Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: emery@tc.fluke.COM (John Emery) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: I am looking for a little help on my road Message-ID: Date: 14 Jun 91 03:38:49 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: John Fluke Mfg. Co., Inc., Everett, WA Lines: 112 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article mroz@ug.cs.dal.ca (Martin Mroz) writes: >Disclaimer: Mr. Mroz has given me permission to use this account. Anything >I post may not correspond with the beliefs of Mr. Mroz. Any replies to what >I write may be sent to this account and it will be forwarded to me. > Thank you for your time and consideration. > M. Elliott Siteman M. Elliot, May God bless you and fulfill His purpose for you! > ------------------------------------------------------------------- >I am a postulant for ordination in the Anglican Church of Canada, and I am >seeking any and all help that I can from my fellow Christians, be they clergy >or laity. > >The source of my inquiry is in the form of a story that I cannot find an >answer to. > >The story is: > > One fine day you are walking down one of the main streets in your city >and a ragged looking man comes up to me and says, "Hello, (here he uses you own name, for example:) Elliott, my name is Jesus Christ." > > >The question about this story is: > > Would you believe this man? How would you know if it was or was not >Jesus Christ standing in front of you? Ask him to show you the nail marks in his hands and the wound in his side (John 20:27). Did he come in the clouds of heaven (Acts 1:11)? Does his face shine like the sun in all its brillance? Are his eyes like blazing fire? Are his feet like bronze glowing in a furnace? Is his voice like the sound of many waters? (Revelation 1:14-15)? Do you recognize his voice? (John 10:27). > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > >This has caused me a great deal of trouble in my thinking about the calling >that I am following. I know that my calling is to the Priesthood but I know >that I can never be ordained until I can answer this seemingly simple >question in some way, shape, or form. >Anything that any of you can write, say, relate, explain, or what have you >would be most helpful to me in my faith journey toward the service of God, >Christ, andt he Spirit. > >Thank you, M. Elliott Siteman, B.A. (Vind.) M. Elliot, what I perceive you really want is to prove to yourself that you are devoted enough to enter the ministry. In the gospels, Peter does some things that at first seem noble. First of Jesus wants to wash his feet, but Peter says "No, Lord, you shall never wash my feet" (John 13:8). And when Jesus predicted that Peter would deny him, Peter said "Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will" (Matthew 26:33). And the Scripture goes on to say: But Peter declared, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the other disciples said the same. (verse 35) Yet they all failed. The key is that Peter had faith in his ability and believed himself to be self-sufficient in having what it takes to follow Jesus. But those who have faith in themselves will fail because it is written: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.." (Romans 3:23). But those whose have faith in Jesus will be victorious: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!" (Galatians 2:20-21) Paul explains it this way: "I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning in the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" (Galatians 3:2-3) So what does God want? He wants you to wholeheartedly follow Him. But you can't do it, Only Jesus can do it through you. He wants you to love Him with all your heart, but you can't do it. However, as it is written "God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us" (Romans 5:5). He wants your life to be acceptable to Him, however you can't do it. But "having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand." (Romans 5:1-2). You can't fulfill God's plan for you life. The only way it can happen is by Jesus living in your heart and doing it for you. As it is written: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). So instead of work, surrender to Him and believe that He will do it. Scripture confirms this over and over. Jesus makes Himself known to those who are His (John 10). If you are afraid of not recognizing Him, know that He stands at the door and knocks and says that if anyone opens the door, He will come into him and sup with him (Revelation 3:20). God bless you M. Elliot in your quest of service, John Emery emery@tc.fluke.COM