tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276605042835158922.post6337286742265321305..comments2023-10-31T02:29:47.761-07:00Comments on We Are Moving Forward: Isn't It Strange?Andy Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06855126086130286251noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276605042835158922.post-66041289373928467602008-11-21T10:33:00.000-08:002008-11-21T10:33:00.000-08:00josh. for sure, Christ often spoke of the benefit...josh. for sure, Christ often spoke of the benefits of following him. i have two problems with a lot of how traditional churches teach. 1) it is clear in the gospels that Christ did not come for the sole purpose of personal salvation. Christ came to set up and establish his kingdom. that was his prayer in fact. he wanted earth to resemble heaven. personal salvation has become the wonderful benefit of the kingdom. the issue i find is many christians become followers to receive salvation and neglect the expansion of the kingdom. and when Christ talks about earth being like heaven he's meaning just that: no poverty, crime, war, broken families, etc. but what you said is right, there is nothing wrong in desiring those benefits. but we have lost the full message of what Christ spoke of. that, for sure, is clear. 2) the second problem I have when we teach non believers that forgiveness is the first step. i'm not necessarily sure this is true. i'm looking at acts 26:18-20. jesus is speaking to saul and says, "i am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me." i see a very clear progression hear. i see an alignment with christ and the kingdom of light and then forgiveness is received. that was my point with the story of the king. so often we teach, "ask for forgiveness so you can be saved." to me christ says align yourself with me, join my kingdom, and forgiveness will be given.Andy Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855126086130286251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276605042835158922.post-11657198037589206732008-11-20T19:03:00.000-08:002008-11-20T19:03:00.000-08:00but there is a promise of heaven! Christ did speak...but there is a promise of heaven! Christ did speak of what we receive when we follow Him! if Christ wanted us to follow Him without them, why would He speak about the benefits over and over.<BR/><BR/>i don't think the pursuit of pleasure is evil in itself... it becomes sin by its misplacement, not its existence. the pursuit of pleasure is the very thing that drives us to God and to be full participants in His kingdom expansion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276605042835158922.post-2705736062956605152008-11-20T18:51:00.000-08:002008-11-20T18:51:00.000-08:00april. thanks for reading. take care.april. thanks for reading. take care.Andy Myershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06855126086130286251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5276605042835158922.post-88733285111904312952008-11-20T16:00:00.000-08:002008-11-20T16:00:00.000-08:00I appreciate your asking of some thought provoking...I appreciate your asking of some thought provoking questions...I believe we can all benefit from such ponderings. Take Care, AprilApril@Crafty*Nesty*Thriftyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16561812741283049720noreply@blogger.com