Actually for me it isn't like that at all. For me it's not confusing in the least. The Bible is really very clear as a whole about the choice Jesus created for us to make. And that we are all created with the ability to make this choice He created. The preaching that we have nothing to do with our choices after Jesus forgives us our sins is certainly not supported by God's Word.
The Gospel of Christ teaches about a religion that preaches "peace, peace, when there is no peace. Jesus and His Apostles speak a lot about deception, being deceived by people who claim to be Christians, and that Come in God's Name.
If I am not worried about deception, then I'm not going to "work" to understand why they spent so much time warning about it. It's a mistake not to "Take Heed" we are not deceived.
Generally speaking, most people never think they are deceived, it's always the other guy. That is the definition of deceived is it not? A person who is truly deceived, is the one most convinced he is not.
The Mainstream Religion of Christ's time actually condemned to death the most perfect human who ever lived, believing they were serving God in the process. People strap bombs on their children in some places of the world in service to their religion. This religious deception that Jesus warned about is no laughing matter and is nothing to mess around with.
Being deceived is not the real problem, it is staying in this condition that is the problem. We have all been deceived by satan at one point or another, and most people still are, the Bible says so. The narrow path has few people according to Jesus.
My Faith is in God/Jesus and the Instructions He created for me. I will "cling" to Him and His Word's as He instructed. In doing this He has promised to give me His "Spirit of Truth" that the world can not see. Why can't people of the World see? Because of their choice NOT to keep His Sayings.
John 14:
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth;
whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
John 14:
21 He that hath my commandments,
and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him,
and will manifest myself to him.
This is the only way to be safe from deception.
I also know from study that there will also be a "Serpent" who will "work" to turn me away from God/Jesus instructions and work to convince me to look at things through my eyes, my understanding. They will be "Many" and come in "sheep's clothing", disguised as an "apostle of Christ". They will "come in His Name" they will preach that He is truly the Christ, and Jesus said they will deceive many.
Now here I am witnessing a HUGE group of religious factions that teach AGAINST the instructions of God/Jesus all in His name. The greatest purveyor of disobedience to God on the planet is Mainstream Christianity. Sure, they use parts of the Word of God to justify their transgressions, just like the Serpent did to Eve. But the reality of the truth is that this great religion teaches all those who follow it to discard God's Instructions the exact same way the Serpent did to Eve.
But the Bottom line is disobedience to the Commandments of God, and adherence to ancient religious "tradition and doctrines of man". And the people who partake in these religions that make up Mainstream Christianity defend their traditions with a zeal like Paul defended the Pharisees religion.
It is truly a scary and amazing to witness. as Jeremiah prophesies.
Jer. 5:
30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule
by their means;
and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?
Is. 40:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people
is grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
1 Peter 1:
23 Being born again,
not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible,
by the word of God, which liveth and
abideth for ever.
Glory be to the Great God of Abraham who became a man to show us the path, and gave His life to give us another chance to walk it.
