[Knitting A Conundrum]

There are two things that need to be taught:

One Jesus loves you.
Two Jesus says "Follow me. Do what I tell you to do." And he means it

If you only do number one, then you get stuck where Gene Robinson is, sometimes, thinking that God validates you where you are and you don't have to grow.

But, you should be wanting to follow Jesus if you are his.

Therefore gird up your minds, be sober, set your hope fully upon the grace that is coming to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." (I Peter 1:13-16) RSV,

Jesus says, "Come unto me all you who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest," but he also says "Why do you call me `Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"

Because he chose to suffer and die and was ressurected, we have a refuge. Because he chose to become man in all things but sin, he knows what our struggles are like, and has mercy on us. But also, because he's been here, done that, he knows that with his help we can become a holy people, and tells us how to live to do that.

So, if you are only being taught God is Love, and not God expects you to be holy, you are only getting part of the message.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

I agree. God's holiness and His love are inseparatable. They are not polarizing concepts like humans tend to think they are. There is human love and then there is the real deal: God's love. We have perverted the meaning of true love. How could God's love be genuine if He did not want us to be holy as He is holy. Our sin separated us from Him in the first place. He has the power to forgive AND the power to transform. They are a free gift but a packaged deal. If you profess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord then you are saying He is LORD of YOUR life. If you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead then you believe in your heart that God also has the will and the power to transform your heart, to raise you to walk in newness of life, to make you a slave of righteousness, etc.

Too many people want the perks without the cost of Christianity. The call is to surrender all. That is faith's evidence. And it's all or nothing. Sanctification is a process and justification is an event, but just as surely as we can believe God for justification, we can believe and expect His sactification. If we do not see the fruits then we had better check and be sure we are not believing in a false gospel and a deceptive image of Christ. Otherwise it may be us who one day hear, "Depart from me, I never knew you."