyte, Hi

Let me tell you a story , it is called...

The man who talked to himself.

One evening John, George and Butch and I where sitting together in Ferdinand Plaza Park, Pensacola. Across the way on another bench a young man came and sat down.
He was talking very loud to himself, so I said to my friends, "I'm going to pray the deliverance prayer for him and you repeat the words I say. After we finished praying
the young man was quiet. George jumped up and said, "Roger, we need to go over there," but I said, "No, but he will come over to me and sit down in front of me."
What do you think he did? Yes, he came over and sat down in front of me. George jumped up and said, "Roger, he did everything you said."

Jesus said, To him that believes greater works shall he do than I have done...

Therefore...

Luke 8:35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

I say to you...

John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

Go and do you likewise.

Love is the Law of God. I love you.

-Roger, God's Scribe

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Roger,
If the Bible canon is necessary for our salvation, but Christ did not reveal it to His apostles, then Christ must have established an authority that would guarantee the early Christians' determination of the Bible canon after He ascended into heaven. This authority is the Holy Catholic Church.
There was no Bible as you know it for 400 years after Christ's death, and it wasn't even distributed for 1500 years after His death. If the Bible is the only way to get us to heaven, then what happened to those millions of poor souls who never had a Bible during the 1500 year period? Roger, you need to get familiar with basic history. Jesus Christ established a Church to proclaim the good news. He never intended on having the Bible be the sole infallible guide for the Christian faith. This is why the Catholic Church is one, and your Protestant denominations are 30,000.
The Catholic Church wrote, translated, copied, and preserved God's written word throughout the ages. That is the only reason you even have a Bible. Quit trying to interpret the Scriptures without the Church, because it is the Bible in the Church, the Church before the Bible, the Bible and the Church (both or neither).

neophyte said:

Roger,
If the Bible canon is necessary for our salvation, but Christ did not reveal it to His apostles, then Christ must have established an authority that would guarantee the early Christians' determination of the Bible canon after He ascended into heaven. This authority is the Holy Catholic Church.
There was no Bible as you know it for 400 years after Christ's death, and it wasn't even distributed for 1500 years after His death. If the Bible is the only way to get us to heaven, then what happened to those millions of poor souls who never had a Bible during the 1500 year period? Roger, you need to get familiar with basic history. Jesus Christ established a Church to proclaim the good news. He never intended on having the Bible be the sole infallible guide for the Christian faith. This is why the Catholic Church is one, and your Protestant denominations are 30,000.
The Catholic Church wrote, translated, copied, and preserved God's written word throughout the ages. That is the only reason you even have a Bible. Quit trying to interpret the Scriptures without the Church, because it is the Bible in the Church, the Church before the Bible, the Bible and the Church (both or neither).

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layhoma, Hi

Hope you don't mind me answering neophyte, I'm not wanting to hijack your thread.

neophyte, Hi

I have many Catholic friends. I have an agreement with the building manager of knights of Columbus to park my car in their parking lot because they know I help the homeless.

I have Catholic friends who serve our Lord Jesus out front of the abortion clinics. I have stood with them in their prayers off and on for the past several years and have given several of them gifts, gifts that my Lord lead me to give them. I serve all people no matter what they believe. For all that call upon the Lord Jesus is welcome in my house. Therefore I belong to Christ and I'm God's Scribe appointed by him to write his words and to make him happy by saving souls.

Saving Souls...

I speak face to face with anyone that God leads me to. I serve God because I love him and Jesus brought me to him. God sent me his Spirit...

John 14:25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.

I know the doctrine of your faith, but I have seen God I have heard his voice and I obey his voice, therefore the voice of man does not seduce me.

I don't write for Satan, I write for God. I will not serve two masters. Therefore I see Jesus through the eye of the needle, all have sinned Old testament Saints and New Testament Saints we all need Jesus.

My eye is fixed on the prize of the high calling.

PHILIPPIANS 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore I love you, I will be there for you on that day because I have prayed for you. I have prayed for you that your faith fail not. I know you know that scripture.

The Lord Jesus is always with us in our time of need, look to him and see God's Love, his heart is Jesus sent down to save us, look to him.

Praise God and sing psalms. And, "Oh God give him your heart."

Love.

-Roger, God's Scribe

Jesus defines us,we do not define him
Jesus defines Christianity,not us
Jesus defines love,not us,if we don't like his definition of love it's too bad.
Jesus defines justice,not us
Jesus defines sin,what the word of God calls sin is sin period,regardless of any emotional response to it,regardless of any arguement based on human emotion and logic to defend it.
To know Jesus is to accept his definitions,his judgements and his lordship and to deny ourselves,our emotions,our reasoning and our logic...to abandon it all in faith..to be an empty vessel that can be filled and made acceptable to a holy God.

MATTHEW 7: 21-23
The attack on the false prophets is continued, but is broadened to include those disciples who perform works of healing and exocism in the name of Jesus { Lord } but live evil lives.
Entrance into the kingdom is only for those who do the will of the Father. On the day of judgment [ on that day ] the morally corrupt prophets and miracle workers will be rejected by Jesus.
'
7, 23:' I never knew you:' cf Mt. 10,33 .' Depart from me , you evildoers:' cf Ps 6, 9.

7,24-27: The conclusion of the discourse [ cf Lk 6, 47 - 49 ]. Here the relation is not between saying and doing as in vv 15-23 but between hearing and doing, and the words of Jesus are applied to every Christian [ everyone who listens ]

7, 28 - 29:' When Jesus finished these words': this or a similar formular is used by Matthew to conclude each of the five great discourses of Jesus [ cf Mt 11, 1; 13, 53; 19, 1; 26,1 ]
'
7, 29:' Not as their scribe': scribal instruction was a faithful handing down of the traditions of earlier teachers; Jesus' teaching is based on his own authority. "Their scribes": for the implications of their, see the note on Mt, 4, 23.

Note from Mt 4,23: " Their synagogues": Matthew usually designates the Jewish synagogues as their synagogue [ s ] [ Mt 9, 35; 10, 17; 12,9; 13, 54 ] or, in address to Jews , " your synagogues " [ Mt 23, 24 ], an indication that he wrote after the break between church and synagogue.

layhoma said:

Evil lives and morally corrupted. If you could elaborate. Do these include certain living styles or bondage that one still has in this life, that through continual confession and repentance but still couldn't get rid of even till the dying day ? Say if this person is stuck with 'lust of the eyes' eg.pornography, 'lust of the flesh' eg. Alcohol; who felt remorseful but the root is so deep that one couldn't break such addiction. Would that constitute evil & morally corrupted lives counted against him/her something that he/she felt couldn't overcome ?

The reason why I'm asking is if there is difference between doing evil in respect with:

1. Intention to commit in the name of grace, enjoy and without remorse
2. Commit because of under the noose of addition, hate it but felt hopeless trapped

In the end when reporting in at the gate, would if make a difference?

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You mentioned continued confession and repentance. First of all your sins must be properly confessed [ prov. 28:13 ] and you must truly be sorry for your sins. God already knows your sins ,so if you are not sincere ,you are only fooling yourself. God gave us 'free will ' God tests us when we confess to a priest [ 2nd Corinthians 2:10 ] in Luke 16:10 The authority to forgive or retain sins was given to His apostles/successors

Through the Sacrament of Penance- That besides remitting your sins, the Sacrament -
a] restores your union and friendship with God;
b] increases God's life in you;
c] gives you the strength to avoid sin in the future

layhoma said:

Hi neophyte ! Thanks for your insights. I shall research it a little more and pray for God's illumination and guidance.

Blessings!

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Layhoma, thank you and God Bless you also

Lahoma,
Jesus is saying that not all who claim to be Christians will enter into heaven. I am not sure where the scripture is, but Christ also wondered when he returned, would he find any faith. Being a Christian is wonderful, but not everone lives as Jesus would have them to. The second verse is when he judges those with sin. I think those words, " I never knew you" are the saddest word to ever be spoken. To think of the horrible death he went through for us and some don't even bother to thank him.

Look around you. Are the books, movies, friends, clothes, etc. things you would not be ashamed of if Jesus walked into your house? Would you be excited at seeing him or trying to hide things you don't want him to see? Are you anxiously waiting to hear him say, "well done, my good and faithful servant."? Hold onto your faith and try not to over analyse the Bible. It is simple and when God is ready for you to have a certain knowledge, he will reveal it to you as you read the Word.
May God bless you, Grandma

grandma dolittle said:

Lahoma,
Jesus is saying that not all who claim to be Christians will enter into heaven. I am not sure where the scripture is, but Christ also wondered when he returned, would he find any faith. Being a Christian is wonderful, but not everone lives as Jesus would have them to. The second verse is when he judges those with sin. I think those words, " I never knew you" are the saddest word to ever be spoken. To think of the horrible death he went through for us and some don't even bother to thank him.

Look around you. Are the books, movies, friends, clothes, etc. things you would not be ashamed of if Jesus walked into your house? Would you be excited at seeing him or trying to hide things you don't want him to see? Are you anxiously waiting to hear him say, "well done, my good and faithful servant."? Hold onto your faith and try not to over analyse the Bible. It is simple and when God is ready for you to have a certain knowledge, he will reveal it to you as you read the Word.
May God bless you, Grandma

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Good advice Grandma Dolittle, allow me to add : But please read the Holy Bible as it was intended . The Holy Bible has only "one" interpretation. [ 2nd Peter 3:16 ; John 20: 30 ; 2 Thess. 2: 15 ]

neophyte said:

Roger,
If the Bible canon is necessary for our salvation, but Christ did not reveal it to His apostles, then Christ must have established an authority that would guarantee the early Christians' determination of the Bible canon after He ascended into heaven. This authority is the Holy Catholic Church.
There was no Bible as you know it for 400 years after Christ's death, and it wasn't even distributed for 1500 years after His death. If the Bible is the only way to get us to heaven, then what happened to those millions of poor souls who never had a Bible during the 1500 year period? Roger, you need to get familiar with basic history. Jesus Christ established a Church to proclaim the good news. He never intended on having the Bible be the sole infallible guide for the Christian faith. This is why the Catholic Church is one, and your Protestant denominations are 30,000.
The Catholic Church wrote, translated, copied, and preserved God's written word throughout the ages. That is the only reason you even have a Bible. Quit trying to interpret the Scriptures without the Church, because it is the Bible in the Church, the Church before the Bible, the Bible and the Church (both or neither).

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Sorry... but you need to study your history closer. The RCC tried to destroy the Bible as we know it and the writers. Check our your first popes. They were not chosen by God, but many bought their office and squabbled with others to have sole power. Some had mistresses, and little boys. One murdered his son-in-law to get his daughter to marry a man who would enrich him. Remember Leo !? he called himself Lord of the Chruch, said any resistance to his authority was a sure way to hell, instituted the death penalty for heresy. Does that sound like others put him into office or that he really represented Jesus? Remember Nicklas 1st? He put on a crown and gave a list of bishops and councils who want to elevate him to pope? They turned out to be forgeries. The 200 years between Nicklas 1st to Gregory VII is filled with bribery, corruption, immorality,and bloodshed. (Read Midnight of the Dark Ages.)Boniface VII murdered Pope John XIV and took his office. Sergius III had Theordora and her two daughters as mistress and they bore him bastard sons. ( Rule of the Harlots). I could give you more, but I need to get ready for church. Just don't give these men and those like him credit for the Bible. They killed the ones who really translated the Bible so the poor people could read for them selves and did not have to take the priest's or Pope's word for what God said. It was often not the same.

grandma dolittle said:

Sorry... but you need to study your history closer. The RCC tried to destroy the Bible as we know it and the writers. Check our your first popes. They were not chosen by God, but many bought their office and squabbled with others to have sole power. Some had mistresses, and little boys. One murdered his son-in-law to get his daughter to marry a man who would enrich him. Remember Leo !? he called himself Lord of the Chruch, said any resistance to his authority was a sure way to hell, instituted the death penalty for heresy. Does that sound like others put him into office or that he really represented Jesus? Remember Nicklas 1st? He put on a crown and gave a list of bishops and councils who want to elevate him to pope? They turned out to be forgeries. The 200 years between Nicklas 1st to Gregory VII is filled with bribery, corruption, immorality,and bloodshed. (Read Midnight of the Dark Ages.)Boniface VII murdered Pope John XIV and took his office. Sergius III had Theordora and her two daughters as mistress and they bore him bastard sons. ( Rule of the Harlots). I could give you more, but I need to get ready for church. Just don't give these men and those like him credit for the Bible. They killed the ones who really translated the Bible so the poor people could read for them selves and did not have to take the priest's or Pope's word for what God said. It was often not the same.

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It is rare that a noncatholic instructs a Catholic to study their church history more.....why are you trying to discredit the authority of the Catholic Church? As a noncatholic, you have the luxury of distancing yourself from all of your leaders....why are you trying to point out the obvious flaws of Catholic leaders? We both believe that our doctrines are not affected by the misdeeds of those individuals that hold office.