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To: Quix; Dr. Eckleburg
Thank you so much for sharing your insights and concerns, dear brother in Christ!

It is indeed tragic whenever a Christian believes that the Blood of Christ is in some way insufficient.

Many, I suspect, feel this way because of self-loathing. Because their past sins haunt them, they "will" not to receive God's forgiveness. Some might even see their attitude as extreme humility, but what it really is, is a lack of faith. By not receiving the forgiveness, they are in effect, telling God "I do not believe you, I do not trust you."

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. - Isaiah 1:18

And some, I suspect, are uncomfortable with unmerited grace and feel they must do something to earn it. They might see this as humility or gratitude instead of the insult to the Blood of the Lamb that it is. In effect, they are judging God by saying it was not enough for Jesus to shed His own Blood for his sins, that they could become righteous on their own.

I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness [come] by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. - Galatians 2:21

And some, I suspect, believe the Blood of Christ fades over time - that when they sin again, the forgiveness they once received is cancelled. They cannot seem to accept that they simply need to confess the new sin, repent of it and the Blood of the Lamb cleanses them from the new sin as well.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - I John 1:7-9

It doesn't matter what additional labels a Christian might wear. There is only one Great Commandment:

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. – Matthew 22:37-38

Love God surpassingly above all else. Believe Him. Trust Him.

320 posted on 07/27/2008 8:14:24 AM PDT by Alamo-Girl
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To: Alamo-Girl

What an exquisitely wonderful and Biblical exhortation.

I’ve certainly fallen pray to such attitudes and thoughts more than a few times in my 61 years, sadly.

I think that’s one reason the enemy works so hard to insure that there’s tons of poor parenting resulting in tons of ATTACHMENT DISORDERs resulting in tons of insecurity

resulting in exactly what you describe.

I don’t have a handy solution.

I think only Holy Spirit can bring the healing, wholeness and perspective to overcome such an attitude, mentality, faithlessness. And so often, He seems to do it painstakenly slowly requiring persistent cooperation on our part.

Or am I missing something?

I certainly know of folks in whom some sort of switch is flipped. One moment they are horrific sinners. The next 100% trusting and confident faith-filled fully trusting sons of God and they never slow down.

I don’t seem to be in that category.

Even cherished spiritual growth seems to be agonizingly slow.

You articulate the phenomena so accurately.

Do you have a good reliable route for some of us to get there more fully and faster?


321 posted on 07/27/2008 8:25:28 AM PDT by Quix (key QUOTES POLS 1900 ON #76 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2031425/posts?page=77#77)
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To: Alamo-Girl; Quix
It is indeed tragic whenever a Christian believes that the Blood of Christ is in some way insufficient.

Many, I suspect, feel this way because of self-loathing. Because their past sins haunt them, they "will" not to receive God's forgiveness. Some might even see their attitude as extreme humility, but what it really is, is a lack of faith...

And some, I suspect, are uncomfortable with unmerited grace and feel they must do something to earn it. They might see this as humility or gratitude instead of the insult to the Blood of the Lamb that it is...

And some, I suspect, believe the Blood of Christ fades over time - that when they sin again, the forgiveness they once received is cancelled...

EXCELLENT summary of the many spiritual ills which keep us from understanding that Christ is our "all in all."

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace...

What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.

But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. " -- Romans 6:14,21-22

Praise God! What an extraordinary, free, unmerited, merciful gift has been given to those He has "planted together" (Romans 6:5); those who were once "servants of sin" but who now have been "made free from sin" and reborn as "servants to God."

"the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." -- Romans 6:23

333 posted on 07/27/2008 9:34:43 AM PDT by Dr. Eckleburg ("I don't think they want my respect; I think they want my submission." - Flemming Rose)
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