...not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith
Note..This is a little longer than normal , but if our up to it..
Anyway, it was actually freedom that I've been musing over this past week.. how it appears as if it's on a slippery slope? I'd also been reflecting over Pentecost and wondered if anyone dreamed such fracturing..so much schism and division would ever occurr within the Body of Christ like this? Do you think the political landscape is merely a reflection?
But we've certainly been given a picture of oneness in regard to Pentecost, wouldn't you agree?
I guess I want to pose a question..have we been conditioned to rely on organizations and not truly on faith (first)?
I've noticed when people are encouraged to looks towards or become dependant on outside sources, how often it then becomes necessary to be cajoled into things i.e., volunteerism for instance.. almost obligatory? In other words, instead of being motivated by our hearts anymore- long been an American strength, (as a result of freedom) it rather ends up that we somehow have to be coaxed into things?
There can't be only a few who've noticed a moral break down though (in society as a whole) which parallels this phenomena- in regard to the fracturing or division I'd mentioned above? Still somehow, I'm reminded in 1 Co 1: 24 "But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged" ?
Government in biblical thought is not just civil government. In fact, civil government is the least important aspect of government. Government is first that of the individual to govern himself.
Temperance, in modern English, usually refers only to restraint toward alcoholic beverages, but the biblical application is much broader. The Greek word, engkrateia, is the noun form of a verbal root that means "strong in a thing; strength; power; dominion; having power over; being master of." Its true biblical application, then, is synonymous with "self-mastery" or "self-control."
I happen to think 1 Co 1:24 blends in quite nicely with the Fruit of the Spirit in Ga 5:23.. But remember now (against such things, there is no law)!
The list begins with "love" and ends with "self-control/temperance." Did Paul arrange this list in this order because it takes love to precipitate all the other characteristics, and if a person truly walks in the Spirit, the fruit will culminate in temperance?
Possibly, but understood this way, self-control is not the least of the fruit of the Spirit but a major goal..
Bible Tools..(check out blitzkrieg" warfare)
I think the goal of Scripture is to get us to eventually rely on God first~
Anyway, I'm leaving you with a few more selected verses that I felt, offers us a solution..after all, it's the good news right?
1 Co 2:1-5 "And when I came to you brethren, I did not come to you with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God..For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified".
"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 2- He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..took on “the form of a bond servant.
1 Co 1:30-"But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption"
(do enlarge)~
14 comments:
wow, krista, these are some deep thoughts and most of them I have thought myself but not put down in writing. our churches have become corporations, run by the pastor and his crew, faith is not always preached or kept. i see a huge breakdown in our worship as
God intended it. I feel each church is trying to attract the most people. example: one church next week is having a Cruise in with CHrist andf their church servie on sunday will be held in the parking lot with everyone bringin antique cars and hot dogs and such, another, mine in fact will be having church on sunday in a park on a picnic. another one had last week, a fair with clowns and face painting. nothing wrong with doing these things but NOT in place of sunday worship. i am struggling right now with attending church services because of the breakdown. the orginal church was a body of beleivers gathering to read the word and figure out how to follow/study/change lives. thanks for your thoughts i might be back when my mind thinks more on your subject.,
i am coming to you via the laptop, edited and posted from it and I am thinking desktop. love your new LOOK today
Hi Sandra..hey thanks! You hit on some underlying thoughts..glad you can at least use this lap top for now! Boy, ts really late now, so I'll get back as well..just wanted to say appreciate your kind response!
i love your photographs and thank you for the enlightenment.
Well, it's swell that you sre now having bible studies with your lovly parrot! Can you get him to recite a line or two? Will he talk? I agree with you. About organizations, it depends on their message and goal. "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there will I be in the midst". But we need to be gathered for the right reason. So much quarreling and fighting in churches now. I often think if most members knew what goes on in church councils, it would make their heads spin!! We had a series of meetings over many months in our church to decide a vision or goal, with people meeting in small groups around tables. When it was finished, the unanimous answer was "LOVE". Because if you just have that, and enough of it, and apply it rightly, then everything else falls into place!!!
Good evening!The new header is fantastik!
The photos are very interesting!
I do not a lot about church life.
Hi Regina
Love your new header
ts amazing :-)
My compliments !!!
Its really a sunday post today
church etc... LOL
Have a fantastic sunday
its here almost monday :-)
hehe.... sounds so funny !!!
(The white asparagus is total different from taste like the green ones, the white are very special, I wish I could invite you and you could taste it ........... LOL)
((hugs))
Anya :)
Dave..thaks for your visit and kind remarks! Your blog is terrific btw!!
Sort of in answer to you both Sandra and Ginny.. Sometimes I get the impression there may almost be a fear in regard to examining O.Religion? All we need is love (lol)..wasn't that the theme song for world peace? I guess my intention was to provoke or generate thought outside of the system with its obvious mark of division. But speaking the truth in love of course.. in hope we would be exhorted not to rest on man's wisdom.. but rather faith (in Him)- which springs from the sufficency of Christ. At this point its difficult to see how the system could encourage this type of thinking while still relying on the dog and pony show? I certainly appreciate the feedback.. by all means, keep it going-
Greetings Amin..that's OK..thank you for sharing your thoughts as well! I'm glad you enjoy my header.
Hi Anya..I would love to try that..must be a specialty item..possibly sold in certain markets? Anyway, thank you!! hope you have a wonderful evening!
Just picking one of your phrases out to respond, otherwise this comment would be a mile long. :-) I like to believe that: if we judge ourselves rightly, we might not be judged. But most of the time we are being judged even if we are righteous, meaning someone always have a different opinion of us. Think for the greater goods, but the one suffered always turn against us. I had experienced an unusual circumstance that I had to side FOR the greater goods and it was good for the individual as well, but to this day, the person does not understand the decision.
Hi there Self S. Thanks for coming and sharing that. I think I see what your talking about. Looks as though you made the right decision but someone else wasn't too happy about it? kind of sad.. I went through something like that too. Do you think that could be the cost involved. I'm assuming you had that individuals best interest in mind? Well on the one hand, we are to examine ourselves..yet on the other we're told that if we offend the law in one point we're guilty of all? Again, maybe the value on His atonement -the cost? Do you think it could possibly be a line we're supposed to walk as well? In other words, it isn't going to be based on our efforts but God is looking both at the heart as well as our apprehension of what he's done for us- which is leading us upwards and away from the wisdom of the world? Let me know what you think? Thanks for this visit..hope you have a wonderful tomorrow-
More thoughts to ponder and I am in awe of your photos.
MAGNIFICO!!!!!!!!!MAGNIFICO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are just the STAR in realizing the most beautiful HEADERS...!
It is soooooooooooooooo fascinating!!!!
One is so wondering....what could be in and behind this exotic greenery.........?????
Thanks so much for your lovely wishes; I appreciated them very much!!!!!!!
Everything wonderful now and I would love to wish You and Your Family all the Best also!!!!!
ciao ciao elvira
Thanks Denise and Elvira!!..how nice- (appreciate that) so glad your better too!
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