Subject: How should we take the Bible? |
Bible Note: Come on Doc, you are one of the more learned bible students on this forum. We both know that Paul was in no way categorizing himself along with those he wrote about in the verses I pointed out (Romans 1:18-32). Absolutely not. When you study the life and ministry of Paul you will (and you Doc have) find that Paul was a saved sinner. He was a Christian. He was also still human and as such continued to be a sinner (as you, me, and those "professing believers" around me are). Romans 7:14-20 for example I think you missed my point altogether. (and I admitted in my earlier post to Mark that I may very well have missed your point). So let me try again. I am not trying to be contentious or argumentative here. I had true concern for what you wrote regarding Christians and their "intentional" avoidance of seeking God's truth and creating ways of not adhering to the word of God and not being obedient save perhaps on a very superficial level (again as I understood your post). To my understanding and belief, such would not be true Christians, not truly converted and changed by the Lord. Therefore, I would object to the "we" with the inclusion of Christians implied or stated. But you did not attempt to redirect my understanding of your comments so I must assume that I interpreted them correctly. So, in this latest post you minimize your labeling to "faltering or flagging", far different descriptions than "spending most of our time trying to figure out how to obey as little as possible..." and "how much is in it for me, and what is the least I have to do." Doc, this is not a sufficient description of a true Christian at all. Yes, this is a far different description of how a truly converted person approaches the Lord and His word. The difference in myself, Paul, and I suspect you and every other true believer, is that we are convicted by God when we sin, resulting in true feelings of guilt and sorrow followed by repentance and forgiveness. We are so grateful for His mercy and the grace He has shown in saving us that, in spite of "faltering or flagging" we strive to do better and continually die to self as we are made more and more like Jesus Christ. I believe that this is a more accurate representation of the approach a true Christian takes toward his/her savior and the word of God. And as for "lowering the average" at my church, I don't think so. Because I disagree with a statement you made doesn't mean that I don't respect and appreciate your knowledge; as I have said in other posts, I have learned a lot from you. But, in truth I believe you meant this comment as an insult. Jeff |