The Way I See It

[elijah23]

I suppose you could divide mankind into three groups. First, there is the group who has obeyed the Lord’s commandments and discovered how beautiful life can be when lived in a righteous manner. Second, there are those who have never bothered to obey the commandments, who are determined to continue to live unrighteous lives. Third, there are those who haven’t yet decided whether to live righteous or unrighteous lives.

The drama that takes place is that the righteous are trying to talk the undecided into living righteous lives, while the unrighteous are trying to talk the undecided into living unrighteous lives.

 

[Danus]

What about the ones who think they themselves actually live righteous and sinless lives, but don't because they can't, because they are sinners. What category might they be in among the three, or is that a forth category?

 

[abide]

I suppose you could divide mankind into three groups. First, there is the group who has obeyed the Lord’s commandments and discovered how beautiful life can be when lived in a righteous manner. Second, there are those who have never bothered to obey the commandments, who are determined to continue to live unrighteous lives. Third, there are those who haven’t yet decided whether to live righteous or unrighteous lives.

The drama that takes place is that the righteous are trying to talk the undecided into living righteous lives, while the unrighteous are trying to talk the undecided into living unrighteous lives.

There is only one group that is the SINNERS GROUP. The playing field is level for all of us. Only when we have repented and look to Christ as saviour is there a difference.. It is not their righteousness. Living a moral and upright life is not necessarily a Christian life. Atheists and other people do this. Christianity is about a person and that person is Jesus. Though we are to live DIFFERENTLY we must never think that what we do is what saves us or makes us righteous. It is Christ through faith in him.

 

[Jared]

Yes.. It is our faith that then provides the impetuous for the doing. It is a shame to see people grind under and chafe against the things that they should be doing. That is a sign of lack of conversion. They haven't converted to - not being God. This isn't to say that some things aren't more difficult at various times. It just seems that of all people we should be characterized by joy even in the midst of the challenges of life. I don't mean happiness but rather more substantial joy.

How often is salvation discussed in future terms, fire insurance, rather in a transformed life now. I really enjoy N.T. Wrights discussions along these lines.