I've been zinged

Fall 2014 Update - The Move, plus . . .

Doing the right things and yet . . .

If you call yourself a Christian, a Christ follower, and rely on God’s Word for daily re-calibrating, and boast in God’s provision and protection, and know His will and approve of the irreducible essentials, being taught the Bible by stellar teachers, and are confident that you yourself are a guide for those growing in godliness and light for turning hearts toward God, a corrector of foolishness, a teacher of the immature, having in the Bible the embodiment of knowledge and truth, you who teach another, do you not teach yourself?

You who teach how to follow Christ, do you follow yourself?

You who preach do not covet, do you covet?

You who say that one should not commit adultery, do your eyes or emotions commit adultery?

You who abhor idols, do you turn to your comfort idols?

You who boast in God’s Word, through your drifting from God’s will, do you dishonor God?

For “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” just as it is written.

[Now compare Rm 7.14-25. What are the similarities?]

For indeed Bible reading and prayer are of value if you practice God’s will, but if you are a transgressor of God’s ways, your Bible reading and prayers become non-Bible reading and non-prayers. So if a non-Bible reader does God’s will, will he not be regarded as a Bible reader? For he is not a Christ follower who is one outwardly, but he is a Christ follower who is one inwardly, one whose heart is turned toward God, by the Spirit, not by externals; and his praise is not from men, but from God.

(A modified applicational reading of Romans 2.12-29, craving today’s demonstration.)

Solution:

Romans 8, heart of the solution.

Solution summary:

Two agents responsible for sustainable change.

“ . . . if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Romans 8.13

This is a winnable war.

Turning Hearts Toward God,

Paul A Lewis