Quote from: flaglady on August 20, 2019, 04:49:52 pmI haven't the foggiest idea. That's why I've always felt a failure when it comes to spreading the word.

You're not a failure

I didn't want to dampen your spirit any, I'm sure you have done what I asked many times without even realizing it.

Quote from: flaglady on August 20, 2019, 04:49:52 pmI haven't the foggiest idea. That's why I've always felt a failure when it comes to spreading the word.

Nonsense, you be who God has you to be. To try to be something you're not detracts from what God called you to do. Imagine if Joyce Meyer had continued to try to force herself to hand out tracts. She and the people she was trying to reach were worse off for it, and she would have been less ready to walk her calling.

I say that like forcing myself into not my calling isn't the defining trait of my life.

Mine:

Walking by God's Spirit is about communion with God's Spirit. So you will want to be in a constant attitude of prayer. Until you learn to hear God's voice/leading accurately, read his written word as much as possible. Then you need to be obedient to his leading, which will never contradict his written word or nature.

So you get 30 seconds with a new beliwver who asks you how they can and should walk by the Spirit.  What do you tell them?

Quote from: Bryan on August 13, 2019, 11:49:44 amYeah, I definitely feel the modern term of grace is a gigantic misinterpretation of what true grace is.  Part of "Capital Christianity" I feel.  This movement of people who believe attracting large numbers of followers and having scores of "salvation cards" to turn into Jesus as if that will be impressive.  Like bait on the end of a fishing line, it looks appealing, but it really can be deadly.

IMHO, grace is meant to draw us closer to righteousness, not enable us to live apart from it.

I mean this in a very broad and general sense, but what is typically the first response received if we tell someone to live more holy and righteous lives?

"I'm under grace, amen?"

Well yes, you are, but God doesn't give you grace so you can live fleshly, worldly lives Sunday afternoon through the following Sunday morning.

True grace draws individuals into the heart of God where no sin can reside and all evil is forsaken.

I agree, with one exception. The redefinition of grace was successfully accomplished in the 16th century, which is why it is so nearly impossible to convince religious people, especially "Christian" fatalists, that grace is what the bible describes.

Yeah, I definitely feel the modern term of grace is a gigantic misinterpretation of what true grace is.  Part of "Capital Christianity" I feel.  This movement of people who believe attracting large numbers of followers and having scores of "salvation cards" to turn into Jesus as if that will be impressive.  Like bait on the end of a fishing line, it looks appealing, but it really can be deadly.

IMHO, grace is meant to draw us closer to righteousness, not enable us to live apart from it.

I mean this in a very broad and general sense, but what is typically the first response received if we tell someone to live more holy and righteous lives?

"I'm under grace, amen?"

Well yes, you are, but God doesn't give you grace so you can live fleshly, worldly lives Sunday afternoon through the following Sunday morning.

True grace draws individuals into the heart of God where no sin can reside and all evil is forsaken.

Great topic Bryan. I want to say that I strongly disagree with the reformed theology redefining of "grace," reducing it to being a synonym for mercy or salvation. That's not what grace is. In 2 Corinthians 9:8 grace abounds resulting in good works abounding. That is amazing! So now if look at "where sin abounds, grace much more abounds," we can see that the end result, then, is that as we falter in our weakness, God more so gives us the grace to overcome sin, not just to be absolved, but to defeat it and manifest His righteousness. How is that done? by faith. We take hold of that empowerment by believing that God means His word.

What if we consider the empowerment of biblical grace in light of the scripture in Hebrews about boldly approaching the Throne of Grace. We can boldly go to God for help, strength, and power!

Knowing that, I am very much with you on habitual, legalistic thought patterns weighing me down, when I should know better. It causes me great and unnecessary struggles in my walk with God, and life here in the world.