tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383507675225996666.post7055943967288336115..comments2020-10-05T11:20:29.309-04:00Comments on Sundry Verities: In Spite of, Not Because ofjfillehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17196329082003121004noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3383507675225996666.post-46723742323417102112008-09-21T21:41:00.000-04:002008-09-21T21:41:00.000-04:00HI. I think the confusion comes with the way God's...HI. <BR/><BR/>I think the confusion comes with the way God's instructions for us interacts with his grace when we don't carry out his instructions. Jesus instructs us to be perfect "as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48). I think that while Jesus instructs us to be perfect, God's grace is present in our imperfections, and can work despite our imperfections. But God's grace shouldn't be a reason for us not to strive to be perfect as God is perfect. James (or Jude?) talks about doubting as something that tosses you back and forth, and so he discourages doubting. The way I'd apply that is, we ought to try to clear our minds of doubt by searching the truth and seeking God, but God is patient with us. But his patience shouldn't justfy one's doubting. While the attorney overlooked the truth that God can work wonders (and he does work wonders) through people who aren't fully led by the Spirit, her claim that we must be filled with the spirit may be a sort of hyperbolic pleading for us to do so. I hope what I said wasn't too unclear. =)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com