Tim is right, and that is exactly what I am trying to point out. Whether or not you found the "
channel" (which I take to mean the YouTube channel, which, by the way, is not my ministry) to be "
very good" is irrelevant to this conversation. It's almost like you're saying, "
If anyone disagrees with me, then they should ignore it because I like Chris's channel..." That's not reasonable, that's not how we do things in the church, and that's not how we are reconciled to one another.
Furthermore, the testimony that you gave in your first introduction post was quite strange. I know that is not what you came here expecting to hear, but I will tell you the truth. I was trying to patient with you at first and get one thing settled at a time, but I need to address this now: What you told us in your introduction was not how the Bible teaches us men are saved.
I can explain it briefly, but if you want the full scope of what I am saying, and you enjoy what I teach, you should listen to this series because I believe it is much more important since it is the foundation of Christian doctrine:
https://youtu.be/NEI_H3QUb7Q?t=20There was nothing in what you wrote that testified of the law, guilt, sin, or repentance. Instead, you told us you saw a "
white light," and then believed. However, the Bible teaches us that even Satan himself can appear as angel of light:
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
-2Co 11:13-15There are numerous people I have found to be false converts and false teachers who claim they were saved because they saw a light or saw an angel. But Paul, by the Holy Spirit of God, taught us that men come to faith and are saved from the hearing of the law:
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
-Gal 3:24The hearing of the law is what brings men to repentance. The word 'repent' means "grief," and in terms of salvation, it means "godly sorrow of sin."
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
-2Co 7:9-10This is why Jesus told His disciples to teach "
repentance and remission of sins," which means godly sorrow of wrongdoing to the forgiveness of sin.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
-Luke 24:44-47No man can be saved without this, which is why Jesus said that they would all perish without repentance.
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
-Luke 13:3
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
-2Pe 3:9This is better described by Jesus in the parable of the Pharisee and the publican (i.e. tax collector), in which the publican was inwardly and deeply pained in grief and sorrow of his wrongdoing, and sought the Lord for mercy; therefore, he was given "
justification," which is salvation unto life:
And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
-Luke 18:9-14A man who is born again in Christ has come to the grief and godly sorrow of repentance, believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, and is saved. I will now review your testimony in the order of events that you presented to us to compare it to that doctrine:
1. You called out to Jesus.
2. You saw a white light and became born again.
3. You struggled with a medical issue for two years.
4. You began to be faithful.
5. You started exercising.
6. You left mainstream church buildings.
Did I miss any other important event in what you wrote? Based on what I read in Scripture versus what you told us here, it does not line up. Now, that being said, perhaps you are one of those people who struggles with writing and are not always very clear, and that's understandable; you are always welcome to clarify, but the problem is when you are struggling to accept correction on something so very simple as who you are addressing when you speak, it stands to reason that you will, in your heart, outright reject everything I just said.
Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die.
-Pro 15:10Nonetheless, I have to address these things because I care more about your soul than anything else, and I do not want anyone to be deceived, especially when it comes to salvation.
