ListenDaily - 12 May 2009: Need to be freed?
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Now check out the response from verse 33: "They answered him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?" Were they kidding? The history of the Jewish people up until this time was a history of their slavery, the exiles, the captivities. Their greatest story was of their Exodus from slavery in Egypt; and here are the descendants of the Exodus people denying that they were ever enslaved. And they were having this conversation they while living under Roman occupation!
Can one be set free if denying captivity?
Of course, Jesus was talking about spiritual freedom; freedom from the bondage of sin.
We are born in bondage. We are born in sin. Sin is bondage. Can one be set free if denying captivity?
Where does that leave me? Where does that leave you?
"Jesus said, "If you abide in my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
We must accept that we have been living in bondage. No matter how nice we are, no matter how good we think we are. No matter. We are all born into the bondage of sin. To say or think otherwise is to believe a lie. Let us not respond to Christ's call tofreedom with the same foolishness as those in this passage, refusing to believe our legacy of slavery.
Let us abide, be disciples, and know Truth. Let us be free!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. How would you define your own bondage? 2. Is it difficult to recognize? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The only things we can keep are the things we freely give to God."
C.S. Lewis
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
ListenDaily - 08 May 2009: What is the truth?
ListenDaily - 08 May 2009: What is the truth?
I have, and will continue to, affirm the coherency of the Scriptures. Look at how they come together!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
Ah, then -- the age old question: What is the truth? Do we have to guess? Of course not. We do, however have to follow the steps:
Holding onto/abiding in Jesus' teaching.
Grow as disciples.
Then we will know the truth -- "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus is the truth that sets us free! "And if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
AMEN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. Is this coincidence or coherence? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
I have, and will continue to, affirm the coherency of the Scriptures. Look at how they come together!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
Ah, then -- the age old question: What is the truth? Do we have to guess? Of course not. We do, however have to follow the steps:
Holding onto/abiding in Jesus' teaching.
Grow as disciples.
Then we will know the truth -- "Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus is the truth that sets us free! "And if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." (John 8:36)
AMEN!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. Is this coincidence or coherence? 3. Do you know about the Truth or know the Truth?
INTERESTING THOUGHT:
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
Thursday, May 7, 2009
ListenDaily - 07 May 2009: The power of an adverb
ListenDaily - 07 May 2009: The power of an adverb
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
"Then". This interesting little adverb is a key to the understanding of Jesus' words here. We often hear "The truth will set you free!" do we not? In sermons, speeches, and writing, this is a very common phrase.
Hold on.
We cannot simply say that "truth will set you free", for alone, that is not true! Jesus set up a series of conditions, or directions, a recipe if you will, that must be followed in order for this to be true.
Then.
"Then", means "immediately or soon afterward"; "next in order of time or place"; or "as a consequence".
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" immediately or soon afterward "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" next "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" as a consequence "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. IS it a matter of obedience or understanding? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then you will know the truth..."
"Then". This interesting little adverb is a key to the understanding of Jesus' words here. We often hear "The truth will set you free!" do we not? In sermons, speeches, and writing, this is a very common phrase.
Hold on.
We cannot simply say that "truth will set you free", for alone, that is not true! Jesus set up a series of conditions, or directions, a recipe if you will, that must be followed in order for this to be true.
Then.
"Then", means "immediately or soon afterward"; "next in order of time or place"; or "as a consequence".
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" immediately or soon afterward "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" next "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples" as a consequence "you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does this say about the truth? 2. IS it a matter of obedience or understanding? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
ListenDaily - 06 May 2009: Really? Really!
ListenDaily - 06 May 2009: Really? Really!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
The common-use definition of the word 'really' has changed over time. We now use it to show degree; 'it was kind of hot yesterday, today it is really hot.' But that is a misuse of the word. 'Really' means actually, or genuinely. Something really is; or it is not at all. Someone really is; or they are not at all.
So then, one is "really a disciple" or not a disciple of all. One cannot be 'sort of' or 'kind of' a disciple.
I am sure many followed Jesus as He traveled, and for many reasons. Some people always followed a crowd. Some went along for personal gain. Others hung around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many were really His disciples?
Today's church deals with the same issues. Some people always follow the crowd. Some go along for personal gain. Others hang around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many are really His disciples?
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
"Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'really a disciple' mean to you? 2. Are you walking in that direction? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
The common-use definition of the word 'really' has changed over time. We now use it to show degree; 'it was kind of hot yesterday, today it is really hot.' But that is a misuse of the word. 'Really' means actually, or genuinely. Something really is; or it is not at all. Someone really is; or they are not at all.
So then, one is "really a disciple" or not a disciple of all. One cannot be 'sort of' or 'kind of' a disciple.
I am sure many followed Jesus as He traveled, and for many reasons. Some people always followed a crowd. Some went along for personal gain. Others hung around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many were really His disciples?
Today's church deals with the same issues. Some people always follow the crowd. Some go along for personal gain. Others hang around the fringes, but without making a commitment. But how many are really His disciples?
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples."
"Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:27
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What does 'really a disciple' mean to you? 2. Are you walking in that direction? 3. What developments or changes might you need to make?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
ListenDaily - 05 May 2009; WWJT?
ListenDaily - 05 May 2009; WWJT?
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching..."
I cannot possibly begin to cover everything Jesus taught in one short lesson, and will not try to. But what would happen if we took even a few of His teachings and began to 'hold on' to them -- to 'abide in' them -- today? Consider the following statements, teachings of Jesus, from Matthew (chapters 5, 6, 22, and 28):
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world.
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Do not worry about tomorrow...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Of course, He taught much more than this -- but meditate over this list, or any other of His teachings, see if there are one or two things that resonate with you. Then take those items, those teachings and write them down in your calendar, in a note on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror, make them the 'signature' in your email, something, anything, to keep them in the forefront of your mind. See what it takes to 'hold onto' and 'abide in' these one or two things -- today.
Let's see what happens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Which of these Jesus' teachings resonate with you? 2. What will you do with them? 3. How do you hold onto them both?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching..."
I cannot possibly begin to cover everything Jesus taught in one short lesson, and will not try to. But what would happen if we took even a few of His teachings and began to 'hold on' to them -- to 'abide in' them -- today? Consider the following statements, teachings of Jesus, from Matthew (chapters 5, 6, 22, and 28):
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
You are the salt of the earth.
You are the light of the world.
If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
Anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.
Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
Do not worry about tomorrow...
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Of course, He taught much more than this -- but meditate over this list, or any other of His teachings, see if there are one or two things that resonate with you. Then take those items, those teachings and write them down in your calendar, in a note on your refrigerator or bathroom mirror, make them the 'signature' in your email, something, anything, to keep them in the forefront of your mind. See what it takes to 'hold onto' and 'abide in' these one or two things -- today.
Let's see what happens.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Which of these Jesus' teachings resonate with you? 2. What will you do with them? 3. How do you hold onto them both?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
""We may note in passing that He was never regarded as a mere moral teacher.
He did not produce that effect on any of the people who actually met Him.
He produced mainly three results---Hatred---Terror---Adoration.
There was no trace of people expressing mild admiration."
C.S. Lewis
I believe I never was more acceptable to my Master
than when I was standing to teach those hearers in the open fields
I now preach to ten times more people than I would if I had been confined to the churches.
George Whitefield
"God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue."
Thomas Watson
"To teach in order to lead others to faith
is the task of every preacher and of each believer."
Thomas Aquinas
"Nature teaches us to love our friends,
but religion our enemies."
Thomas Fuller Fuller
"Everything science has taught me---
and continues to teach me---
strengthens my belief in the continuity of our spiritual existence after death.
Nothing disappears without a trace."
Wernher Von Braun
Monday, May 4, 2009
ListenDaily - 04 May 2009; Hold on! Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the tru
ListenDaily - 04 May 2009; Hold on!
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching..."
The New International Version uses the word "hold" here. Many others use the phrase "abide in" or something similar. I want to thank my friend and sister in Christ, Melissa, for commenting on this. I was poised to jump into the 'teaching' here, but it is important that we look at what Jesus was saying about His teaching. Whether we "hold to' or 'abide in', there is an emphasis here.
And it is worthy to note that Jesus was speaking to believers.
This is not a program, and it is not a process. It cannot be achieved solely by a Sunday morning service, a mid-week Bible study, or a daily devotional. If we want to move into discipleship, truth, and freedom, then His teaching must permeate who we are -- it must be who we are, or at least who we are becoming. "WWJD" -- "what would Jesus do" -- may have become a trite, overused phrase, but it is the way of life for a believer; imitatio Dei --the imitation of God..
Consider Jesus teaching. Think about the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, the good Samaritan, the widow and her mite, the woman at the well; how does this teaching affect how you live? Are they sermons and Sunday School lessons? Or are they the model by which you live?
Take a moment to think about, read about, and pray about some of Jesus' teaching. Can you commit to living in them? Holding onto them?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Which of Jesus' teachings are your favorites? 2. Which are the hardest? 3. How do you hold onto them both?
INTERESTING THOUGHT ON FREEDOM:
"There are two freedoms:
the false where a man is free to do what he likes;
and the true where a man is free to do as he ought."
Charles Kingsley
"On this side of the grave we are exiles, on that, citizens;
on this side, orphans, on that, children;
on this side, captives, on that, freemen."
Henry Ward Beecher
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The lost enjoy forever the horrible
freedom they have demanded..."
C.S. Lewis
"God, having placed good and evil in our power,
has given us full freedom of choice;
He does not keep back the unwilling,
but embraces the willing."
John Chrysostom
"A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
Martin Luther
"God created things which had free will.
That means creatures which can go either wrong or right.
Some people think they can imagine a creature
which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad.
And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give them free will?
Because free will, though it makes evil possible,
is also the only thing that makes possible any love
or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (NIV)
Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (NKJV)
John 8:31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"If you hold to my teaching..."
The New International Version uses the word "hold" here. Many others use the phrase "abide in" or something similar. I want to thank my friend and sister in Christ, Melissa, for commenting on this. I was poised to jump into the 'teaching' here, but it is important that we look at what Jesus was saying about His teaching. Whether we "hold to' or 'abide in', there is an emphasis here.
And it is worthy to note that Jesus was speaking to believers.
This is not a program, and it is not a process. It cannot be achieved solely by a Sunday morning service, a mid-week Bible study, or a daily devotional. If we want to move into discipleship, truth, and freedom, then His teaching must permeate who we are -- it must be who we are, or at least who we are becoming. "WWJD" -- "what would Jesus do" -- may have become a trite, overused phrase, but it is the way of life for a believer; imitatio Dei --the imitation of God..
Consider Jesus teaching. Think about the Great Commandment, the Great Commission, the good Samaritan, the widow and her mite, the woman at the well; how does this teaching affect how you live? Are they sermons and Sunday School lessons? Or are they the model by which you live?
Take a moment to think about, read about, and pray about some of Jesus' teaching. Can you commit to living in them? Holding onto them?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. Which of Jesus' teachings are your favorites? 2. Which are the hardest? 3. How do you hold onto them both?
INTERESTING THOUGHT ON FREEDOM:
"There are two freedoms:
the false where a man is free to do what he likes;
and the true where a man is free to do as he ought."
Charles Kingsley
"On this side of the grave we are exiles, on that, citizens;
on this side, orphans, on that, children;
on this side, captives, on that, freemen."
Henry Ward Beecher
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The lost enjoy forever the horrible
freedom they have demanded..."
C.S. Lewis
"God, having placed good and evil in our power,
has given us full freedom of choice;
He does not keep back the unwilling,
but embraces the willing."
John Chrysostom
"A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
Martin Luther
"God created things which had free will.
That means creatures which can go either wrong or right.
Some people think they can imagine a creature
which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad.
And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give them free will?
Because free will, though it makes evil possible,
is also the only thing that makes possible any love
or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
Friday, May 1, 2009
ListenDaily - 01 May2009; The big "IF"
ListenDaily - 01 May2009; The big "IF"
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8;31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
The recipe for freedom begins with a little bitty word...but a powerful one: "IF". These two letters hold within them the key to much of our theology and doctrine of 'free will'. "If" can open the door to salvation, peace, removal of anxiety, and freedom in Christ.
If.
Do you want to be free?
You can be! If...
If...
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Follow...know...freedom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What other 'ifs' are keys to Christianity? 2. Are there 'ifs' to salvation? Discipleship? Obedience? Anything else? 3. How do you choose?
INTERESTING THOUGHT ON FREEDOM:
"There are two freedoms:
the false where a man is free to do what he likes;
and the true where a man is free to do as he ought."
Charles Kingsley
"On this side of the grave we are exiles, on that, citizens;
on this side, orphans, on that, children;
on this side, captives, on that, freemen."
Henry Ward Beecher
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The lost enjoy forever the horrible
freedom they have demanded..."
C.S. Lewis
"God, having placed good and evil in our power,
has given us full freedom of choice;
He does not keep back the unwilling,
but embraces the willing."
John Chrysostom
"A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
Martin Luther
"God created things which had free will.
That means creatures which can go either wrong or right.
Some people think they can imagine a creature
which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad.
And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give them free will?
Because free will, though it makes evil possible,
is also the only thing that makes possible any love
or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8;31-32 (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
The recipe for freedom begins with a little bitty word...but a powerful one: "IF". These two letters hold within them the key to much of our theology and doctrine of 'free will'. "If" can open the door to salvation, peace, removal of anxiety, and freedom in Christ.
If.
Do you want to be free?
You can be! If...
If...
"If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Follow...know...freedom.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Questions:
1. What other 'ifs' are keys to Christianity? 2. Are there 'ifs' to salvation? Discipleship? Obedience? Anything else? 3. How do you choose?
INTERESTING THOUGHT ON FREEDOM:
"There are two freedoms:
the false where a man is free to do what he likes;
and the true where a man is free to do as he ought."
Charles Kingsley
"On this side of the grave we are exiles, on that, citizens;
on this side, orphans, on that, children;
on this side, captives, on that, freemen."
Henry Ward Beecher
"The Jews looked upon a serpent to be freed from serpents;
and we look upon the death of Christ to be delivered from death."
Augustine
"The lost enjoy forever the horrible
freedom they have demanded..."
C.S. Lewis
"God, having placed good and evil in our power,
has given us full freedom of choice;
He does not keep back the unwilling,
but embraces the willing."
John Chrysostom
"A Christian is a perfectly free lord of all, subject to none.
A Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject of all, subject to all."
Martin Luther
"God created things which had free will.
That means creatures which can go either wrong or right.
Some people think they can imagine a creature
which was free but had no possibility of going wrong; I cannot.
If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad.
And free will is what has made evil possible.
Why, then, did God give them free will?
Because free will, though it makes evil possible,
is also the only thing that makes possible any love
or goodness or joy worth having."
C.S. Lewis
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