Comments on: What Do I do Next? http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/ It's more wonderful than you can imagine! Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:44:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2 By: Cliff http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-528 Cliff Wed, 15 Aug 2007 22:07:22 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-528 PJ, Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. It is obvious that you are a person who understands your maker and who you are in Him. I enjoyed what your wrote hear. Please don't be a stranger. PJ, Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. It is obvious that you are a person who understands your maker and who you are in Him. I enjoyed what your wrote hear. Please don’t be a stranger.

]]> By: PJ http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-527 PJ Wed, 15 Aug 2007 18:17:27 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-527 Hey all been reading and catching up haven't posted much here, but I am so glad yall are doing this and am pouring over the messages from grace gathering....I so wish I could have been there. Bruce, your original response\question is an integral part of the Gospel. Just in the last couple of weeks I have realized that there were\are 2 types of sin if you will (this is not a doctrine or theology, but a pj-ology) Romans 5 says that sin (singular) was in the world from Adam to Moses. John the baptist said "behold the lamb of god who takes away the SIN (singular) of the world." We also know that when the Law was given that it magnified sin (singular) and what became known as trespasses and sins (plural) were transgressions of the law. So this is the second type or way that the word sin is used. Recently I have been contemplating what that singular SIN was that was in the world. There is a definite difference between the singular and the plural. As I starting contemplating what that sin was it took me back to the garden and what became understood by Adam when he ate from the bad tree. The first thing that Adam was aware of was his nakedness, he became ashamed of it and immediately covered it up. We all know this but that was the sin (singular). Adam was naked before he ate of the TOTKOGAE (the bad tree) but after the tree he was ashamed of who he was and tried to cover it up in an attempt to please God. This is exactly what you are saying, God made Adam. Every time God created something in the creation story he said "It was good". God is perfect, to be called good of a perfect God is to be called perfect. So Adam was perfect in the way he was made, even in his nakedness. But Adam disobeyed the commandment to not eat from the TOTKOGAE and his actions resulted in a flawed view of who he was before God. This flawed view of who we are before God has a direct bearing on our ability to love and accept other people. The greatest commandment is to Love others AS OUR SELVES. If we think that God does not accept us, for whatever reason, then we can''t accept who we have been created to be. And if we can't accept who we are then can't love ourselves. If we can't love ourselves we can't love others, if we can love others then we cannot accept them for who they are....it is such vicious cycle. I absolutely agree with you that SIN is not believing God has accepted you. The Gospel is not about accepting Jesus Christ, the Gospel is that God, through Jesus Christ, accepted US and made us perfect. Hey all been reading and catching up haven’t posted much here, but I am so glad yall are doing this and am pouring over the messages from grace gathering….I so wish I could have been there.

Bruce, your original response\question is an integral part of the Gospel. Just in the last couple of weeks I have realized that there were\are 2 types of sin if you will (this is not a doctrine or theology, but a pj-ology) Romans 5 says that sin (singular) was in the world from Adam to Moses. John the baptist said “behold the lamb of god who takes away the SIN (singular) of the world.”

We also know that when the Law was given that it magnified sin (singular) and what became known as trespasses and sins (plural) were transgressions of the law. So this is the second type or way that the word sin is used.

Recently I have been contemplating what that singular SIN was that was in the world. There is a definite difference between the singular and the plural. As I starting contemplating what that sin was it took me back to the garden and what became understood by Adam when he ate from the bad tree. The first thing that Adam was aware of was his nakedness, he became ashamed of it and immediately covered it up. We all know this but that was the sin (singular). Adam was naked before he ate of the TOTKOGAE (the bad tree) but after the tree he was ashamed of who he was and tried to cover it up in an attempt to please God.

This is exactly what you are saying, God made Adam. Every time God created something in the creation story he said “It was good”. God is perfect, to be called good of a perfect God is to be called perfect. So Adam was perfect in the way he was made, even in his nakedness. But Adam disobeyed the commandment to not eat from the TOTKOGAE and his actions resulted in a flawed view of who he was before God.

This flawed view of who we are before God has a direct bearing on our ability to love and accept other people. The greatest commandment is to Love others AS OUR SELVES. If we think that God does not accept us, for whatever reason, then we can”t accept who we have been created to be. And if we can’t accept who we are then can’t love ourselves. If we can’t love ourselves we can’t love others, if we can love others then we cannot accept them for who they are….it is such vicious cycle.

I absolutely agree with you that SIN is not believing God has accepted you. The Gospel is not about accepting Jesus Christ, the Gospel is that God, through Jesus Christ, accepted US and made us perfect.

]]> By: Nancy in San Antonio http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-510 Nancy in San Antonio Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:25:10 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-510 Thanks Cliff! I just slapped my forehead when you told me to say what you did. On one forum that I frequent, I often sign out: Shalom, Nancy God is LOVE. Love NEVER fails.... Thanks for the reminder, a simple answer indeed. :) Thanks Cliff! I just slapped my forehead when you told me to say what you did.
On one forum that I frequent, I often sign out:
Shalom, Nancy
God is LOVE. Love NEVER fails….

Thanks for the reminder, a simple answer indeed. :)

]]> By: Don R http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-508 Don R Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:32:36 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-508 Hi all- Just returned from Houston and a visit with the wife and new granddaughter. I got to go have a look at Mike's "church" which is 2 miles from my wife's house. It's a large two-story home in a very nice neighborhood. No meeting on Saturday, however. I guess Mike was on the road. Great post Cliff! Great comment Bruce! More later.... Hi all- Just returned from Houston and a visit with the wife and new granddaughter. I got to go have a look at Mike’s “church” which is 2 miles from my wife’s house. It’s a large two-story home in a very nice neighborhood. No meeting on Saturday, however. I guess Mike was on the road.
Great post Cliff! Great comment Bruce! More later….

]]> By: Cliff http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-507 Cliff Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:25:14 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-507 Nancy, One of the best short responses to those who quote you scripture is to just say... "I believe in God's perfect Love, and that His love will NEVER FAIL." What are they going to say? Oh, yes it will???? Just keep repeating that over and over and don't get pulled into their debate. PS. I might also add that those type won't debate someone who really knows the scripture, because I have asked over and over for anyone or any preacher who wants to come to my church and debate the issue in a loving way and I haven't had any takers yet. Love, Cliff Nancy, One of the best short responses to those who quote you scripture is to just say…

“I believe in God’s perfect Love, and that His love will NEVER FAIL.”

What are they going to say? Oh, yes it will????

Just keep repeating that over and over and don’t get pulled into their debate.

PS. I might also add that those type won’t debate someone who really knows the scripture, because I have asked over and over for anyone or any preacher who wants to come to my church and debate the issue in a loving way and I haven’t had any takers yet.

Love,

Cliff

]]> By: Nancy in San Antonio http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-505 Nancy in San Antonio Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:05:13 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-505 Bruce & Cliff, Thanks so much for the words of encouragement... and prayers... I read this blog and others everyday because that is where I get encouraged. Its hard to walk this way because even when you try to explain what you believe to people they have all the eternal hellfire and damnation scriptures to throw back at you, and I just don't know how to counter attack. If you tell them the words were translated wrong, they will say that God is big enough to keep HIS word straight. So I suppose it's not my place to persuade people otherwise as much as I would like to. At any rate,thank all of you for being out there in cyberland!! Bruce & Cliff,
Thanks so much for the words of encouragement… and prayers… I read this blog and others everyday because that is where I get encouraged. Its hard to walk this way because even when you try to explain what you believe to people they have all the eternal hellfire and damnation scriptures to throw back at you, and I just don’t know how to counter attack. If you tell them the words were translated wrong, they will say that God is big enough to keep HIS word straight. So I suppose it’s not my place to persuade people otherwise as much as I would like to. At any rate,thank all of you for being out there in cyberland!!

]]> By: Bruce http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-504 Bruce Sun, 12 Aug 2007 18:36:25 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-504 It's so nice of you to stop by, Nancy. I can imagine how you feel, but things will get better. As this Good News spreads throughout the land, many will awaken from their slumber. Many will begin seeking others who understand the Heart of God, and will connect with you. Until then, know that your Internet friends love you and care about you. Feel our prayers as we lift you up from the loneliness. And listen for the words of encouragement which will come from the most unlikely places. Let you heart find peace in the knowledge of the Gospel, and look forward to what's to come! Great love to you! It’s so nice of you to stop by, Nancy. I can imagine how you feel, but things will get better. As this Good News spreads throughout the land, many will awaken from their slumber. Many will begin seeking others who understand the Heart of God, and will connect with you. Until then, know that your Internet friends love you and care about you. Feel our prayers as we lift you up from the loneliness. And listen for the words of encouragement which will come from the most unlikely places. Let you heart find peace in the knowledge of the Gospel, and look forward to what’s to come!

Great love to you!

]]> By: Cliff http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-503 Cliff Sun, 12 Aug 2007 17:21:17 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-503 Nancy, you are braving a path that someday will be the norm. The human race is still in it's infancy but each day the truth of the gospel dawns on more and more of us. You may be physically alone but we are all with you and feel your struggles. God Bless. Cliff Nancy, you are braving a path that someday will be the norm. The human race is still in it’s infancy but each day the truth of the gospel dawns on more and more of us. You may be physically alone but we are all with you and feel your struggles. God Bless.

Cliff

]]> By: Nancy in San Antonio http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-502 Nancy in San Antonio Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:23:10 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-502 To my like minded brothers and sisters, It is sunday morning and my husband has headed off to church, me no longer going, and would feel like the ultimate hypocrite if i did...i feel soooooo alone. there is no one like minded for me to talk to locally, and where do i go? this is a lonely road, and i am feeling it today...but i cannot unlearn what i feel God has shown me about His amazing grace. i envy yall that were able to meet in person. i would just appreciate your prayers, taking this position is not the easy thing..... To my like minded brothers and sisters,
It is sunday morning and my husband has headed off to church, me no longer going, and would feel like the ultimate hypocrite if i did…i feel soooooo alone. there is no one like minded for me to talk to locally, and where do i go? this is a lonely road, and i am feeling it today…but i cannot unlearn what i feel God has shown me about His amazing grace. i envy yall that were able to meet in person. i would just appreciate your prayers, taking this position is not the easy thing…..

]]> By: Randy http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-500 Randy Sun, 12 Aug 2007 11:58:06 +0000 http://boldgrace.com/2007/08/10/what-do-i-do-next/#comment-500 Cliff, beautiful, simple and true. What else is there to say. Seeing us as the Father sees us in Christ is the key, oh how the world needs this revelation and insight. Cliff, beautiful, simple and true. What else is there to say. Seeing us as the Father sees us in Christ is the key, oh how the world needs this revelation and insight.

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