tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post428989679011022249..comments2023-10-24T07:03:42.942-05:00Comments on vtmbottomline: IT'S A GIVEN FOR ME___PART TWOPaul Burlesonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-13066879528814811032015-08-19T10:51:41.376-05:002015-08-19T10:51:41.376-05:00All,
I'm thinking we are all aware that the C...All,<br /><br />I'm thinking we are all aware that the Christian who tries to live by doing "good things" [moral behavior] as opposed to doing "bad things" [immoral behavior] is doing nothing but religion. Christian Religion is really no different than the other religions when thought of in that manner. <br /><br />Christianity, Christian living, is the life of Jesus Christ lived out through us. Such is antithetical to all morality. To the extent that we accept, advocate or try to observe morality, and try to live and "be good" based on precepts or principles, rules or regulations, Christian living is excluded, the Christ-life is not being expressed at all.<br /><br />Ian Thomas writes, "Seeking to be godly by submitting yourself to external rules and regulations, and by conformity to behavior patterns [morals] imposed upon you by the particular Christian society which you have "chosen," and in which you hope to be found "acceptable," is foolishness as you will, in this way, perpetuate the pagan habit of practicing religion in the energy of the 'flesh,' and in the very pursuit of righteousness commit idolatry in honoring 'Christianity' more than Christ." Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-14160740369099640472015-08-18T17:31:58.970-05:002015-08-18T17:31:58.970-05:00Aussie J,
Superb comment and a funny illustration...Aussie J,<br /><br />Superb comment and a funny illustration as well. Thanks. Paul Burlesonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17021178307705707423noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28605099.post-73816979430460830902015-08-18T17:29:18.105-05:002015-08-18T17:29:18.105-05:00Paul,
You're Old Timer status is showing, and...Paul,<br /><br />You're Old Timer status is showing, and as one, I do appreciate your words.<br /><br />Haven't heard the "Old School" terminology for some time so it brought back a few memories, some quite funny, others not so.<br /><br />The "House of God" comment was particularly relevant to my years in ministry. If I had a dollar for every time someone complained about something happening in "the house of God".<br /><br />As a young pastor I could see that the pews were placed in such a way that some folk had the pulpit so close they got a neck ache, with others too far away, so in my young naivety I got to work and moved the pews into a much better configuration (I thought).<br /><br />A founding matriarch was the first to arrive, and I heard this loud stage whisper, "Look what he's done to God's House". Even funnier was the fact that no one could find their traditional seat. <br /><br />Well, I had to see it as funny, otherwise I would have cried at the theology of the thoughts expressed.<br /><br />Your last three points raise the question: In what rests an individual's (or even a congregation's) security, and understanding of their function in God's House (1 Peter 2:4-5)?Aussie Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16199918171163666399noreply@blogger.com