Re: [TruthTalk] Christian Perfection

[Dave]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: In a message dated 4/13/2004 7:40:02 AM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: So.....to me, fellowship does not start and end with Church.....it begins with Jesus and crosses most all boundaries. A heartfelt amen to these words.   When I was a kid ( I can just barely remember), the church I attended taught a 5 step "plan of salvation."  Then I moved on and that was great, because  the "plan of salvation" went from five steps to four.  And now, well, the plan of salvation is Jesus. plain and simple. DAVEH:   I agree.....just keep the commandments!    :-)      (Though I'm sure you and other TTers will disagree.)   And His presence in the lives others gives us a bond that I (at least) call fellowship. DAVEH:   Yeah.......but, I see it as much more than that.  Many people do have a common bond in Jesus, but far more have a common bond as we are spirit creations of God.  (And I realize that belief is probably not shared by most other TTers, including yourself.)  So, when I see men harming other men in some manner, it is actually an offense to God because of his parentage.  IF I were to become angry with you because of something you said, how would that differ much from the Jews who became angry at Jesus?  Yet I believe Jesus loved his enemies despite what they said and did to him.  While Jesus has the judgmental insight to know when it is a lost cause to continue to love those who hate, I don't have that discernment.  So.....IMO, it is better to do as Jesus commanded and continue to love those who offend.  (And.....I think there is a point where that is very difficult, but so far I have not reached that crossroad.)   The whole question is this:  "what do I do to appropriate this New Life of Christ?" DAVEH:  Seems simple to me, John.....obedience.  (I should say the theory is much simpler than the practice......but as they say, practice makes perfect!)  I do hope that your Christ is the same as mine?  There is much in your writings that strike me as thoughtful.    John -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dave Hansen [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.langlitz.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you wish to receive things I find interesting, I maintain Five email lists... JOKESTER, OPINIONS, LDS, STUFF and MOTORCYCLE.