Gospel Centered Sex [message #10316] |
Fri, 15 November 2013 21:40 |
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william Messages: 1460 Registered: January 2006 |
Senior Member Administrator |
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Okay, now that I've grabbed your attention...<grin>
Someone sent me this link and while it does deal with the issue of sex and marriage the reason that prompted me to post it here was another aspect of the subject matter, one that most of us have grappled with over the years. Hope you all will appreciate it as much as I did!
http://www.marcipreheim.com/2013/11/14/gospel-centered-sex/
Blessings,
William
I want to believe!
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Re: Gospel Centered Sex [message #10319 is a reply to message #10316] |
Sat, 16 November 2013 18:13 |
james Messages: 2138 Registered: April 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL |
Senior Member |
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"The gospel dives down deeper than duty. It changes desires. It seems Christians are afraid to motivate each other with the gospel. Perhaps we're afraid that if we remind fellow believers that they don't have to do anything to earn God's favor, they won't do anything. Just the opposite is true."
I can't comment a lot on the subject matter concerning marriage, I don't have the experience or qualifications...but I do see the truth in what she (did I say she?) is sharing. I've observed it in relationships and probably had the same problems myself(maybe that's why I'm no longer married...grin. At least I can smile about it)
But concerning the motivation of the heart she's speaking of; works/legalism/law verses grace/mercy/love and the difference; I am beginning to understand. Doing, obeying, and showing love from a heart of graditude rather than duty because of what has been freely given to us is the crux of The Gospel. Being set free from having to(the law), frees us, and that freedom works within us a desire to serve Him and others (spouses) out of graditude.
Like I said, this isn't so much experience as it is observation, but can you imagine if those within our circle had received this 35 years ago, would some lives be different today? Would there be a bunch of marriages still intact? But truth be told, very few, if any, would have received it because a woman was sharing it.
As time goes by I believe I can see why 'things haven't worked out' spiritually as many were expecting(greater works/overcomers...ect); hearts not right before God, trusting in our own righteousness rather than the Righteousness of Christ; looking to 'our' faith, rather than understanding Love and Grace...So afraid to say much about grace, fearing, as the woman said, that it would lead to people abusing God's mercy and grace.
I don't know anyones heart but mine own(and it fools me at times), but I've spent far too many years of my life with the wrong understanding of God's love and grace...That He's opening my eyes now just shows the extent of His Grace.
Blows me away! Thank You Father, thank You Jesus, thank You Holy Spirit...Thank YOU!
“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us,”
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Re: Gospel Centered Sex [message #10325 is a reply to message #10319] |
Sun, 17 November 2013 06:09 |
Marilyn Crow Messages: 598 Registered: September 2013 Location: Australia |
Senior Member |
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Hi James,
Thank you for sharing it helps me to understand what you all are going through. In some ways I can understand, for legalism was in all the denominations. I was brought up to not wear make up, ear rings, jeans etc & especially not buying anything on a Sunday. We would stand on a street corner in the city of Melbourne singing our songs & speaking forth testimonies of God`s grace & see the people going by with yummy ice-creams. (I was a teenager) But still it was a precious time in the Lord for the depth of sincerity & commitment to the Lord. And I thank God for the truths shared & am also working through what was of man.
Marilyn C
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