Dec 11 2007
about
I am a follower of Jesus Christ who lives in Birmingham, AL. I have been married to Cassandra Frazier of Scottsboro, AL since 1988 and we have 2 children, Jacob and Hope. Cassandra is a vital part of the ministry God has given me. She is a former Social Worker who helps me in my ministry.
In order to have meaningful discussions with people, I hang out @ at local coffee shops. I love BAMA sports esp. Football (can you say 12 National Championships!) I grew up in a para-church family (YFC/Campus Life) in Tuscaloosa, AL. I graduated from Samford University, University of Alabama @ Birmingham and Southwestern Seminary. I am a former High School Football Coach and businessman. My passion in life is to reach the “lost generation.”(Judges 2:10) I am obsessed with making disciples not just believers. I want to see the church “being” the church rather than just “doing” church. I help put chaplains in the workplace. I just finished a book called “Confessions of a Recovering Pharisee” that talks about my struggles and battles with legalism. I just need a publisher!
More about my life–click here and here.
bamabusman@yahoo.com
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In my humble opinion, you are asking the wrong question. It sounds like it is because of your guilt of being a pharisee which has driven you to this question? Most of the churches today are “seeker sensitive” . It is like asking the fox why he likes to eat chicken? It is in man’s sinful nature to be attracted to sin, driven to sin and rebel against God. I would suggest studying the ‘Sovereignty of God” and “How God Converts the Human Soul” you will find the answers to the real questions you are looking for. Check out: http://www.crosstv.com those two video topics. Great Biblical theology. It will Ground your faith and revolutionize your walk with Christ.
In His Service, SHALOM
Kevin – Self-publishing is the way to go, if you haven’t come to that conclusion yet.
Many resources: here are two i recommend, if you haven’t seen them before.
http://www.parapublishing.com
http://www.48days.net there is a group on that site called “write it forward” that you can join (all free) and the discussion is all about writing and publishing
Enjoy the blog and ditto’s about being a “recovering pharisee”. It is hard though, when you have family members who you love still practicing!
George,
I am not so sure about that. Humans have a sinful nature, yes, but look at the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, they weren’t saved or going to heaven, but yet they were perfect in the sight of the law. Paul said he was “touching the law, blameless.” So doing such good things is still possible in the flesh. I guess it could be considered sin because in all actuality it is pride, and pride is a sin, although a deceptive one. You made sin sound like wickedness, which it isn’t always wickedness (in our sight). You can be one of the best members of the church but still living in Sin instead of In Christ. Well, thought I would just shed some of my thoughts on the subject. God bless,
Michie D.
Definitely agree on that Mitchie D.
If works is a factor, everyone will go to hell, because nobody can do good enough. All have sinned and fell short of the glory of God (see Romans 3:23). This is not to propose that Christianity should be used as a license to sin, what I’m trying to say, is that before anyone tries to put so much emphasis on works as a factor, do remember that without Christ, our personal endeavors towards righteousness is futile. In Galatians 2:21, Paul said: “: “I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”. Apostle Paul rebuked the Galatians when they started to place legalism into the equation of salvation. In Galatians 3:10 he said: “All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.’ Paul continues in 3:11-14 saying, “Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, ‘The righteous will live by faith.’ The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, ‘The man who does these things will live by them.’ Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit”.
Salvation is attained by faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 3:16). True faith, however, will result into good works. But these works do not come out as a result of our own endeavor. It results as a fruit of the Spirit which resides in us when we invite Jesus Christ into our lives (Galatians 5:22).
In my own opinion therefore, we should be very careful when discussing about works. I am not saying that it shouldn’t be discussed. What I’m saying is that we should be very careful not to present it as if it is a factor to the attainment of salvation. Otherwise, it will send a lot of people into doubting the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and thus stumble in their faith.
Oops, I think I misspelled the the name. It’s “Michie D.” not “Mitchie”. My apologies.
Kevin;
I’ll pass your blog around. Maybe it will help generate followers for your book.
Glen
“Lov’n the Lord & Liv’n the Life…”