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Страхът е за децата

Страхът е за децата

Наскоро чух редица проповеди, които описват Бога като ядосан, представяха Го като гневен, заплашващ и наказващ. Тези проповеди говорeха за такъв Бог, Който убива, изпраща огън от небето, като Бог, Който изгаря и посича хората.

Тези проповеди говореха против Божието любящо, прощаващо и милосърдно сърце. Няколко души ми изпратиха имейли, в които споделят, че такива проповеди ги карат да се страхуват от Бога.

В отговор на това мога да кажа, че познавам хора, които са против идеята, че Бог повишава гласа Си и заплашва. Според тях Той никога не действа по начин, който да подбужда страх. Но има много текстове, които използват този силен език. Къде е балансът? Как можем да примирим реалността, че „Бог е любов” и „Любовта не търси своето (…) не държи сметка за зло” и „дава живота си за приятеля” с изявления в Библията, където Бог заплашва да убие, накаже и унищожи?

Наистина е много просто – любовта винаги прави това, което е предназначено да лекува, да спасява и защитава; а това понякога означава и повишаване на гласа, и заплаха, и дори подбуждане на страх.

Неотдавна консултирах млад мъж, който се бореше със силно сексуално желание и действаше според това си желание. Докато разговаряхме и се опитвах да изследвам Божиите принципи и причини за въздържание до брака, стана ясно, че той просто не може да оцени каквато и да е полза от чакането. Умът му бе завладян от мощни чувства на похот. Причината и доказателствата просто не оказваха влияние върху него. Не беше зрял, не беше здрав, не беше способен да функционира на нивото, за което Бог ни е проектирал. Затова го срещнах на неговото ниво и подбудих у него страх. Представих му истината за болестите, предавани по полов път. Показах му снимки на това, което причиняват тези болести. Разгледах сценарии и ситуации, в които той можеше да пострада от тези заболявания, и той се уплаши. Всъщност ми се ядоса и извика: „Но сега не мога просто да съм с когото си пожелая!“.

Тогава разбрах, че страхът е за децата. Защо едно дете не преписва на изпит? От страх да не го хванат.  Защо младите не пият, когато шофират? От страх, че ще ги арестуват. Защо децата подреждат играчките си, оправят леглото си и изпълняват домашните си задължения? Поради страх от наказание.

Колко повече родител би „заплашил“, ако детето е ангажирано с нещо опасно и не го слуша? Ако то кара велосипеда си към наближаваща кола, която е скрита от неговия поглед, и не спира, въпреки че го предупреждавате, ще го заплашите ли и ще повишите ли гласа си, ще викнете ли с гневен тон? Бихте ли казали: „Ако не спреш веднага, ще те напляскам!“? или някакво друго заплашително изявление? Ако то обаче не спре и бъде ударено от колата, бихте ли го набили?

Така действа Бог. Бог е любов. Той действа, за да лекува и защитава, да спасява и възстановява. Но понякога, когато Неговите земни деца се отправят към самоунищожение, Той повишава гласа Си и заплашва да нанесе тежко наказание, надявайки се, че ще спрем, ще Го послушаме и ще бъдем спасени. Но ако не го направим, Бог скръбно ще замълчи. Точно както родителите на дете, което е ударено от колата, след като е пренебрегнало заплашителното предупреждение. Няма нужда Бог да използва Своята сила, за да убива или да унищожава, защото „грехът, като се развие напълно, ражда смърт” (Яков 1:15).

За съжаление, твърде много християни и твърде много пастори не успяват да разпознаят Бог като наш любящ Отец. А всъщност като такъв Той ни посреща там, където сме. Ако сме като малки деца в слушането, в разсъждаването, в следването на истината или в интелигентното прилагане на Неговите методи, тогава вместо да гледа как умираме, Бог от любов към нас заплашва, изпраща гръмотевици и дори подбужда страх, за да привлече вниманието ни и да ни спаси от нас самите. Но ако откажем да слушаме, ако настояваме да вървим по свой собствен път, тогава Бог най-накрая тъжно ще ни остави на резултатите от собствения ни избор и действия и ние ще умрем. Но преди да ни пусне да си отидем, нашият милостив Бог е толкова прекрасен, че като всеки любящ родител ще повишава гласа Си, ще вика към нас да спрем, дори ще ни заплашва с наказание, като всичко това е предназначено да ни спаси. Да, Бог понякога използва методи, предназначени да вдъхнат страх, но страхът е за децата – Бог очаква да пораснем и да Го опознаем – такъв, какъвто е в действителност. 

 

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Testimony 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 44

We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 26

Your teachings about our heavenly Father have changed my life. Thank you sooooooo very very much! I know He’s doing some serious healing in my heart and life and I look forward to each new day to learn something new about Him and to just hear you speak about Him. Thank you, forever.

Nancy S.

 

Testimony 15

I have been sharing Come And Reason Ministries Bible study lessons with several folk. You have such a beautiful view of the plan of salvation. If we had this message preached when I was young, my generation would still all be in church.

H. R., New Zealand

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 22

I have found your Bible study class lectures to be very inspiring and useful as I prepare to teach class every other week. I subscribe to the podcast and download your notes on the weeks I teach. The audio and notes are such a great help in preparing. My own understanding of God’s character has grown as I teach the class. Commendations on the thought-provoking and well-prepared material Come and Reason provides. Personally, I get excited by the tie you make between the spiritual and mental/physical domains.

A.A. Corrales, NM, USA

 

Testimony 3

My husband is a pastor and I listen to your lesson almost every week. Thank you for helping me in my study life and to help me love the “real” God more.

C. F., NC, USA

 

Testimony 35

I am so pleased with the response your message is receiving at my church from the middle-aged to the young adults. I have given out 100 copies of the first two seminars and there are more request every week. One of my [class members] came to me after viewing the series, grateful and impressed with how easy the message was retained. He had been a Seventh-day Adventist in fear all his life, and felt like the scales were removed from his eyes after viewing the seminars. I am so impressed by the change I see in members who have received this message, we are in one accord. However, I am sadden by the negative response of the older people. I am verbally attacked anytime I talk about imposed laws, but I believe my mission is to enlightened everyone I can. I watch your Bible Study Class on YouTube every Friday night and I feel like I am apart of the class. All of you are in one accord and I am so blessed to have found you. I pray that all of you continue to spread this message and I am committed to doing my part.

Clara S., Westfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 9

I really enjoy with you the view of a gracious God. Thank you for sharing the work you are allowing the Lord to do in you.

L., Queensland, Australia

 

Testimony 20

I just wanted to personally thank you for your teachings and insight into scripture. I came across your website via my cousin who suggested I look into “Healing the Mind” information. My youngest daughter has been struggling over the last couple of years and it all came to a head this spring. When I started listening to the “Healing the Mind” lectures my own life began to be transformed. I began sharing with all my daughters the concepts you laid out so clearly. I ordered your book and soaked it up. I just want to say “Thank You!” My walk with the Lord has been refreshed and renewed. Your obedience to the Lord is a blessing to so many.

R. K., Anderson, SC, USA