[b]Love God first, then you are free to live as you please.[/b]That was the title of my teaching this past Sunday. Do y'all realize that the Christian life is just that simple? It is! How freeing is that?Meditate on this. I did... for several days last week that was my meditation: Love God first, then you are free to live as you please.Before you misunderstand what I'm saying... think about it. If you love God first, what will please you? Pleasing Him!When you meet that special man or woman, and you realize you're in love, you'll lay awake at night thinking of ways you could please that person.Do we do this with the Lord? If you truly love God, then those things that dont please Him will be repulsive to you as well.If you truly love God, holiness is not an issue for you. It's a pleasure to live in holiness.How much do you love God?Krispy
This makes your love the measuring rod in moral issues, this makes your love the measuring point in ethics, this makes your love the measuring rod between you and God you could stay being a humanist, Buddhist, communist or any other ist.The Kingdom of God is marked by Gods love in operation through the Holy Spirit in our hearts a very different approach. Indeed Pursuit 101
If you truly love God, then those things that dont please Him will be repulsive to you as well.
If you truly love God, holiness is not an issue for you. It's a [b]pleasure[/b] to live in holiness
Hi Krispy,Your theology reminds me of Galatians 5. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.So in a very real way, we could say that the law is not for Christians, but for those who do not have the fruit of the Spirit.You might enjoy [url=https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?viewmode=flat&order=0&topic_id=10455&forum=35&post_id=&refresh=Go]this[/url] from Diane.Blessings,MC
_________________Mike Compton
How much do you love God?
This makes your love the measuring rod in moral issues, this makes your love the measuring point in ethics, this makes your love the measuring rod between you and God you could stay being a humanist, Buddhist, communist or any other ist.
I am afraid of sentimentalism, emotionalism and abstract use of terms like "pleasing God", "holiness", "love God". And also of illusion of thinking that we please Him, when we please our fleshly desires.
I feel this thread is well worth expanding on.
Love God first, then you are free to live as you please.
_________________David
No, we do not miss your point. . .If what you do for Christ and what you do for men only stems from your love, it is really inadequate, even sentimental.It is not touched by the cross of Christ, which declares that man is inadequate a dying is needed and a resurrection and a living unto God in his power, including his love is necessary.If we preach mans love as adequate, we do not preach the cross, which is Gods power unto salvation and, thereby, to adequate standards in ministry to both God and man.This we pursue.
Pursuit... perhaps it is me that missed your point, instead of the other way around. Good points you make.Davy... thats exactly what I'm looking for here. Excellent points!Krispy