Comments on True Paradigm: Inconsistent Christians

I was reading a book the other day and the author ...

2007-08-24T16:29:00.000+12:00

I was reading a book the other day and the author wrote, "The greatest trick the devil ever played was convincing Christians to be religious, instead of just loving Christ." [OK, that is not an exact quote, I am too lazy to walk upstairs and get the book, but it is certainly the gist.]

I think that this concept, which I agree with, comes into play with you observation of inconsistent Christians. That is, some get too busy "playing the game" that everyone can see, they forget that God sees it all, and that He is the only one who really matters. Even more, they forget that God doesn't even play games.

Thank you for your thoughts, I look forward to reading other insights.

Blessings!

www.clmcgown.com

PS: The book was Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller.

Christianity has largely been co-opted by he world...

2007-08-23T17:21:00.000+12:00

Christianity has largely been co-opted by he world.
These days, going to the average church will lead you away from God.

Then there is the 'I an saved' degenerate aspect of Christianity that people use as a rationalization for their worldly behavior.

There are not very many Christians.

TL.

The answer is not to assess if data conforms to yo...

2007-08-23T06:48:00.000+12:00

The answer is not to assess if data conforms to your ideas but do you conform to Scripture.

13And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?

14And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. - Joshua 5:13-14a

It's not "Is God is on our side?" It's "Are we on God's side?"

I have to apologize. I read the first part of your...

2007-08-22T15:55:00.000+12:00

I have to apologize. I read the first part of your post, and did not read the Scripture you quoted. I did not realize that I was quoting the same passage you had already used.

I was hurrying because we have been experiencing lighting and thunder this evening, I was trying to comment before the next storm rolled in.

This disconnect that some Christians have is very real. A very close friend, is very committed to living a separated life, not only from the world, and those that live as Galatians 5:19-21 describes. He also practices separation from those he believes take advantage of their Christian liberty in their lifestyle, personal conduct. Yet this same man sends his child to a secular humanist run school system and then constantly complains about the lack of moral standards, the inclusive/relativist agenda pushed by the school officials and the total disregard for the rights and responsibilities of the parents. How can this guy, who clearly loves the Lord, who tries in every way to be separated from the world, at the same time take part in a Godless secular humanist school system. I've tried to point out that it's inconsistent and the response is always a defensive justification based on historical standards. IE the system was ok when I went there.

I try constantly to check my behavior against my belief. If I claim to be a Christian then all of my beliefs should be in line with that, not just the easy ones or the visible ones.

bethyada,My pastor and I have been talking about t...

2007-08-22T12:27:00.000+12:00

bethyada,

My pastor and I have been talking about this problem of inconsistent Christians.

I've come to the conclusion that to many Christians in todays society, they have a get out of jail free card. They have accepted Jesus offer of Salvation. They will even live in a way as not to accept all of the trapping of the world, yet they do not, can not or will not, take the step of literally making themselves a living sacrifice, to put self on the altar, and prove what is the good and acceptable will of God. (Romans 12:1,2) 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

I see Christians every day who don't act like the world in one area of their life, let's use their finances as an example, they are honest trustworthy to a fault, always have their finances in perfect order, so that no one will question their integrity. Yet the same people will allow their early twenty-something living at home daughter to work at a Victoria's Secret's wearing less than modest clothing and having a reputation as a party girl. They brag about her paying her own way through college etc while she lives as though she is no different than the world.

It makes may brain hurt.

I think Noebel overestimates the capacity of Chris...

2007-08-22T04:18:00.000+12:00

I think Noebel overestimates the capacity of Christians to read the Bible carefully and to grasp biblical doctrine. We must distinguish between being saved and being willing to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.