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:: Treadmills, Bondage, Tombstones and Grace
Introduction
Childhood Background
Enter Treadmill Living
John 8:44: Was true of me You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and did not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature: for he is a liar, and the father of lies. Eph. 2:1-3: Described my situation And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience: Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as the rest. Divergent Drives During high school we commonly had career days. One constant presentation was by priests, brothers or nuns suggesting that maybe “you too” have a calling from God to that higher spirituality of the religious life. I doubted that I was good enough to get in, yet I felt a desire to do something to get into God’s good graces. After all, I had a lot of sin to make up for. Maybe, if I became a priest, He would look upon me with favor and keep me out of hell. The summer after freshman year of high school, we visited a novitiate in Arlington Heights, IL. The priest in charge of vocations had written me for about a year and kept sending me fliers and newsletters. I decided to visit the novitiate with my family that summer on a vacation that took us through the Chicago area. I was disheartened that the building and location looked nothing like the pictures. I returned to Messmer High School, the Catholic school I had been attending. In the next two years, I experienced two conflicting forces within me -- increasing attraction to the high school girls that were in my classes as adolescence emerged into manhood, and an opposing allure and gravitation to a priestly, celibate vocation. I had trouble reconciling these two divergent drives. Seminary Life Meanwhile, our parish had increasing numbers of young men going to St Francis Seminary on the south side of Milwaukee. By the summer of my junior year of HS, I decided that I wanted to find out if I had a vocation. The pastor at our parish, Monsignor Stehling, suggested the way to find out was to attend seminary. So at the beginning of my senior year, I switched from Messmer HS to De Sales Prep Seminary. Living, eating, sleeping, and recreating with 40 other guys in my class bonded us together. It was the closest familiarity I had experienced to that point in my life, perhaps similar to the bonding or camaraderie often described of the military experience of war, when men need to depend upon one another. I really enjoyed that initial experience. However, I still struggled with sin, continuing on the treadmill of trespass, guilt, find a priest, confess, and hope again, whoops! I got creative, trying different confessors. Maybe I would find one more lenient, more understanding, more accepting of my sin. In the end, I was still a lost sinner, trying harder yet unable to stop sinning. I was still on the treadmill and in bondage. I remember envisioning myself living to a ripe old age, trying very hard to be good, always turning over a new leaf, but just at the last minute of my life doing some stupid sin and losing it all, ending up in hell. The anxiety frustrated me. Also, it was during my third and fourth year in the seminary that Vatican II was being implemented. Eating meat on Fridays was no longer a mortal sin, whereas only weeks earlier people supposedly went to hell for all eternity for eating meat on Fridays. This arbitrary change disturbed me and raised some doubts. The liberal culture of the 60’s also caused me to doubt my ability to live a celibate life, so I left the seminary in 1966, after four years. Married with Children During the following 23 years, I met my wife Mary, a former nun and we raised three daughters, Laura, Sarah and Allison. We were good Catholics – going to mass each week, attending the sacraments, getting our children baptized and confirmed, distributing communion at Mass, teaching catechism, etc. We trusted “the one true church” implicitly. In 1988 we were teaching a confirmation class to thirteen sophomores. We, along with the students, were given a Catholic Bible by one couple in our Catholic church. We began reading it. I particularly liked the words in red – Jesus speaking. The words seemed to speak to my deep inner needs and Jesus seemed so compassionate and loving. At this same time, our local public school was attempting to introduce sex education into the curriculum. About 300 parents, many who were Christians, were working against this. Through this group, we were introduced to Christian radio. I liked the conservative perspective. We went to our local priest to ask the church to help us fight this curriculum. Instead of helping us, they came out endorsing it and even suggested they would help teach the sex education teachers. A red flag went up in our consciences. We were confused. So, we tried the following: 1. Moving to a more conservative Catholic parish. A Life-Changing Message He was talking about me. He said that Christ died for our sins – I had heard that before – but now I heard that he died for my sins. Romans 5: 6, 8 For when we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly... But God demonstrates His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The message continued: He was buried and rose again according to the Scriptures. Whosoever believes on Him shall have eternal life. That was easy. That was simple. It was so simple, I didn’t feel inclined to believe it. My whole background predisposed me to expect to do something. I expected a quid pro quo – I do something to get something. My religious background predisposed me to reject a free gift. Yet after turning this over in my mind for a number of days, I realized it had to be true. By God’s grace, I decided that I would believe the gospel and accept the free gift of salvation. I knew that from my track record of sin and failure, if it were up to me to attain or maintain my salvation, I would fail. I only needed to believe on the finished work of Christ on Calvary to be saved. Many verses confirmed this simple truth: • John 3: 16, 36 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life…He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. • John 20:31 But these things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. • Acts 13:39 And through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. • Acts 16:30-31 The jailor asked Paul & Silas “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They said, “Believe in the lord Jesus, and you will be saved... • Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. • Galatians 2:16 Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. • Galatians 3:22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. • Titus 3:7 So that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. • Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Sharing the Message I hope that no one gets the impression that I am against Catholic people. I love the Catholics I know and realize that most are very sincere in their beliefs. Very Sincere. Sincerity will not save, however. I love these people but object to a system that masks the truth and garbles the gospel. The truth of the gospel will set people free. Free from the penalty of sin. Free from a dead works approach to salvation on the installment basis. It is my hope and prayer that all my Catholic relatives, friends and acquaintances could come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I attempted to tell all my relatives what I had learned, how Christ had died for my sins and that belief on Christ alone is what saves. It is my earnest desire that they know and understand the truth. Some have believed. All, however, are now more fully accountable after having been exposed to the truth. Since I have believed on Jesus Christ alone for my salvation, I have eternal security: I know I am going to heaven when I die. I no longer need to be anxious, but rather can rest upon te finished work of Christ. • All that the Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out. (John 6:37) • And I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:28) • To obtain an inheritance which is imperishable, and undefiled, and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time .(1 Peter 1:4-5) • Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25) • For I am convinced, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39) Trusting what the Bible says gives me a great sense of security. On-Going Battle I still fall into sin. Being a born again Christian does not negate the Old Sin Nature. Besides being indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the Old Sin Nature still resides and is at war within against the Holy Spirit. However, Christ died for all sins: past, present and future. Sin is no longer the issue. When He died, of course, all my sins were future. I am no longer anxious about my destiny. Walk of Faith Most recently, I have been learning more about how to walk in the Spirit. Ep 2: 8-10: For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we should walk in them. Believers still have an Old Sin Nature, so I am still tempted and still do sin. However, it is liberating to reckon and count on the truth that the power of sin no longer enslaves me because of what Christ did on Calvary, and that because the Holy Spirit indwells me, I don’t have to sin. I can choose volitionally to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I try to read and study scripture consistently because as I read the Word and gain God’s viewpoint, I will more second naturedly respond to the Old Sin Nature by following the Holy Spirit’s desires for my life. My day-by-day goal is to walk in the Holy Spirit. That is to abide in Christ. • Jn 15:4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine; so neither can you unless you abide in Me. • Gal 5:1 It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery. • Jude 3 …contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. • Ro 6:14 For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. • Ro 6:11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Jesus Christ. • Eph 4:22-24 That in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. • Eph 5:17-19 See then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. Yielding myself to the Holy Spirit is the goal. I know that as I abide, Christ will use me as a willing instrument and spiritual fruit will occur. None of this can be credited to me, because I died, and now Christ lives in me. Ro 6:2b-4 How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Bernie Hertel must diminish and Jesus Christ must be magnified. To Him be the glory. Ro 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good, and acceptable, and perfect.. Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of my faith. The Holy Spirit over time, through trials, with fellowship of believers and knowledge of His Word will conform me to the image of Jesus Christ. I await with expectation and excitement to see how God will continue to work in my life. If you have tried to be religious, doing good, keeping the Ten Commandments, doing the sacraments, following church rules, etc. to win God’s approval, then may I invite you to repent (change your mind). Change your mind about how sinful man gets saved. Ro 4:4-5 Now to the one who works, his wage is not credited as a favor, but as what is due. But to the one who does not work, but believeth in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness. I invite you to repent of any “merit mentality” -- attempted good works to earn God’s favor and approbation. Change your mind about how salvation is attained. Give up the quid pro quo, the need-to-work-to-get idea, and accept GRACE, the truth that salvation is a free gift. Salvation is free and yours for the acceptance of Jesus Christ. The work was done on Calvary. It is finished. Acts 10:43 Of Him all the prophets bear witness, that through His name everyone who believes in Him shall receive forgiveness of sins. Rev 22:17: And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. >B>An Invitation If you are a Catholic, we love you, understand your situation and want you to know the truth. Don’t trust what any sinful man says. God’s inspired Word, the Bible, is TRUTH (Jn 17:17). It is trustworthy. Read Scripture. Start with the gospel of John. Read the epistles to the Romans and Galatians. Check what Scripture says against what any church or any man says. The Holy Spirit will help you. James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously, and without reproach; and it will be given to him. Pray for wisdom to be led to the truth. If you have Catholic relatives or friends, first pray for them and then share with them the simple gospel of grace, how Christ died for their sins according to the Scriptures, was buried and rose again. Boldly challenge them to trust Christ alone as their savior. Satan loves religious complexity and/or complacency. But as someone has said, “Salvation is simple, free, a gift. However, it has to be received.” Some of you know that I’m an insurance agent. One of my habits is reading local death notices to see if any former clients have died. It is amazing what people put down on paper to summarize what 30, 50 or 80 years represents. Whether I live a short while or quite a while the following is true: Here I am, Bernard R. Hertel. husband of Mary. Father of Laura, Sarah and Allison, grandfather of Katherine. Born a sinner December 16, 1944 into a Catholic family and I lived by man’s religion for 44 years. I tried repeatedly to do what was right, but continually failed. I offended God and my fellow man in thought word and deed, by omission and commission. I deserves eternal hell. Yes, I deserves hell eternally. Yet God in His infinite mercy extended His love to me while I was yet unrighteous, showing me how His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, came to die for my sins, was buried according to the Scriptures and rose again to prove that my sins were propitiated. Scripture says that whosoever believes on the LORD Jesus Christ shall be saved. I believed God that this Scripture is true and faithful and it was counted unto me for righteousness. My sin was imputed to Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ’s righteousness was imputed to me. God did it all. God gets all the glory. Jesus Christ is to be magnified. Amen. This testimony is copy written © to protect its integrity. Freely copy or email in its entirety for witnessing purposes. Scripture taken from NASB. brhertel@execpc.com 10-3-02, revised 7-23-03 |
