Our Measuring Wall

[Van]

As we were growing up as children, many of us were placed next to a wall or doorway, and a line was drawn to show our height and our name and date were written. We could look back and see we had grown, or if we had stopped growing, that fact was also made known to us.

Now as Christians, we are growing spiritually, called "progressive sanctification" by some theologians. We are striving to become more like Christ and better servants of Christ.

But where is our measuring wall. How do we measure where we are in relation to the standard of Christ?

Lets consider two aspects of Christ, He was full of grace and truth. To what extent were we full of grace and truth when we were born anew, and how much progress have we made?

Let me try an illustration. I do not know how to import a picture so I will simply describe it in words and see if it helps at all.

Draw a square on a paper about 2 inches on a side. Lable the left hand vertical line Grace, and the bottom line Truth, with arrows pointing up and to the right. Now at the lower left hand corner put an "S" for Satan, and at the upper right hand corner put a "J" for Jesus. So to the extent you stick to truth, you move to the right in the box, and to the extend you are gracious, projecting the love and kindness of God toward those you encounter, you move to the top.

Now pray about your status and make a dot in the box. Then consider how you might change and grow and become more like Christ.

God Bless

 

[Van]

Some folks manipulate scripture to fit doctrine, so they fall short of the goal of truth. Others are "people pleasers" who manipulate people, i.e. glad handers, who falsely present gracious behavior for the wrong motives.

Jesus spoke of folks who were white-washed on the outside, who may have seemed more Christ-like than their core character.

Are we authentic Christians, who are genuine, and whose private thoughts reflect the fruit of the Spirit. Or did Shakespeare get it right, "false face must hide what false heart doth know?"

 

[pinoybaptist]

Some folks manipulate scripture to fit doctrine, so they fall short of the goal of truth. Others are "people pleasers" who manipulate people, i.e. glad handers, who falsely present gracious behavior for the wrong motives.

Jesus spoke of folks who were white-washed on the outside, who may have seemed more Christ-like than their core character.

call them out, or name them.
Jesus did.
Paul did to Peter.
Why can't you ?

Are we authentic Christians, who are genuine,

Are you ?

and whose private thoughts reflect the fruit of the Spirit.

do your private thoughts ?

Or did Shakespeare get it right, "false face must hide what false heart doth know?"

what do you think ?

 

[righteousdude2]

As we were growing up as children, many of us were placed next to a wall or doorway, and a line was drawn to show our height and our name and date were written. We could look back and see we had grown, or if we had stopped growing, that fact was also made known to us.

Now as Christians, we are growing spiritually, called "progressive sanctification" by some theologians. We are striving to become more like Christ and better servants of Christ.

But where is our measuring wall. How do we measure where we are in relation to the standard of Christ?

Lets consider two aspects of Christ, He was full of grace and truth. To what extent were we full of grace and truth when we were born anew, and how much progress have we made?

Let me try an illustration. I do not know how to import a picture so I will simply describe it in words and see if it helps at all.

Draw a square on a paper about 2 inches on a side. Lable the left hand vertical line Grace, and the bottom line Truth, with arrows pointing up and to the right. Now at the lower left hand corner put an "S" for Satan, and at the upper right hand corner put a "J" for Jesus. So to the extent you stick to truth, you move to the right in the box, and to the extend you are gracious, projecting the love and kindness of God toward those you encounter, you move to the top.

Now pray about your status and make a dot in the box. Then consider how you might change and grow and become more like Christ.

God Bless

Brother, that is a good post. I do believe in progressive sanctification! We never stop growing until we get to Glory! :thumbs:

 

[Van]

Hi Pinoybaptist, I am not talking about judging others, but our own assessment of ourselves. Its our measuring wall.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Hi Pinoybaptist, I am not talking about judging others, but our own assessment of ourselves. Its our measuring wall.

Alright, overlook my retort, then.
thanks.
you do seem changed from the Van that usually posts at the Cal/Arm forum.
Are you the one ?

 

[Van]

Yes, I believe Calvinism, i.e. the TULI of the Tulip is mistaken doctrine. So we disagree on how we end up saved, but once saved, we agree with progressive sanctification and at our Lord's second coming ultimate sanctification.

 

[pinoybaptist]

Yes, I believe Calvinism, i.e. the TULI of the Tulip is mistaken doctrine. So we disagree on how we end up saved, but once saved, we agree with progressive sanctification and at our Lord's second coming ultimate sanctification.

okay.
thanks again.
I hope if we ever go into discussion with each other, it will reflect brotherly love, instead of disdain for a foe.