Re: A vacuous and dangerous argument
Submitted by GCF on July 10 2001 02:47:47
In reply to Re: A vacuous and dangerous argument submitted by GCF on July 10 2001 02:35:47
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>>It is notable that the emphasis of the New Testament epistles is always on encouraging Christians to fight on, seeking after God's way etc. That is the uncomfortable message that needs to be proclaimed; to focus on other things which have the effect of neutering that challenge, even if they are true, is a very dangerous road to follow. It is important also to remember that Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing." If Christians are called to press on and seek after God, this must also be done with the Holy Spirit, and not without. "Do not quench the Spirit." The emphasis of the New Testament, I think, is to let God into your life. But I fear that some Christians are so busy trying to seek God with their own strength alone, that they do not see that God has been there all along trying to get in. God wants to help us. He wants to give us strength. He is not stingy. He does not expect us to be able to obey him without his power to help us. This is an important point. If there is a danger in my argument, I think there is also a danger in thinking that we have to fight or seek out things that God has already given us. All of these are issues that are always in danger of being misunderstood. But I need to express my opionion, even if someone else may take it wrongly. I am definitely NOT trying to be an advocate for "cheap grace"...not at all. There is a vast difference between the matter of a non-Christian or an unsure Christian who uses God's grace as an excuse to sin, and a born-again Christian who beats themselves up with needless guilt over not being perfect. But since the original post was about true Christians, my responses have been directed toward that side of it. |
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