I really appreciate all the good work and spiritual pursuit you have obviously dedicated your life to. I thought long and hard whether to respond or not -- especially in light of today's worship message by Elder Kxxxx, but feel it should be addressed in a way that promotes mutual understanding and goodwill.
I agree, and believe above all that brothers and sisters in Christ must accentuate the unarguable fact of Jesus as our eternal savior, and should give the benefit of the doubt to all who profess such belief as deeply sincere. Any difference of opinion on Christian theology and practice must not rise above the blood-bond borne by our Messiah on the cross; otherwise we lose all purpose and meaning as a body in Christ from our disagreement, and relegate it to mere academic exercise. Even worse, an appearance of disunity only dims God's glory in the eyes of unbelievers and new believers.
Still, harmony should not subordinate our pursuit of truth, but work together in our mutual quest for God's heart. And in doing so, I feel the dialogue must remain respectful, and both sides careful about the use -- intentional or inadvertent -- of hurtful expressions and accusatory tones. If one's attempt is to elevate God' children and to reveal His great love for us, it benefits no one by taking on an antagonistic posture, or using words like "abominate."
Just as laws are an empty shell or form that saves not one soul until the love of Christ fulfilled it and brought true life to the world, if we separate and segregate from one another on the basis of theology, but have not love enough for fellow believers flawed in any way, what is the point of claiming victory and being proven right? That is exercise of a more dangerous sort -- vanity. (I should take heed as well.)
Maybe this message was unintended as a response, but from recent email exchanges there is no denying two distinct interpretations of the new covenant have been presented and argued about. I have been told on more than one occasion that what I propose falls in line with the oft-maligned "Prosperity Gospel," exactly as John Piper accused of in the video. This may come as a surprise: neither do I have much sympathy for those TV preachers who promise the world and ask for money left and right! Their intent is superficial and the message bore me because the great love of Christ is not revealed through rigorous scriptural context.
The gospel I believe in deeply is not about prosperity nor healing (although how can one say with all seriousness that God has little interest in our present day welfare and health?) but is all about grace and its personification in Christ Jesus. And in Christ are all good things promised by God. Why is that so wrong? We all know that money is not the root of all evil but the love of it. Same can be said about anything we desire above Christ. If in our hearts we do not exalt Jesus above all else in this world it is idolatry. This includes self-righteousness and the seeking of it with intent to justify or retain salvation. If one elevates obedience above, equal or even just part of the finished work of Christ on the cross as necessary redemption for our sin, it takes away full glory of His death. This is the essence of grace gospel, advocating spiritual purity, not simplification.
But what concerns me most is the anger and venom many Christian detractors of full grace gospel level at fellow believers who they deem spiritually lazy, soft and world-loving. In defending God's holiness if one loses love for a brother or sisters even if deemed misguided, I am not certain such zealous defense of God's holiness pleases Him. I believe there can only be good in revealing more of Jesus Christ from the scriptures, for it is the single source of spiritual nourishment which equips a believer with armor of faith and righteousness to persevere in times of hardship and battle through temptations from Satan. I certainly don't believe that a Christian walk is easy, but fully expect that with ever deepening devotion to the Lord Satan throws more obstacles in our path to create doubt and self-loathing. That is why we fight the spiritual battle in our minds by filling it with the righteousness already inherited through grace (once given cannot be taken back) rather then the constant reminder to "justify or lose" our righteousness.
I hope that in everything I wrote about I have not tried to counter anyone's claim that a believer should be Christ-like, walk in holiness and be obedient to God's will; the question is how we can transform intrinsically from the heart and not only extrinsically in the command or will to do so. Yes, this world is but for only a moment, and we have eternity with God to look forward to. But we came to this world without choice, were convicted of sin without choice and apart from good deeds (by the act of one man, Adam); God is not unmerciful to our plight and weakness but loves us so much that he Himself took our sin, became sin and return to us our righteousness apart from work. He healed all who came to Him for he wants us well even in this temporary form; he fed us with much more leftover for He wants us not wanting, but satisfy our desires with good things (Psalm 103). Why is a good life contrary to the will of God I simply can't understand! As long as we lean on Him only and fully, why won't our all-powerful and all-loving Daddy in heaven not spoil us with His riches? Yes, there are famines and poverty in this world -- but is it Godly to be such and remain such? Or should we joyously bring blessing to all those suffering by the overflowing goodness He blessed us through our faith without doubt? Is He a God of abundance or a God of just getting by?
We should not seek prosperity, nor should we seek poverty; we only seek the kingdom of Christ! We should not ask if we are good, neither should we measure if we are bad; we only ask for and measure ourselves according to His goodness! And there is nothing wrong with prosperity, but everything wrong if without grace; and so it is right to be obedient, but not so right if not all for Jesus (from the heart). Amen
God's blessing be upon each and every soul who seek Him.
James
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