For the most part I agree, however (and you knew that was coming, lol), one thing I would say is that we need to be careful not to think that what God is doing in our lives (and that is a continual process of sanctification which has varied results in all believers and is never a constant state of sinlessness) determines God's effectiveness in using us.
After all, if He can get a point across using a donkey, I at least can feel better about His using me, lol. Some might say "He's still doing that..."
1 Corinthians 1:27-29
King James Version (KJV)
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
Trying to enforce morality at any level is, in my view, a mistake. And I am not talking about the parent child relationship, but in regards to witnessing.
Because no matter how "good" we might feel we are, or how holy we think we are living, there's always going to be something that is going to destroy that image.
I would view morality sought after through legislation is better than the Church herself trying to impose a standard we already know the unbelieving population has no interest in. I think we do well to combat issues like Abortion, Homosexuality, and now Gender Confusion. Most people don't have a problem about enforcing legislation that deals with drugs and alcohol (this latter becoming less and less these days), and the end result id the saving of physical lives. That should be a concern for us as well, though our greater concern is for spiritual life.
Agreed. I take the view that when the Church is raptured, a primary source of restraint of evil will be taken from the world. The Church is not the Restrainer, the Holy Spirit is, so the Spirit being taken out of the way (not out of the world) could be seen in the Church being taken out of the world.
Again...agreed. Wholeheartedly.
But that does not mean new believers cannot also be effective witnesses based on what they do know. We are all saved into a pretty ignorant state, but, what we do know most of us (I believe) have a burning desire to share with everyone we meet.
Speak for yourself.
No, seriously, we all embrace views that change as we gain better understanding and familiarity with Scripture, and as the Spirit enlightens and illuminates the Word.
Agreed. I call those who don't understand this Political Religionists.
I think it was Gregg Frazer who wrote a book on several key founding fathers, and determined them to be Rational Theists, rather than Christians. My niece once brought home a book report on Abigail Adams, and quotes from here made it pretty clear she denied the Deity of Christ.
Its sad to see people so zealous over politics and not their own salvation, or the salvation of others.
Again, in part I agree, I just see a potential for religious mentality. A lot of people think their Christianity is built upon a faithful church attendance and tithing, and in their minds this is what Christians do. And I am not saying they don't, just saying that we should never think what we do determines destiny for either us or those we are called to preach the Gospel to.
God bless.
