Love your stories Rob. It stirs my heart to see people as God's see's them. Samuel 16:7 for the Lord see's not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. . X
Of course! The picky argument made by my critic was they have to already be 'righteous' sheep! Aaaagh!! As one perceptive soul reminded me last night, Bonhoeffer said 'one act of obedience is worth more than 100 sermons.'
To criticize a narcissist is to attack their ego. They can’t take it at all. Rather than taking it in stride, as most people would, they interpret it as a personal attack, regardless of how minor the argument or criticism. They don't enter into a mature discussion on what the truth actually is. What do they do when they are threatened by criticism, then? Narcissists become defensive big time. They get angry under the collar, perhaps even venting some rage at you. They’re putting up a shield to protect their sensitive self-esteem. After all, they're never wrong.
To criticize a narcissist is to attack their ego. They can’t take it at all. Rather than taking it in stride, as most people would, they interpret it as a personal attack, regardless of how minor the argument or criticism. They don't enter into a mature discussion on what the truth actually is. What do they do when they are threatened by criticism, then? Narcissists become defensive big time. They get angry under the collar, perhaps even venting some rage at you. They’re putting up a shield to protect their sensitive self-esteem. After all, they're never wrong.
Is this a genuine challenge here then, Rob ? if so then I for one can very quickly point you to at least one 'church' that would insist the subjects of your story to be irrelevant ....it fair oozes religiosity out of every pore; well that is if religious spirits have pores to ooze from. Let's not forget the saying "I can do all things through a scripture taken out of context" here....... and on a more serious note because in reading what you write and write of - and thereby greatly encourage and humble us - we ought not to forget either that knowledge of the Bible is irrelevant if we don't allow it to transform us.
Not 'being confirmed but being transformed by the renewing of our mind' is key. So is 'the letter kills but the spirit gives life.' Is it possible to deliver stern sermons about being 'blind guides' whiile actually BEING ONE? I think the amswer is yes!
Oh yes ! the 'washing of the Word" being applied to and in one's life . And sadly, I have to agree that it is indeed possible to deliver sermons like you mention.
I sometimes feel somewhat irked at the OT verse 'God loves mercy but does justice'- purely because I tend to be on the 'doing justice' side so often....but note that although He doesn't enjoy doing justice, He nevertheless does it. We can't separate and cherry pick the parts we choose to even though so many try .
Well said Rob. Of course if you can find a group of similarly thinking people to yourself in a church (which I am lucky enough to have done) so much the better. Having been told recently that "You used to be such a good evangelical" who apparently no longer qualified for that label because I challenged someone's interpretation of one of their sacred texts I understand why so many people who love Jesus have given up on the church generally. Such a pity and so understandable
The sinner is too busy comparing himself with other people (II Cor 10:12) instead of comparing himself to God's only standard which is Christ and His perfect obedience. Without fail, they are trusting in the way that seems right to them and are going about to establish a righteousness of their own (Prov 14:12, Rom 10:2-3). God's way is unreasonable and not logical to the spiritually dead sinner and he is hostile toward God's gospel of grace.
The big question! Kierkegaard points out Jesus' direction was not to worship him but to follow him. Plenty of people you and I both know, from many places 'practice' Christ-following behaviour. To sit on your behind and trot out the 'once saved always saved' line and similar .. without ever doing anything like clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoners and welcoming he stranger is 1. To be lacking in real grace and 2. To have 'faith without works which is dead'. I could go on!!
Love your stories Rob. It stirs my heart to see people as God's see's them. Samuel 16:7 for the Lord see's not as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart. . X
Thank you Lesley!
Jeremiah 17:9-10
[9]The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
[10]I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Spot on Rob. As Bishop Victoria, formerly of Chch said "poor theology". Thanks fir challenging poor theology and offering sound theology.
I like the 'actions speak louder than words' pathway'...the world is full of talkers, the Czechs were doers. cheers Rob
Thank God for people who lead sacrifical lives.
Yep.... the only difference between the sheep and the goats in Mathew 25 is what they did or didn't do!
Of course! The picky argument made by my critic was they have to already be 'righteous' sheep! Aaaagh!! As one perceptive soul reminded me last night, Bonhoeffer said 'one act of obedience is worth more than 100 sermons.'
Yep.... Aaaaaaaaaagh! Well said
To criticize a narcissist is to attack their ego. They can’t take it at all. Rather than taking it in stride, as most people would, they interpret it as a personal attack, regardless of how minor the argument or criticism. They don't enter into a mature discussion on what the truth actually is. What do they do when they are threatened by criticism, then? Narcissists become defensive big time. They get angry under the collar, perhaps even venting some rage at you. They’re putting up a shield to protect their sensitive self-esteem. After all, they're never wrong.
My new husband remembers you from Mt. Roskill Church.
He doesn't think you've changed much in 45 years.
To criticize a narcissist is to attack their ego. They can’t take it at all. Rather than taking it in stride, as most people would, they interpret it as a personal attack, regardless of how minor the argument or criticism. They don't enter into a mature discussion on what the truth actually is. What do they do when they are threatened by criticism, then? Narcissists become defensive big time. They get angry under the collar, perhaps even venting some rage at you. They’re putting up a shield to protect their sensitive self-esteem. After all, they're never wrong.
What a wonderful story of human courage and goodness! Laying their lives down to save others.
Definitely in the ways of Jesus.
Awesome eh!
Is this a genuine challenge here then, Rob ? if so then I for one can very quickly point you to at least one 'church' that would insist the subjects of your story to be irrelevant ....it fair oozes religiosity out of every pore; well that is if religious spirits have pores to ooze from. Let's not forget the saying "I can do all things through a scripture taken out of context" here....... and on a more serious note because in reading what you write and write of - and thereby greatly encourage and humble us - we ought not to forget either that knowledge of the Bible is irrelevant if we don't allow it to transform us.
Not 'being confirmed but being transformed by the renewing of our mind' is key. So is 'the letter kills but the spirit gives life.' Is it possible to deliver stern sermons about being 'blind guides' whiile actually BEING ONE? I think the amswer is yes!
Oh yes ! the 'washing of the Word" being applied to and in one's life . And sadly, I have to agree that it is indeed possible to deliver sermons like you mention.
I sometimes feel somewhat irked at the OT verse 'God loves mercy but does justice'- purely because I tend to be on the 'doing justice' side so often....but note that although He doesn't enjoy doing justice, He nevertheless does it. We can't separate and cherry pick the parts we choose to even though so many try .
Well said Rob. Of course if you can find a group of similarly thinking people to yourself in a church (which I am lucky enough to have done) so much the better. Having been told recently that "You used to be such a good evangelical" who apparently no longer qualified for that label because I challenged someone's interpretation of one of their sacred texts I understand why so many people who love Jesus have given up on the church generally. Such a pity and so understandable
What an incredible story about the Czech slave workers, I have not heard that one before!
Cool huh. It's from an incedible true book called 'The Fall of Fortresses' by Elmer Bendiner.
Love these thoughts Rob! Thanks!
Wow, what a story! I’m loving what you’re doing here Rob. Thank you so much for.
Thanks Johanna ..I appreciate that!
Beautiful story. I consider it a badge of honour to be accused of being a heretic
Haha .. like Lennon says .. 'not the only one' - bless ya sista!
The thief on the cross - no works. Faith and belief.
Believe is the verb form of faith. The action.
The context of James chapter 2 is that Abraham believed. That belief resulted in the work of faith.
Pastor Seth Jones.
The sinner is too busy comparing himself with other people (II Cor 10:12) instead of comparing himself to God's only standard which is Christ and His perfect obedience. Without fail, they are trusting in the way that seems right to them and are going about to establish a righteousness of their own (Prov 14:12, Rom 10:2-3). God's way is unreasonable and not logical to the spiritually dead sinner and he is hostile toward God's gospel of grace.
Instead of blocking others:
How we disagree with people, and how we treat people we disagree with, speaks more about our relationship with Jesus than our theological beliefs do.
Yeah Can you be a follower of Jesus without bring a 'christian' I'd probably opt for that!
Oops! Without being a christian
The big question! Kierkegaard points out Jesus' direction was not to worship him but to follow him. Plenty of people you and I both know, from many places 'practice' Christ-following behaviour. To sit on your behind and trot out the 'once saved always saved' line and similar .. without ever doing anything like clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting the prisoners and welcoming he stranger is 1. To be lacking in real grace and 2. To have 'faith without works which is dead'. I could go on!!