If you do not know my history path in ministry let me keep it brief. My first stop was at a Pentecostal church. My second stop was at a Southern Baptist church. And my third and current stop is at a non-denominational church that leans more towards a charismatic church. All stops have taken place over a 4 1/2 year period, with my longest stay being at 12th Street Baptist church in Gadsden, Alabama. During this time my philosophies, doctrine, and theology have changed some but one thing has remained a constant. What has remained is tolerance. A tolerance that is positive in nature not negative. I guess if you put it positively it would be expressed with words like understanding, forgiving and considerate of others.
So when you try to figure out who's right about everything pertaining to the Bible throw up your hands as an act of surrender and know that God is.
Who cares if you're are right. Get connected to the body of Christ and move in the gifts God has given you and enjoy this life of Christianity.
Blake
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
Note: Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit).
This scripture is a great promise to those of us who call ourselves Christians. An interesting thing about this scripture is what is found in the "Note:". Most translations add "who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)". The problem I have with this add-on is that it places a condition on it. I buy into the truth that Jesus took our condemnation to the cross and put it to death. Praise God!
We must keep in mind that God is not in the business of condemnation. Our job is not to condemn but to encourage. In this scripture a single word is profound to me. "now" Even today in a world doused in sin, this promise of no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus is one of if not the greatest promise in the New Testament.
Note: Some manuscripts add who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit).
This scripture is a great promise to those of us who call ourselves Christians. An interesting thing about this scripture is what is found in the "Note:". Most translations add "who walk not according to the flesh (but according to the Spirit)". The problem I have with this add-on is that it places a condition on it. I buy into the truth that Jesus took our condemnation to the cross and put it to death. Praise God!
We must keep in mind that God is not in the business of condemnation. Our job is not to condemn but to encourage. In this scripture a single word is profound to me. "now" Even today in a world doused in sin, this promise of no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus is one of if not the greatest promise in the New Testament.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Romans 8:29
"For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, in order that He might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29
When I read this slowly I find myself repeating the first eight words, "For those whom He foreknew He also predestined." In my systematic theology course at Birmingham Theological Seminary I was taught that foreknowledge does not interfere with the action or responsibility of any individual. When that was taught to me I got it, but when you add the last 3 words of the 8 I emphasized above my theology crashes within my ability to reason.
Looking at this one scripture in a non-systematic way, it tells me that while God may not dictate all of our actions, He most definitely knows and predestines those who will be conformed into the image of His Son. Some will say in response to this, "God always gets His man." While I agree with this to some extent, I still I am baffled with how individual responsibility works in and through this. Since I can't explain that to you I will end this topic abruptly. I am open to comments and criticisms!
Blake
When I read this slowly I find myself repeating the first eight words, "For those whom He foreknew He also predestined." In my systematic theology course at Birmingham Theological Seminary I was taught that foreknowledge does not interfere with the action or responsibility of any individual. When that was taught to me I got it, but when you add the last 3 words of the 8 I emphasized above my theology crashes within my ability to reason.
Looking at this one scripture in a non-systematic way, it tells me that while God may not dictate all of our actions, He most definitely knows and predestines those who will be conformed into the image of His Son. Some will say in response to this, "God always gets His man." While I agree with this to some extent, I still I am baffled with how individual responsibility works in and through this. Since I can't explain that to you I will end this topic abruptly. I am open to comments and criticisms!
Blake
Monday, May 7, 2007
Do We Really Want "IT"?
Do we really want to see God move in a way that would totally mess our plans up? I, and many others have been saying for a while now that we want to be part of a great move of God, but with that comes a death. The death of self. Do we really want what we say we want? We talk about it. We seem to look for it as if we would know where to find it. We might even go as far as saying, "Lord whatever it takes, we want to be a part of a great move of Your Spirit." But do we really mean "IT"?
I want it! But, how can you want something that you don't comprehend, see, and are absolutely afraid of? I'm not really sure. We can look at the disciples and how they spoke with their actions. Their actions said two things; 1. It's worthy trying for 2. It's worthy dying for
I want "IT"! Don't you?
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)
Come on Jesus!
I want it! But, how can you want something that you don't comprehend, see, and are absolutely afraid of? I'm not really sure. We can look at the disciples and how they spoke with their actions. Their actions said two things; 1. It's worthy trying for 2. It's worthy dying for
I want "IT"! Don't you?
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)
Come on Jesus!
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