Why I Support President Bush and the ZOT!

[Monkey Face]

Perhaps you're right.

[TASMANIANRED]

Did she trounce him?

I'm happy the plan worked.

[Tax-chick]

That's good to know. James eats *things*.

[Das Outsider]

Our Lord made a big sacrifice for our sins - therefore the least we can do is sin less.

But we do not pay him back by choosing to sin less. That is a purely outward action. Rather, God desires obedience from the heart that manifests itself in those actions. The question, "Should I sin less?" suggests that one knows the difference between right and wrong but just doesn't care, although we are all sinful by nature and will--from time to time--sin.

Jesus asks that we give him nothing and everything: our whole selves, forsaking all things, like the man who found the treasure buried in the field. But don't get me wrong--it isn't by our effort, for soon we would find ourselves stumbling, getting frustrated, and perhaps, giving up because we are not committed enough or not progressing as we expect. That is the Holy Spirit's work, thank God, and it isn't all at once. You don't just wake up and POOF!

[Monkey Face]

He outweighs her by a good eight pounds, but he figured if she would cower once, she would always cower. He got the surprise of his life when she ambushed him on his way back from the litter box, and didn't let up until he scampered away.

I was afraid for her, but I knew she had to do it her way. In retrospect, of course, it's pretty funny. But it wasn't at the time.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

Maybe I am.

[Monkey Face]

There is that possibility, of course.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

That's true.

[Irish_Thatcherite]

That could be true.

[Das Outsider]

It is not up to us as human beings, to figure out "how;" we only need to believe "what."

Analogies take things which might otherwise seem esoteric and put them in a more accessible expression. To the person who has no concept of resurrection, you need to speak in such terms. Technical metaphors have been a part of philosophy since the early days. Most Americans in 2006 have a basic knowledge of computers, enough for such an analogy to be somewhat effective.

Think of Billy Graham's famous bridge graphic.

[Lady Jag]

No edible chocolate is a waste.

[Das Outsider]

*technical analogies

[Tax-chick]

But we do not pay him back by choosing to sin less.

Excellent point. Also, the phrasing "choosing to sin less" implies that our sins are generally a matter of deliberate choice, "Am I going to sin today, or am I going to attempt virtue?" I don't find that to be the way I sin. Rather, even though every day I "choose" to obey the Lord, I still sin because of weakness, fear, lack of faith.

[Das Outsider]

Don't get me wrong. Saying, "I should sin less," is not a bad thing. Like other endeavors in life, examine the motive behind it.

[Monkey Face]

I guess I've been pretty lucky, because all I've ever needed is to know that God made a Promise to mankind. I expect Him to fulfull whatever Promises He made.

And you're right ~~ I often lose sight of the fact that other people need analogies in order to understand a concept. Thanks for reminding me. (My bad. And on Easter, too!)

[Monkey Face]

But then again...it might be false.

[fanfan]

LOL!

[Monkey Face]

OK. You and TC can have all the mole that I don't eat. I suspect it must be an acquired taste. While I admit to acquiring tastes for certain foods, I have managed to do it quite readily in comparison with mole. That stuff, I just cannot adapt to.

[Das Outsider]

Excellent point. Also, the phrasing "choosing to sin less" implies that our sins are generally a matter of deliberate choice, "Am I going to sin today, or am I going to attempt virtue?" I don't find that to be the way I sin. Rather, even though every day I "choose" to obey the Lord, I still sin because of weakness, fear, lack of faith.

Contrary to the teachings of the Holiness movement and other such sects, it is possible for a true believer to willfully sin. It is also possible for their relationship with God to be restored through confession and the Lord's mind-blowing patience and love. A general pattern, or put another way, a generally sinful lifestyle is another matter.

[fanfan]

You got 3100 proclaiming God's Word!


Happy Easter!

;-)