On Wed, 17 Aug 2005 19:45:11 -0400 [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
You think "imperative" is a six million dollar word? Let me put it another way -one commands the other. we are not saved by obedience but by His life . Ofcourse we are partners with Him - I think the Bible calls it "fellowship of the Spirit."jt: What I am saying is that there is no fellowship of the Spirit aside from the lovethat leads to obedience; because He Himself says "If you love me you will do what I say"Just the plain facts Ma'mYes, If we love Him, we will do our best to keep His commandments. My son works with me. I give him an assignment and he works to get the job done -- but he makes mistakes. Those mistakes do not mean that he is not trying to serve me - nor does it mean that he is not serving me. His relationship with me is not just about his relationship with me - it is also about himself. He becomes a better carpenter each day he shows up for the job - each day he associates with me. He is becoming me !!we are joint participants. BUT, He commands the obedience we express and by thatI mean that He orders it, pursues it, empowers bedience and forgives when we fail.Maybe we not only need to discuss the notion of "sin" but the biblical notion of "salvation."What does it mean to speak of "having been saved, to being saved and to be saved(a future event or occurrence)?"jt: "Saved" means being saved from God's wrath which will eventually come againstall ungodliness and unrighteousness of man.Incidentally - can one require that which is voluntary? JD
From: Judy Taylor <jandgtaylor1@juno.com>
You can use the six million dollar words JD, but bottom line is that he can not do it without us.God is not into the "forcing" business and anyway noone can be "forced" to love.Since love fulfills the law and scripture defines sin as lawlessness. Our job is to voluntarily loveand when we voluntarily love Him then voluntary obedience will be automatic. jt
