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Lack of total commitment

37. 1 Cor 6:19-20
"Do you not know that your body is a temble of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have recieved from God? you are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."

Paul is talking about the sexual immorality here but we should take good care of our body by not overeating which we don't really pay much attention. Gluttony is also sin.

38. 1 Cor l0:32-33
"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jew, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everybodty in every way. For I am not asking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved."

When we are not wholeheartedly commited, we will be stumbling block for our children, new believers and weak-believers.
 
39. l Cor 11:1
"Follow my example, as I follow the examle of Christ."

Do we pay attention to what Paul is telling us to do? He worked very hard for the Lord.

40. l Cor 14:l8-l9
"I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to insturuct other than ten thousand words in a tongue."

Paul spoke several languages. I believe that's what he means by tongues; not the babbling like some denominations are practicing.
 
41. 2 Cor 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"

If Jesus is in us, we are supposed to be changing and growing, as time goes by, in every aspecty of our lives. We should not be drinking milk forever. This is what Jesus calls "born again". If we are worldly like non-believers Jesus is not in us. If Jesus is not in us, we are not saved. If we don't follow His tachings we will never change and grow.
 
42. 2 Cor 8:13-14
"Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that their might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,..."

Paul is talking about the generousity (giving). Since we are living in such a wealthy countries we should be able to give much more than 10% of our income but we are hardly ever reaching that goal. If we are limiting to only 10% then we are being ligalists.
 
43. 2Cor ll:23-29
"...I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and tave often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everyuthing else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak: Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn:"

That's how early apostles and disciples served God. And even now many persecuted coutries' believer serving God the same way too.
 
44. Galations 5:l6-l7
"So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want."

If we are totally committed to Him, He will help us to have Sprit filled life.
 
45. Eph 5:11-12
"Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of dakness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret."

Do we know if our churches are fruitful or do we even care? It seems that most pastors and contregations are so busy hiding the wrong doings instead of exposing them.
 
46. Phil 2:12
"...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,..."

Salvation is not one time confession and we are done. We should have heart of serving Him until end. This is another warning for OSAS.
 
I have been a Christian for nearly 30 years. Teaching and preaching the law, never made me live a better life, it was only after the revelation that grace is totally and completely a gift from God, did I even remotely adhere to the law's command and this is because of graditude. If one TRULY believes in grace, how will they behave? Like children of God, I believe.
Bubba
 
Bubba said:
I have been a Christian for nearly 30 years. Teaching and preaching the law, never made me live a better life, it was only after the revelation that grace is totally and completely a gift from God, did I even remotely adhere to the law's command and this is because of graditude. If one TRULY believes in grace, how will they behave? Like children of God, I believe.
Bubba
Click to expand...

When we become Christian, we are supposed to be repentant and following Him without any excuses. If we don't understand the acceptance of Jesus, we will never change and grow. Pastors are supposed to tell their people this truth and the most of them are not doing it.
 
47. Phil 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

This is such a beautiful verse that I had to put it up.
 
Gingercat
There should always be a balance within the Church with Law and Grace, my tradition believes the Law should be presented in the beginning of the service, to allow God to invoke our conscience, then a time of quiet confession. The sermon is to be totally Christ centered (Grace), because it is only in Christ that any of us can do a righteous deed.
I do not believe that this is a generalization, but the majority of the churches in the West, preach and teach the Law predominantly and you know what? it doesn’t work. An intimate relationship with our Saviour and a knowledge of His grace does work, because we then want to please our Lord.

In Christ, Bubba
 
Bubba said:
Gingercat
There should always be a balance within the Church with Law and Grace, my tradition believes the Law should be presented in the beginning of the service, to allow God to invoke our conscience, then a time of quiet confession. The sermon is to be totally Christ centered (Grace), because it is only in Christ that any of us can do a righteous deed.
I do not believe that this is a generalization, but the majority of the churches in the West, preach and teach the Law predominantly and you know what? it doesn’t work. An intimate relationship with our Saviour and a knowledge of His grace does work, because we then want to please our Lord.

In Christ, Bubba
Click to expand...

It does not work if Christians are not willing to follow Him. It's all about love for Him. Jesus says If you love me keep my commandments.

We have to ask ourselves if we love Him with all of our heart, soul, strengh and mind. Do you love Him with all your might?

Do we call ourselves Christians if we don't love Him with all of our might? Don't you think He deserves the best of everything we have?
 
48. Phil 4:8
"Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace witll be with you."

Do we puit into practice all of our Bible knowledge? We should or we are being hypocrites.
 
Gingercat(I actually have a cat name Gingersnap that I call Ginger cat).
In Scripture you have two concepts which run from cover to cover, one is the “Law†and the other is “Graceâ€Â. We like to gravitate to the “Lawâ€Â, because it appeases our flesh (I can…), but in reality the Scriptures state in my flesh I can accomplish nothing (John 6:63, John 15:5, Romans 7:18) and anything I do of a kingdom nature is a gift from God (1 Cor. 4:7, John 3:27). Yet, we go through our Christian walk as if we can actually surrender, be obedient, pray and be “perfect as the Father is perfect†(Mt. 5:48) and etc. The fact of the matter, is, that when we do what the Law requires, we should give all praise to God, for His Holy Spirit working in us to do His will (Eph. 2:10 and Phil. 2:13) Granted we are responsible for our behaviors and the Law brings us once again to our knees to cry mercy for our deficiencies. Remembering that it was the Law that was the school master that brought us to Christ (Gal.3:22-24) in the beginning of our pilgrimage and it is the Law that continues to show us of our need for a Saviour as we grow in grace. When we are received in glory, I believe we will be amazed what we did accomplish (the keeping of the commandments, etc.), as Mt 25:33-40 implies (especially verses 37-39) when the true sheep states “when did we do these thingsâ€Â? Nonetheless because God’s new creation does not lay dormant in the sanctification process, one might want to ascertain if they really are a believer, if the fruit is not present at all (2 Cor. 13:5).The bottom line for me, is that just because Scripture as law after law for us to apply to our lives, doesn’t mean in our own power we can accomplish it, it is only in Christ’s power we are able to perform. So, seek Him, and the obedience will follow.
Bubba
 
Bubba said:
Gingercat(I actually have a cat name Gingersnap that I call Ginger cat).
In Scripture you have two concepts which run from cover to cover, one is the “Law†and the other is “Graceâ€Â. We like to gravitate to the “Lawâ€Â, because it appeases our flesh (I can…), but in reality the Scriptures state in my flesh I can accomplish nothing (John 6:63, John 15:5, Romans 7:18) and anything I do of a kingdom nature is a gift from God (1 Cor. 4:7, John 3:27). Yet, we go through our Christian walk as if we can actually surrender, be obedient, pray and be “perfect as the Father is perfect†(Mt. 5:48) and etc. The fact of the matter, is, that when we do what the Law requires, we should give all praise to God, for His Holy Spirit working in us to do His will (Eph. 2:10 and Phil. 2:13) Granted we are responsible for our behaviors and the Law brings us once again to our knees to cry mercy for our deficiencies. Remembering that it was the Law that was the school master that brought us to Christ (Gal.3:22-24) in the beginning of our pilgrimage and it is the Law that continues to show us of our need for a Saviour as we grow in grace. When we are received in glory, I believe we will be amazed what we did accomplish (the keeping of the commandments, etc.), as Mt 25:33-40 implies (especially verses 37-39) when the true sheep states “when did we do these thingsâ€Â? Nonetheless because God’s new creation does not lay dormant in the sanctification process, one might want to ascertain if they really are a believer, if the fruit is not present at all (2 Cor. 13:5).The bottom line for me, is that just because Scripture as law after law for us to apply to our lives, doesn’t mean in our own power we can accomplish it, it is only in Christ’s power we are able to perform. So, seek Him, and the obedience will follow.
Bubba
Click to expand...

I don't understand you point. Did you read my OP? I believe we can do something about our powerless Christianity if we want to. We just don't want to follow Jesus even though we want salvation; we don't want to accept Him as Lord. I am just showing the disasterous Christianity we are creating because of our lack of total commitment.
 
49. Phil 4:12-13
"I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through Him who gives me strentgh."

When we are committed to Him, He will give us this kind of joy and perace, no matter what the circomstances or what the world gives us. And He can use us powerfully even when we are sick in bed or very poor or young or old. All we need is avilability for Him.
 
Gingercat,
Yes, I have read the whole thread. What I am trying to say, is that “lack of commitment†in the church is due to a lot of things, but expounding upon the law is not the answer. The possible solutions I would consider in a “nut shell†are;
1. Pray that God would bring repentance and revival to the Church in the West.
2. Teach and preach the Cross that the Church may better understand the transaction Jesus made in our stead (grace).
3. Continually pray that our love relationship (intimacy)with Jesus would grow, so that we would sin less.
4. Pray that we would love others as Christ has loved us.
5. Seek God’s will in our everyday decisions, through the reading of His word and through prayer.
In Christ Alone, Bubba
 
Bubba said:
Gingercat,
Yes, I have read the whole thread. What I am trying to say, is that “lack of commitment†in the church is due to a lot of things, but expounding upon the law is not the answer. The possible solutions I would consider in a “nut shell†are;
1. Pray that God would bring repentance and revival to the Church in the West.
2. Teach and preach the Cross that the Church may better understand the transaction Jesus made in our stead (grace).
3. Continually pray that our love relationship (intimacy)with Jesus would grow, so that we would sin less.
4. Pray that we would love others as Christ has loved us.
5. Seek God’s will in our everyday decisions, through the reading of His word and through prayer.
In Christ Alone, Bubba
Click to expand...

I understand you position. I will keep on doing what I am convicted to do.

Because of a lack of commitment, no matter what anyone suggests or how they read or study the Bible, they will not grow or change. It is not just the church; it is also pastors that are neglecting what they are supposed to be doing. Pastors are not wholeheartedly commited to Him either. Everthing I am posting is my convictions. I will not debate it.
 
50. 2 Thes 3:14:15
"If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of him. Do not associate with him, in order that he may feel ashamed. Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother."

Do we have an accountability system in our churches? I have been to many denominations and did not observe one in any of them. Most congregations don't know each other on a personal basis, so they are wildly loose; no discipline at all.
 
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