“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile." (Jeremiah 29:11-14)
Many years ago I found myself captive and comfortable in a local church. By the grace of God I realized that it was not an ideal place for me to grow in the grace and knowledge of God and Christ Jesus, but had become a sanctuary from life in an evil world. It is difficult to leave the comfortable atmosphere provided by a local church.
So, why did I leave?
Religious sanctuaries too often embrace prejudices and judgmental attitudes that you will not find in the outside world. People gather around respected leaders and follow their doctrine without much effort to determine if such doctrine is true. The most fanatical leaders of Islam want to kill all the infidels now, in the name of Allah. The fanatical leaders of Christianity reason and teach that God will assign everyone who does not choose Him in this life to eternal damnation and torture in hell. Both religions provide sanctuary and fellowship.
When I began to see error in the sanctuary I realized it would require leaving the comfort it provided. I left and after embraced the good news that God will save humanity, every one of them.
When I began to see error in the sanctuary I realized it would require leaving the comfort it provided. I left and after embraced the good news that God will save humanity, every one of them.
"And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
I often feel alone, but never forsaken by the one true God who is worthy of the Name!