tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19219922.post2837339475195784222..comments2024-03-03T21:51:46.662-05:00Comments on stylos: The Vision (3.20.14): “The Works of the Flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21): Paul’s Spiritual PathologyJeffrey T. Riddlehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16374856944409335186noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19219922.post-21630332492760404612014-03-28T18:59:45.589-04:002014-03-28T18:59:45.589-04:00Pastor Jeff,
Thanks for the response. After I was...Pastor Jeff,<br /><br />Thanks for the response. After I was saved I had the same thought about crosses, but any suggestion I made was generally met with incredulity and a certain amount of chastisement - with one exception, that of my Godfather who thought the same way I did. I think that the more experienced and learned a person is, the more they'll tend to agree with you.<br /><br />I hadn't thought about perfectionism in quite that way before. I always accepted that I would never be perfect, that any work I did would likewise not be perfect, but that the Lord loved me anyway and would enjoy any righteous and imperfect work. That's a nice point you make, Pastor Jeff.<br /><br />Thanks for your answer.<br /><br />Mad JackMad Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06190137186843630543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19219922.post-38728499288043054192014-03-21T15:40:17.820-04:002014-03-21T15:40:17.820-04:00MJ,
Thanks for reading and commenting.
Question ...MJ,<br /><br />Thanks for reading and commenting.<br /><br />Question One: Are crosses idols? When I preached this message I actually made some extemporaneous observations on literal idolatry (bowing down to images) versus spiritual idolatry (making something or someone "god" in place of God). As for crosses in churches, I had never thought of this until a few years ago. I now believe a Reformed worship space is better off without them but understand not all would hold this conviction.<br /><br />On works righteousness and perfectionism: My point here was that folk who adopt works righteousness or who believe they can attain absolute perfection in this life, do not take seriously enough he reality of remaining sin (the flesh) as it exists even in the life of the believer. If they understood this they would not think they can be justified by their perfect law keeping.<br /><br />JTR Jeffrey T. Riddlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16374856944409335186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19219922.post-79649680975569224412014-03-21T09:55:10.615-04:002014-03-21T09:55:10.615-04:00Hey Pastor Jeff!
Thank you for writing this missi...Hey Pastor Jeff!<br /><br />Thank you for writing this missive; it has helped me greatly.<br /><br />I have a question or two. I note that idolatry is listed as a sin, and at the same time I see the cross (often three crosses) conspicuously displayed at church buildings. I don't worship the cross, but I'd like to know how this fits in with idolatry. Is idolatry in the eye of the beholder? If so, is that true of other things as well?<br /><br />Another question: You wrote that <i>First, to fail to acknowledge the flesh leads to the soul destroying errors of works righteousness and perfectionism (see 5:1).</i> Okay, failure to acknowledge the flesh leads to soul destroying errors. I can understand this part, but the rest is lost on me. Would you please point me to a little enlightenment?<br /><br />Thanks again for maintaining your blog and posting. You've helped me on more than one occasion. <br /> Mad Jackhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06190137186843630543noreply@blogger.com