How should Pastors deal with contemporary issues?

[U376977]

Originally Posted by tstew

I think sometimes we are afraid that instilling principles and relying on the Holy Ghost to convict and guide are not sufficient, and that we need to get in their and really help. The paradox is that if one is whole-heartedly trying to apply Bibloical principles while being led and convicted by the Holy Ghost, their life will probably reflect a higher standard of Holiness than we can legislate. Conversely, one can find a way to abide by the strictest legislation and be as unHoly and unChristlike as any unsaved person in the world.

You said it best. We will never help anyone if our message cannot connect with them. And I think a whole lot of our preaching does not help the sinner. We get so caught up our own religious rhetoric that I think a lot of times we lose site of how to communicate with the people. Speak to be heard and understood.

[RandyWayne]

Originally Posted by tstew

I think sometimes we are afraid that instilling principles and relying on the Holy Ghost to convict and guide are not sufficient, and that we need to get in their and really help. The paradox is that if one is whole-heartedly trying to apply Bibloical principles while being led and convicted by the Holy Ghost, their life will probably reflect a higher standard of Holiness than we can legislate. Conversely, one can find a way to abide by the strictest legislation and be as unHoly and unChristlike as any unsaved person in the world.

That is it in a nutshell.

Holiness based on legislation = loopholes galore! In fact, it invites people to look for them.

Holiness based on #1: Loving the Lord and #2: Loving your neighbor as yourself = NO loopholes. People won't even try to look for them -mainly because there are none.

[Pastor DTSalaz]

We often mistake holiness for legislation. I agree It is not

Holiness is separation. First as applied to God he is holy and separate from all creation. We call this transcendence as opposed to pantheism. The idea of holiness was symbolized throughout the Old Testament. Things used for the service of God were sanctified then declared Holy. People, land and objects Levites and temple articles. Now to be for the exclusive use of God and for his Temple.

We at baptism are declared Holy. All of Jesus Christ righteousness is imputed unto us, separated for the Lords use, now called a saint not a sinner

1Co 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Present your bodies. Flesh a living sacrifice. No longer led by the flesh but by the spirit (our spirit). Be not conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our Mind (spirit). How is our mind renewed by the Word (Spirit) of God. Day by day discovering the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. The flesh conforms to the world by appealing to its carnal desires. The spirit seeks to know Gods (Spirit) will and is transformed. How by changing our thought process. The Spirit (God) will speak to our spirit by what we've heard. Faith comes by hearing, hearing the Word

This then takes back to how do we instill principles. We do this like we do with our children. Teaching the law of the harvest. Sowing and reaping. Instilling honesty, integrity, love, etc. all Godly characteristics. Preparing to release them to make their own decisions. As infants and toddlers we control their environment and decisions then as young adults we have to let them go.

1 a: a comprehensive and fundamental law, doctrine, or assumption b (1): a rule or code of conduct (2): habitual devotion to right principles <a man of principle> c: the laws or facts of nature underlying the working of an artificial device

We all can conform to a set of rules and not be transformed. We cannot be transformed and not live by the direction of the Holy Ghost.

[RandyWayne]

Here is an oldie but goody that did not get near the attention it deserved!