tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091798672967924817.post4984769916576602768..comments2023-07-01T03:06:16.639+03:00Comments on Running the race....: Well,thats not what I wanted to hear!Jenniferhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06979626874587528654noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091798672967924817.post-10005357674568032352015-02-23T06:47:31.301+03:002015-02-23T06:47:31.301+03:00I find this kind of thinking to be very common in ...I find this kind of thinking to be very common in Uganda. Perhaps in all denominations. Many PAG Christians (though not official doctrine), have this kind of thinking which surprised me. I've ended up preaching on this theme about 50% of the time because it's so important. So many people fear death, not sure if they've been good enough. So many people think they have lost their salvation if they forgot to repent of one sin. So many people have a very narrow view of sin that it's just certain things, no thinking about the sins of pride, lust, fear, lack of trust, worry, not loving God perfectly, not loving others perfectly. So they end up thinking the saved people are basically sinless, and others are sinners.<br /><br />I think we have to be careful to come at this issue in a gentle way. I don't necessarily think the people are not saved. They are just confused from lack of good teaching. But they still trust in Christ. In fact, most Christians in the US are in the same boat, but maybe not to such an extreme degree. Every Christian that I've met, including myself, struggles with works righteousness, adding that on top of trusting in Christ. I have trouble thinking that they are all not truly saved because of that. They have trusted in Jesus as their Savior, so that they have forgiveness and their punishment taken away. But they are confused as to how righteousness works. It's also partly our sinful nature. It's hard to accept free grace. We have trusted in Christ, but we want to add to it, to add our righteousness to his. It's a temptation we all struggle with and all have to continually fight against whether in US or Uganda. That's why Christians need the Gospel preached to them every week wherever we are, to constantly be reminded that it's not up to us and our righteousness, but up to Jesus.<br /><br />Keep preaching the good news of the Gospel! The truth can spread if we keep proclaiming itAnthonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07500317366078942484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3091798672967924817.post-5577887097995099482015-02-23T05:57:50.332+03:002015-02-23T05:57:50.332+03:00Jennifer, praying for you and your team. the conc...Jennifer, praying for you and your team. the concept of our fallen nature and christ's gift to us is so simple, but counter cultural (in all cultures).<br /><br />jeffJeff Chamberlain M.D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15906867221484048924noreply@blogger.com