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#Post#: 7412--------------------------------------------------
What race are we running
By: Brad Date: May 23, 2014, 9:26 pm
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I wanted everyone to think about the race we are to be running
in our serving the Lord. Is it a race of who has the most toys
in life? Is it a race of who is the most attractive, the most
talented, the most popular, having the most interest from others
in what they say? Is it a race of having the most power or
influence over others?
These things of course are the things the world desires and
races to win as many of them as possible. I see it as well in
the christian community quite often. Its the influence of the
world and yet many christians cant see this. I know someone
who wanted to create an online site to honor the Lord, so they
did, and said they were more interested in quality than quantity
and in providing a quiet place to reflect and share (I would ask
you dont assume I am talking about someone you know). Yet
when the site didnt have the traffic desired, they quit, despite
myself and a few others who wanted it to continue. I like
quiet. It doesnt bother me to have quietness in my life, it
lets me reflect more. This is just one of many examples, more
common is the desire for the finer things in life instead of
helping the poor with our excess.
Does anyone see these problems in the christian community like I
do? Racing after a prize that is perishable?
I know that this is a hard topic for many, so I understand if
you dont want to contribute. I am not out to ruffle feathers,
just wondering if I am the only one who see's this?
#Post#: 7414--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: meshak Date: May 24, 2014, 8:33 am
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c[quote author=Brad link=topic=736.msg7412#msg7412
date=1400898381]
Does anyone see these problems in the christian community like I
do? Racing after a prize that is perishable?
[/quote]
Racing after a prize is to me faithfulness to Jesus which is
striving to be godly like Jesus. I don't see much of the
problem about it in non-trin churches. It is clear to me that
they are striving be godly in their deeds.
just my two cents.
blessings.
#Post#: 7417--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Brad Date: May 24, 2014, 10:48 am
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Thanks for your reply meshak. My point though is... it
shouldnt be "a prize", it should be "the prize". Which then
brings up the question, what is "the prize".
#Post#: 7419--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Runner Date: May 24, 2014, 11:21 am
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Hi Brad...as you probably know if you read 'other sites' these
days much :) that "Running the race" has always been one of the
drums I beat. My user name on here was once and I have to use it
to sign in.."Runner". My avatar used to be a The Finish Line.
My beef often is, that Mr Average Christian ( in the old days we
would call them 'Pew Warmers') seems to have settled down to, "I
am safe, as I am now on my way to heaven" ...and they rest
there, on that.
And Yes, we can and DO rest our whole foundation on Him, there
is no other foundation!! Yet Paul never stopped pressing toward
the goal, the prize of the high calling of God. It often irks
people when this is mentioned. They do not want to be poked or
have it suggested that God want more from us than a 'thank You
for saving me.'
God wants fellowship, union, separation, sanctification and a
yearning for more of Himself...
The Prize is God Himself, always has been always will be.
My stand is Brad, we each have in our life today just as much of
God as we want!
And, when we get to glory we will also have just as much of God
as we had here. He measures us now...now is the testing time of
our life...what we put into our relationship with Him now...is
the measure of the relationship we will have later...and those
who are Mr Average Christian will be somewhat shocked when they
learn on That Day, 'where they are in heavens ranks, and where
they are not!'
As you say...so often " other things" seem to draw their
hearts...and that's fine, it's their choice...freewill, I have
always said...'we are each choosing today, where we will be
later'.
For some reason this seems to make some gnash their
teeth....and, in my book, they will be gnashing their teeth
later!
This may not be the response you are looking for ...maybe I have
taken the thread off track, if so ..quickly get it back on
track ;)
Blessings.....H
#Post#: 7420--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Mike Date: May 24, 2014, 2:08 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Brad link=topic=736.msg7412#msg7412
date=1400898381]
I know someone who wanted to create an online site to honor the
Lord, so they did, and said they were more interested in quality
than quantity and in providing a quiet place to reflect and
share (I would ask you dont assume I am talking about someone
you know). Yet when the site didnt have the traffic desired,
they quit, despite myself and a few others who wanted it to
continue.[/quote]
Has it ever entered your head that their reason for quitting
might have been different from your pronouncement?
#Post#: 7421--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Amadeus Date: May 24, 2014, 3:23 pm
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[quote]I wanted everyone to think about the race we are to be
running in our serving the Lord. Is it a race of who has the
most toys in life? Is it a race of who is the most attractive,
the most talented, the most popular, having the most interest
from others in what they say? Is it a race of having the most
power or influence over others?[/quote]
[font=courier]The race is certainly about enduring to the end.
We might say that that means not quitting but quitting for one
person may not be what is quitting is for another. I stopped
attending the Catholic Church many years ago. Some Catholics
today reading through my testimony would say what I did was
wrong, that I quit the Lord. Remember that it was God who had a
man of God anoint Jeroboam to be the 1st king of the northern
10 tribes to called "Israel". God in effect mandated the
separation into two natural kingdoms. Jeroboam went further
without the Lord's anointing when he had two golden calves made
for the people give credit for bringing them out of Egypt.
Jeroboam also went further without the Lord's anointing when he
appointed people other than the children of Aaron and Levi as
priests. Despite his meddling not every northern natural child
of Israel left the way of God. [/font]
[quote]These things of course are the things the world desires
and races to win as many of them as possible. I see it as well
in the christian community quite often. Its the influence of
the world and yet many christians cant see this. I know
someone who wanted to create an online site to honor the Lord,
so they did, and said they were more interested in quality than
quantity and in providing a quiet place to reflect and share (I
would ask you dont assume I am talking about someone you know).
Yet when the site didnt have the traffic desired, they quit,
despite myself and a few others who wanted it to
continue.[/quote]
[font=courier]All of us who have not yet overcome everything
standing between us and God probably often to see or understand
many things. As a result sometimes, we walk along a pathway that
is not precisely where God wants us. While this is not perhaps
the best way, it doesn't necessarily spell out doom us. The
scripture does speak of God winking at the ignorance of men.
When and if this happens only God can say for sure. A person
should not knowingly move forward presuming that because God has
forgiven him before He will do it this time as well.
On the other hand, what person is always in a position to know
that God is not going to overlook or forgive the error of
another person?[/font]
[quote] I like quiet. It doesnt bother me to have quietness in
my life, it lets me reflect more. This is just one of many
examples, more common is the desire for the finer things in life
instead of helping the poor with our excess.
Does anyone see these problems in the christian community like I
do? Racing after a prize that is perishable?
I know that this is a hard topic for many, so I understand if
you dont want to contribute. I am not out to ruffle feathers,
just wondering if I am the only one who see's this?[/quote]
[font=courier]The prize that too many seek within supposedly
Christian churches or forums is probably perishable. How badly a
person doing that is likely to suffer due seeking that wrong
prize or misunderstanding what is the most important thing
depends probably on where that person is in his walk with God.
Again, who is always qualified to judge such an individual case
against a person? God alone!
We may sometimes be able to determine that a person is wrong,
but who among us can tell where the person in question is in
every respect so as to make a final judgment?[/font]
#Post#: 7422--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Mike Date: May 24, 2014, 3:51 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Amadeus link=topic=736.msg7421#msg7421
date=1400963029]
[font=courier]
[font=courier][size=14pt]The prize that too many seek within
supposedly Christian churches or forums is probably perishable.
How badly a person doing that is likely to suffer due seeking
that wrong prize or misunderstanding what is the most important
thing depends probably on where that person is in his walk with
God. Again, who is always qualified to judge such an individual
case against a person? God alone!
We may sometimes be able to determine that a person is wrong,
but who among us can tell where the person in question is in
every respect so as to make a final judgment?[/font]
[/quote]
Yes indeed.
Knowing that God alone sees clearly into a person's heart and
knows the true motives behind what that person says, thinks, or
does, is a two edged sword.
Sometimes, when I think of other people, it fills me with
comfort.
Other times, when I think of myself, it fills me with fear and
caution.
#Post#: 7427--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: meshak Date: May 24, 2014, 8:07 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Brad link=topic=736.msg7417#msg7417
date=1400946539]
Thanks for your reply meshak. My point though is... it
shouldnt be "a prize", it should be "the prize". Which then
brings up the question, what is "the prize".
[/quote]
salvation.
#Post#: 7430--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Runner Date: May 24, 2014, 10:17 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote]Quote from: Brad on Today at 09:48:59 am
Thanks for your reply meshak. My point though is... it
shouldnt be "a prize", it should be "the prize". Which then
brings up the question, what is "the prize".
[/quote]
[quote]quote from Meshak Salvation.[/quote]
I don't see that as the Prize, it cannot be, as salvation is a
settled issue for the Christian.
I think the race is Faith..Paul said 2 Timothy 4.7" I have
fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the
faith
And the Prize is running into God arms at the end of the race of
life.
God must be the Prize...if that is not so...then I will sit the
Race out..it ain't worth this fight of faith!! LOL :D
#Post#: 7431--------------------------------------------------
Re: What race are we running
By: Brad Date: May 24, 2014, 10:26 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
[quote author=Helen link=topic=736.msg7419#msg7419
date=1400948472]
Hi Brad...as you probably know if you read 'other sites' these
days much :) that "Running the race" has always been one of the
drums I beat. My user name on here was once and I have to use it
to sign in.."Runner". My avatar used to be a The Finish Line.
My beef often is, that Mr Average Christian ( in the old days we
would call them 'Pew Warmers') seems to have settled down to, "I
am safe, as I am now on my way to heaven" ...and they rest
there, on that.
And Yes, we can and DO rest our whole foundation on Him, there
is no other foundation!! Yet Paul never stopped pressing toward
the goal, the prize of the high calling of God. It often irks
people when this is mentioned. They do not want to be poked or
have it suggested that God want more from us than a 'thank You
for saving me.'
God wants fellowship, union, separation, sanctification and a
yearning for more of Himself...
The Prize is God Himself, always has been always will be.
My stand is Brad, we each have in our life today just as much of
God as we want!
And, when we get to glory we will also have just as much of God
as we had here. He measures us now...now is the testing time of
our life...what we put into our relationship with Him now...is
the measure of the relationship we will have later...and those
who are Mr Average Christian will be somewhat shocked when they
learn on That Day, 'where they are in heavens ranks, and where
they are not!'
As you say...so often " other things" seem to draw their
hearts...and that's fine, it's their choice...freewill, I have
always said...'we are each choosing today, where we will be
later'.
For some reason this seems to make some gnash their
teeth....and, in my book, they will be gnashing their teeth
later!
This may not be the response you are looking for ...maybe I have
taken the thread off track, if so ..quickly get it back on
track ;)
Blessings.....H
[/quote]
I look only for others opinions, whats on their minds about this
subject which you speak of! I am happy that you saw my post
in the light of what I was saying. Christ is indeed the
foundation, and our foundation in Christ is solid and unmovable,
yet the point is not to build a foundation and do nothing else
or shoddy workmanship on the rest. If Christ indeed is our
foundation, should not the rest of our lives be built to the
best of our ability to adorn that Rock, our foundation, our
Beautiful savior. Do we not intend to build a serviceable
structure atop a foundation? How many times must we tear it
all down and start fresh again on that foundation? How foolish
are we when we put holes in the roof and proclaim there are none
there to save embarrassment, and then refuse to repair them for
fear we shall be found out as foolish?
As to "the" prize, I would not call it heaven, or the crown per
say. The prize to me is simply becoming more like Christ. As
long as we truly do this, and I mean truly.... not just with
works, although those should come as well, our internals should
become more like Christ. The prize, the race, to me is being
Like Christ enough that people see Christ in me. And it
shouldn't stop there, I should continually question my motives
for the things I do, and not refuse to listen to the rebuke of
those who love me.
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