tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post7491422330675564665..comments2023-11-03T04:50:42.128-05:00Comments on Confessional Gadfly: There is No "Can" for the ChristianRev. Eric J Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17747919365522145094noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-2232746848196204452013-10-27T06:13:58.811-05:002013-10-27T06:13:58.811-05:00Mike - again, that "can" is not an optio...Mike - again, that "can" is not an optional sort of thing.<br /><br />Look at the verses beforehand - I know how to be brought low and I know... I have learned.<br /><br />And then there is the Greek - πάντα ἰσχύω ἐν τῷ ἐνδυναμοῦντί με <br /><br />Literally it is "I have strength for all things in the One who strengthens me." It's not abstract - and it's not about your potential, it's about Christ and what He does.<br /><br />It's an indicative verb. I have strength. <br /><br />All about Christ, not about convincing me. <br />Rev. Eric J Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17747919365522145094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-38889513136679858782013-10-26T17:31:29.653-05:002013-10-26T17:31:29.653-05:00I should have quoted this one too, also from Luthe...I should have quoted this one too, also from Luther's H.D.:<br /><br />"Although human works always seem attractive and good, they are nevertheless likely to be mortal sins."<br /><br />Well...golly gee willikers.the Old Adamhttp://theoldadam.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-68582692661616438052013-10-26T17:25:44.815-05:002013-10-26T17:25:44.815-05:00That's it!
Let's put the emphasis on us!
...That's it!<br /><br />Let's put the emphasis on us!<br /><br />We all know that Christians do "good works" just like we know that those who are born will breath in air.<br /><br />But let's make our works the emphasis, so that we can compare ourselves to our neighbors and think we are doing alright.<br /><br />But wait...this just in. From Luther's Heidelberg Disputation:<br /><br />" The law of good, the most salutary doctrine of life, cannot advance man on his way to righteousness, but RATHER HINDERS HIM.<br /><br />That's ok. Let's keep banging people over the head with the law (works)...so that that is on their minds, first and foremost.the Old Adamhttp://theoldadam.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-61126818042810393232013-10-25T18:54:02.954-05:002013-10-25T18:54:02.954-05:00...And we do participate in those good works accor......And we do participate in those good works according to our ability as redeemed persons. They are God's predestined good works for us to do and the Holy Spirit strengthens us and gives us faith to do them, but it is not as though they happen apart from our own will.<br /><br />For St Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Clearly we are active participants in these works by faith. We do them and are encouraged to peruse them. We may not notice them at times, but we are actively engaged in their execution.Mike Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09202275259518132834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-5128317872290293772013-10-25T15:19:55.236-05:002013-10-25T15:19:55.236-05:00It's the "further than can" that I w...It's the "further than can" that I was trying to drive at. It's not a mere "the ball is in your court now" approach... it's the announcement of reality. It's not a mere you can do good works - it is you do indeed do good works, for Christ lives in you and the Holy Spirit has given you life.Rev. Eric J Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17747919365522145094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-62790319306311561732013-10-24T16:15:08.728-05:002013-10-24T16:15:08.728-05:00You don't see the can because you left those p...You don't see the can because you left those passages unquoted... St. Paul goes even further than "can". He talks about the good works that Christians have done. Christ also praises the good works done by Christians in several places.Mike Bakerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09202275259518132834noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3847211149012008703.post-84888213243081692152013-10-24T08:56:28.111-05:002013-10-24T08:56:28.111-05:00"We are declared righteous and holy, for Jesu..."We are declared righteous and holy, for Jesus' sake (not even for our own sakes).<br /><br />"It is finished".<br /><br />"Yeah but...you just can't live anyway you want to...!"<br /><br />the Old Adamhttp://theoldadam.com/noreply@blogger.com