[donmeaker]

Well isn’t that an inspiring testimony. Of course Christianity isn’t about drugs or promiscuity. It is about faith in the risen Lord.

Do you have that?

[The Grammarian]

I was just reading a book by Bishop William Willimon of the United Methodist Church called “Remember Who You are”—it’s interesting that he actually takes a similar tack with his view on “decisional” regeneration. He could almost be a Calvinist himself, if it weren’t for a few “I don’t mean to say” statements: I don’t mean to say there is no place for free will, etc.

[Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus]

Before I could catch myself, I heard myself answering, as though I were watching my mouth move from the rafters of his office. "In God's plan, I was saved before the foundation of the world," I replied. "Then, in God's sacrifice, I was saved when Christ died and was raised, and I am being saved by God's preserving and sanctifying grace."

This guy's not saved, or at least this testimony doesn't proclaim that he is.

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out..." (Acts 3:19)

I agree that "theatrical" professions of salvation are no better than any other - whether good cleancut Baptist kid or LSD user in the gutter, any time a soul is born again, it's a miracle of God's grace. But the problem with this guy's testimony, as it is presented, is that repentance is a necessary key to salvation - and there's no repentance to be seen in his words. Acts 3:19 is clear - without repentance, without the decision to turn from sin and trust in Christ alone, there is no blotting out of sin - which means that souls is still in their sin.

If there is not a point where a soul consciously made the choice to turn from their sin and to Christ, then that soul is not saved. None of this "I was saved from eternity past" jazz will work. That's just an arrogant way of trying to get around the necessity of personal repentance and acceptance of our own personal sinfulness.

[starlifter]

Interesting post.

I sense a disturbance in the Force...the Shia and Sunni's will soon be hurling invective and vitriol at each other...of the the “I'm holier than thou” sort.

Be right back...ran out of popcorn.

[Alex Murphy]

Do you ever do that - do you wish you had a better testimony in your life? You're sitting in church, listening to a guy on stage like "man, he has an awesome testimony. I have a horrible one! I wish I was addicted to crack. [kicks foot angrily] Thanks, God!"

-- Tim Hawkins, from I'm No Rockstar

[RJR_fan]

ping