Before the Throne of God Above
~ I was struck with force this weekend by the Truth of what I believe, when confronted with the reality of those who live without One who loves to intercede and bring us to God, not by my merits or effort at all, but only because of HIS love and grace, because of Jesus being my righteousness. The words of a familiar and beloved song declare that Truth and Hope...Before the throne of God above
I have a strong and perfect plea.
A great high Priest whose Name is Love
Who ever lives and pleads for me.
My name is graven on His hands,
My name is written on His heart.
I know that while in Heaven He stands
No tongue can bid me to depart.
When Satan tempts me to despair
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look and see Him there
Who made an end of all my sin.
Because the sinless Savior died
My sinful soul is counted free.
For God the just is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me.
Behold Him there the risen Lamb,
My perfect spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
King of glory and of grace,
One in Himself I cannot die.
My soul is purchased by His blood,
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ my Savior and my God!
words by Charitie L. Bancroft
posted by FaithChristine @ 11:14
4 Comments:
Thanks for that reminder, Faith! I needed that today... :-D
Upward I look and see him there who made an end of all my sin!
What else could we ask for, what else do I need?!
FANTASTIC hymn. How come we've never heard of Charity Bancroft elsewhere? (or Charitie de la Chenez, as she is also called!) My theory on it is she wrote this hymn (which in my view is one of the most finest ever written), and was so overwhelmed with the astonishing gospel that she'd waxed lyrical about, that she spontaneously exploded with joy and was never seen or heard of again. Just a theory.
I suppose if I said something that even slightly challenged your faith you would say "Ah the Lord has sent him to challenge my faith" or "it was foretold that doubters/evil would try to sway you from your path”... So I wont.
I will just explain my spiritual view and would be very interested in your reply if you can spare the time.
Many people believe in God or some higher plain of existence. Why is only yours correct – can they not all reflect a spiritual vision seen through the individual’s culture and historic “lens”. If you had been born in the middle of India, would you not have honoured God with different system of praise?
I have read some early Gnostic Christian texts written in the lifetime of Jesus, hidden as early Christians fought over the contents of the bible and un-edited by 2000 years of Mankind’s influence and bias. If they are true they reflect the man Jesus Christ’s views that we are all equal and no single church holds Gods great authority. Indeed no single man or woman does either. They suggest he promised nothing but peace on earth, through “understanding” of God and “one”.
This reads and feels authentic. Logical. Religion is a constructed “system” of worship that changes from place to place. Books and texts are compiled, edited and manipulated. Individuals interpret and promote what they wish to say.
On the idea we have of God itself I worry. The earliest sensation a child might have after birth is being held and fed, especially when showing signs of distress. Before birth the sense of warmth and protection should make some impression on the forming brain and senses. This seems reasonable.
Is not the need for God, somehow linked to these formative sensations and needs? When a person is at their lowest ebb they call for that same “protection” and care they might have received as an infant. They need big, strong arms to feed them or care for them.
Often those arms, metaphysical or real are not there to help them. They are told “Its part of a plan…” When good things happen, they are told “Its part of a plan…” Maybe the Gnostic words of Christ are correct. Maybe this is the only life we have – so the need to get things right is far magnified beyond any Church’s call for tolerance of or retribution for the imperfections in mankind, as the next life will make up for it. Whether it will be St Peter’s greetings or Mohammed’s.
Maybe death itself is just like your time before birth, a painless, un-existence, devoid of suffering.
You seem very studied and focused on your faith and I wonder what you think.
To anonymous "David" ~
I'm not sure how you expect me to answer you if you do not provide a way to contact you besides my blog. But I'll try writing here anyway, just in case you come back to see if I've responded.
First, I'd have to say your supposition about how I'd reacte to another's opinion is not correct. I enjoy conversing with others and hearing differing views on religion. Although I don't think I could be "swayed" from my path, I do believe we all have a lot to learn from each other.
Second, we are all equal in God's sight and no one church does have it right, BUT Jesus Himself says "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me." That's something I hold as true, and yes, it's exclusive, but it's available for everyone.
Third, I'm not going to try and convince you of anything (since you may never read this anyway)...there's not much context between us for a true relationship, and it's in relationship with others where the Christian life is show to be true, so anything I try to write/argue/defend/explain/etc won't have much validity because you don't know me and I don't know you and so how we interact over my blog is not exactly "normal" or "realistic" so I hesitate to say much more than that.
Fourth, there are some good articles on the InterVarsity website I recommend you checking out...especially the study on the New Testament book of Ephesians. Here's the link: http://www.urbana.org/wtoday.ephesians.cfm
Thanks for your thoughts! I hope and pray that God will meet you on your journey and give you eyes to see what He's doing in this world. All the best! ~ Faith
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