I don't think this result is too surprising since people are generally prone to lying.
The really disturbing stuff comes out when one looks inside the visible professing church. It looks an awful lot like the world.
This is only anecdotal, but I'd venture to assert than many of us "in the church" have witnessed [and even been guilty of] on the one hand jockeying for position, titles, recognition; while on the other hand avoiding the "dirty work" of dealing with undesirable, obscure, or unpopular forms of ministry; and being too often infrequent and non-fervant in prayer, evangelism, discipleship and the selfless giving of one's time and temporal resources.
I think it's interesting that the article focused on works/performance based activities, however. Obviously they can't accurately measure "faith", so they're looking to see the professions of faith being worked out in real life. Isn't it interesting that James suggested the same evidence [fruit] would be present in the life of a true disciple of Christ?
That's all the world can see, which is probably among the reasons many denominational churches became so enamored with the "social gospel".
The world really likes Christianity-lite when it's giving out meals, and caring for the downtrodden, but not so much when it's preaching repentance of sin and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Why is there so often an imbalance? Why is it so rare to see both prongs employed Biblically?
“Why is there so often an imbalance? Why is it so rare to see both prongs employed Biblically?
Just wondering out loud here”
May I offer some comments as a pastor, having 20 + years now in the ministry and hoping by the grace of God, Lord willing, to serve for many days to come.
Yesterday, I attended a funeral of a member of another church, who I only knew as a mean, vindictive, hard hearted person. Yet, she was extolled as a saint for all her hard work and community involvement.
Her faith merited a two line mention at the end. Please note the distinction I am making because it was made deliberately throughout the service.
Her works were not a part of her faith. As is the case for many who I have observed in my years in the ministry. So, was she someone who had a false faith or a permanently immature faith – I Corinthians 3 comes to mind here.
So why are both prongs not employed enough? I think they are and they are not. The many who give a bad name to Christian faith obviously do not live a proper rounded life in both sides of the gospel. Yet there is little discipleship and discipline in many churches so we do not call people to account for their failures.
And yet there are many who do employ both prongs of the Gospel of the message we are to bring to the world. Of being a witness, Acts 1:8, a reasoned defense of the faith. II Corinthians 5:11ff, as ambassadors for God, pleading with people to be reconciled to God. Ephesians 2:8-10, and doing the good works that God prepared in advance for us to do.
Instead we extoll them as saints at their funeral services.
I don't think this result is too surprising since people are generally prone to lying.
ReplyDeleteThe really disturbing stuff comes out when one looks inside the visible professing church. It looks an awful lot like the world.
This is only anecdotal, but I'd venture to assert than many of us "in the church" have witnessed [and even been guilty of] on the one hand jockeying for position, titles, recognition; while on the other hand avoiding the "dirty work" of dealing with undesirable, obscure, or unpopular forms of ministry; and being too often infrequent and non-fervant in prayer, evangelism, discipleship and the selfless giving of one's time and temporal resources.
I think it's interesting that the article focused on works/performance based activities, however. Obviously they can't accurately measure "faith", so they're looking to see the professions of faith being worked out in real life. Isn't it interesting that James suggested the same evidence [fruit] would be present in the life of a true disciple of Christ?
That's all the world can see, which is probably among the reasons many denominational churches became so enamored with the "social gospel".
The world really likes Christianity-lite when it's giving out meals, and caring for the downtrodden, but not so much when it's preaching repentance of sin and salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Why is there so often an imbalance? Why is it so rare to see both prongs employed Biblically?
Just wondering out loud here.
In Him,
CD
Coram Deo wrote:
ReplyDelete“Why is there so often an imbalance? Why is it so rare to see both prongs employed Biblically?
Just wondering out loud here”
May I offer some comments as a pastor, having 20 + years now in the ministry and hoping by the grace of God, Lord willing, to serve for many days to come.
Yesterday, I attended a funeral of a member of another church, who I only knew as a mean, vindictive, hard hearted person. Yet, she was extolled as a saint for all her hard work and community involvement.
Her faith merited a two line mention at the end. Please note the distinction I am making because it was made deliberately throughout the service.
Her works were not a part of her faith. As is the case for many who I have observed in my years in the ministry. So, was she someone who had a false faith or a permanently immature faith – I Corinthians 3 comes to mind here.
So why are both prongs not employed enough? I think they are and they are not. The many who give a bad name to Christian faith obviously do not live a proper rounded life in both sides of the gospel. Yet there is little discipleship and discipline in many churches so we do not call people to account for their failures.
And yet there are many who do employ both prongs of the Gospel of the message we are to bring to the world. Of being a witness, Acts 1:8, a reasoned defense of the faith. II Corinthians 5:11ff, as ambassadors for God, pleading with people to be reconciled to God. Ephesians 2:8-10, and doing the good works that God prepared in advance for us to do.
Instead we extoll them as saints at their funeral services.