Is not Christ the answer?

[12strings]

Really now,

Is there any issue or problem we have with ourselves, with God, with other posters on the board, with anybody in the world...for Which Christ is not the answer? Whether it be...

-spiritual oppression?
-Debates about Election?
-Worldly influences on the church?
-The rise of homosexual influence?
-Conversations with Catholics?

"...Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

 

[Zaac]

Very well said.

 

[Yeshua1]

Really now,

Is there any issue or problem we have with ourselves, with God, with other posters on the board, with anybody in the world...for Which Christ is not the answer? Whether it be...

-spiritual oppression?
-Debates about Election?
-Worldly influences on the church?
-The rise of homosexual influence?
-Conversations with Catholics?

"...Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

I would broaden that out to say that the father/Son/Spirit always have the answers!

 

[righteousdude2]

I'd say this is a rather simplistic approach...

Really now,

Is there any issue or problem we have with ourselves, with God, with other posters on the board, with anybody in the world...for Which Christ is not the answer? Whether it be...

-spiritual oppression?
-Debates about Election?
-Worldly influences on the church?
-The rise of homosexual influence?
-Conversations with Catholics?

"...Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

...AND THAT KIND OF APPROACH SEEMS TO SUIT ME JUST FINE! :applause:

 

[Dr. Bob]

[Bob "waving-a-hanky" icon]

 

[Aaron]

Really now,

Is there any issue or problem we have with ourselves, with God, with other posters on the board, with anybody in the world...for Which Christ is not the answer? Whether it be...

-spiritual oppression?
-Debates about Election?
-Worldly influences on the church?
-The rise of homosexual influence?
-Conversations with Catholics?

"...Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

That's all well and good, until one begins to expound upon what "Christ is the answer" means. The little hug fest in this thread flies out the window.

 

[12strings]

That's all well and good, until one begins to expound upon what "Christ is the answer" means. The little hug fest in this thread flies out the window.

For starters, to see what I mean, read post #17 here on Christ being the answer to Spiritual or demonic oppression: http://www.baptistboard.com/showpost.php?p=1953073&postcount=17

second, what I generally mean is that keeping our focus on Christ and his Gospel and his cross will keep us from despairing when these other issues seem to be huge mountains in our path that might cause us harm. I can know The Christ and his truth will prevail...even if I don't always know the perfect way to interpret or apply that truth.

Third, I cannot imagine what reason you could have for disparaging any either encouraging people to look toward Christ, or other Christians encouraging a brother for doing so.

 

[saturneptune]

Third, I cannot imagine what reason you could have for disparaging any either encouraging people to look toward Christ, or other Christians encouraging a brother for doing so.

Because it takes the fun out of arguing and disunity. Encouraging others to keep their eyes focused on the Lord is boring. There are some who could argue about the sky being blue.

 

[salzer mtn]

Aaron has a point. I can believe Christ is the answer and someone else can say the same thing but if we have a discussion about Christ and we differ on what Christ accomplished for us, then his Christ would not be my answer.

 

[12strings]

Aaron has a point. I can believe Christ is the answer and someone else can say the same thing but if we have a discussion about Christ and we differ on what Christ accomplished for us, then his Christ would not be my answer.

But the fact remains that Christ IS the answer. Our understanding of it does not diminish Christ. The main point is, even if I am on the correct side of a debate on Election, homosexuality, definitions of worldly living, how much cooperation to have with catholics on pro-life issues, but do not have my mind and heart continually set on Christ, then I am missing something big...And if I do have my mind and affections set on Christ above all things, it will actually keep me pointed generally in the right direction...even if I err on some points.

 

[Aaron]

Aaron has a point. I can believe Christ is the answer and someone else can say the same thing but if we have a discussion about Christ and we differ on what Christ accomplished for us, then his Christ would not be my answer.

Exactly right. Saying "Christ is the answer," is meaningless, unless we're all agreed on the person of Christ, the condition of men and the nature of the Atonement.

 

[Monster]

Exactly right. Saying "Christ is the answer," is meaningless, unless we're all agreed on the person of Christ, the condition of men and the nature of the Atonement.

The problem with that logic is that we can then argue that Christ isn't the answer, at all, unless we prescribe to your/their/whoever's (I'm not picking on you) specific definitions. That's shaky ground, a slippery slope and a minefield all at once.

 

[Thomas Helwys]

But the fact remains that Christ IS the answer. Our understanding of it does not diminish Christ. The main point is, even if I am on the correct side of a debate on Election, homosexuality, definitions of worldly living, how much cooperation to have with catholics on pro-life issues, but do not have my mind and heart continually set on Christ, then I am missing something big...And if I do have my mind and affections set on Christ above all things, it will actually keep me pointed generally in the right direction...even if I err on some points.

:thumbsup:

 

[Thomas Helwys]

Exactly right. Saying "Christ is the answer," is meaningless, unless we're all agreed on the person of Christ, the condition of men and the nature of the Atonement.

But there's never been complete agreement on this, and there never will be.

 

[abcgrad94]

Yes, Christ is the answer. Trouble is, the phrase is sometimes used as an unfeeling pat answer to ignore or downplay certain problems.

For example, is Christ the answer to depression? Of course! That doesn't mean medication should be tossed out the window. We can trust God for healing while we take our meds.

Is Christ the answer for fear? Sure, but that doesn't mean we don't lock our doors at night.

 

[Thomas Helwys]

Yes, Christ is the answer. Trouble is, the phrase is sometimes used as an unfeeling pat answer to ignore or downplay certain problems.

For example, is Christ the answer to depression? Of course! That doesn't mean medication should be tossed out the window. We can trust God for healing while we take our meds.

Is Christ the answer for fear? Sure, but that doesn't mean we don't lock our doors at night.

:thumbsup:

 

[Monster]

Yes, Christ is the answer. Trouble is, the phrase is sometimes used as an unfeeling pat answer to ignore or downplay certain problems.

For example, is Christ the answer to depression? Of course! That doesn't mean medication should be tossed out the window. We can trust God for healing while we take our meds.

Is Christ the answer for fear? Sure, but that doesn't mean we don't lock our doors at night.

Right on!

But I think that 12strings was making the point about Christ being the answer for all things in light of "put on Christ first, in all things you do, say, think, feel, etc...". That doesn't bespeak for mutual exclusivity and equate to bumper-sticker or t-shirt theology or therapy. That's my take.

Maybe some context has been lost. I read the OP as an encouragement or edification to consider our need to be Christ-like in all we do here at the BB (and possibly, maybe carry the idea of a Christ-like demeanor into our daily lives, too?).

 

[Thomas Helwys]

Right on!

But I think that 12strings was making the point about Christ being the answer for all things in light of "put on Christ first, in all things you do, say, think, feel, etc...". That doesn't bespeak for mutual exclusivity and equate to bumper-sticker or t-shirt theology or therapy. That's my take.

Maybe some context has been lost. I read the OP as an encouragement or edification to consider our need to be Christ-like in all we do here at the BB (and possibly, maybe carry the idea of a Christ-like demeanor into our daily lives, too?).

:thumbsup:


And I need to constantly keep that in mind because some here tend to bring out the worst in me.

 

[Bronconagurski]

Right on!

But I think that 12strings was making the point about Christ being the answer for all things in light of "put on Christ first, in all things you do, say, think, feel, etc...". That doesn't bespeak for mutual exclusivity and equate to bumper-sticker or t-shirt theology or therapy. That's my take.

Maybe some context has been lost. I read the OP as an encouragement or edification to consider our need to be Christ-like in all we do here at the BB (and possibly, maybe carry the idea of a Christ-like demeanor into our daily lives, too?).

I like the way the KJV speaks of David in these verses:

1 Samuel 30:5-6 (KJV)
5 And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite.
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

David knew where his strength came from.

 

[abcgrad94]

Right on!
But I think that 12strings was making the point about Christ being the answer for all things in light of "put on Christ first, in all things you do, say, think, feel, etc...". That doesn't bespeak for mutual exclusivity and equate to bumper-sticker or t-shirt theology or therapy. That's my take.

Maybe some context has been lost. I read the OP as an encouragement or edification to consider our need to be Christ-like in all we do here at the BB (and possibly, maybe carry the idea of a Christ-like demeanor into our daily lives, too?).

I re-read the OP to make sure I didn't miss anything. Yes, it IS encouraging. I'm not used to seeing encouraging posts in the DEBATE forum. :smilewinkgrin:

Still, when we say Christ is the answer, I like to make sure it's not being said flippantly in a way that might cause someone to stumble, thinking they don't have enough faith simply because they are ill or facing difficulties. (I say this because many charismatics I've run into use the phrase this way.) Anyway, I don't see this in the OP, I see his post as an encouragement.