Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Correction on the "There is Always Hope" Post
It was brought to my attention that my "There is Always Hope" post about the young woman who died gave an impression that people have been brought to Christ after her death due to her own merits and faithful work here on this earth. I am sorry if I gave this impression. She was a very humble young lady who knew that EVERYTHING she did was with the help and strength of Christ and not of her own doing. It was the convicting power of the Holy Spirit who stirred faith and hope in the hearts of these people! To God be the glory for all the blessings and miracles that have come from her death!! And may her family be comforted through these blessings and miracles!
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4 comments:
It is important to make the distinction between grace and works, but it is so easy to not stress the distinction in our writing, isn't it? Maybe because we can't directly see the Holy Spirit working in our lives, just the results of this work? Also, this is, I think, an excellent article about the subtle thought differences of those who claim to be Protestants but still put so much emphasis on our own works. I'll give you one very applicable quote here: "We have been so inundated with Pietistic thinking in our lifetime that we cannot fully appreciate and believe what we’ve studied above. (That we are not sanctified by works-me) If you dip a hard-boiled egg into green Easter egg dye, it’s going to be green. If Pietism is the green dye, we are hard-boiled eggs who’ve been soaking in green dye our whole lives." As an aside, I am blessed to say that this man is my pastor. But it is right to keep encouraging and reminding each other that "I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord, or come to Him." I am so thankful this is true; otherwise I am sure I would fall into despair, because I could never be good enough! I have had to remind myself of this every time I see non-Lutheran friends who are so involved in "ministry" and works, because I can feel guilty that I don't do enough. Thanks be to God that He has done what I cannot.
Well Barb, I had a long comment for you but lost it when I minimized it to "think" some more before finishing it. I was commenting on another comment in the meantime. Oh well! :)
This is a great article which I am anxious to share with Scottius Maximus!! It has only been in the last year that I have learned the truth about pietism. We have learned so much from our pastors whereas when we were at our other LCMS church we just had to deal with this pietistic teaching and mega church thinking. It was sickening!! I do understand what you mean about non-Lutherans or LCMS Lutherans who follow the doctrine as stated above. There is a totally different attitude and perspective and it can make one feel guilty sometimes.
Most of my friends and acquaintances seem very sincere; they just have a different doctrine and some don't know
anything different. And yes, we can all get up in it if we aren't careful.
Well, I shan't write anymore except that I still have A LOT to learn!!!!!
Me too. I still have alot to learn. We live in a sick world. From the time we're born adults teach us to do good works, our whole society is built on a acheivement and reward program, at home, at school, and at work. No wonder the devil tempts us to bring that same kind of thinking to church also.
Yes Don + Lynn, it is such a sick, evil, and deceptive world, and somedays I think that Christ cannot come back soon enough. And yes, as you have alluded to, the devil is really good at tempting the church to fall for that me, me, me kind of attitude as well. We do not deserve ANY glory, only Christ deserves ALL that glory! Thank you for your sincere comment! Blessings!
Paula
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