tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post2536679115877987986..comments2024-03-28T16:55:57.201-04:00Comments on AS BEREANS DID: Faith and the SpiritMarthahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12438486498450616814noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post-9791070898559398212009-09-12T19:25:05.056-04:002009-09-12T19:25:05.056-04:00Anon 15:5 said...
"...I wonder if we fully gr...Anon 15:5 said...<br /><i>"...I wonder if we fully grasp the subtlety of this issue and the fine line we walk in avoiding this trap? ... <br /><br />So now this practice becomes mandated duty and very subtlety our being right with God is no longer through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1), but in our own ability to pray and study, or fast or eat whole wheat bread, or refrain from pork, or something of that stature...<br /><br />What's wrong is when our reliance and faith becomes misguided and is placed IN THAT EFFORT and not on Christ that we "fall from Grace" into "another Gospel"."</i><br /><br />So very true Fifteen! I think the most difficult thing to grasp is that it's ALL Christ, not us! We are to believe and to love one another. There is nothing we can do to earn the Kingdom. <br />It's not a matter of "How good or bad am I?" It's a matter of "I have repented & I believe, therefore I am saved!"<br /><br />Mat 18:6, Mar 1:15, <br />Luk 8:12, Joh 1:12, <br />Joh 3:16, Joh 3:18, <br />Joh 3:36, Joh 6:35, <br />Joh 6:47, Joh 8:24, <br />Joh 11:25, Joh 12:46, <br />Joh 14:1, Joh 16:8-9, <br />Joh 20:31Seeker Of Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05974355570014495622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post-82129489823511109902009-09-12T11:54:32.917-04:002009-09-12T11:54:32.917-04:00Can you improve on the Spirit and faith through yo...Can you improve on the Spirit and faith through your own efforts? That IS the question. But I wonder if we fully grasp the subtlety of this issue and the fine line we walk in avoiding this trap? Sure, we can polarize the issue into "law verses grace" or "law verses faith" and then think that by avoiding the observance of certain old covenant laws, we are home free. But such is not the case--the problem runs deeper.<br /><br />What about the "laws" (human- not divine) WE have imposed on ourselves or allowed others to impose upon us, that, of themselves may not be bad, but through a misguided use or a misdirected faith can become an affront to the cross of Christ? <br /><br /> Take the religious practices of "prayer" and "Bible study" as examples. BOTH are good things--both are necessary for a Christian's growth and maturity. But then Mr. Armstrong comes along and ADDS a law to the Word by saying we really should be praying 3 times a day for an hour at a time --OR that we should be studying our Bibles an hour a day---implying that not doing so we will be out of sinc with God! So now this practice becomes mandated duty and very subtlety our being right with God is no longer through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1), but in our own ability to pray and study, or fast or eat whole wheat bread, or refrain from pork, or something of that stature. Yes, this reasoning, as Paul says, "DOES indeed have a shew of wisdom"--Colossians 2:23--(if praying once is good then praying twice is better), and it's not that human effort of itself is wrong or not needed. What's wrong is when our reliance and faith becomes misguided and is placed IN THAT EFFORT and not on Christ that we "fall from Grace" into "another Gospel". Believe me, this trap is so easy to fall into, especially when the real problem is usually ME and not the practice!<br /><br />Excellent blog! You are indeed on the right track!anon15:5noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post-61989688182131958032009-08-31T10:50:38.725-04:002009-08-31T10:50:38.725-04:00"Are you made perfect now by what you do phys..."Are you made perfect now by what you do physically, in this case by keeping that law?" <br /><br />NO!<br /><br />"Is the Spirit and faith not enough for you?"<br /><br />Must not be!<br /><br />"Can you improve on the Spirit and faith through your own efforts?"<br /><br />NO!xHWAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01061716053302210598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post-23590939345377886372009-08-29T19:06:58.460-04:002009-08-29T19:06:58.460-04:00The strategy of Satan is as effective today as it ...The strategy of Satan is as effective today as it was with Eve, "Has God indeed said....?"<br /><br />Satan wants us to think God is holding out on us, hasn't told us everything, can't be trusted. <br /><br />You're right, insanity follows; just look at what people are willing to believe rather than trust God.angelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post-3250740586404810882009-08-29T02:55:44.031-04:002009-08-29T02:55:44.031-04:00It is interesting, is it not, that one cannot resi...It <i>is</i> interesting, is it not, that one cannot resist the thing they are told they can't have or are to stay clear of?<br />Built into human nature? I think so.Seeker Of Truthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05974355570014495622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5528158760608808912.post-73044093524187104862009-08-29T00:40:17.364-04:002009-08-29T00:40:17.364-04:00It is the stolen fruit that is the sweetest.It is the stolen fruit that is the sweetest.Billhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18122238110750804356noreply@blogger.com