Comments on: “Religion vs. The Gospel.” Yes, But… http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html Looking for the 1st century Church in 21st century America Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:37:15 +0000 hourly 1 By: Religion vs. Gospel » Two42http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html#comment-27446 Religion vs. Gospel » Two42 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 19:22:30 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html#comment-27446 [...] Driscoll nails it. (HT: Dan Edelen and Michael [...] [...] Driscoll nails it. (HT: Dan Edelen and Michael [...]

]]> By: David Rigginshttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html#comment-27443 David Riggins Wed, 13 Jun 2007 17:23:59 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html#comment-27443 Oh, I'm not saying that there <em>can't</em> be selfish motives in our desire for salvation, it's just that often they are the <em>only</em> motive. We forget, or simply deny, the reason for our existance: God's pleasure. I don't think that we can lead a truly successful life in Christ until we confront and recognize our own selfish motivations. I think this was the difference in the approach of the rich young ruler, who wanted to know what <em>he</em> must do to be saved, and those who only knew "I <em>You</em> are willing, I will be cleansed." But yes, dwelling on it becomes self-defeating, it's a tool of satan to tell us we are worthless, despicable creatures who cannot be redeemed. Contriteness recognises that we often approach our own sinfulness, and our salvation, from the wrong direction. The outward expression of our inward belief will reflect our motivation: Are we seeking to glorify God, or redeem ourselves? Oh, I’m not saying that there can’t be selfish motives in our desire for salvation, it’s just that often they are the only motive. We forget, or simply deny, the reason for our existance: God’s pleasure. I don’t think that we can lead a truly successful life in Christ until we confront and recognize our own selfish motivations. I think this was the difference in the approach of the rich young ruler, who wanted to know what he must do to be saved, and those who only knew “I You are willing, I will be cleansed.”

But yes, dwelling on it becomes self-defeating, it’s a tool of satan to tell us we are worthless, despicable creatures who cannot be redeemed.

Contriteness recognises that we often approach our own sinfulness, and our salvation, from the wrong direction. The outward expression of our inward belief will reflect our motivation: Are we seeking to glorify God, or redeem ourselves?

]]> By: Dan Edelenhttp://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html#comment-27440 Dan Edelen Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:57:37 +0000 http://ceruleansanctum.com/2007/06/religion-vs-the-gospel-yes-but.html#comment-27440 David, We usually agree on most everything, but I'm not sure we agree here. I can never fully expunge selfish motives in the things I do for the Lord. As long as I'm in the flesh, that will be a constant battle. Yes, sanctification takes care of some of that over time, but it's never gone completely. Nor do I think that I can constantly examine my motives. Doing so only makes the problem worse, sort of the "Don't think of pink elephants" kind of thing. David,

We usually agree on most everything, but I’m not sure we agree here. I can never fully expunge selfish motives in the things I do for the Lord. As long as I’m in the flesh, that will be a constant battle. Yes, sanctification takes care of some of that over time, but it’s never gone completely. Nor do I think that I can constantly examine my motives. Doing so only makes the problem worse, sort of the “Don’t think of pink elephants” kind of thing.

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