Got Fruit ?

4 Responses

1. e. barrett Says:
   May 20th, 2008 at 9:27 am

   heh, that’s a darkly funny quote. But I think it’s true to a lot of things. I like to say, “why put off today, what you can put off tomorrow?”

   But some things do require urgent and immediate attention. And there’s very few questions as important as what happens when you die?

   Christopher says:
   Another thought that comes from this quote: The assumption that one can put off God until it is convenient to try to get to know Him, further assuming (?) that in doing so He will be revealed and known completely in a short time. I guess what I’m saying is that it in my mind I see God as desiring for each of us to spend our entire life knowing Him & walking with Him in preparation for the eternal journey, versus a last minute acquaintence after having lived for ourselves.

   Grace and peace be with you E.B.

2. e. barrett Says:
   May 20th, 2008 at 11:57 am

   I hear what you’re saying. And I think it’s a really bad strategy. But I do think it would “work”. I believe the man on the cross next to Jesus got into heaven. That said, I think he missed out on an awful lot.

   CS Lewis says (and I wish I had the exact quote) when you don’t accept Jesus, the reason don’t go to heaven is because no matter where you are, you would never find heaven.

   In other words, by rejecting God we are rejecting the one thing that will allow us to find happiness and peace.

   Christopher says:
   E.B well put. I believe that part of our walk with God has to do with His desire to maximize our spiritual potential (while in the natural) for becoming committed followers of Christ,effective ministers and witnesses to His Word and works. The other side of the coin would be the Heavenly judgement; again I think that it’s a matter of God desiring to bless each of us abundantly in Heaven for our servitude to the Lord. The latter is not, in my opinion and understanding of scripture, the proper motive for approaching our relationship with God however. The proper response to God is simply to accept His gift of Salvation in Christ Jesus and to love Him by obeying His Word.

   BTW, great post on Competition! I’ve had intentions to email comments to you, just got busy however.

   Grace and peace be with you.

3. e. barrett Says:
   May 20th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

   I don’t know what I think of this idea - but Greg Koukl (Stand to Reason) has said that there is no biblical evidence that we grow spiritually once we hit Heaven. It’s possible that living a “Godly” life now is the only chance to learn things we need for Heaven.

   It’s an interesting idea. I just don’t know what to think about it. But it seems to tie in with your argument.
   I understand about being busy. I’ve had to write ahead the last few weeks. But I appreciate the feedback. It’s always good to hear when someone likes something.

   Christopher says:
   This we can be assured of, Jesus is the way to the Father. You’ve bought up some interesting thoughts however, which I hope to write about in more detail in the coming days. Stay tuned, I’m off to do some Biblical digging and to gather my thoughts.

   Grace and peace be with you.

4. Cathy Says:
   May 22nd, 2008 at 1:31 pm

   The quotation is amusing, but it suggests that we have control over when we receive Christ.
   I’ve heard a lot of manipulation practiced in trying to get people “saved” and then the evangelist claiming that he has brought people to Christ. In my own experience, I was pulled, dragged, and led by Christ alone. Yes, there were wonderful people and things involved in this process, but it didn’t have much to do with my own choices.

   Christopher says:
   I think that it’s perhaps more a reflection of realizing that there is that beckoning by God’s Holy spirit, yet the person who’s heart isn’t fully convicted (they haven’t submitted to God calling them) simply puts God off because to seek Him insinuates change and inconvenience to the flesh lived life (fellowship, Bible study,crucifying the flesh,dedicated prayer time, serving God and others, denying self, changing or abandoning spiritually dangerous habits and activities, etc) . I am reflecting more from my own experiences and progression to re-dedication to the Lord.

   As for saving people or getting people saved, I’m not familiar with that doctrine (a hint of sarcasm) , I thought it is the Christian’s responsibility to share with others the Good News concerning Christ’s redemptive power. I think that Paul was kind of reminding us of this fact in 2nd Corinthians 10:15-17.

   15 Neither do we go beyond our limits by boasting of work done by others. Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, 16 so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. For we do not want to boast about work already done in another man’s territory. 17 But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.

   I haven’t & don’t dedicate an elaborate amount of time or energy to the study of the various Christian flavors (denominations), I do understand however that there are varying camps that debate on this topic of whether we have control over when we receive salvation.

   This much is certain, God has offered salvation to all of humanity through His Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16 & 1st John 5:11-12 as examples). It’s not for me, a question of when salvation is received but whether the offer for salvation is accepted. Do I think that it’s a decision made in the natural, without supernatural influences convicting a man’s heart? No, I surely believe it to be a case of spiritual influences (Eph. 6:12) that convince one in their heart to come into the right relationship with God, which can only happen through who? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

   I agree that ultimately each person makes the choice to accept or reject Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, thus a personal decision. I don’t however discount that God can and does use people to point us to Christ, again it’s one of those chicken and the egg discussions or she says po-tay-toe, I say po-tah-tuh. What’s important is that one makes the decision in their heart to accept Christ as their redeemer and to live as though He is their personal Lord and Savior afterward.

   My apologies for the drawn out response Cathy. You bought up an interesting thought that called for more than a drive by “thanks for posting ” response.

   Grace and peace be with you.

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