| Agreed it is the "essence" of what it means to be a Christian. But it
is not how one becomes a Christian.
People from all faiths may have common morality, but that does not
makea Buddhist a Christian, nor a Christian a Moslem. We need to
recognize that morality is *not* always a result of one's faith, but
may be a result of one's upbringing outside of any church or doctrinal
affiliation.
I know many agnostics that practice caring or loving their neighbors,
but that does not make them a Christian.
I think it is key to remember that being Christian and having Christian
traits are entirely different things.
On the same hand, I find there are times that Christians will behave as
though they lack the love of Christ in them. And you can bet your
sweet bippy that there will be someone to point a finger in their
direction to call them hypocrite.
It is important that as Christians [those who have placed their WHOLE
faith in Christ as Savior] remember this... we are on display and while
others can exhibit their humanity, *we* are held to a higher standard.
Nancy
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| re edited to correct a couple of typos:
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Note 721.4 Simplicity that is in Christ. 4 of 4
MTHALE::JOHNSON "A rare blue and gold afternoon" 85 lines 5-MAY-1995 13:33
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There are some good observations here. However, I'm not so sure in
this case that Paul was necessarily singling out Judaizers (those who
taught that in order for God to receive someone as righteous they must
convert to Judaism and uphold all of Jewish halacha (rules, laws,
etcetera)).
And I also think there is a bit more here than just saying the gospel
message is simple ... I think there is an important point to be made
about purity of motive.
After skimming most of II Corinthians & some of I Corinthians to
refresh my recollection, I see this as Paul defending his ministry to
the Corinthians. It sounds like there were those who were trying to
convince the Corinthian believers that Paul was a not a valid
spokesperson (ambassador, apostle) for the Lord, and that his message
was only for the purpose of promoting Paul and could be dismissed.
(Paul's earlier letters to the Corinthians were probably somewhat
uncomfortable for them because he'd had to write somewhat sternly to
correct a lot of sinful behavior and practices. Corinth was a bustling
place with people from all backgrounds & a great deal of paganism)
I understand Paul to be saying that in fact, his gospel message was
only for the purpose of bringing them to salvation in Yeshua, and that
he, Paul, had no ulterior motives of his own, but only wanted them to
know their Redeemer through whom they had life everlasting and forgiveness
from sin. He contrasts this with those, who for whatever reason,
are teaching something else, and puffing themselves up trying to amass
followers (and power & wealth) for themselves rather than revealing
Yeshua to the people.
Here is the verse again which I've cut from Gary's original note:
2 Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his
subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in
Christ.
I looked up the words translated subtilty and simplicity here in the
Greek Lexicon & Dictionary in the back of the NAS Bible we have.
1) subtilty
The Greek is pan-oorg-ee-ah and means crafty trickery or sophistry.
Sophistry is a plausible but misleading or deceptive argument
containing fundamental errors in reasoning.
2) simplicity
The Greek is hap-lot-ace and it has some different variations in mean-
ing which might be summed up as "faithful benevolence out of proper
motivation". It's the opposite of deliberate deception. Some of its
variations are simplicity, purity, sincerity, faithfulness, plenitude,
manifest in helpfulness and giving assistance to others.
Now I'll try to summarize. When the serpent deceived Eve, he did so with
reasoning and arguments that sounded plausible, but were really meant to
divert her from obedience and loyalty to, and trust in God. The serpent
made it sound like he was offering something good to Eve when, in fact,
he was leading her to death.
Paul is afraid that the Corinthian believers may be led away from Yeshua
by those who offer reasonable sounding, but false teaching that is being
done, not to benefit the Corinthians, but because of ulterior motives
the false teachers have. The true message about the Messiah is a message
that is trustworthy and only (simply) for their benefit.
Leslie
PS. For me, the 'simplicity" of the gospel is summed up in these two
wonderful pieces of scripture:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten
Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal
life.
Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father
from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that
He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner person so
that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith, and that
you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend
the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love
of Messiah which surpasses all knowledge that you may be filled up
to all the fulness of God.
(these are from the NAS, I like the NIV & REB versions of the
Ephesians passage a little better, but don't have them with me)
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| This is a great topic. I am working with friends that are having
difficulty with the simplicity of the Gospel message of Christ. A
bible study of Colossians is a great start in this regard. In
Colossians, Paul deals with a church seeking a 'more complete' form of
Christianity. In their efforts to promote adherence to OT law and
custom as an additional requirement for salvation, they denegrate the
work of Christ, and the victory won on the cross.
Legalism destorys faith, since it places trust in the law, and diminishes
the glory due Christ for His work.
.2 suggests that the essence of being a Christian is loving one another
as we love ourselves. This commandment is certainly well founded in
scripture, since Christ indicated that this is the greatest commandment
of all. I would, however, describe the essence of Christianity in
terms of the gospel, and not the law.
I believe the essence of being a Christian is the joy over forgiveness
of sin. This joy comes from the living Word of God - Christ. The Word
judges me with the law, and then forgives me with the gospel.
As I have stated in other places in this conference, the only purpose
of the law is to accuse. It acts as a mirror to ours sins. We cannot
earn forgiveness by adherence to the law. Any God Pleasing work I do
cannot be construed as my adherence to the law, but is attributable ONLY
to the Holy Spirit working within me, since, according to Hebrews, without
faith I cannot please God.
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