Re: [TruthTalk] Legalism

[Caroline Wong]

Hi Terry (again);   The second story is the parable of the prodigal son.   Consider that the prodigal son was still a son when he was in the far country partying away all his money and when he was in the pig sty eating pods. His father was still his father even when the son is not there. When he saw his son approaching, he ran to meet him. The son did not get a chance to apologize before he was folded into his father's embrace and restored to his high position; his father commanded that a ring be placed on his hand, sandals on his feet etc.   Consider also the elder son who stayed home and obeyed. He was just as much a son to the father and just as loved. But he never knew how generous and forgiving his father was. He thought he was deserving of something for his hard work and got nothing even though the reality is that he has everything, including his father. His father reached out to him nevertheless.   May we all dwell in the same house in joyous peace, younger son and older son.   Love,   Caroline    ----- Original Message ----- From: Terry Clifton To: TruthTalk@mail.innglory.org Sent: Sunday, April 03, 2005 4:16 PM Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Legalism Caroline Wong wrote: Obedience is a complex thing.   Folks, some people have reduced the relationship with our heavenly Father to obedience and that is sad. Some people have reduced God's revelation to isolated biblical verses, ignoring the grand sweep of the narrative revelation, the stories of biblical people living out their faith. That is sad too.   Love,   Caroline ============================================================== Who are these people?  We need to explain to them that while obedience is mandatory, it is also a natural response to one who loved us enough to die in our place.  It is gratitude, even when we sometimes grit our teeth at the thought of dying to self.  Sometimes it is easy, sometimes almost impossible, but we do it anyway, because He is not only our Savior, He is LORD.  Do it for your Savior because of love.  Do it for your Lord because you serve Him.  In any case, do it.  A relationship that does not require obedience is all take and no give.  That is not love. Terry