Jim,
I am not bothered whether you suspect me or not or think that I have an attitude about the subject matter, because I do not. You know as well as I that posts on a white screen can never measure voice inflection, so we must take that into account when we speak. In some languages, we would not even have a conversation like this i am told because of voice inflection, so keep that in mind.
My attitude was just what I posted. I am willing to look at the Ephesian letter with you, and that still stands. Neither of us may come out of it changed, but if we are led by the Spirit within us, the Holy Spirit, then who could not learn?
And I mean it every time I ask you if so and so or such and such is a "work" ? There are many aspects to that word, and Paul speaks of very many of them himself, such as these verses all in Ephesians:
16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.
10 For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
11 It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12 to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
5:1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children
2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Look at all those active words Paul is using? Does all this add up to marks on a chalkboard to be saved? Nope, you and I both know better than that. IMO it is faith in action . Paul himself said that GOD prepared us for works of service. Not working our way to heaven.
Because it has come up before, I will tell you about many many times of communion with Jesus. It is not a salvation issue to me to get the privilege of taking communion with the saints, the bread and cup offered by my Lord Jesus(" as oft as ye do this") The remembrance of my Lord Jesus not only on the cross, but in the garden, and on the way, and his compassion for mankind, and his gift of deliverance, and his resurrection, Praise God, I get to meditate on that weekly with the saints, and we sing of that, and we pray of that, and we both rejoice and cry at that, and are dumbstruck that God loves us so much that He gave us his Son. And Jesus went willingly. And do I cherish communion? Not near enough... I wish to cherish it even more and every time say.... With this bread and this cup I remember you Lord until you come for me again.
I will always tell you what I see, Jim, but I do not see it as "copping an attitude". I see one grace message, completed at the cross. Paul brought that to very many people. As did James, Peter, John, Jude.
God bless
dan |
