"You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Yeshua was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive mercy by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?"
Well Paul, obviously you're wrong, because according to the church, I must adhere to the law of heterosexuality, the law of monogamy, the law of marriage before sex, the law of worshiping God, the law of believing Jesus was a human sacrifice, the law of confession, the law of tithing, the law of baptism, the law of modesty, and the law of believing the bible (or any writing) is the 'word of God'. Salvation is dependent on adherence to the law, and not mercy, obviously. ~ Saith the church.
Ever since I first began walking with God, I was sure to assume nothing about God. I had long since stopped listening to people's talk about God, as if they knew the difference between truth and belief - even though their aggressive stand is that they are one and the same.
So in the beginning (early 2006), I thought that it was our place to do good, change the world into a beautiful home for all generations, and then rest unconsciously with our ancestors forever. I had no thoughts whatsoever concerning an afterlife.
An afterlife just didn't fit with life and all that God was showing me. Why all the due-diligence with good work in this world if there is some other eternal world that our ghosts are going to live in after we're dead - it just didn't fit, so I didn't even consider it.
But then God corrected my error and said to me, "Even if you are struck down, and your life is taken from you, I will quickly give it back and raise you up, flesh and all, to life eternal." It was an "Ohhhhhh!!!" moment; it all made sense in an amazing and humbling way.
Then, and only then, did I begin finding Pearls in that shit-filled book, such as, "For the word of the cross [salvation from death] is foolishness to those who are perishing [dying], but to us who are being saved [from death] it is the power of God." ~ 1st Corinthians 1:18 and "I will bless Yahweh who has counseled me... Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; my flesh also will dwell securely. For You will not abandon my soul to the grave; nor will You allow me to undergo decay." ~ Psalm 16:7-10
