ptlnh
| Posted On: 05/06/08 05:40:19 AM |
Age 51, NH |
I understand what he means. I am privileged to share the gospel with non believers and new believers every day. When they decide to dedicate their lives to Jesus, it is not always the same level of understanding of what that really means. Especially if you compare it to life long Christians. It is as much of what they understand it to be at that time. The rest of the commitment is realized over time through life-learning situations and through a commitment to spiritual growth. That is where discipleship comes in.
I have not problem with what he said, in the context of where he said it.
you really sound like you have it out for Rev. Warren.
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What is this battle about?
| Posted On: 05/06/08 04:42:33 AM |
Age 62, NC |
What Rick Warren said is intellectually correct and functionally accurate. It can be picked apart, but why?
The Gospel of Jesus says that a person must die to themselves and in turn (through the power of God) become alive unto, for, by, Christ. But we may then find that the thing that we would do, (even though we should be dead to ourselves) we don't. And the thing that we would not do, we sadly have (again?) done. So then who shall deliver me from this body of sin and death? It's Christ Jesus. But am I perfect in understanding and perfect in behavior the moment that I receive salvation and turn my life over to Him? No. It's indeed a process of "becoming or being” saved.
Let me say here that I do not know Rick Warren, and I have not read any of his printed material. But in the video clip presented he has expounded upon his experience in life. He can choose to follow Christ or not, ...in each incident presented throughout the day. And he acknowledges that he may have an imperfect understanding of God’s will but that he will use what he has or what he understands.
There are those who believe that all that is required is that a person be Born Again of the Spirit if God, nothing more. Surly Jesus told Nicodemus that good works would not in any way prepare a man for heaven. But after repentance and the forgiveness of sin, there is more. After that glorious incident, one must follow Jesus. That requires our conscious decisions throughout the rest of this life.
I have said to others, “It's easy to give everything to Christ. I've done it hundreds of times." Said with a smile, it means that I find after a time that I have begun to take control of my life even though I had sincerely assigned that control to the Lord, and I must therefore give it all to Him again. I do make decisions about whether to do the thing that is right according to Jesus or to do something that may be acceptable or logical in our society, while that thing may not be what Jesus would do. Do I forgive the man who raped my daughter? Society says no, but Jesus says I must or my Father in heaven will not forgive my sin. My understanding of God’s will and His ways does evolve over time. Some mature quickly, some slowly and some not at all.
A "solution to making it to heaven?" You’re apparently suggesting that he has flipped it around and put works in the primary position. I think that’s a bit too harsh. Many Christians give a mindless declaration that they are 100% for Jesus, and it’s a lie. Perhaps they are unaware of the gravity of their lie, but their version of 100% does not allow for the fact that God is greater and knows how weak and limited we are in our understanding of what 100% means. Any Christian can give 100% in a given moment, but few give 80% in every moment.
To the rich young ruler who came to Him to ask how he might gain eternal life, (we have a lot of rich young rulers in this country) Jesus told the man to sell all that he had, give the money to the poor and “follow Him.” Following is the thing that Rick Warren was apparently talking about and Jesus said the same thing.
Some follow by His side and some follow far behind. Some fall by the wayside.
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