But anyways, I will try your advice again. There are some nice people here to talk to.
...and I'm sorry about our war of words in the past, and for bringing it up a few minutes ago. My apologies
What contributors do not perceive is undeclared differences of theology.
Put simply some do not believe in the Lord changing us, or any value in morality and following Jesus.
Their position is just belief and salvation, and this belief is belief in the loosest sense. They would not
agree with Paul in
20 I preached that they should
repent and turn to God and
prove their repentance by their deeds.
Acts 26
Now it is a simple conclusion to realise Paul wants us to walk in purity, holiness, cleansed and made
blameless. To shine like stars, to be an example of God working in us.
7 For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.
1 Thess 4
5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God
Ephesians 5
11 Aim for perfection
2 Cor 13
Our problem is disbelief, which is part of conviction, part of beginning to walk with Jesus.
It is His work in our hearts that changes us. What we may become in Him is never limited, nor should
we limit it.
Sinless perfectionist exist everywhere, because it is easy to define oneself nicely and fail in reality.
The point Paul was making is this does not change our goal or its possibility.
And in all this language love is the key, the love that drove Jesus to the cross, the love that lives in
us through the Holy Spirit and inspires our worship.
But the enemy would want to discourage us, and say the hope in the cross is empty, the power of
God to transform is not great enough, and it is all attempting to change ourselves through our own
efforts. The truth is Jesus calls us to obey. And in obeying we change, because obeying causes us
to call to Him, to humble ourselves and see our hearts change, our focus shift and love come in.
I have seen this in my own life, too many times, and know He is Lord. But if we do not obey, we never
know the struggle and the transformation.
So I appeal simply to people, persevere, be patient, let the Lord change you, open you up, let your heart
express openly the power of God that reigns within, and show His work to others to bring hope to them.
My limitations have never defined Gods limitations. He took Saul and made him Paul, a light for the
whole body of Christ. But without a cleansed, purified heart, open and seeking the Lords ways all of this
will appear empty. But it is just sin talking and not the Lord. Have faith and believe and He will work.