tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post1012196221486143792..comments2023-06-18T02:22:39.269-06:00Comments on Just Another Clay Pot: Insulting God: The Pride Behind the Modern GospelBetsy Markmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13600148899348868100noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-22376606211253247302008-12-14T17:01:00.000-07:002008-12-14T17:01:00.000-07:00Hi, Betsy. This series is fantastic!! In regard ...Hi, Betsy. This series is fantastic!! In regard to Part 2 and 3, I would add to this the idea of not preaching sin as part of the pride behind the modern gospel. We are prideful when we are more concerned with what the other person will think of us, so we try to use a watered-down, modern gospel to protect ourselves from being branded a religious nutcase.<BR/><BR/>The same goes for not actually coming out and verbally sharing the gospel. Romans 10 tells us we must speak the gospel with words, otherwise, how will they hear? The modern gospel asserts that if we just smile and do good deeds, others will see the goodness in us and want to know what's different about us.<BR/><BR/>Nonsense. Any atheist can smile and throw a can of creamed corn into the Thanksgiving food drive. What makes my good deed any different from that? Why would someone think my good deed for the day would warrant a question such as, "Wow, what is the reason for your joy?"<BR/><BR/>Not to mention, whenever I was caught red-handed performing random acts of kindness, and someone would notice, did I ever take credit for it? You betcha. There were plenty of times I just sat there and allowed someone to sing my praises because I was so full of good works, and I let the opportunity to share the gospel slip through my fingers. I wanted to keep the glory for me.<BR/><BR/>The modern gospel encourages us to preach through good deeds instead of our words, and even when we do use our words, they are watered down to make us seem less this and more that. We need to take the focus off ourselves and place it onto Him. We must decrease, He must increase. Anything added to a God-centered gospel is not a God-centered gospel at all.<BR/><BR/>Keep fighting the good fight!Jenniferhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15046191580141976211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-19993447886548075992008-11-23T11:35:00.000-07:002008-11-23T11:35:00.000-07:00Such a wonderful series.For years, I have been one...Such a wonderful series.<BR/><BR/>For years, I have been one that struggles with his own redemption. "How Do I Know". And so often I've had to rest in the best evidence I have had which is that of "What has been happening in my life that makes no sense apart from God". Give up? No way. "To Whom shall I turn? You alone have the words of Eternal life!"<BR/><BR/>I have struggled with this and even have had to stand against those who would say "quit doubting God! You are saved because you have..." prayed a prayer, "confessed Christ as Lord" (said the words) or something else. <BR/><BR/>Through the past ten years of my profession of faith, I've had to fight against stuff like that because I know it's not Biblical. <BR/><BR/>If we are saved by praying a prayer, we are saying a work has saved us. Plain and simple. <BR/><BR/>But as you said, let's see what the pattern of our lives is. <BR/><BR/>And if I'm not converted, why is it I keep Seeking Him, especially when I'm fearful I'm not really saved?<BR/><BR/>I've heard it said that the warning passages in Hebrews are there, in part, to drive real Christians to deal with their doubts this way.<BR/><BR/>And sometimes, that has had to serve as my assurance. <BR/><BR/>I wish I had more, and had it more often but I'd rather have that than trust in a prayer!<BR/><BR/>Good series. I'm posting a reference to it at my blog!Tim Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06771868540726222826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-53132165149360052092008-11-16T15:04:00.000-07:002008-11-16T15:04:00.000-07:00It's so hard for many people (most of us in fact) ...It's so hard for many people (most of us in fact) to accept things on faith. We want to be in control and feel we need to do the right things to be saved. What a great blessing is the grace of God that saves us! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post!Connie Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264510809220669622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-78111574809494048012008-11-14T09:23:00.000-07:002008-11-14T09:23:00.000-07:00Thank for you this reminder, that nothing I have e...Thank for you this reminder, that nothing I have ever done or could ever do, could ever make me worthy of His salvation.<BR/><BR/>It also helps me to remember that I didn't come to Jesus because I felt that it was time, I had to come when His Holy Spirit bid me come.<BR/><BR/>Blessings,<BR/>VickieVickiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11990438534676100647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-23445493686274496622008-11-14T03:51:00.000-07:002008-11-14T03:51:00.000-07:00I love this post. Your words are spot on. Thank ...I love this post. Your words are spot on. Thank you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-19083113528077841952008-11-13T17:12:00.000-07:002008-11-13T17:12:00.000-07:00I love how I crumbled when that thumb pressed into...I love how I crumbled when that thumb pressed into me. And that's why I'm a whole new shape now. Brokenness. It's what we need, and no one can give it to us except for God. Your blog is so eye-opening, so good at revealing His truth. I love it!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2982662593354859176.post-6189901491454598842008-11-13T12:43:00.000-07:002008-11-13T12:43:00.000-07:00Yes, this is my salvation. I just love your insigh...Yes, this is my salvation. I just love your insights, Betsy. Beyond moved, let me tell you.<BR/><BR/>You said:<BR/><I>Paul's command to "show humility" can only be fulfilled by those who know, not just in their heads, but down to the depths of their being, that they were saved by grace, and that they can take no credit for it.</I><BR/><BR/>Wow. Amen.LauraLee Shawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06092672958394657296noreply@blogger.com