Posted by Dena on March 8, 2004, at 17:21:44
In reply to Re: One Way to Rephrase » Dena, posted by rayww on March 8, 2004, at 13:45:33
My dear friend Rayww -
Thank you for your kindness. I'm sure you understand the dilemma I was in. Such a fine line to walk...
I'd like to "tweak" something you said: "each religion dictates who it conceives Christ, or its leader to be."
Yes, I agree that each religion determines who Christ is to them. But I still maintain that He's firm in His identity as to who He truly is. Otherwise, there are then dozens, if not hundreds, of different "Christs" - each catering to contradicting definitions.
So, while each religion may define who He is to suit their own faith principles, I believe that He remains unaltered in His nature.
I know that if my own definition limits Him in any way, I will then be able to receive Him in a limited fashion. Only when I allow Him to be fully who He is, & to be willing to meet Him on His terms, will I be able to fully receive Him.
For myself, I recognize that I have erected many barriers to fully receiving Him. I see ways in which I continue to confuse Him with my earthly father (not cognitively, but subconsciously), and even holding my earthly father's wrong-doings against Him. I see ways in which I'm holding back from fully surrendering to Him, out of old fears that He "won't be there for me" if I completely rely on Him. My adult mind recognizes the foolishness of these fears, but the barrier remains, due to childhood experiences that shaped me. I've received some healing in certain areas & have felt that freedom come through. I have hope & faith that God will continue to do more healing work in me so that I can surrender more fully to Him.
Shalom, Dena
poster:Dena
thread:318732
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20040113/msgs/322150.html