Comments on: Fighting the Good Fight http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/fighting-the-good-fight/ Johnny P's Brain Explodes Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:10:24 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: johnnyp1978 http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/fighting-the-good-fight/#comment-117 johnnyp1978 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:10:24 +0000 http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/?p=177#comment-117 I came across this devotional today which I thought went well with this entry: http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=1615 I came across this devotional today which I thought went well with this entry:

http://opc.org/devotional.html?devotion_id=1615

]]> By: johnnyp1978 http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/fighting-the-good-fight/#comment-116 johnnyp1978 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:03:54 +0000 http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/?p=177#comment-116 Oh, I fully affirm God's grace and do believe in common grace which allows us to enjoy things in this life. I take great joy in many things in this life, especially cigars which our government is taxing the hell out of. My main concern is for those who just don't want to fight against the temptations of this world and want to give in instead of continuing the struggle. I'm especially reacting to those who are living lives clearly a part from a biblical lifestyle but cry out that God loves them anyway (which could be true... they could be a prodigal son) but I don't want them at the end to be one of those who cry Lord, Lord but do not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This postmodern age has made it even harder for Christians to stand firm on their beliefs. Richard Pratt pointed out that Christian liberty can quickly become a license to sin if abused. I don't have problem with Christians having satin sheets and leather seats (though I have neither). The reason why I mentioned the roaring lions in their cages is because that's really the extent that most Christians I know truly struggle and yet they still cave in under that pressure. To quote Pratt, "The deck of life is constantly shifting. Balance is only momentary synchronicty." While Armininian theology places all the responsiblity upon the people, Calvinists quickly become hyper-Calvinists and forget any kind of responsibility. Oh, I fully affirm God’s grace and do believe in common grace which allows us to enjoy things in this life. I take great joy in many things in this life, especially cigars which our government is taxing the hell out of. My main concern is for those who just don’t want to fight against the temptations of this world and want to give in instead of continuing the struggle. I’m especially reacting to those who are living lives clearly a part from a biblical lifestyle but cry out that God loves them anyway (which could be true… they could be a prodigal son) but I don’t want them at the end to be one of those who cry Lord, Lord but do not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. This postmodern age has made it even harder for Christians to stand firm on their beliefs. Richard Pratt pointed out that Christian liberty can quickly become a license to sin if abused. I don’t have problem with Christians having satin sheets and leather seats (though I have neither). The reason why I mentioned the roaring lions in their cages is because that’s really the extent that most Christians I know truly struggle and yet they still cave in under that pressure. To quote Pratt, “The deck of life is constantly shifting. Balance is only momentary synchronicty.” While Armininian theology places all the responsiblity upon the people, Calvinists quickly become hyper-Calvinists and forget any kind of responsibility.

]]> By: Roman http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/2009/04/16/fighting-the-good-fight/#comment-115 Roman Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:37:50 +0000 http://johnnyp1978.wordpress.com/?p=177#comment-115 While I agree with what you have said, we cannot forget God's goodness and blessings He does lavish upon us. I grew up hearing this a lot "the Christian life is hard! it's a struggle!" I clung to this and became fearful of what God might do instead of resting in the perfection and goodness of his plan for us. I think it's a delicate balance - though this world isn't what it was meant to be, God looked upon it and said that it is good. Although just sojourners, there are many things to enjoy and love about God's creation and the world around us. "To glorify God and enjoy him forever" - let's not forget the enjoy part. While I agree with what you have said, we cannot forget God’s goodness and blessings He does lavish upon us. I grew up hearing this a lot “the Christian life is hard! it’s a struggle!” I clung to this and became fearful of what God might do instead of resting in the perfection and goodness of his plan for us. I think it’s a delicate balance – though this world isn’t what it was meant to be, God looked upon it and said that it is good. Although just sojourners, there are many things to enjoy and love about God’s creation and the world around us. “To glorify God and enjoy him forever” – let’s not forget the enjoy part.

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