Jesus: Is it Just Me, or Does He Scare Anybody Else?

[renewedfaith1964]

Does Jesus scare anybody? I have to be honest, he has always kinda scared me. On the one hand, he makes beautiful proclamations about coming to him for rest. In the next minute, he is throwing people into hell.

I have always been uncomfortable with Jesus. As for God, I feel this bond, like he and I are on great terms. However, whenever I think of Jesus, I think of judgment. Jesus was the first person to ever mention hell. It was never mentioned in the Old Testament. Hell has always scared me. I have learned to live with it, but I have always been unable to obtain peace with it sitting there. I’m just being frank with you. I am a Christian, pray to Jesus, but am scared at the same time. I have been a Christian for over 30 years, so I have seen it all.

I just wish I had peace. I have claimed plenty of Bible verses and prayed diligently. Unfortunately, peace has never come to me.

Just looking to see if any other Christians feel the same. Please, I am not asking for “solutions” to my problems, nor am I looking to be peppered with verses that will solve my dilemma. I realize it is the Christian response to fix people and give them Bible verses to heal the wound. I’m not looking for that. I also realize that I will probably receive multiple comments like “maybe you aren’t saved” or “maybe you need to do xyz.” I’m not inviting that. Just looking for other brothers and sisters who try hard, but feel kind of scared of Jesus, and don’t have tons of peace in their lives. Is there anybody else out there like that?

 

[Suhar]

[SIZE=medium]Weren’t you posting here under different name until recently?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]You are not Christian and never were one. You cannot be Christian and afraid of Christ at the same time. It is an oxymoron.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]God does not send people to hell. They go there because they reject free and easy way out of it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]You want God to be cruel. You want Him to force people who reject Him, do not want to be anywhere near Him to be tormented by His presence for all eternity in Heaven.[/SIZE]

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

I have the following observations point by point.

1. Jesus doesn't send anyone to hell. People simply exist in eternity the same way they chose to live in this life, apart from the love of God.
2. God and Jesus are the same God and cannot be pitted against one another. They exist in pluperfect union and to hate part of the godhead is to hate it all.
3. Jesus was not the first person to mention hell. He taught on an axiom that already existed among the Jews, that those who don't go to Abraham go to Gehenna by default.
4. Whether or not you're a Christian remains to be seen. To this point I think you're perpetrating a fraud.
5. Bible verses aren't "claimed" they are read with a heart open to the Holy Spirit who inspired every word of it.
6. We (the real Christians) don't "fix people". Only God has the power to convert a reprobate soul.
7. You say you're scared of Jesus. I think you have reason to be. I don't. Think about that for a while.

 

[renewedfaith1964]

[SIZE=medium]Weren’t you posting here under different name until recently?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]You are not Christian and never were one. You cannot be Christian and afraid of Christ at the same time. It is an oxymoron.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]God does not send people to hell. They go there because they reject free and easy way out of it.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=medium]You want God to be cruel. You want Him to force people who reject Him, do not want to be anywhere near Him to be tormented by His presence for all eternity in Heaven.[/SIZE]

No, I have not posted here under another name. By the way, thanks for your encouraging words.

 

[Dan57]

Jesus isn't who sends us to hell, he's who delivered us from hell. You need not fear him, every agonizing minute on the cross was for you and I.... I can't think of anyone in the world that would do for me what Jesus did, it was a demonstration of love that I can't begin to comprehend.

If your not at peace, maybe its something inside yourself or in your life that's making you uncomfortable? In Christ, you have eternal life, and that's nothing to fear.

Sometimes people fear because they feel they aren't good enough and might be in danger of judgement. Maybe your having trouble forgiving yourself? I'm just speculating, but a little self-analysis might reveal the source of your fear. I don't think its Christ because he's your redeemer, not your accuser. Always remember Isaiah 53:5.

 

[FHII]

I'm afraid I don't share your concerns. I always saw Jesus as the softer side of God, not the harder. The God of the Old Testement was called a "man of war" (how many of you folks knew that? Yea... Exo 15:3) while Jesus was called the prince of peace (Isa 9:6)

Jesus did have an attitude and could throw down a temper storm quick (he did against the pharasees as well as his own close knit disciples. Furthermore, everything is under his control, even devils. But by all terms, he seems to be our way out: a way to perfection for a God who demands perfection.

Of course, everything God does is righteous no matter how he manifests himself (as the Father or as Jesus). He is our path to being made righteous and his message is good news!

WHile we all know John 3:16, the next 5 verses are just as powerful. Not knowing you that well, I think if we look at the two sides presented in those verses, we get a better insight on such things.

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

It's easy to come away with that implied diversion between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus in the New Testament, which we know are both the same God. God's mercy in the Old Testament is harder to detect except with a trained eye. People denounce God for ordering the razing of cities and the destruction of Canaanite civilizations, but what God was accomplishing with this is a cessation of evil in the only way it could be stopped. These civilizations were brutal, beastial, and immoral, throwing their children into the fires of Molech, going to war and oppressing all their neighbors, and operating governments of cruel and steeped tyranny. Contrary to popular belief and the hyperbolic language used, they weren't all killed men, women, and children, as evidenced by their continued existence after the conquest and the Israelites' commandment not to intermarry with them. God's mercy can be seen in sending Jonah to preach to the Ninevites rather than to simply destroy the city. In smaller issues, God's tender mercy can be seen in commandments that an ox not be muzzled while treading, a calf not to be boiled in its mother's milk, the kindsman redeemer law, laws allowing the widow and fatherless to glean at harvest time, and showing kindness to aliens in the land.

And then we have Jesus, given a fluffy image to the point it can be forgotten that he's the same God as in the Old Testament. We can also forget that the "wrath of the Lamb" will characterize Christ's return when he comes to judge the nations. Jesus spent much of his ministry predicting the near demise of Jerusalem and the destruction of the temple in retribution for what the Jews would do to him. He told the women of Jerusalem not to week for him, but to weep for their children and children's children for the wrath which was to come. The Parables far from being fairy tales detailed the wrath of the vineyard leaser against the wicked lessees, and the prediction of doom for somebody who stored up grain and thought himself wealthy and safe. The use of whips to drive the money changers from the temple, the advising of his apostles to acquire swords, these all militate against the popular image of "Jesus meek and mild".

The popular myths about God and the Son of God are perpetrated largely by the enemies of God, the OP author being a succinct example. The myths are so prevalent in the axioms about God as revealed in the Bible that even Christians who aren't hostile to God have their image of God slightly distorted. The only answer is to go directly to the Bible and read it with the understanding that GOD IS LOVE (1Jn 4:8). Everything else assumes its proper context once that premise is established.

 

[Webers_Home]

I just wish I had peace. Unfortunately, peace has never come to me. Just looking
to see if any other Christians feel the same.

Your problem is very easy to diagnose. It's simply a break down in
communication.

†. Rom 8:16 . .The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God

The koiné Greek word for "bears witness" is summartureo (soom-mar-too
reh'-o) which, according to the Strong's lexicon, means: to testify jointly,
i.e. corroborate by (concurrent) evidence. In other words: it's one thing for
somebody to psyche themselves into believing they're a child of God, but
it's quite another for The Spirit to assure them it's really true.

Judging from Mother Teresa's private letters, Rom 8:16 never happened for
her either. Consequently, she underwent a very disturbing crisis of faith
towards the end of her life. For example in one of her private letters, penned
to a Father Picachy, Teresa complained; "I am told God loves me; and yet
the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing
touches my soul."

In yet another letter, penned to a Father Joseph Neuner, S.J., Teresa
complained: Now Father-- since 1949 or 1950 this terrible sense of loss--
this untold darkness-- this loneliness, this continual longing for God-- which
gives me pain deep down in my heart-- Darkness is such that I really do not
see neither with my mind nor with my reason-- the place of God in my soul
is blank-- There is no God in me-- when the pain of longing is so great-- I
just long & long for God-- and then it is that I feel-- He does not want me--
He is not there-- God does not want me-- Sometimes-- I just hear my own
heart cry out-- "My God" and nothing else comes-- the torture and pain I
can't explain

For Teresa to say "God does not want me" clearly reveals that The Spirit
itself never bore witness with Teresa's spirit even one time in all her five
decades in India that she was God's dearly beloved little bairn. And to top it
off; Teresa labeled Jesus "the absent one". That is a very abnormal condition
for any Christian because the Lord promised his own at John 14:18 that he
would not leave them orphans.

That poor wretched woman. What an awful state to be in during the final
weeks of one's life. No wonder she agreed to an exorcism if perchance
demons were clouding her mind. But it wasn't demonic activity; no; it was
The Spirit's silence and Jesus' absence that did her in; and it's The Spirit's
silence and Jesus' absence that's done you in too.

Now; since it is your wish to commiserate with others in your condition
rather than remedy it: I won't trouble you with a prescription.

Buen Camino
/

 

[Dodo_David]

You are not Christian and never were one.

Suhar, how would you feel if someone else said the same thing about you?

 

[This Vale Of Tears]

I agree with Suhar. A tree is known by its fruits and anyone who intentionally mischaracterizes Jesus is not a Christian. Suhar is using sound discernment, which is what we should all be doing.

Suhar, how would you feel if someone else said the same thing about you?

 

[day]

I have always been uncomfortable with Jesus. As for God, I feel this bond, like he and I are on great terms. However, whenever I think of Jesus, I think of judgment. Jesus was the first person to ever mention hell. It was never mentioned in the Old Testament. Hell has always scared me. I have learned to live with it, but I have always been unable to obtain peace with it sitting there. I’m just being frank with you. I am a Christian, pray to Jesus, but am scared at the same time. I have been a Christian for over 30 years, so I have seen it all.

I just wish I had peace. I have claimed plenty of Bible verses and prayed diligently. Unfortunately, peace has never come to me.

I have always prayed more to the Father than to Jesus, but not because of fear. Jesus is the perfect image of the Father, which includes his character of love, so there is no reason to imagine that his attitude toward you is any different than that of the Father.. I attend the Episcopal Church and our worship is directed to the Father through the Son (Jesus) by the power of the Holy Spirit; and I pattern my private devotions on the way the Church worships. Jesus life and death is what enables us to approach the Father, we need to respond to Jesus with love and gratitude. He is our intercessor, and has provided the Holy Spirit to dwell within us transforming us into God's children, so we need not fear judgment. If the thought of judgment keeps frightening you, go back over your life asking forgiveness for any sins you remember, and for any you cannot remember and ask Jesus to heal your conscience so it does not keep accusing you falsely. Then let it go, after all, salvation is from God, and we need to believe his promise is trustworthy.

 

[tom55]

renewedfaith1964 has been on a lot of Christian debate websites promoting his/her free book and website. I wonder if he/she is truly interested in guidance/discussion or just promoting something?

None the less, Jesus doesn't scare me. Hell and satan scare me. And anyone pointing a gun at me. :mellow:

 

[Webers_Home]

A tree is known by its fruits

I just wish my wife's Ford Taurus were given a free tank of gas for every
time I've heard people judge others by that verse. She'd have enough
to drive her car to work till retirement.

For example: would anyone doubt that Mother Teresa was a Christian? But
did you read her testimony in post #8? Uh-huh. See what I mean? She
projected confidence and serenity in public; while professing anxiety and
disturbing doubts in private. So don't be too quick to rake somebody over
the coals of Jesus' comments unless you really and truly know what you're
talking about.

Buen Camino
/

 

[tom55]

Mark 15:34

Luke 22:42-44

Jesus had moments of doubt, felt abandoned and needed help. I suppose it is ok if Mother Teresa did also.

 

[Suhar]

Suhar, how would you feel if someone else said the same thing about you?

[SIZE=medium]Nothing harsh about that, just realistic. How can one be a Christian and be scared of Christ at the same time? It is like claiming to be a swimmer and being afraid to get in the water. Even more of an oxymoron then that![/SIZE]

[SIZE=medium]In case if you did not notice Jesus was often just telling “like it is”. He was not very big on sugarcoating truth. Truth is not to be coated with anything.[/SIZE]

 

[Dan57]

Mark 15:34

Luke 22:42-44

Jesus had moments of doubt, felt abandoned and needed help. I suppose it is ok if Mother Teresa did also.

I personally don't think Christ displayed doubt in those verses. He was quoting the 22nd Psalm on the cross, teaching prophecy until the very end. And the cup he referred to was likely the cup of wrath he would pour out. He knew his mission and purpose, but the ramifications post sacrifice would mean no more excuses for non-believers. Once crucified, the cup he may have been regretting was the cup administered at his second coming. JMO

 

[tom55]

If He was only quoting Psalm then why did His Father send an angel from heaven to strengthen him?

 

[Mr.Bride]

Good question tom55...Your answer Dan57?

 

[lforrest]

Doubt is the temptation, and unbelief the associated sin. Therefore Hebrews 4:15 is sufficient to show me Jesus doubted.

 

[Webers_Home]

.
†. Mark 15:34 . .And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice:
Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is translated: My God, My God, why hast
Thou forsaken Me?

Jesus was abandoned only on the cross-- nowhere else and at no other time
--and it lasted, at the most, for just 6 hours. And his abandonment wasn't
personal. It was because, according to the 53rd of Isaiah, he was bearing
the sins of the whole world. But for the remainder of his life, Jesus and his
Father were in constant contact.

†. John 8:29 . .The one who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone,
for I always do what pleases Him.

He never doubted for a moment that he was loved.

†. John 5:20 . . For the Father loveth the Son

†. John 15:10 . . I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His
love.

In contrast: Teresa was out of contact with God for at least five decades;
which translates to not 6 hours; but 438,000 hours. In other words; Jesus'
loss of fellowship with his Father was only momentary; while Teresa's was
perpetual; and though Jesus was restored to fellowship with his Father after
the cross, Teresa was never in fellowship with Him at all; and as for God's
love: forget it. In one of her private letters, penned to a Father Picachy,
Teresa complained; "I am told God loves me; and yet the reality of darkness
& coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul."

I think that there are many thousands of Christians out and about for whom
the Spirit has never once testified with their spirit that they are God's
beloved child; and have been in that condition for so long that they assume
it's normal and nothing to get one's self worked-up about. But Teresa was
far more thoughtful than the average rank and file pew warmer. She was
fully convinced that her situation was a serious problem; and it caused her a
great deal of distress: as it should because there's a real possibility that
those five decades of charity in India didn't go on her record as a plus, but
as a minus.

†. Matt 7:22-23 . . Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Master, have we
not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in
thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them: I
never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity.

For that reason I highly recommend that no one devote themselves to a
Christian service capacity until the Spirit itself bears witness with their spirit
that they are in fact God's kin. Kinship with God is not something people
should take for granted. There's too much at stake to take it for granted.
You don't want to come to the end of your life wondering if everything you
supposedly did for Christ was all for nothing.

Doubt is the temptation, and unbelief the associated sin.

According to the Bible; Jesus committed not even one sin of his own.

†. John 8:29 . .The one who sent me is with me; He has not left me alone,
for I always do what pleases Him.

†. Heb 4:15 . . We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize
with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way,
just as we are-- yet was without sin.

†. Heb 7:26-27 . . Such a high priest meets our need-- one who is holy,
blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike
the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day,
first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people.

†. 1Pet 2:22 . .Who did no sin,

Buen Camino
/