Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
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. 

 

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

Testimony 27

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 14

We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

Anonymous

 

Testimony 5

We listen to your bible studies lessons in our class in Montana. You actually were the main reason I decided to get a laptop, so I can go to your site and listen, read, learn, and print the class notes. I am so grateful to learn the correct view of God and his character. Now, to just have others have an interest in knowing, so I can share it with them. Good thoughts your way.

R. N., MT, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 6

I got the book “Could It Be This Simple?” a few months ago and the reading was wonderful and I was fascinated. I lent the book to a friend at work. She is having a difficult time and the book is helping her to find Jesus and I found this very exciting. She has asked me questions and I can see her life changing.

H. S., Australia

 

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 61

I grew up in a prominent protestant church and had what I like to call religious anxiety. I’ve always had questions about God and Salvation that no one could seem to answer.  I didn’t know how to find resolution. During 2020, at the height of my anxiety, I fell to my knees and begged God to show me truth and light and to give me the hope that I’ve been longing for. Days later, I stumbled upon your online videos and it was like a veil was lifted and EVERYTHING made sense! For the first time in my almost 39 years of life, my religious/spiritual anxiety has lessened. I feel a sense of freedom and peace I’ve NEVER had before… and it’s all because my view of God has changed. Thank you!

Ashleighn C.

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 48

I just want to tell you how blessed I have been reading “The Remedy!” It has become a daily part of my devotional relationship with God. In it I have found a God of love and a God that loves me! The bible has come alive for me! It is the first time that I can say that I have felt hope fill my heart as I have read God’s word. This is good news I can share! Thank you, Dr Jennings! Thank you for your heart for others. I can’t put into words how this has set me free! It has strengthened my trust and love for God.

Jason H.

 

Testimony 32

The message [of Come And Reason Ministries is] for all Christians (and those who may become Christians) and not just Adventists or any other group. It is difficult to imagine why any [anyone] with intellectual and spiritual honesty could find fault with the way you explained the healing substitution concepts and the truth about God’s character, though I know some will reject and criticize. On behalf of those in our group near Tacoma, WA, thank you and your staff for all of the hard work and for sharing the Gospel in this manner. God’s message of healing love will be carried to the whole world and then Jesus will come – He promised it.

Terry U., Tacoma, WA, USA

 

Testimony 41

I have been blessed by your ministry. I have experienced personally, and deeply resonate with, the God of love and the beautiful picture of God’s character that you present. I have seen your seminar series on YouTube, read ‘The Journal of the Watcher’ book, used your mobile app, and also listen/study the bible study lesson with you each week. I concur with many of the thoughts and perspectives that you share. I understand your conclusions on natural laws vs imposed law and the legal/penal substitution (incorrect diagnosis). This makes perfect sense to me.

Bless you for all you do.

Melissa L.

 

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 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