Subject: invitation to salvation/accepting Christ |
Bible Note: While my post focused on the attention to doctrine, I too am somewhat in agreement with you. God also created our emotions and that definitely falls into the category of loving the Lord with our all. During a sermon, when convicted of sin in my life, I cry, when I am reminded of the assurances He has given us of my eternal place with Him, I am filled with joy. I love the sound of clapping during music that is upbeat and exhalting of Him. And I am struck with awe every time a sinner repents. Our emotions have every place in the worship service, as do our minds. The thrust is to restore that balance from it tipping to far into "feel good" worship. I also believe in the singing of songs such as Isaac Watts "Alas! And Did My Savior Bleed?", particularly the version before is was PC'd up, that is the original that uses "worm" instead of today's politically correct version which uses sinner." "Alas! and did my Savior bleed And did my Sovereign die? Would He devote that sacred head For such a worm as I?" See Job 25:4-6 for worm reference. I want to hear all that God has said of us and to us - "I would see Jesus". If He called Peter Satan, and rebuked His disciples as well as the Pharisees, then what benefit is it to us to only be exposed to the "positives." Our knowledge of our sin moves us to seek to hide under His wing and consequently, sanctification. When we see how great our wickedness, then the brightness of His forgiveness illuminates our hearts with great hope! Regarding the side thread of accepting salvation, I missed a reference - The references you cited don't provide any information regarding the role of this type of invitation in a worship service. The first speaks of the hearts attitude; the second speaks of the adoption of the saved, there change of relationship status that is; the third is in regards to the surety of our salvation, the fourth has me perplexed why you quote that one. Paul's forgiveness he received as an example for the depth of forgiveness we should exhibit? Is that the reference? All of everything that God declared good at our creation should be given to Him in our sacrifice of praise, our minds as well as our emotions. Our emotions should be tempered by a clear, rational cogent understanding of God. We should not supplant the rational understanding with emotionalism. But, rather both should be present with the emotions filtered by a proper perspective of the Father. To regard God other than who He is is to engage in idolatry. That is one of the chief errors of emotionalism. There is also the element of that which is edifying. Jubilant celebration of which the type most commonly associated with these types of worship services(ongoing altar call) has its proper context. The sabbath service should be devoted to the proclamation of the word of God for that is when you are most likely to have the unregenerate in the congregation. If they wanted John 3:16, then would turn on ESPN and look in the stands - what they need to hear is God's righteous standard by which He will judge all the world AND God's answer to that. Not just God's answer. The unregenrate or new Christian is "unchurched" and does not understand - the care of nurture should be the ministry of the congregation. Gathered together with the visible church, it is better to sacrifice than to seek after one's own. I referred to conviction of sin, there must be the preaching of what God has declared as sin. We must be constantly(Ps 1:1-3, Mt. 4:4) be exposed to the standard of righteousness to shed the light of that righteousness on our darkness. We must be exposed to light then given an outlet to rejoice when we have turned - that outlet is our emotions which when given with a contrite heart is a sweet smelling aroma to Him. Ps 51:17 "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." That, to me, is balance. Your servant, Matt. References(all [NIV]): Job 25:4-6 How then can a man be righteous before God? How can one born of woman be pure? If even the moon is not bright and the stars are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is but a maggot- a son of man, who is only a worm!" Ps. 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates DAY and NIGHT.[emphasis mine] He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. Mt. 4:3-4 The tempter came to him and said, If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread. Jesus answered, It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. Ps 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. |