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RE: A Balanced Life? - 8/23/2008 1:16:27 PM
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atruefaith
Posts: 320
Joined: 6/18/2005
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quote:
The Christian life is Christ, and only He can live it. One line, nothing to read between.
This is my point exactly, UR. Yes, no one here denies that true life is in Christ and only he can live it, but you fail to bring any depth to the discussion when you dodge sincere questions about difficulties that require a little more knowledge than just repeating the same thing over and over again when challenged. When you do this, you portray not only a shallowness of understanding, but an arrogance in thinking that your understanding is the wisest among us - which, of course, is a quality that is defeated when it is not authenticated by what Christ's Word actually teaches us to be.
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A series of short stories depicting the Christian faith....
www.atruefaith.com
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RE: A Balanced Life? - 8/23/2008 1:30:31 PM
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URForgiven
Posts: 1124
Joined: 3/22/2008
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Conquered
quote:
The Christian life is Christ, and only He can live it. One line, nothing to read between.
This is my point exactly, UR. Yes, no one here denies that true life is in Christ and only he can live it, but you fail to bring any depth to the discussion when you dodge sincere questions about difficulties that require a little more knowledge than just repeating the same thing over and over again when challenged. When you do this, you portray not only a shallowness of understanding, but an arrogance in thinking that your understanding is the wisest among us - which, of course, is a quality that is defeated when it is not authenticated by what Christ's Word actually teaches us to be.
I understand your frustration. You want more, but there is no more. Christ is the author and the finisher of our faith. You do not begin with Christ and then move on to something else, something deeper. The Christian life is an adventure in discovering all we already have in Christ.
If the words in my posts do not "do it for you", then please move on and consider that perhaps those words are meant for another.
2 Corinthians 11:3
"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ."
Peace
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"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: A Balanced Life? - 8/23/2008 1:34:23 PM
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atruefaith
Posts: 320
Joined: 6/18/2005
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quote:
I've actually been struggling with this issue as well. In my head, I know that we are supposed to deny ourselves and give our life as a sacrifice to God. But in recent situations, I've been very unsure if certain actions would be denying myself or giving in to my ego. For example, while sincerely trying to set aside my needs and doing a lot for others and for church ministries, I developed a very unexpected medical problem which is said to come from stress and lack of rest. I was so sick I couldn't properly eat, sleep or even take care of my kids for 3 weeks. Now everyone says "you should have been taking care of yourself!"
mariadreamer, I think that in the context of Christian faith, we have a very difficult time divorcing ourselves from the idea that trials and struggles are for our good. The New Testament is full of truth to this end. Paul rejoiced for his many hardships, James exalted them in his letter and each did this not because they had run some obstacle course where they had earned faith, but because they could now see how our Lord had used these trials to grow their faith. I agree with what Walker said earlier, there is no "balance" in the Christian. Faith is to glut yourself on Christ. It is to be so intensely satisfied in Christ that every other care and concern is worthless. That, however, is hard. Actually, it's impossible absent of the Spirit of Christ dwelling and operating within a heart. To deny, is to believe. But to believe, to believe in the context with how Jesus actually described belief which is to love God with all heart, mind and soul, is impossible without the strength of Christ As UR pointed out via Hebrews it is to rest in God. But that resting is a war. To rest satisfied in the arms of Christ is an unbelievable battle and struggle. But to fight as you've done, is right. The struggle itself is an encouragement to you that Christ still fights within.
_____________________________
A series of short stories depicting the Christian faith....
www.atruefaith.com
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