FOR FAIR USE AND EDUCATION AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES




I've known many people in my lifetime...in my personal life, professional life, and in my "Christian" life. I've loved many, and I've disliked many, but I've been surprised by the ones who have been the meanest, most contrary, and the most judgmental to me....professing "Christians"!!

I've seen and heard some Christians say, "He's so disgusting that I hope he burns in hell forever!!" And I've heard some very self-righteous, church-going Christians say, "If you don't try to live a totally sinless life after you are saved, then you will still go to hell and burn forever!"

This thought seems to consume the minds of some Christians as they say these kinds of things with an attitude almost of "glee"...and this breaks my heart! I can't even imagine how God feels about this. Is this the "righteous judgment" talked about in John 7:24?

God did NOT make "cookie cutter" Christians. He saved each of us exactly as we are, and we are NOT all the same!! I've been told that I am "irritating" most of the time. Situations in my life have made me skeptical of most people and their motives. It's the way I am. God saved me just the way I am. I serve His purposes being this way. It's the "sand" in the oyster which "irritates" the lining....and the "pearl" is produced from this. Maybe I should have been named "Sandy". But then, my name is Arlene Vera, which means "a true pledge"...and I'm really all about the TRUTH being told.

Yet, I have dear friends who think I am the sweetest, kindest, most loving person they have ever known. I AM BOTH...but to different people! And God loves me just the way I am! And that's why I do what I do...I tell people when I believe they are wrong. But, I also rejoice when they see the truth that I point out (which is not very often, sadly). But, I go on...

Christians seem to totally misunderstand the concept of FIRE in the Bible. "God is a consuming fire"....Deut. 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29. And He tries EVERYONE by "fire"...beginning with His own Church.

L.Ray Smith is one who has a very understandable way of explaining what the "fire" of God is all about. So, I will use an article written by him in explanation of what the "fiery judgments" are all about.


Piece in the article:


"Most have at least heard of this judgment even if they have no solid understanding of what it is all about or its primary purpose. We will have a great deal to say about this judgment later. But first we will take a look at another judgment almost universally unknown in the world of Christendom. It is a judgment that involves believers, NOW!

"Peter, who was given many keys to the kingdom, introduces this judgment to us:

"Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the TIME IS COME that JUDGMENT MUST BEGIN AT THE HOUSE OF GOD..." (I Pet. 4:16-17).

"What do you know about this judgment on the house of God. Do you know anything specific? Well, don’t feel too badly, most people don’t. Apparently theologians and clergymen don’t know too much either, seeing that it is not a popular subject to teach. If they had even a superficial understanding of God’s judgments on the house of God, they wouldn’t interpret the great white throne and the lake of fire as some hideous act of divine eternal terrorism. These two judgments have much in common."


The link:

http://bible-truths.com/lake3.html


Another piece of the article:


THE BELIEVER’S JUDGMENT BY FIRE

"Well, yes, it does appear that there is a judgment on the house of God, but certainly not a judgment by FIRE, is there? Doesn’t God judge non-believers with fire, but not believers? This only sounds strange to you if you have never been taught the Scriptures.

"Beloved, think it NOT STRANGE concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some STRANGE thing happened unto you" (I Pet. 4:12).

"Peter makes it sound as though going through fiery trails is the norm rather than the exception. The New Testament is filled with the fiery trials of the Saints.

"Now I hope that none will be offended at my next few statements, but if so, so be it. Unless God Almighty through the purging power of His FIERY SPIRIT, is BURNING OUT the lusts and passions and vanity and haughtiness and greed and self-righteousness and laziness and weakness and hypocrisy and wickedness and pride and materialism and cynicism and depravity and carnality in your life, then Jesus Christ is not choosing you to reign with Him as the Sons of God in the Kingdom of God to bring all Heaven and Earth to repentance and salvation!

"And I will tell you on the authority of Jesus Christ and all the Holy Scriptures, that anyone who teaches and takes delight in thinking that God would ever torture anyone for all eternity, will NEVER BE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH SUCH AN ATTITUDE!

"Such ****able character flaws of the mind and spirit are going to be burned out of us all! God will either BURN OUT these filthy impurities from our hearts and minds NOW, or He will BURN THEM OUT IN THE LAKE OF FIRE, but either way, make no mistake about it, THESE THINGS ARE COMING OUT!!!"

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So, the next time you hear a Christian say, "If you're not saved, you will burn in hell forever", know what the truth really is.

Arlene