Oh Yoshi! May God continue to bless you with words that lift the tired spirit of this one, and I'm sure, of many others.
I woke up thinking about your writing, wondering when there would be another post. You have no idea how grateful I was not only to read this post, but to have my spirit soothed by what is written today. We start great Lent on Sunday and I have been wrestling deeply with its implications for the health issues I'm facing at the moment.
Yes, temptation is a blessed spur and reminder to go to God and receive life - “Let us then come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16
The washing in the river rather than some more difficult and complex task to wash the sin away reminds me of something Jordan Peterson talks about frequently. When things aren’t going how you want them to go, pick the smallest task that moves you in the right direction and that you COULD do in that very moment, and do it.
God says He will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and He is under no compulsion to punish all sins, contra the Calvinist position (and others who hold to PSA atonement theory). However, Christ makes clear that repentance and obedience is necessary for salvation, so that I can't seriously consider universalism. Christ's first command, according to St Matthew's gospel, is "repent". (Mt 4:17). See also John 3:36 which makes clear that obedience to Christ is necessary for salvation and cf John 14:15. The universalist position rests on the assumption that because all are resurrected, all are saved. But John 5:28-29 makes clear this is not so. We are resurrected and then there is a judgement. Theosis means becoming more like God by doing His work in the world. The church being his Body means He wants to work through us. Obedience is essential.
Oh Yoshi! May God continue to bless you with words that lift the tired spirit of this one, and I'm sure, of many others.
I woke up thinking about your writing, wondering when there would be another post. You have no idea how grateful I was not only to read this post, but to have my spirit soothed by what is written today. We start great Lent on Sunday and I have been wrestling deeply with its implications for the health issues I'm facing at the moment.
Thank you!
Good meditation on a wonderful story. Lots in there to ponder. Thanks.
Yes, temptation is a blessed spur and reminder to go to God and receive life - “Let us then come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16
The washing in the river rather than some more difficult and complex task to wash the sin away reminds me of something Jordan Peterson talks about frequently. When things aren’t going how you want them to go, pick the smallest task that moves you in the right direction and that you COULD do in that very moment, and do it.
Good stuff!
Thanks for another thoughtful and helpful post!
God says He will have mercy on whom he will have mercy, and He is under no compulsion to punish all sins, contra the Calvinist position (and others who hold to PSA atonement theory). However, Christ makes clear that repentance and obedience is necessary for salvation, so that I can't seriously consider universalism. Christ's first command, according to St Matthew's gospel, is "repent". (Mt 4:17). See also John 3:36 which makes clear that obedience to Christ is necessary for salvation and cf John 14:15. The universalist position rests on the assumption that because all are resurrected, all are saved. But John 5:28-29 makes clear this is not so. We are resurrected and then there is a judgement. Theosis means becoming more like God by doing His work in the world. The church being his Body means He wants to work through us. Obedience is essential.