Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site hou4b.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!houxm!vax135!ariel!hou4b!mat From: mat@hou4b.UUCP (Mark Terribile) Newsgroups: net.singles Subject: Re: The end of it Message-ID: <1250@hou4b.UUCP> Date: Sat, 29-Dec-84 19:51:33 EST Article-I.D.: hou4b.1250 Posted: Sat Dec 29 19:51:33 1984 Date-Received: Sun, 30-Dec-84 02:59:06 EST References: <1625@pucc-h> Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Holmdel, NJ Lines: 31 >Jesus asks us to love our enemies, and if I can't do that (yet), how can I >deserve any favor or acceptance? Christians reading this, don't bother >telling me that God accepts me as I am; He agrees not to throw me out, but >I question whether He likes me and will say "well done" given that I am not >much like Christ and do not act much like Him. Acceptance is given, but >praise and liking must be earned. -- Jeff Sargent This may belong elsewhere, but the discussion is living here right not. Jeff, I'm no theologian, and I'm coming from a ``big-established-denomination'' viewpoint, but the way I see it is this: You don't ``deserve'' God's love. None of us does. It's a gift, freely given. Chesterton wrote: ``You see, it's the hardest thing in theology to believe. You matter. I matter. We all matter -- to God. God only knows why.'' The point is that God does like you -- not for what you do but for who you are. He doesn't necessarily accept you -- He leaves it to you to accept him -- but He loves you and He will accept you when you try to accept Him. Don't worry about rating yourself on an absolute scale. Instead, ask yourelf ``Is this what I should be doing? Well, then what can I do to change it?'' Recognize that it will take time. Allow yourself the time. It's ok to be be a little disturbed over some of the answers. It's ok to hurt a bit. It's not necessary to try so hard that you damage yourself -- even the most ardent of missionaries rest enough that they can keep going. You can't ask any more of yourself. -- from Mole End Mark Terribile (scrape .. dig ) hou4b!mat ,.. .,, ,,, ..,***_*.