tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post113190097435564549..comments2024-03-24T23:41:23.944-07:00Comments on Talk Wisdom: Because of His RighteousnessChristinewjchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1132069146827945782005-11-15T07:39:00.000-08:002005-11-15T07:39:00.000-08:00And here is a perfect example of prideful self-rig...And here is a perfect example of prideful self-righteous atheism!<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.frc.org/index.cfm?f=WU05K10&t=e&t=e" REL="nofollow">In Newdow We Trust?</A><BR/><BR/>Excerpt from article:<BR/><BR/>"California's atheist avenger, Michael Newdow, is at it again. He has announced plans to sue the U.S. Treasury Department. This time his target is right there - on the money. Newdow, whose suit against "Under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance made it all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, is suing this time to get rid of "In God We Trust."<BR/><BR/>"It's not the history that counts," says Newdow. "It's not the patriotism," he continues, "What it is is these people want to get their religious views in the government." These people, my friends, are you and me and the vast majority of our fellow Americans."<BR/><BR/>Sheesh...this guy is a real pain in the...you know where!Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1132068733729081382005-11-15T07:32:00.000-08:002005-11-15T07:32:00.000-08:00Hi Susan,I've had a busy weekend which extended in...Hi Susan,<BR/><BR/>I've had a busy weekend which extended into Monday. Now, I have my Bible study this morning and I need to arrive there early. But it's all good. I will have more time later today to put up a new post.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for what you added here.<BR/><BR/>The fact is that pride may cover shame for a while, but in the end, if we do not submit to the Lord, the pride of self often prevents the very things that are needed; namely humility and surrender to the One who can save us.<BR/><BR/>Notice that the term "pride" isn't in the list of "Fruits of the Spirit." Of course there is room for the appropriate kind of pride in life, but when it is used to go against the righteousness of God and replaces His influence and guidance in our lives, that is when it becomes a danger. <BR/><BR/>Such an attitude starts out as deciding to do "what is right in their own eyes." Then, it can turn into an attitude of thinking God isn't needed in the person's life. Then, it eliminates any thought for the need for Him in the person's life. Then, it progresses into a rejection of Him in one's life. And, when a heart is turned to stone towards the need for God, it prevents the person from finding Him and walking with Him in this life.<BR/><BR/>Susan stated: "Wisdom and humility go together as do pride and self-righteousness."<BR/><BR/>Well said! When we are made aware of Christ's sacrifice for our sins, we can be nothing else but humble for His gift. It is then that the wisdom of the indwelling Holy Spirit can work in our lives. <BR/><BR/>On the other hand, pride of self often makes people think that the cross is "foolishness" and a "myth" and any other negative adjective you could think of.<BR/><BR/>I've probably heard most of the excuses and objections from skeptics. But the most common excuse that I have seen in most skeptics is the firm belief that they don't need a Savior and they certainly wouldn't want to submit to the God of the Bible. <BR/><BR/>When you think about it, this is a type of self-righteousness; the idea that they don't need God and can navigate through life on their own. The refusal to admit their sin, (or admit that they have no cure for it on their own), and the refusal to acknowledge their need to confess and repent of sin is anathema to them. <BR/><BR/>Of course, the other type of self-righteousness is the kind that was demonstrated by the Pharisees. We do not want to become legalistic and miss the point of grace and mercy in the Gospel message. <BR/><BR/>However, it must be mentioned that there are churches today who unfortunately preach the "happiness only" gospel. They do not stress the importance that man has broken the Laws of God and need to confess and repent of their sin before Christ can be invited into their hearts in the form of the Holy Spirit. <BR/><BR/>In previous posts, I have shared the verses where Paul uses the term "God forbid" when faced with the question that people who claim to be saved could be allowed to willfully continue in sin. Often this attitude happens either because they don't want to acknowledge a particular sin or they feel that they aren't willing to give it all up to the Lord...it's too powerful in their lives. <BR/><BR/>There is a huge difference between a sin committed through backsliding and one that is continually and willfully done in a prideful and unrepentant way.<BR/><BR/>I haven't had time to look for the book I mentioned in the blogpost. But when I do, I can share how it demonstrates what a great gift salvation is for the believer. It also shows who we are in Christ; not for prideful purposes, but to help us understand that no matter what the world may want to negatively say about Christians, we can hold fast to His righteousness within our lives and not be influenced by what the world uses to label us. This is how we can stand firm in this fallen and sin-filled evil world.<BR/><BR/>Jesus said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments." The world who doesn't know Jesus will not desire to keep His commandments. It is evident that they love the world more than God. When people of the world don't accept what we share, we are to "shake the dust off our sandals" and go on to those who are willing to hear the message.<BR/><BR/>He who has ears, let him hear. <BR/><BR/>We can only share, the Lord does the saving. We can plant the seeds of salvation. We can pray for the salvation of others and share the gospel with them. The rest is between the person's own soul and God.Christinewjchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18434229284833642438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12391603.post-1131945466581080802005-11-13T21:17:00.000-08:002005-11-13T21:17:00.000-08:00This is a beautiful and positive post, Christine. ...This is a beautiful and positive post, Christine. Thank you for sharing. <BR/><BR/>Recently, the question of why we ever feel shame came to my mind. The answer is in God's Word. "When pride comes, then comes shame (see PRO 11:2, NKJV). Self-righteousness always causes pride to rise up in my life and pride always causes self-righteousness to show its ugly face. The verse continues to tell us "with humility is wisdom."<BR/><BR/>My mentor is the wisest friend I have and she is the most humble person I know. Wisdom and humility go together as do pride and self-righteousness.<BR/><BR/>Love from the Holy Land. (ss)Susan Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01290399161065548291noreply@blogger.com