Another Saturday Night
Still... I spend more time reading OTHER people's blogs than my own. But I hope to summarize Sunday Morning's message each Saturday night. So I will at least be posting once per week.
Mark 7 tomorrow. The difference between Pharisees (who tried to define INNER self by OUTER means) and Jesus, (who defined INNER self by INNER means.)
I will restrain myself from singing, "Don't wanna be a Pharisee... cause they're no fair, you see!"
We change behavior by changing (really GOD changing) our hearts. Pharisees thought we could change hearts by changing behavior.
We are like the Pharisees when we say, "He did THAT??? He COULDN'T be a Christian!"
We are also like the Pharisees when we say, "I really must be far from God, look what I DID!"
It is not, of course, that our actions (deeds) don't matter. It is simply that they are a fruit of our heart (or Spirit.) Since the old man remains in us, our actions will continue to show that.
But praise Jahweh, He continues to change our hearts so that our actions become more righteous. But we mustn't get the order mixed up.
Not an outline, I know... sort of a summarizing rambling.
Mark 7 tomorrow. The difference between Pharisees (who tried to define INNER self by OUTER means) and Jesus, (who defined INNER self by INNER means.)
I will restrain myself from singing, "Don't wanna be a Pharisee... cause they're no fair, you see!"
We change behavior by changing (really GOD changing) our hearts. Pharisees thought we could change hearts by changing behavior.
We are like the Pharisees when we say, "He did THAT??? He COULDN'T be a Christian!"
We are also like the Pharisees when we say, "I really must be far from God, look what I DID!"
It is not, of course, that our actions (deeds) don't matter. It is simply that they are a fruit of our heart (or Spirit.) Since the old man remains in us, our actions will continue to show that.
But praise Jahweh, He continues to change our hearts so that our actions become more righteous. But we mustn't get the order mixed up.
Not an outline, I know... sort of a summarizing rambling.
posted by non-farming agronomist at 8:41 PM
2 Comments:
Hey Tom:
Would like you insight on "old man remaining" vs. 2Cor.5:17, Eph. 4:22-24 etc. Is the old man crucified or not. Also "old man" vs "flesh". Are there two dogs (good dog vs. bad dog) that define what we are or are we truly new creations?
Sure, anonymous, I would love to hear your insights on those concepts and passages.
Anticipating your response and insight, the Dutch theologians phrased the reality as "already but not yet."
We are new creations because God looks at the shed blood of Christ, imputed to us. But our transformation is not complete. Sanctification is still going on.
We CONTINUE to need Christ's atoning blood every moment of every day.
Those who expect and believe that Christians are now sinless can only come to such a conclusion through proof texting, and neglecting the whole view of Scripture that clearly points to an ongoing need for the wondrous and graceful work of our Savior.
John's reference to those who refuse to see sin in themselves he calls liars.
I am glad that Christ's work is powerful enough to NOT ONLY save me "back then," but to continue to save me.
Post a Comment
<< Home