Re: [asa] Opposing Anti-Evolution

In a message dated 7/17/2006 2:15:53 PM Eastern Standard Time,
craig@chem.wisc.edu writes:
Based on the Bible, I think "the return from the fall" is accepting the
gift of grace earned for us by Jesus (in his life and on the cross) as
George emphasizes. But as you say, "knowledge of the laws of God" is
useful so we can "do the will of God." But WANTING to do God's will (when
this isn't "what we instinctively want" in our sinful hearts) is usually
the challenge, the reason we sometimes fail.

Craig
Craig,

You have not returned from the fall if you "want" for something. Once you
desire for your self, your self is your focus and God is gone.

That's what Jesus is telling you in John:

"This is the wisdom of Jesus, who explains in John 14:10, "it is the Father,
living in me, who is doing his work." "

It is not Jesus' "self" doing God's work. Jesus has gotten his self out of
the way (he's filled with the holy (wholly!) spirit) so that God lives in him.
Don't "want" for anything.

Religion consists of a discipline (the self sacrifice) and an ethic (for
example, the decalogue). You discipline yourself to the ethic. That is redemption.

If you "want" to discipline yourself to the ethic, but haven't actually done
so, you are not redeemed. I agree with you that we sometimes fail.

rich faussette

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Received on Mon Jul 17 17:45:10 2006