Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 12 (12 views) Subscribe   
  From:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    Nov-18 5:03 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 5)  
 
  745.1  
 
Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 12
(God's work?)

Carnal teaching seems mostly to be emphasizing the list of tasks that man must do to secure God, while spiritual teaching seems to emphasize what God is doing to secure us.

At a pastor convention the guest speaker asked hundreds of pastors this question: "What can a Christian do to grow closer to God and secure a vibrant godly family life and witness?"  The hands went up like rockets - church attendance, devotions with family, read the Bible, pray, evangelize, and the list went on and on ... But the next question did not get a single response in all three groups of pastors.  Not a single person could muster a response to this question: "Now, what does GOD do to grow us, and secure a vibrant family life, and testimony to the world?  What are some of the things that GOD is involved in?"  Well, you could have tasted the collective confusion.

What does that tell me about that group of pastors?  Well, I think that they are involved in carnal discipleship ... and their teaching will be like trying to cut down a tree with an axe handle but no blade ... it is wood upon wood, and no edge to cut through problems.

The Spirit does all the work, and the cutting edge is Christ ... we don't swing wood upon wood.  We are not going to say that we have a God and live like we don't.  

Very few people have not heard that Christianity is said to be different then all the world religions because it tells the story of God reaching down to men, rather then man reaching up to God ... but if that is true then why could they not go on and on about what God is doing, and not have a clue what we must do to grow, and get on with life and godliness? 

It is good to have a Shepherd and know that whatever I am doing to grow, is being met with God's work and that is administered 100 times my pathetic attempts. 

See also Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 11 - (focus factor)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 10 - (kingdom heavyweights)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 9 - (cruel conformity)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 8 - (law and grace)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 7 - (knowledge)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 6 - (delayed fulfillment) 
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 5 - (sameness)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 4 - (equality)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 3 - (polishing the image)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 2 - (the quick fix)
and Carnal Emphasis vs Spiritual Emphasis 1 - (the unspectacular)

Ripening for the harvest,

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host of:  The Life 


I sought all things that I might enjoy life, but found life that I might enjoy all things.
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    Nov-18 7:03 pm  
To:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    (2 of 5)  
 
  745.2 in reply to 745.1  
 
Hi Trent,

Excellent post as always.

I like the equation

Bible (knowledge of God) + Trials = Christian Growth

It seems simplistic but for me that formula really rings true as sadly it is in my trials that I experience most of my growth and without them I stagnate.

I only say this because we are all trying so hard to avoid trials at all cost yet it is the trials that bring the growth.

God Bless You,
David




David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org

 
  
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  From:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    Nov-18 9:01 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (3 of 5)  
 
  745.3 in reply to 745.2  
 
D,

Wouldn't you rather learn how to love your enemies without ever having one?  

... but that is not the way.

Ripening for the harvest,

  - Click here to ask me an anonymous question!

host of:  The Life 


I sought all things that I might enjoy life, but found life that I might enjoy all things.
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    Nov-19 7:33 am  
To:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    (4 of 5)  
 
  745.4 in reply to 745.3  
 
ERRR  Trent, why did you have to go and post that!

 

Now I cant plead ignorance :o).

 

God Bless You,
David



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org

 
  
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   From:  Trent_Fuller (TrentFuller)    Nov-19 7:46 am  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (5 of 5)  
 
  745.5 in reply to 745.4  
 
;-)
Ripening for the harvest,

  - Click here to ask me an anonymous question!

host of:  The Life 


I sought all things that I might enjoy life, but found life that I might enjoy all things.
 
  
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