I was sent this message the other day, and when I read it, something felt off. Not entirely, only slightly, only just enough to make me really consider it. I had asked where it originated from, hoping for more context and understanding and was met with silence…and although I 110% believe the intention was to bring me peace and maybe understanding. The message seemed incomplete to me (or worse maybe even misunderstood). Through the magic of modern technology (being a simple Google search), I found this, which I think is the original post.

Brian Romero – Following Jesus Christ after the cross is not about… | Facebook

These are my thoughts distilled down. Since this is where I lay myself bare without any mask. I read the full chapters of the scriptures, I thought about the verses held within each, considering them, praying about them. the words that are bold are from the ‘original post’ the others are my thoughts.

(Ephesians 2:13) Is a testament to His lighting the path to salvation, (Ephesians 2: 1-3) reminds those on the path to salvation that the way is narrow in this life and cautions us to be aware of which path we are on.

“You are not trying to become someone God will finally approve of. In Christ, you are already accepted, already righteous, already His (2 Corinthians 5:21)”– We are trying to become someone God will approve of (2 Corinthians 5:6-10), His love is truth eternal and should not be confused with His approval which is earned by living in Christ.

“Jesus did not save you halfway and leave the rest up to you. He completed the work fully, once and for all (Hebrews 10:14) Following Him now is not about striving to stay close.”-Christ completed His work fully, our work will be ever ongoing in this life. His work is the path, the way, the light and the truth, our work is the striving to stay close in spirit and out of sin (Hebrews 10:26-27) He is ever present for us, that does not mean we are ever present for Him.

“It also means obedience is no longer driven by fear or pressure…(Philippians 2:13)”-Please consider (Philippians 2:12)

I only wish I had the courage and the relationship with the person who sent me the message to send them my thoughts directly. I would have the courage, if I had the relationship. I believe they would see it not as me expressing my opinion, but as a rejection of an idea they may have assimilated as their own. I hope one day to have more confidence in the relationship I share with them.

Keep smiling, you’re worth it!

Always Yours

me

p.s. – full disclosure, this blog is always written by me and never AI, though the tags for this post were generated by AI because I didn’t have a clue what to put.