Where does our focus lie?

[nebula]

Hoo-boy!

Marty, Marty, Marty -

Nobody is promoting "sanctification through works." BPC is promoting deepening your relationship with the Lord.

There's a big difference.

Imagine a marriage counselor asking either the husband or the wife asking that one if he/she is doing things that distract him/her from spending more time with his/her spouse or fulfilling the needs of the spouse or building up the marriage.

This is all.

OK?

[Guest shilohcomes]

whew....

Nebula, Nebula, Nebula...

I wasn't operating under the assumption that anyone was promoting salvation by works.

The forum topic asks what our focus should be. My previous mesage can be summed up as the answer to this question.

The answer is, faith in Christ's atonement, shed blood and finished work is THE answer to every single issue. That's all.

cya's

[Guest shiloh357]

shilohcomes,

You just don't get it, do you? Why don't you go back and read the original post an tailor your answers according to the theme of the thread instead of trying to hijack the thread to forward some agenda of your own. Otherwise, leave this thread alone and allow those who prefer to deal with the issue raised in the original post to discuss it peace. I think the Lord placed something upon the heart of the original poster, and it would behoove not to stand in the Lord's way.

If you have something to say, then do as Nebula said, and start your own thread. You obviously ignored most of what she said, so you are not interested in anything she or anyone else has to say. Don't use this thread as a platform for your agenda, whatever that may be.

[Guest shilohcomes]

Dear shiloh357,

First, I get it just fine, thank you. I did read the original post, and my answer to the delimma therein expressed was faith anchored in the atonement of Christ.

I do not have a personal agenda, other than to sincerely share the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which summarized, is Jesus Christ and Him Crucified, and to point others to the truth that if our foundation is anchored as faith in Christ's atonement, then the problem of focus and distractions such as entertainment will be worked out by the Holy Spirit.

What is so hard to grasp about this simple truth, and how it relates to the subject matter of the original thread?

Is faith in the all-sufficiency of the atonement of Christ enough? Or is it not?

shilohcomes

[Guest LCPGUY]

I get too distracted with other things. But I do spend a lot of time focusing on Jesus and informal prayer, you know, just talking to Him like He was in the car or office with me. I don

[other one]

I get too distracted with other things. But I do spend a lot of time focusing on Jesus and informal prayer, you know, just talking to Him like He was in the car or office with me. I don

[Guest shilohcomes]

Yes, LCPGUY I understand and agree also. As we go about the day, the regular activities and responsiblities of life and living can cause us to get distracted. I get engrossed in a task, some problem or activity, and realize that for several hours, the Lord has not been in my thoughts or even in the back of my mind...I had forgotten Him for a short while.

The important thing is, that, like a stretched rubber band, our hearts and minds eventually 'spring back' to the Lord. We desire to have the Lord in our thoughts, in the back of our minds, at all times. To go about the day in an attitude of prayer and realization of our constant dependence on His Grace, which the Lord will work out in us, but only in response to faith anchored solidly in Christ's atonement. This faith correctly anchored is the only way the fullness of God's Grace can be extended to us.

I agree also that prayer and Bible study should never become a regimen. Now, that does not mean that we should not strive to do these things on a consistant basis, but they can easily become 'works' and lead to bondage and legalism. I believe we should have a regular time we set aside daily to strengthen our relationship with the Lord through prayer and study of the Word. But hey, if I oversleep or something and happen to miss a day, I do not need to be in bondage or condemnation because of it, for we are not under law, but under grace. It does not affect my salvation or favor with the Lord, because His Grace and favor comes through faith, not through my prayer and Bible study. You see what I'm saying? It is the true freedom and rest which comes only in Christ.

(Just one last quick note. After asking the Lord about it, I feel I should explain that the 3rd post in this thread was not an attempt to hijack this thread. The moderator had accidently deleted a post I placed in another thread a day or so prior, he appologized and invited me to repost it in the thread. Problem was, I couldn't remember what thread I originally posted in, but was reasonably sure it had been this one. I now realize that it obviously wasnt, and I can see now how it could be misunderstood and interpreted as a rude 'hijacking'. Please forgive me for any misunderstanding I caused.)

shilohcomes (Marty)

[BoldlyProclaimingChrist]

Great post Shilocomes!

I hope to get to point where things that I find fun or entertaining that I find them all in the means of grace - meaning my only happiness is in reading/studying the Bible, prayer, watching/listening to to Christian programming, Godly meditation etc. I want these things to take up my time usually spent in doing other things - that is not to say everything else it evil.

I enjoy watching cooking shows - but I want my pleasure to be spending more time with Him. I wish all of my desire was for Him but I have other interests. Again, I'm not saying other interest are wrong - not at all - but I want to choose all things that are Godly, pure, and good. I don't know if I'm able to do that given I'm sinful.

Am I making sense?

[Guest LCPGUY]

Am I making sense?

Yup, you sure are

In His Love,

Bro John