Date: 30 Apr 2000
Time: 10:03:46
JG in WI
Well, I'll kick this off.
When Jesus appears we shall be like Him for we shall see Him as He is. And what is our response to the news that Jesus is returning? Do we climb a mountain and wait? Do we write prophecy books (or books on Y2K ... oops, that's been done)? Or speculate? John says (v. 3)the natural response to the coming of the Lord is to purify ourselves. It's an old idea, but it just might work.
Date: 01 May 2000
Time: 14:52:20
Any thoughts on verse 9? The 'seed' of God remaining in us clearly does not preclude our sinning-faithful souls do it all the time. Where's the resolution between this piece of the Word and reality we all face? Joe in Zion.
Date: 01 May 2000
Time: 19:20:03
Joe in Zion: I like the New Jerusalem Bible version of this reading. v6 reads: "No one who remains in him sins...." Even though this reading presents some theological and preaching problems, I think v6 has something to say. Perhaps the problem is that we do not remain in Christ, but just visit once in awhile. (??) I'm not sure how to connect this with v9, but I think there is one. I'm just beginning to work on it. revd
Date: 02 May 2000
Time: 16:25:46
This is Grace. It is our hope; that finally we shall be like him.
Its not really a pep talk about keeping leagalism. It is an affirmation that our true nature is to be like Christ rather than being without standards or discipline. Its not an urging to get better grades or try harder. It is a rejoicing that our motivation for doing right is that deep inside we are really children of God. The good news is that we do have the power to get beyond sinful ways. It is not the case that mankind is inherrantly sinful but love and justice are our true nature when through faith we live up to this.
The purification is not like new year's resolutions to get rid of bad habbits but it is a purity of heart that grows from an awareness, a solid grounding in knowing that we are children of God. And this is a gift!
Date: 03 May 2000
Time: 00:37:22
The comment regarding "mankind is not not inherently sinful" contradicts a Wesleyan understanding of human nature. Quoting a lecture I heard at Wesley Theological Seminary, Washington D.C., John Wesley was a "pessimist when it came to human nature, but was an optimist when it came to God's grace." Humanity has a fatal condition - sin - yet through God's grace, our condition is curable. The love God has lavished upon us has become realized in Christ. Through God's grace, are we able to respond and become beings who resemble our Loving Creator.
(If we were not inherently sinful, what need then is there for grace? If we already contain the true nature of love and justice, then grace is merely a divine barber who "trims off a bit here and there". There is no need for transforming our nature. If we don't appreciate the fatal condition of our human nature, then we can't possibly appreciate the transforming power of God's "prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace").
TH in Texas
Date: 06 May 2000
Time: 01:47:12
JG in WI again
To whomever said that this passage was "not really a pep talk about keeping leagalism," I want to say a hearty "amen" and I'll be glad to steal that comment for Sunday's message.
The call is to genuine Christianity; one that is not a way of "doctrine" (solely, though doctrine is important), but a way of life. A doctrine that does not change a life has precious little value.
Date: 28 Jan 2001
Time: 01:23:37
rom:7 :23-25
Date: 4/30/2003
Time: 12:10:06 PM
The early church found themselves in a strange place. As you remember only adults were baptized, that is they became new creature, leaving their sin behind. Now they were God's children and shared in the vision of divine life; and yet "sin" had not disappeared, they were still frail and able to break the commandments, they had to live consciously in the new creation, not forgetting the gift they had received in the resurreciton of our Lord, for it is only in amnesia tha we sin again, it is in our forgetfulness that we no longer act according to our new being. So let us not be deceived, there is nothing magical about our new life, we must continue to "do what is right" in order to share in the righteousness of Christ.
tom in ga
Date: 5/3/2003
Time: 5:28:04 PM
To Joe in Zion,
Eugene Peterson writes in the message: " No one who lives deeply in Christ makes a practice of sin. None of those who do practice sin have taken a good look at Christ. They've got him all backwards."
I love that. I believe it gives us a great understanding that those who live deeply in Christ are those whose hearts are focused to live for Christ and do what He asks of us. Those who practice sin, are those who don't even see Christ. Their understandings are backwards. I feel more comfortable with that, than I do thinking we don't sin, since I know I do! But it isn't my PRACTICE to sin.