| Author | Message | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2076 Registered: 11-2002 |
The pastor shared this story with the congreation last week. I have been wasntingto share it. I believe the story happpened in Peru. Anyway, it was in a South American country. For some reason that wasn't detailed the priest of the local church could no longer minister there. The church leaders had to find a replacement priest. Finily they found a man that they thought would be perfect for the job as he knew the local customs as well as was fluent in the local language. they asked him to come to minister to that towns congreation. He was very intimidated at the thought of being the pastor at this particular church because for many miles in every direction it was well known that a lady who attends that church has a very close relationship with Jeasus. Word has it that she talks with Jesus personally and the two of them have a very close relationship. Understandingly the priest was a bit intimadated when he learned of the close relationship this lady had with Jesus and he wondered why he was even needed at that church when they had that lady. Nonetheless the church officials convinced him that she was a lay member and the church needed an ordained priest and he was the only one that met the qualifications needed at that parish. So he went. After several weeks at the church he asked the lady to come to his office during the week as he wasnted to meet with her in private. She came. He told her he'd heard about her close relationship with Jesus and he asked her if that was true. she said, "yes". he asked her if she talks with Jesus and if Jesus talks with her. She said, "yes". then he told her he was going to test her so he could be sure if she was for real in this allegded relationship with Jesus or if she was a fraud. He went on to tell her that when he was a young man in seminary he had committed a very grave sin. It was a very bad sin and if he would have been caught by the authorities he'd still be in prison. However, he was never caught and he'd never told anyone of this sin. He told the lady to talk with Jesus about this during the upcoming week and to meet back with him in one week. One week later the lady was again at the office of the priest. he asked her if she'd discussed his very awful sin with Jesus. she told the priest she had indeed discussed it with Jesus. the priest then said to the lady, "Well, when you asked Jesus what my sin was what did He say?" The lady replied to the priest, "He told me He forgot, your sins were forgiven." And, then she told him the Bible texts about God remembering our sins no more and shared with the priest so other texts on forgiveness and grace. I thought that was a very touching story and I do believe that yes, this lady had a real close and special relationship with Jesus. Often when I am in church and I listen to the stories and the sermons I think about if the SDA's could use those stories or sermons. When I heard this story I thought that a SDA could never relate this story because SDA's believe they do not know their eternal fate until the final judgement so they cannot be sure of forgiveness. I know this because I sat in a SDA sermon just a year or so ago and I listened to an entire sermon about how no one should ever be sure of their salvation and that final forgiveness won't be granted until the final judgement. After I listened to that sermon I stopped the SDA preacher as I was walking out the door and I handed him a list of texts I'd scribbled on a paper to show him where he was off. He offerwed to have me come to his office during the week so he could explain the IJ to me. I never went back. I hope you like the story that I have been wanting to share with you. | ||
| Lindylou Registered user Username: Lindylou Post Number: 108 Registered: 1-2005  |
A nice story, Susan. "He told me He forgot, your sins were forgiven." That is a wonderful message to remember! Thanks for sharing. | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 2084 Registered: 3-2004  |
Susan, I have heard this story before and enjoy it every time I read it. I am so glad/happy that my sins are at the bottom of the sea, in other words forgiven and forgotten by God. Thank You God for Jesus through whom we have salvation. You are awesome. Diana | ||
| Colleentinker Registered user Username: Colleentinker Post Number: 3044 Registered: 12-2003  |
That is a wonderful story, Susan. Praise God for Jesus! Colleen | ||
| Vchowdhury1 Registered user Username: Vchowdhury1 Post Number: 135 Registered: 7-2004 |
That about sums it up, Susan. Thanks. --Valerie | ||
| Susan_2 Registered user Username: Susan_2 Post Number: 2092 Registered: 11-2002 |
Valerie, It's been a long time since I've heard from you. What a wonderful surprise to hear from you. I hope you and your family have been o.k. We'll keep in touch. Take care, my friend. |
