If you missed Part I of this discussion, go here: Tread Lightly Beth Lightle –  Part I

“Wow…I had no idea my comment would get this kind of attention! ;) I agree that everyone has a right to their own opinions and belief systems. God designed us to have a free will and choose what we would believe. But, he DID (sorry if you don’t like my use of caps) give us the TRUTH in His word and gave us the choice whether to believe the truth or not. In the old testament He told us that Death and Life is before us… Choose Life.

To me, Jesus is LIFE. Since you’ve studied all the other religions and reformers then you should agree with me that of all that have died, Jesus is the ONLY one who is NOT still in the grave. HE is RISEN and alive today.

I agree with all of the above, but actually, Beth, if you read your Bible a bit more carefully, you’ll see that there were 4 people who ascended, not just Jesus. They are: Enoch, Elisha, Elijah and Jesus.

You asked why I believe what I believe. I believe in Jesus as the only means by which one can be saved, because after searching for years, He is the ONLY one who saved me from myself. Mohammed didn’t rescue me, Confucious didn’t rescue me, Buddha didn’t rescue me, etc. JESUS RESCUED ME and saved my life! I choose to believe in His word because it’s never lied to me…and it’s always proven to work when I put it to use.

I’m grateful that you were saved, but to say that Jesus saved you and since the others did not, that proves that Jesus is the only one who can “save”, just isn’t logical. You never studied any of the others.

The teachings of Buddha were deep, spiritual and profound. This takes nothing away from Jesus. It in no way usurps the man’s greatness or his teachings. Jesus said, “Whatsoever things you see that I do, you can do also.” This is his acknowledgment that the word of God can be learned and shared by all mankind.

The Christ is in all of us. Buddha taught to love mankind, to honor God, to work for peace, to reach for holiness in our lives. So did Mohammed and Confucius as well. Again, Christians have no corner on truth.  Truth is for all mankind. The rest of the world isn’t wrong because we are right. This is just small and limited thinking. Open your heart to all mankind. Honor their beliefs. They’re really not that much different than ours. Most of the differences are in language only.

I am far from perfect and make mistakes daily….but one thing I’m sure of, is that Jesus is not a fairy tale and His teachings were not just wisdom from a mere revolutionary… Jesus IS the Son of God and the Savior to all who will accept Him as that in their life.

I agree with you completely here, but let’s be clear, I never said Jesus was a mere revolutionary or that he was a fairy tale. You’re reading me, I perceive, with a jaundiced eye. I deeply honor and follow the teachings of Jesus. Where we differ is only in exclusivity.

I respect your opinions and beliefs, but am very thankful that God has revealed his TRUTH to me and that I’m not still searching for truth and don’t accept whatever new religion comes along.

And I also respect yours. I only suggest here that you stay open to truth. Stay open to what new thought might bring you. Don’t be afraid of it. Trust your good understanding or your understanding of good. You’ll know when the bogus comes along just as you’ll know when the truth appears. Maybe we haven’t learned all there is to know yet. Maybe there’s more out there to learn and be revealed.

Stay open to God’s ideas passing to man in other forms, in other shapes. God isn’t finished with us. He, She or It has abundant good, abundant intelligence, and abundant progress for us every day. Stay open to the new.  Otherwise you just might miss something.

I leave you with this scripture from the word of God, my friend… Ephesians 4:14 (New Living Translation)

“Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.”

Right. Not every wind carries the truth. Some will be false and confused. It’s the way of the world. But stay open to the winds of truth and choose wisely. Don’t run indoors and hide in the closet because you’re afraid of the wind or think all the truths have already been told. Stay open to change of mind and heart, for only then will you grow in grace.

-God Bless you….In Jesus’ name, Beth Lightle”

God Bless you right back… In Jesus name and also in the name of Buddha, Mohammed, Moses, Lao-tsu, Confucius and all the rest of mankind.  Peter Link

To read the first part of this discussion between Peter and Beth, go here: Tread Lightly Beth Lightle –  Part I

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