aGood – God doesn’t want you good, He wants you dead.

re C. Skiles’s post 22

In what way is my view of Calvinism perverted or wrong? I wrote nothing other than what Calvnists themselves have written or what is entailed in their beliefs. I share your visceral reaction against Calvinism, and so should more people. An understanding of Calvinism does result in exposure of its ugliness and untruth. But that does not mean that Calvinists themselves are not saved and our spiritual siblings, or do not share in and display the full fruits of the Spirit. There are many godly Calvinists. Hmm, on second thought, don’t bother telling me where I’m wrong because this is not a thread on Calvinism. A discussion on Calvinism should be held elsewhere.

regards,
#John

Michael , great post.

John, you seem to have a simplistic, preverted view of Calvinism. I would not even consider myself a 5 pt Calvinist and yet I believe that people at times misunderstand the point of the strong emphasis on the sovoregnty of God by those who hold to the doctrines of grace. I feel that we need a strong view of His soverignty not to relieve man of his responsibility nor to paint a picture of a heartless heavenly Father but to show that He has all power and all glory goes to him for our salvation.

I guess the above comment was a little beyond the scope of this post.

So anyway, Michael great word pictures concerning the sinful condition of all men. If we don’t to at least some degree see our sinfulness why would we put our trust in him for salvation? You have said what all people without Christ need to hear.
Thank you.

Here’s my two words,

Think, Love

And Christianity has no copyright on either of them.

Sorry, I intended to include a definition.

Belief defined:

1. Knowledge of Jesus.

2. Acquiescence to His authority.

3. Faith and Trust in Him alone.

CMP: Great post! I’m going to send it to my family who think that it’s all about being “good” based on THEIR perception and definition of “good.”

Pointless
Hopeless
Unable
Light
Sorrow
Release
Hope
Purpose
Eternity

My two cents worth?

What is the greatest sin? Unbelief
What is the greatest good? Belief

7 Words……

It’s not about works, it’s about grace.

Here are my 9 words:

frienship
fallen
fidelity
forgiveness
family
frankness
freed
filled
follow

Anyone else have ideas for lists?

Marc, I believe Jesus made it pretty clear that belief (faith) is what saves. Of course – faith without works means nothing and is dead. Works is what identifies saving faith – but it is through faith that we are saved unto good works.

Joh 6:28-29 Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

Joh 11:26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

Joh 20:31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Joh 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.

Joh 12:36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” When Jesus had said these things, he departed and hid himself from them.

Joh 11:40 Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”

etc.

re “a-good” as the first word

CMP wrote, “The Christian message is not about being “good.””

Like Marc (see comment #14) I would have to agree. The Christian message is about being good, though one has to be good in the right way and for the right reasons. CMP’s contention is really that the Christian message is not about being good in order to be saved (wrong reason). CMP’s initial phrase is ambiguous and permits both interpretations.

regards,
#John