Hi GT, ....
we're gonna nip this in the bud now,
See my former posts and read more carefully. I was not in any way, shape or form being 'passive aggressive' (funny meshak I think recently accused me of such or something similar...hmmmmm, interesting), and what I was sharing was CERTAINLY in the interest of and by the inspiration of love,
for love's sake. It was sharing a universal law, suggesting that we focus on living by Love's guidance (the Spirit)
instead of getting carried away with 'arguing' (excessively) over little points of doctrine (differences of opinion). Follow? Its a good thing.
I already know you know what the scriptures teach, so it was by no means meant to question your knowledge or TEACH you something new. I'd think you'd rejoice in that truth, but maybe your religious 'pride' got pricked in my sharing of that and you took it 'personally'? Let us do some soul searching.
Perhaps looking back over your 'back n forth' volleying with RP...you might see a trend of bickering over little points which does become rather tedious and verging on 'annoying' (and condescending) by we readers and posters who are following along here, and DO REMEMBER the thread-subject, so as to avoid too much clutter with volleying back and forth on non-essentials. The sharing of LOVE as the law, and being God's nature, is fundamental, if not primary to our relationship with others. When the 'tone' and 'spirit' (also accusations, name-calling, and the like) get condescending I don't think that's the Holy Spirit behind it. In fact, as I said,...when we act contrary to love,
the Spirit is grieved. The Holy Spirit then would have rejoiced in what I shared in reminding us about LOVE, not get offended.
I know we've probably exhausted the shortcomings and imperfections of Calvinism (here and in other threads),...but that is the subject here, so you can creatively stretch it out, if you like.
First of all GT,...you are going back to your own preconceived and preferred theological pre-texts here, when I have not even brought up anything on 'obedience' in this thread recently, and in fact in some of my latest commentaries have heralded and professed with strong words the importance of
obedience to God's will, his voice, his way, etc. See
here (also blogged it).
Note as well, YOU brought the first accusation/judgment in response to my initial post -
freelight wrote:
"You guys are arguing apples and oranges - live the law of love, and you will fulfill all laws. God is love. " (note here it is simply an instruction to fulfill God's law, hardly a negative or passive aggressive suggestion, I'm sharing the teaching of Jesus himself, and John, encouraging to love).
~*~*~
GT responded:
"
You do not obey God, so you do not have sincere and pure love from God. "
Now look how personal, judgmental and condescending you are
by your words above. I just called them out, and critiqued them in a right and constructive manner, for one's good. And in light of all the prolific and exemplary commentary I've done on 'obeying God'
, I'm told I do not obey God, or have no sincere or pure love from God. WOW. And yes...the 'wow' here is merited. Now I can only imagine if I or anyone told YOU....you do not OBEY God, and have NO sincere or pure love from God. Imagine the rebuttal! - just saying and being a mirror for you.
But as I shared, I choose to NIP this in the BUD, here and now. In light of our former dialogue, which any and all can READ for themselves in the previous page(s),
if I offended you in any way or hurt you,...even if by mistake or misperception I ask you to forgive me. A correct reading however of our former exchange shows no ill will or judgment by my intention. While your response to me, was MUCH MORE judgmental and condescending,
I've already forgiven you for that. I AM a free man
- I've made my peace here, and await your response, in the Spirit (assuming you will respond by the Spirit). And we can move onto discussing the thread-subject, or carry on elsewhere, God willing
Thank You
