Are you better than this?

[LeBuick]

I do not exhalt myself as the Pharisee if I say that I'm better than I was before I was saved, because the Pharisee was self-righteous, depending on his own goodness to be justified before God. But my righteousness comes from and through Christ alone, not me. Any good that is in me came from God.

I agree, just making sure we're careful...

 

[Amy.G]

I agree, just making sure we're careful...

:thumbs: Absolutely!

 

[Amy.G]

All's well that ends well, or better, God works all things together for good for those who love Him and area called according to His purpose.

You're a treasure, Amy. Thanks.

Thank you.

I've had my foot in my mouth more times than I can count since I've been on the BB. It has been a humbling experience.

:godisgood:

 

[Brother Bob]

Everyone just give the same answer your neighbors, family and friends and all who have known you before salvation and after. If they give the answer "NO", man are you in trouble.

BBob,

 

[TCGreek]

1 Cor 6: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you.

1. Are you better than a fornicator, idolater, adulterer, etc?

2. If "no", then no further questions. If "yes", then who made you better?

1. It depends on what you mean by "better than."

2. The apostle echoes my soul's deepest indeptedness, "For I am what I am by the grace of God" (1 Cor 15:10).

 

[npetreley]

1. It depends on what you mean by "better than."

2. The apostle echoes my soul's deepest indeptedness, "For I am what I am by the grace of God" (1 Cor 15:10).

Here is basically where I was going with the idea...

I said, "Is there any difference between you and the ungodly world?" "Ay! Ay! Ay!" "Is there any difference between you and the drunkard, the harlot, the blasphemer?" "Ay! Ay! Ay!" Ay! there was a difference indeed. "Well, now," I said, "there is a great difference; who made it, then?" for, whoever made the difference, should have the glory of it. "Did you make the difference?" "No, lad," said one; and the rest all seemed to join in the chorus. "Who made the difference, then? Why, the Lord did it; and did you think it wrong for Him to make a difference between you and other men?" "No, no," they quickly said. "Very well, then; if it was not wrong for God to make the difference, it was not wrong for Him to purpose to make it, and that is the doctrine of Election."

http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/sum&sub.htm

 

[J.D.]

Npet, as I've discovered myself on BB, it's not that easy to frame a question to get a specific response. I guess that's why trial attornies make so much money!

 

[Allan]

1 Cor 6: Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you.

1. Are you better than a fornicator, idolater, adulterer, etc?

2. If "no", then no further questions. If "yes", then who made you better?

The reason no answered the way you wanted them to, regarding the above, is the way in which you set forth the question.

Your question involving the term 'better' presupposes to most people's mind the view of being 'more special' or 'more worthy' (much like the Pharisee's prayer in relation to the publican). Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost said

1Ti 1:15 This [is] a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

Those who have answered you, have answered you in the most biblical context.

Q. Have we been blessed to be overcomers of sin and able to withstand our fleshly/sinful desires?
A. Yes.

Q. And as such are we thus better than the unregenerate sinners?
A. Yes , and no.
.....1. Yes, in that God has blessed us by His grace to set us free from the bondage of sin
.....2. No, in that we are more worthy than other sinners to be blessed in such a gracious way.

 

[TCGreek]

Here is basically where I was going with the idea...



http://www.spurgeon.org/sermons/sum&sub.htm

I see the genius of Spurgeon's quote, but not everyone would agree. There's a sublety to what he is saying.