Re: Modern Version Mysticism
It would seem to me that we do have to put forth quite a bit of effort, as we follow the Lord.
So, you want to do his job?
OF COURSE we put forth effort. But you are taking the steering wheel outta his hands it sounds to me.
Tell me, do you suggest the effort is work really hard at not sinning?
Work at avoiding temptation?
Put on the Christian smile and attitude when people can see you to be a good example?
I really wanna understand what it looks like to you, please explain.
Because as I read scripture HE does the changing, not us. But if we try to do the work, we are usurping that authority from Him. Which by no means states you are NOT working. But what you work at, in scripture is much different than anyone trying to focus on their sin issues and control them. The more you fight for control, the more control you take from God.
You can move onto a mountain top, never have a temptation again, and thus never sin, but still fail God.
NOT SINNING doesn't make you sanctified.
1 john 4:16-18. You grow in love, and sin goes away.
You focus on love, which is a works focused thing. Gal 5:6, last parable in matt 25. Eph 4:11-17, and through those works, God changes you.
Does a mother learn to love her child by reading a book?
Does a golfer learn how to swing like a pro reading a book?
Does a pitcher in baseball learn how to throw lefty instead of righty by reading a book?
NO they all occur from hands on experience. (with some caveats for mamas.)
To learn to love you have to LOOK to love, not to your sin. Like a car, you drive where you steer, and you steer where you look.
If you look to your sins all the time, you'll eventually drive there.
Anyway, my "you" here is the general you, more so than the YOU, you. And my comments are intended at the doctrine/scriptures/exegetics than picking at you.
It's just a good disagreement for us to work through.