It's easier

[Rev. Jim Cunningham]

From: bekarel (Original Message) Sent: 12/18/2004 8:26 PM
Honorable Rev. Jim;
You offer a good deal of solace to those who are struggling.
Some time ago, after much study and reflection, found that letting go of the notion of modern religions and the concept of a sentient god, led me to a greater peace than I had ever known.
I found that I could rely upon personal ethics and secular morals; I suspect that my ethical standards are at a higher level than many of those I know who consider themselves "Christian".
Can you understand that; does it make any sense?
bekarel

[Rev. Jim Cunningham]

From: Manager Rev. Jim Sent: 12/20/2004 9:29 PM
Dear bekarel,

I understand just what you're saying. I know how people can use religion as a weapon, and how they can do serious emotional and physical damage.

But, my friend, I want you to remember that the wicked deeds of those who claim to be Christians and the proliferation of so many twisted "Christian" denominations does not negate Truth. As it is written in the Bible, "Thy Word is Truth", and Jesus Himself, who was most definitely God and sentient, stated "I AM the way, the TRUTH, and the life." In all matters of faith, no matter what anyone says or does, Jesus is the final and absolute Truth.

The church's greatest crime against homosexuals is not their hatred, not their picketing and their railing against us, not their political fights. The greatest crime of the church against homosexuals is that they have pushed gays and lesbians away from the Almighty God who adored us so much that He DIED for us. They have not only made homosexuals believe that they are not loved or wanted by God, but they have also set the minds of many homosexuals AGAINST God, causing them to doubt the identity and authority and reality and truth of the Lord God Jesus Christ.

You see, because Jesus is the only way and truth, and because Jesus is the creator, owner and supreme king of heaven, only Jesus can determine what is moral or ethical and what standards must be lived by for anyone to share that heaven with Him. Many of us believe that if we are "good" then we are moral, but Jesus said, "there is none good but God". Secular and church morals have one thing in common: they are both man-made, available for anyone to pick and choose what they like and what they don't like. But God's standards are far above this; they are "all or nothing" standards, just as Jesus said, "You are neither cold nor hot; I wish thou were either cold or hot, but since thou art lukewarm I will spue thee out of My mouth."

There was a scene in the Bible were Jesus chastised the Pharisees and scribes in the Temple. In fact, He literally chewed them out. He told them that they pay their tithes and offering, as required by the law of God, but they neglected the weighter matters: Mercy, Justice and Good Faith. He said they only kept one part of the Law, but they thoroughly ignored the most important parts of the Law which would have tempered them. The church has done you a great disservice; they have leveled the Law against you, forgetting mercy and justice and good faith, and in this they do greatly blaspheme God. But do not let them steal from you that same Jesus which said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. My peace I give to you - not as the world gives give I unto you. A bruised reed I will not break and I will not quench the smoldering flax."

We are sentient beings because we are created in the express image of a Sentient Being, our Father in heaven in whom is hidden all the treasures of knowledge and in whom is no lie or guile. Satan has sought to have you, taking advantage of the church's corruption, stealing from you the Seed of God's Word that was first planted in you. But let the Spirit of the Living God raise up a standard against him and you will see the mighty works of God wrought in you and through you to the glory of the Father and His Son, as it is written, "For he is antichrist which denieth the Father and the Son,"
and, "Blessed is he who is not ashamed of Me," and, "Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed. For without faith it is impossible to please God. He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Every wind of doctrine will slam against you to weaken you and to break your faith in Jesus the Savior; that is the way of Satan, and it is a way that he is vastly experienced with. But only lay hold on the hem of Christ's garment and those winds will break against you like a wave breaks against a rock. Stand fast on the Rock that is Jesus of Nazareth and the church will be broken on you, as it is written, "Whomsoever falleth upon this Rock will be broken, but on whosoever this Rock falleth he will be crushed to powder."

Don't give up on Him. The treasures and the morals of the world will profit nothing, but the ways of the holiness of God saves from death. Rejoice in God your Savior, that He has set you free, not by the ways of man, but by the sacrifice of the only begotten Son of God. The world and its ways and its morals will offer a shadow of peace, but the Prince of Peace who sent the dove to Noah to declare that God has made peace with the world is the only true peace. And it is the only way, the only truth, and the only life, and all other paths, such as the one the church now follows, leads to destruction.

May the Lord give you peace and guide you in His footsteps.
Your brother,
Rev. Jim