----- Original Message -----
Sent: April 03, 2005 22:35
Subject: Re: [TruthTalk] Legalism
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 -----
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
