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We strive to be LIKE Christ but no one can live up to the level of perfection OF Christ.
So, if defeat is a given before you even begin, why bother? What's the point?
blessings.....Franco
Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion — it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.--Billy Graham
The Christian faith is meant to be lived moment by moment. It isn't some broad, general outline--it's a long walk with a real Person. Details count: passing thoughts, small sacrifices, a few encouraging words, little acts of kindness, brief victories over nagging sins. --Joni Eareckson Tada
The devil wanted to be greater than God, that's why he got thrown out of Heaven.
Why would God feel threatened by something so insignificant? I cannot imagine God being so insecure that he would toss someone out of heaven for something so trivial.
blessings...Franco
Nothing or no one threatens God. It's not trivial. It is impossible to be greater than Holy God.
The Christian struggle is one of constantly resisting the flesh and developing the spirit.
Seems like you assume there HAS to be a struggle. What if that is only a belief and nothing more? What if struggle is totally unnecessary? What if life is designed to be easy and we just haven't allowed it to be so because our belief in struggle gets in the way?
We strive to be LIKE Christ but no one can live up to the level of perfection OF Christ.
So, if defeat is a given before you even begin, why bother? What's the point?
blessings.....Franco
Just because you are certain of the outcome doesn't mean you don't strive to do your best. Do you play a sport as well as you can? Even though you're pretty much assured you won't go pro?
I probably lean more toward liberal Christianity, but even I believe no one on this Earth will be at Christ's level. But I also don't believe that Jesus doesn't WANT us to be like him. Hope that makes sense.
Do you actually believe at some point you might reach Christ's level Franco? Or 100 people might? Or thousands?
I'm thinking the same way on this, but again I wonder if anyone has ever proven this to be true beyond a shadow of doubt. It could simply be another belief that gets in the way of a greater truth.
The Christian struggle is one of constantly resisting the flesh and developing the spirit.
Seems like you assume there HAS to be a struggle. What if that is only a belief and nothing more? What if struggle is totally unnecessary? What if life is designed to be easy and we just haven't allowed it to be so because our belief in struggle gets in the way?
blessings....Franco
Ephesians 6-12 "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places".
We battle against Satan every day, to withstand this attack we must depend on God, out strength comes from HIM!
Just because you are certain of the outcome doesn't mean you don't strive to do your best. Do you play a sport as well as you can? Even though you're pretty much assured you won't go pro?
It was stated as a given that no one can reach the level of Christ. The outcome was never in question.
IF I wanted to be a pro in a specific sport and I knew beforehand that I was guaranteed NOT to reach that level, unless I really loved playing the game, I wouldn't waste my time. On the other hand, if I really loved the sport, it wouldn't matter. I guess that is true for the hard-core believers in Christ as saviour. If you really LOVE the effort of striving to be like HIM, knowing that you'll fall short no matter what you do, then by all means...Go For It!
magellan also wrote:
Do you actually believe at some point you might reach Christ's level Franco? Or 100 people might? Or thousands?
Not so sure about myself, but an Emphatic YES that others will!
The Christian struggle is one of constantly resisting the flesh and developing the spirit.
Seems like you assume there HAS to be a struggle. What if that is only a belief and nothing more? What if struggle is totally unnecessary? What if life is designed to be easy and we just haven't allowed it to be so because our belief in struggle gets in the way?
blessings....Franco
Who ever said that life was easy?
The "struggle" that was mentioned refers to trying to be mroe like Christ. I continue to struggle with this daily because it is not my nature (or anyone else's) to constantly do good. There is always a part of us that wants to do the wrong thing. The longer we deny the sinful desires, the easier it becomes to chose to do the right thing. It definately takes practice.
Just because you are certain of the outcome doesn't mean you don't strive to do your best. Do you play a sport as well as you can? Even though you're pretty much assured you won't go pro?
It was stated as a given that no one can reach the level of Christ. The outcome was never in question.
IF I wanted to be a pro in a specific sport and I knew beforehand that I was guaranteed NOT to reach that level, unless I really loved playing the game, I wouldn't waste my time. On the other hand, if I really loved the sport, it wouldn't matter. I guess that is true for the hard-core believers in Christ as saviour. If you really LOVE the effort of striving to be like HIM, knowing that you'll fall short no matter what you do, then by all means...Go For It!
magellan also wrote:
Do you actually believe at some point you might reach Christ's level Franco? Or 100 people might? Or thousands?
Not so sure about myself, but an Emphatic YES that others will!
blessings....Franco
We all fall short of the glory of God. Why? Without a higher example man would think that they can get to heaven of their own effort, which we cannot. It's by Christ's death on the cross that we get to heaven, not by any effort which we strive for here on earth. We strive to do our best, and the more we realize we cannot do it on our own the more we realize we need a Savior to pay the price for that sin. Very simple actually.
The longer we deny the sinful desires, the easier it becomes to chose to do the right thing. It definately takes practice.
Or we could be like Mae West who said, When I'm faced with choosing between two evils, I always choose the one that feels best.
I know I'm playing the devils advocate here, but I'm having so much fun participating in this thread where there is such strong disagreement with my opinions. I'm gald we are having this discussion, and I sincerely thank everyone for participating. May we all come away from this experience with expanded minds.
blessings....Franco
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Why not let it be easy?
