Romans 8
Usually this passage is quoted for verse 28... "and we know that God causes all things to work together..." I understand and like this verse too. However, the early part of the chapter deals with two ideas: the flesh and the Spirit. Verse 5: For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Verse 7 : For the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
So... it seems like there are 2 ways of living: according the flesh or according to the Spirit.
God's way and man's way. As I read this the other day, it struck me: " there's not a third option." This was an interesting discovery and came home to me like it had not in years. Why do we live as if there is a third option ? We don't want to say we live according to the flesh, but to live according to the Spirit has huge implications for our time, money, resources, leisure activities,etc. It seems to me that most of live ( practically) in some sort of bizarre third option. We say we live according to the Spirit, but enjoy living according to the flesh. Even though a third option is not presented, we sort of live in it hoping that no one really asks the question or investigates further. What does it mean to have a mind set on the Spirit ?
Are you trying to force a third option ?
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Sabbath wars continued
Lately I have been thinking through Mark 2:27 The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. After reading and hearing people discuss this issue... these thoughts have emerged.
It seems like when it comes to the Sabbath we have 4 options:
1. Seventh day sabbath keeping : This is what the Seventh Day adventists have chosen. They keep the literal sabbath on Saturday in accord with Exodus 20:8.
2. Lord's day sabbath keeping: This is a transfer of the theology of sabbath keeping to a new day ... Sunday. These people keep the sabbath but on a different day.
3. Lord's day observance: Based on Acts 20:7 , I Cor. 16, and Revelation 1 it seems like the NT believers begin to observe Sunday as a day to focus on Christ. After the book of Acts there is not much textual basis to keep a Saturday sabbath.
4. Lord's day non observance: This obliterates the uniqueness of Sunday and makes it day to do your own pleasure and basically neglect to worship God.
It seems like # 3 is the most Biblical option we have. Obviously there is much debate over this issue and the journey is not over. The question still remains: Is God sovereign over your time ? Is He sovereign over your work ? Is He sovereign over your schedule ? Will you take one day in seven to rest in Christ alone ?
It seems like when it comes to the Sabbath we have 4 options:
1. Seventh day sabbath keeping : This is what the Seventh Day adventists have chosen. They keep the literal sabbath on Saturday in accord with Exodus 20:8.
2. Lord's day sabbath keeping: This is a transfer of the theology of sabbath keeping to a new day ... Sunday. These people keep the sabbath but on a different day.
3. Lord's day observance: Based on Acts 20:7 , I Cor. 16, and Revelation 1 it seems like the NT believers begin to observe Sunday as a day to focus on Christ. After the book of Acts there is not much textual basis to keep a Saturday sabbath.
4. Lord's day non observance: This obliterates the uniqueness of Sunday and makes it day to do your own pleasure and basically neglect to worship God.
It seems like # 3 is the most Biblical option we have. Obviously there is much debate over this issue and the journey is not over. The question still remains: Is God sovereign over your time ? Is He sovereign over your work ? Is He sovereign over your schedule ? Will you take one day in seven to rest in Christ alone ?
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