Expert: Cooper P. Abrams III - 10/13/2010

Question
QUESTION: I was raised Catholic. NEVER, have we worshipped idols.  And I think the old
"Pope is direct line from God theory" went away in the 19th century.  And
Penance?  Many Catholics honor the tradition, but we are not so ignorant that
we  haven't figured out that all we have to do is ASK for forgiveness. (From
our lips to God's ear)  I get really nauseated to hear my Baptist "brother and
sisters" constantly nagging that we must be "SAVED".  As if their RITUAL is
somehow heard and ours is not.  Both faiths are so incredibly sanctimonious
that it baffles me.  Good grief, we are in the 21st Century and still arguing
over who does "GOD" right.  Jesus sent us a message, allright. and it isn't that
difficult.  There is no hocus pocus "special prayer or secret saint that will slip
you a ticket to salvation.  It is between you and God.  Listen to your hearts
sometime on a quite day.  You will find God's word is everywhere.  not just in
books or fancy churches.  He is really not that difficult to find.  Just ask him
in the voice he created for you.  No one needs a translator

ANSWER: Hi Kim,
  Thank you for writing, but I do not see a question.  You basically told me what you believe and I am sure you are very sincere in your beliefs and practices.   Respectfully, there is a great deal of difference between RCC beliefs and practices and what the Bible teaches.
    
  It is not really a Catholic/Baptist dilemma, but rather the question as to what God has said to us in His word.  He is the authority, and neither RCC or Baptist.
  
  If you would like to pursue that I would be happy to correspond with you, but only if you are honestly interested in find God's truth.  Please use my e-mail address at cpabrams3@gmail.com.  It is alot easier than going through the AllExperts screens, but use AllExperts if you wish.

  If you are interested in what the Bible says is the saving Gospel, and what is God's plan of salvation I have an article at For a clear explanation of God's plan of salvation please go to: http://bible-truth.org/gospel.html  you might like to read.

  I wish you the best.
Cooper Abrams
http://bible-truth.org
Romans 12:1-2

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Forgive me for sounding so sarcastic, Cooper.  I just get really frustrated.  
Both of my young sons are in a private Christian school.  No it is not RC, nor
is it supposed to be Baptist.  It is supposed to be non denominational. Note, I
used the word "supposed".  My question for you is this "How do YOU know
what God's word for ME is?
I find comfort reading the Bible, sometimes.  Other times, I find comfort by
asking God my own questions and doing the best I can to be still and listen
for His response.  You speak of the Bible as if it IS God.  And I don't
understand that.  The Bible is an inspiring book which was has many authors.  
God inspired the teachings of the Bible, through other human beings.  There
are many personalities giving their own accounts, etc.  And I can read a verse
which may say one thing to you, and I may interpret it completely different.  
Which one of us is right?  My relationship with God, has evolved and changed
over the years.  Peaks and valleys.  There are moments when I felt His
presence so close by that I have chills of Glory.  Other times, as hard as I
might try, I feel nothing. Progress not perfection, right?  I do understand that
life is not always going to be JOY.  But why is it that every time I walk into my
children's beautiful school, filled with  smiling CHRISTIANS and a beautiful
chapel. . . .why don't I feel His presence?  I hear people talking to each other
and exchanging scriptures like rapid fire, but I don't feel the warmth of the
words.  In other words, I hear a lot of talk, but I don't see many walking the
walk.  It hurts.  it also confuses me.  Churches are FILLED with people who
don't believe in God.  Forgive me, I am probably making no sense
whatsoever.  I guess I am in desperate need of a Peak, and don't feel worthy
of one.
In Christ Alone,
Kim

Answer
Hi Kim,         

    I am sorry to be so slow to response, but I got really busy in the last few days.   I did not think you to be sarcastic at all, but honestly frustrated at the things you are seeing.   I do understand what you are experiencing.   I to see a lot of the same things you do and without question there are a lot of people who talk Christian, but do not live it.  I have written about this on my web site.
 
    There is one thing that I see in what you wrote was you really do not have full confidence or assurance in your relationship with the Lord.    

     To have full assurance of our relationship with the Lord, the biblical Christian accepts and  believes that the written word of God , the Bible, which is his sole authority for his faith and practice.    If one bases their faith on anything else they have no real assurance that it is God’s truth and His will.   

    Many people base their faith on how they feel about something.   Let me use an illustration to explain.   There is a CNN video on YouTube of a lady who has mouth cancer and the doctor did an MRI.  When the MRI came back it looked like a side view of a face.  The lady excitedly called her husband and said she knew the Lord was with her now because the face in the MRI looked like Jesus.    She said she had been praying and struggling with her faith and wondering if Jesus was with her.  Once she saw the image on the MRI she said she knew the Lord was with her.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRBl4sb9zoA )   Several people commented but none of them thought it was the face of Jesus.    

    The point is this, the lady was basing her belief in God’s presence on what she thought was the face of Jesus in an MRI.    However, note what God says through His word to the Christian concerning His presence and love:

  “Let your conversation [life style] be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5)    

    “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:7)
     
    “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”  (Colossians 3:15)

      “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Romans 8:38-39)

       God says He is with the believer, loves him and will forsake him.   So if a person is a truly a child of God, they assuredly know that Jesus Christ is always with them in any circumstance and their assurance of that is in God’s promise, who cannot lie.   Think of how the many Christians who have cancer or difficulties  and never have any sign or emotion, is God with them?  Will He see them through the storm or circumstance they are in?  

       The lady said she now “felt” the Lord was with her because she saw the vague image of a face.   So she is in truth trusting in a subjective image of what she thinks is Jesus’ face and her accompanying  emotional experience.   But God wants us to trust His word.  “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)    As John 1:1 says, Jesus is the Word, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”   (John 1:1)    Thus it is God’s word that absolutely  assures of God’s presence.  Nowhere in God’s word does He say Christians are to look for feelings, signs or experiences.  

      Often the Christian,  because of the trials of life not feel very spiritual at all.  He could be sick, having a bad day, and a hundred other things that make us feel badly.   It often happens to me.  I get up tried in the morning and honestly I do not “feel” the presence of God.  But I know the lack of a feeling of God’s presence does not mean He is not there.  I know He will lead me and see me through the day because He says He will.  Thus, my faith is based in God’s word.  I am trusting in what I assuredly know to be true.     His written word tells me absolutely of His presence.   God says tot he believer “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? “ (1 Corinthians 3:16)

     I hope you see the point which is that feelings or some experience should never be the source of our assurance of God’s presence of or of what is right or wrong.   That is the reason God has given us His written word.   I can know what is God’s truth and what is false teaching by comparing it to God’s word.   If I use any other standard it is actually simply someone’s opinion or conjecture.

    Jesus said, referring to His word, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”  (John 8:32)     When Paul visited Berea and began to teach about Jesus Christ to them note what they did.   “And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”   (Acts 17:10-11) These people examined the Word of God to see if what Paul was teaching was true.

     I hope this helps you with this.   God’s presence is assured to those who are trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ alone.   Our salvation is not in a church, church membership, baptism, or any rite or ritual, but in faith in Jesus Christ.   Often people write me who have never really understood God’s plan of salvation.   I have an article at http://bible-truth.org/gospel.html  which explains how one is saved, forgiven of their sins and receives eternal life.   It may help for you to read the article and see what is God’s plan.

  Also I have an article at http://bible-truth.org/Howwegot.html titled “How we got the Bible.”  It affirms that the Bible we have is God’s preserved word and is accurate and completely reliable. Nothing has been lost and it can be completely trusted.  

    Please, if you have further questions or comments please write.  I will try to answer your questions truthfully from God’s word.  God bless you as you seek peace and assurance through Jesus Christ.

Cooper Abrams
Romans 12:1-2
cpabrams3@gmail.com
http://bible-truth.org