Results 1 - 14 of 14
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Results from: Notes Author: Dave R. Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Is my sin any less ugly ? | Matt 7:6 | Dave R. | 41460 | ||
Ray, Very interesting post. Your analysis is fascinating in how you related Proverbs to the Gospel of Matthew. Excellent inductive reasoning. You have illuminated very well the idea of heaven's "open door" policy, with Jesus being the door. All are welcome and any who choose (however that "choosing" works under God's sovereignty) may enter. Only God knows who ultimately follows the narrow path through Jesus Christ. Keep up the good work. Hope to hear more from you in these pages... In Christ, Dave R. |
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2 | throwing our pearl? | Matt 7:6 | Dave R. | 41321 | ||
No argument from me here, Joe. Good post. I especially like your challenge to accurately assess the nature of Jesus' conflict with the Pharisees. Understanding this seems to be a long reach toward understanding ourselves. Thanks, Dave R |
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3 | throwing our pearl? | Matt 7:6 | Dave R. | 41312 | ||
Dallas Willard, author of "The Divine Conspiracy" said, in his view, that Jesus didn't teach rules on how to live, but taught the way things are. In other words, according to Willard, Jesus, as creator and designer of us, knows how we are wired and taught the way His creation was designed to work. He also taught how things behave in a fallen world such as ours. For example he taught we would be blessed in marriage if we stayed married to the same woman for life (see Matt. 5:27-28). He didn't teach that if you divorce you will go to hell, but rather, in the kingdom of heaven, marriage is for keeps and should not be entered into or exited from lightly. Becuase of our fallen nature, there will be christian divorces. What Jesus taught was that life will be harder as a result because His intent was for marriage to endure. Likewise, I believe in the case of casting pearls, Jesus is offering a scenario of what is likely to happen if one "preaches" rather than "loves" those whom one would view as vile low lifes, the unlovable in other words. Those who opposed Jesus most strongly were the self-righteous. The ones who were so certain of there theology that they missed the very one on whom they supposedly based their lives. Jesus reacted very strongly to these folks, and I believe in this teaching, which follows on the heels of his discourse on judgment and condemnation, He is saying self righteous condescension will be received badly whether you are delivering the truth or not. |
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4 | Salvation or how we live day to day? | Matthew | Dave R. | 40495 | ||
Steve, Yes, good clarification. Actually, Schaefer is the one with the pointed questions and challenging perspectives on what it means to live day to day with Christ as our model and Lord. But a great voice of today speaking to how we can best appropriate the rule and grace of Christ in our hearts through our day to day doings and relationships is a Univ. of Southern Calif. professor named Dallas Willard. His "Divine Consiracy" was a real eye opener for me. I recommend it most enthusiastically. Thank you for your well focused post. I will read Romans 6 and 1 Peter 1 and 2 to gain perspective. What a rich blessing it is to be "washed in the word" of God. Dave R. |
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5 | How do we attain righteousness? | Matthew | Dave R. | 39821 | ||
Well said, Magnum. It sounds very interesting to me the learning you are experiencing with the Messianic Rabbi. I would add to your insightful post that any language, as a tool fashioned by man for his purposes, will have a certain slant, especially cultural. Regarding your comment about the Hellinistic slant in the New Testament Greek, I'm confident the Holy Spirit took that into consideration! God bless you, brother. Dave R. |
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6 | How do we attain righteousness? | Matthew | Dave R. | 39680 | ||
Hello, Magnum, You and I have been asking Lion similar questions about how it is best to live in the kingdom of God as Jesus described it. I have been pressing Lion about life after the transaction of faith in Christ. Lion is right on all counts, I believe, but he hasn't reconciled the "how to" in sanctification. Not that I have by any stretch, but my sense is, we are missing out (as you described in your post) by not pursuing righteousness because of a static, sort of bar code faith transaction. I know that's not what Lion espouses, but in all the posts I've read from him concerning life after salvation, he gets 100 percent in all the ought tos but waxes anemic on the how to for the ought tos. I agree with you that the Holy Spirit empowers, guides, teaches and motivates us to live according to Gods law. I also believe the law in and of itself will collapse under its own steam if it is obeyed too rigidly. I believe the law, like the kingdom of God, is spiritual and can only be effectively obeyed under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It's not hard to draw examples where the Law as delivered by Moses falls down when left to mans interpretation. Just look at how the Sabbath was defined out of existence by those who originally (and I believe sincerely) were doing their best to honor God by keeping it Holy. Eventually, the definitions offered up by men start to overlap and defeat each other. The other side of the coin is a looser interpretation more in the "spirit" of the law that eventually gives in to licentious behavior. Sin affects all aspects of our ability to live under the Law without the forgiveness of sin through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, through His Spirit, we can live the "good life" (which, contrary to popular belief, is not found at Sears for less) as we purpose to grow in relationship to Him. What do you think? In Christ, Dave R. |
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7 | Where your treasure is, so is your heart | Matthew | Dave R. | 39677 | ||
What I meant was, this captures the thrust of the Sermon on the Mount, "where your treasure is, there you heart will also be." Do you agree? Dave R. |
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8 | Are we capable of this? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38818 | ||
Well said. I like your "Gospel for Dummies" analogy. It's humorous, but on point. And something else you said about effort: I've heard it said, and I agree, that that Gospel is opposed to earning, but not opposed to effort. Digging deep means getting your hands dirty, right? Thanks, Dave R. |
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9 | Examples of practical obedience? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38817 | ||
Very good. Very practical. I appreciate your heart for the gospel. It is refreshing and encouraging to me to hear the depth of your faith. I would do well to do these things. God bless you. Dave R. |
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10 | Are we capable of this? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38667 | ||
Thank you Dasev. Yes, I received Jesus in November 1991. You are gracious to ask. My question comes from my (limited) understanding of our fallen nature. If one was not regenerated through faith in Jesus, how could one hunger and thirst for a righteousness she does not know or even believe exists? However, I believe your reference to grace is correct and very important. It is God's province how the marvelous workings of the Holy Spirit brings about a harvest of souls. But back to the Sermon on the Mount, what is your take on the theme and thrust of what Jesus was trying to convey? This is an important teaching, don't you agree. God bless you, Dave R. |
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11 | Examples of practical obedience? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38657 | ||
Thanks, Dasev. How do these scriptures translate into daily life. What do YOU say? | ||||||
12 | Examples of practical obedience? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38655 | ||
Intersting, your response is similar to Jesus' to the rich young man... | ||||||
13 | Examples of practical obedience? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38653 | ||
Yes, Ed. This is very helpful. Thanks for the practical advice. So much of what is discussed about Jesus and the Kingdom of God is on such a theoretical and non-practical level. Your words are clear and show an understanding of what is required of citizens of the Kingdom Jesus described. Thank you. Dave R. |
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14 | How do we attain righteousness? | Matthew | Dave R. | 38487 | ||
Dear Greeneyes, what a marvelous answer. God bless you! - Dave R. | ||||||