First, I need to say something about yesterday. I was really flabbergasted by some responses to yesterday’s piece, so I’m going to push you to watch this. But if you can’t bring yourself to watch this, I want you to watch this, which sums up the point a bunch of people very defensively chose to miss.
God wants us to become more like Him, and He will help. "Be ye fishers of men--you catch 'em, He'll clean 'em". Anyone who has cleaned fish knows catching them is the easy, fun part.
Too many people want God to be Santa Claus, putting coal and switches in (other people's) stockings.
I'm Christian, a member of the LCMS. I believe and, believe me, it's hard!, that we are to pray for our leaders, our people in power, our enemies, etc. even & especially when we don't like or agree w/ them that they come to Christ. We're to pray ceaselessly! You never know when they'll come to Christ! And, it could take years, if ever. Hope! As you said, we are all sinners & fall short of the Grace of God.
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” -C.S. Lewis
I have shared this with my family and friends who don’t understand why I have a problem with trump. Eric you write and speak as clear as the Apostle Paul. It is clear to me your words are meant for instructing believers and strengthening the church. Thank you.
This is great in light of Easter Sunday, but failed in explaining what it has to do with Trump as you kicked it off. Yeah, we know he was a billionaire playboy 25-30 years ago doing his p-grabbing and cheating on his wife. Just add him to the list of bad-behaving Christian men around the world… including Catholic priests sexually abusing children.
And let’s not ignore the corruptive human-harming tendency for pious Christians matching ideological fanatics to attempt to make others comply with their beliefs. Christianity is different in that it is of the individual relationship with God. Where it has flourished it was taught by missionaries. Where it has failed is where it was forced on the population with bigotry and hostility against those not sharing the belief. Stop the “Christian” activism and clear hostility to force raped women, or any women, to carry the unwanted fetus to birth… for example.
I agree that the trends of societal decay track with the decline in Christian beliefs and practice, but the bigotry and human-harm delivered by practicing Christian’s shares much blame. Yeah, they can get off by repenting their sins and leaving it to God. But don’t expect that to satisfy the harmed.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:16–17 (KJV)
We should not believe what people say in the moment but what they have produced in the past. That is how they will act in the future. Certainly, someone can "see the light" and change, but before we base our actions on their words, those words must bear fruit as evidence that change is real. This is how I think we should evaluate our politicians, regardless of side. If they don't bear the fruit we're looking for, they should be discarded in favor of someone who will.
It was back in my days when I was in my 30's that five of us got together weekly and studied the different Religions. Your review is excellent as NO other Religion really has all we need to go through life as we have it today. I have lived in the best of times as this Nation had the best people come into it and homestead years ago as my Great Grandfather did and the place is owned by a family member yet today. We had people that knew Jesus and lived for him coming into this Nation and spreading His word to their Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren. They worked to SAVE People, not kill people. Yes, I have had my up's and my down's, but through it all, God has Blessed me and made me whole.
Please People that are reading Ericks messages this week, pass on GODS GOOD WORD TO OTHERS.
Thank you Erick and Blessings to you and your Family.
Your Holy Week messages have given me a renewed sense of hope in humanity. I’m reminded that I need to talk to Jesus more & not be discouraged & consumed by the world the enemy presents on a daily basis. Your words have strengthened my faith Erick and I await His resurrection and victory on Easter…
God wants us to become more like Him, and He will help. "Be ye fishers of men--you catch 'em, He'll clean 'em". Anyone who has cleaned fish knows catching them is the easy, fun part.
Too many people want God to be Santa Claus, putting coal and switches in (other people's) stockings.
Amen! to everything you have said!
Amen.
I'm Christian, a member of the LCMS. I believe and, believe me, it's hard!, that we are to pray for our leaders, our people in power, our enemies, etc. even & especially when we don't like or agree w/ them that they come to Christ. We're to pray ceaselessly! You never know when they'll come to Christ! And, it could take years, if ever. Hope! As you said, we are all sinners & fall short of the Grace of God.
“I didn’t go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.” -C.S. Lewis
Someone wiser than me said:
Religion is man's attempt to reach God.
Relationship is God's attempt to reach man.
These “advisers” are not shepherds, but wolves.
I too was surprised by yesterday's comments. I am not going to challenge them this week in these writings.
AMEN. Well stated. Christian denominations need to say goodbye to Arminianism and to works-based salvation.
I have shared this with my family and friends who don’t understand why I have a problem with trump. Eric you write and speak as clear as the Apostle Paul. It is clear to me your words are meant for instructing believers and strengthening the church. Thank you.
This is great in light of Easter Sunday, but failed in explaining what it has to do with Trump as you kicked it off. Yeah, we know he was a billionaire playboy 25-30 years ago doing his p-grabbing and cheating on his wife. Just add him to the list of bad-behaving Christian men around the world… including Catholic priests sexually abusing children.
And let’s not ignore the corruptive human-harming tendency for pious Christians matching ideological fanatics to attempt to make others comply with their beliefs. Christianity is different in that it is of the individual relationship with God. Where it has flourished it was taught by missionaries. Where it has failed is where it was forced on the population with bigotry and hostility against those not sharing the belief. Stop the “Christian” activism and clear hostility to force raped women, or any women, to carry the unwanted fetus to birth… for example.
I agree that the trends of societal decay track with the decline in Christian beliefs and practice, but the bigotry and human-harm delivered by practicing Christian’s shares much blame. Yeah, they can get off by repenting their sins and leaving it to God. But don’t expect that to satisfy the harmed.
Amen!
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:16–17 (KJV)
We should not believe what people say in the moment but what they have produced in the past. That is how they will act in the future. Certainly, someone can "see the light" and change, but before we base our actions on their words, those words must bear fruit as evidence that change is real. This is how I think we should evaluate our politicians, regardless of side. If they don't bear the fruit we're looking for, they should be discarded in favor of someone who will.
It was back in my days when I was in my 30's that five of us got together weekly and studied the different Religions. Your review is excellent as NO other Religion really has all we need to go through life as we have it today. I have lived in the best of times as this Nation had the best people come into it and homestead years ago as my Great Grandfather did and the place is owned by a family member yet today. We had people that knew Jesus and lived for him coming into this Nation and spreading His word to their Children, Grandchildren, and Great Grandchildren. They worked to SAVE People, not kill people. Yes, I have had my up's and my down's, but through it all, God has Blessed me and made me whole.
Please People that are reading Ericks messages this week, pass on GODS GOOD WORD TO OTHERS.
Thank you Erick and Blessings to you and your Family.
Thank you kind Sir. We all need what you have written. Peace be with you all.
Your Holy Week messages have given me a renewed sense of hope in humanity. I’m reminded that I need to talk to Jesus more & not be discouraged & consumed by the world the enemy presents on a daily basis. Your words have strengthened my faith Erick and I await His resurrection and victory on Easter…