So if one loves individuals, one has to work with were people are and then see if one can
share for mutual benefit to grow to a new place.
The problem is ofcourse is someone has already arrived, and there is nothing for them
to discover, then you either agree with them or you are wrong. This does make things
simple for them, but it is so blinkered and unreal compared to their actual life history,
but then, it is easier to be dismissive rather than but share and grow through the experience.
I agree our love for each other where each other is should lead us to help each other to help each other grow.
I have used each other 3 times because I want to make the point.
its you me, me you in a place where we realise that neither has fully arrived.
We need to be very careful though.
We because we ourselves have settled on a theological position can actually fall foul of your second paragraph without realising it.
We know the answer, this is the truth to us and so in a sense we have arrived.
At the end of the day the one thing we all have in common (at least I hope we have) faith in Jesus, the son of God who died and rose again, for our sins, to reconcile us to our Father in heaven. Having done the following
Romans 10:5-10
For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.
But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth).
And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
The truth is our calling is firstly that of faith, then given that we want to grow and mature and become more like Jesus.
To me if we say we have the first part but disregard the second then questions need to be asked.
Without faith we cannot please God.
We can do all the works we want but if it's not of faith from our faith it means diddly squat.
That's why the goats are rejected, and Jesus also says
Matthew 7:21-23
I Never Knew You
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
What is the will of the Father
John 6:29
Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”
John 6:39-40
And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”
The key point Jesus makes above is that I never knew you.
They claimed and did things in Jesus name but it meant nothing. They had not placed their faith in Jesus, only in what they did to impress, others and Jesus.
Yet the sheep. Look at what Jesus said.
Matthew 25:35-40
For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’
That's works that arise as a result of faith, knowing Jesus.
We will all get it wrong at times and if anyone wants to tell me that anything different I will disagree with you.
Its not because I have arrived it's because I know I haven't arrived.
To me as a result of faith in Jesus, I decrease and Jesus increases.
Just my simple thoughts
