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Today my heart broke- while walking down an ordinary street in Manila -full of people, pollution, trash, noise, and beggars what we came upon left me in awe and silence- I was in disbelief and then once I realized what I saw, I could only think about the number of souls represented- it left me speechless. As we continued to walk- I held back tears- and kept saying things like, "really- how come they can't understand the simplicity of the gospel- they have faith- really- WOW- crazy-..."
This is one HUGE church- step aside"mega church" it surpasses the size and members per service bar none. Thousands of people- packed inside- standing room only- shoulder to shoulder (in foreign countries you sacrifice your personal space), back to back- packed ( like cattle I like to say), all in silence listening to the music or message being spoken by the priest at mass in a local Catholic church.
All paying their respect to God- praying to Mary hoping she'll pass the word along- of their need, or thanksgiving. Standing in lines- hundreds long waiting to talk to one of many priests- in confession- hoping he can make a reconcile with God and they'll be given grace one more time... then laying their hands upon these statues and idols that represent one of their many saints- praying and putting up their plea for safety, healing, health, success, wealth, food, etc.
There is a more serious battle- it's simple- we believe in the same God- we believe in the same trinity- we believe in the same Christ that was crucified and I believe he rose again- they place the emphasis on the cross. They know the 10 commandments better than I- yet they don't realize they break #1 praying to their idols, aka "saints"- their other "gods".
I ask "why", how can they be so naive, so silly- how can they miss something so obvious? Truth be told- they believe every word of their priest- and don't read the Bible- even the priest most likely hasn't read the Bible through- and note that it will have been their version of the Bible.
Roman Catholics are some of the hardest people to reach for Christ-because they have they believe in the same things born again believers do- but they have missed one vital part-
I was devestated to think of so many lost souls- so many giving so much time and effort to the church- living the best they can thinking this is it- and they'll make it to Heaven- missing one vital part of their eternal life story: grace- God's grace. Here these people gave more attention and respect in this service- and to think they have constant church services- these people stand for hours to attend mass- with no a/c - packed in- hot, sweating, smelly, YUCK- missing the point- praying to Mary- the mother of Christ- when Jesus calls to them- pray to me.
Not understanding that they can have a direct conversation with Jesus Himself. Asking the priest for forgiveness instead of Jesus.
You Know what's scary-
Most of these Catholics- have a better prayer life and are far more devout than 99% of the Christians today in the modern church. They are far more proud and devout to their faith than the average Christian is. They stand in silence without one complaint- for HOURS to pray to a saint- or stand in line to ask for forgiveness-
While we find it hard to put aside time to pray to Jesus himself or to bow and ask for grace to cover our daily sins- we don't even have to wait- it's simple- we just bow and pray- yet we don't-
Souls Thousands of them- all doomed- all going to spend eternity away from God the Father- because they believe they've got it figured out- they believe they are Christian and they don't differ from our religion-
They aren't much different- they just don't realize their need to accept grace from Jesus Christ in place of grace from their priest.
Man is Man- in that we were all created equal-
I'll try and sleep tonight- but the crowds I saw- and their reverence humbled me- and put me to shame- I take so much for granted- and pray more earnestly for a revival in this country- they are so close- yet so far... from GRACE.
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