tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post6249938241560127562..comments2023-10-22T06:42:51.797-04:00Comments on Students of Jesus: The Lessons of ElijahRay Hollenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035600094853593399noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-61283523608660497132011-07-05T21:17:10.367-04:002011-07-05T21:17:10.367-04:00For clarity sake, the end of this writing is '...For clarity sake, the end of this writing is 'do have to choose between the two" or "don't have to choose between the two"....?Janessahttp://www.fruitifdivine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-34783430330018743102011-07-05T21:17:09.933-04:002011-07-05T21:17:09.933-04:00Yikes! Thanks, Janessa. I'm grateful for your ...Yikes! Thanks, Janessa. I'm grateful for your help and sorry for my poor proofreading.Ray Hollenbachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08035600094853593399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-37778122959794046732010-10-22T17:20:08.168-04:002010-10-22T17:20:08.168-04:00Yikes! Thanks, Janessa. I'm grateful for your ...Yikes! Thanks, Janessa. I'm grateful for your help and sorry for my poor proofreading.Ray Hollenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08035600094853593399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-26062798576797856882010-10-22T17:17:07.036-04:002010-10-22T17:17:07.036-04:00For clarity sake, the end of this writing is '...For clarity sake, the end of this writing is 'do have to choose between the two" or "don't have to choose between the two"....?Janessahttp://www.fruitifdivine.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-43910808756559088472010-10-22T10:32:18.108-04:002010-10-22T10:32:18.108-04:00Hi Kris:
So great to hear from you, and I wish y...Hi Kris: <br /><br />So great to hear from you, and I wish you well in Louisville. Say "hi" to my good friend Dr. Al.<br /><br />You raise an excellent point by quoting 1 John 3:2. I had considered this verse, and there will be an undeniable dynamic at work upon us when we encounter Him face-to-face. Your other point regarding the reign of sin relates to the John's passage as well. Namely, whom do we *allow* to reign in us now? For those who earnestly welcome the reign of Jesus in this life, His appearing will produce transformation, instantaneous and glorious because we will have met the object of our desire at last. But what of those who, day after day in this life, welcome the reign of sin and display no hunger for His appearing (now as well as then)?<br /><br />I'm speaking of the substantial proportion of people who have "accepted Jesus" and prayed "the sinner's prayer" yet daily cultivate tastes and desires antithetical to the King and his Kingdom. If our gospel is merely the gospel of go-to-heaven when you die, without any connection to the presence of the King and the His Kingdom in this life, I believe we are defrauding the masses who have heard a gospel foreign to Jesus, his disciples, and the Church through the ages.<br /><br />Another way of posing the question is, "what if you got to live forever but didn't like the life you got to live?"<br /><br />Peace to you and your lovely family.Ray Hollenbachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08035600094853593399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5693617853908508572.post-45862803595092501542010-10-22T09:54:15.428-04:002010-10-22T09:54:15.428-04:00Hey Ray!
First, miss working with ya but I'm ...Hey Ray!<br /><br />First, miss working with ya but I'm continuing to read the blog...<br /><br />Second,<br /><br />You pondered, "In my experience many Christians consider Christ-likeness impossible in this life, yet expect an almost magical transformation of their character and faith immediately upon entry into the next life."<br /><br />Could that be because of verses like 1John 3:2,"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."<br /><br />Third thought,<br /><br />You continued to ask, "I wonder: why would God, who shows the utmost respect for our freedom of choice and personality while we live on earth suddenly take control of our faith and choices in heaven? Does that sound like the Father’s way?" <br /><br />Romans 6:12 says, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your -mortal- body so that you obey its lusts," and speaking about the final judgment Paul says in Romans 2:7, "to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and -immortality-, eternal life" <br /><br />I think the change is that the choice of sin in the mortal body is removed...<br /><br />Just a few thoughts off the top of my head for you,<br /><br />Kristophersinkingfosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12363745166487079507noreply@blogger.com