On Tue, 21 Dec 2004 09:13:10 EST [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
Terry: Good morning, brother John. When I read the meditation below, I was reminded of the people who you counsel. If they could apprehend our Lord as He truly is, they would have no trouble giving up their sins, huh?
Blessings,
Terry
I N F I N I T E S U P P L Y
John: It looks like we are going to disagree on this one, sadly, but the answer in some cases is a regretable "no." One of these days, I fully expect to minister the gospel to a post op transexual. I actually counsel three from time to time now. If they come to accept Christ in a conscious and deliberate way, then what ?? !! I mean, where are they going to attend church? Southern Baptist, The Holy Ghost Church of the What's Happening Now Fellowship -- where? Man, do we have things screwed up or what !! More common to my experience is the heroine addict. That is where the rubber meets the road, my friend, when it comes to the sinner and applied theology. Anyway ------- I assure you that, the idealistic "knowing the Lord as your personal savior" does not produce victory as often as one might suppose.
When it is all said and done, perhaps the most important aspect of this thing we call "true religion" is the benefit we derive as human beings. In fact, without this circumstance, what is the point? We fine tune the "truth" and then, one day and suddenly, we find that the "truth" does not work. And so we trow the real truth out with our notion of truth -- or cling desparately to our notion in spite of the fact that it benefits absolutely no one and must be wrong on that basis alone. Relational verses conceptional. I am not saying that personal experiece is the final arbiter of "truth," but it certainly has to be considered in the mix. If it doesn't fit, we must look under the pickle.
Johnjt: John could be it's time to put away "applied theology" and embrace the truth which ALWAYS makes one free. In another message you spoke of a "carnal Christian" when in actuality there is no such thing. It's always a choice on our part and the truth is as follows:(5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit.(6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
(7) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
(8) So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
(9) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Do you present the people you counsel with the choice to "choose this day who they will serve?" Just wondering.....
