Riley's World

Hi!

Just so that you are clear, I have no intention of starting a debate or arguing over this matter, as I don't think we disagree about what is important -- that every Christian be getting the Word of God in them.

That said, the reason that I commentted on the last post, and am re-commentting, is that I want no Christian to be a slave to rules, however wise or righteous in appearance. I think the whole of Colossians 2 is clear that Christians are not to enslave themselves to rules, but to Christ. I think that mandating Bibles and papers be brought to a "leaders' meeting" could be a rule similar to the ones Paul wrote about. So, for your sake and that of everyone else reading, I felt it necessary to speak up.

I hope it was beneficial.

I see what you are saying, and sure a debate on this topic may not be the wisest in this format, but I don't see how you could possible call it a 'rule' as specified. I don't understand.

But rather, it's an appropiateness in a context, as the illustration I provided for picking one's nose or going bear foot in public.

If you could help me understand, it would be appreciated.

-MTR

I agree with the need to be organized and prepared, but I (like Tony, I think?) wonder when the attitudes of leaders can be too legalistic concerning others.

I'm not refering specifically to your comments on organization only, but as a whole we as leaders need to call people to a higher spiritual calling as well.

I'm no theologian, but I cannot recall the apositle Paul using a Day-Timer®. In the arena of all the things which may be holding back our spiritual fruit, I doubt organization is one of them. Perhaps the heart behind a LACK of organization is?

... what's wrong with going barefoot in public?

-=Russ=-

I think this is a good conversation to have. We must guard against legalism (phariseeism...), but also desire to be excellent. Dan I think you pose a good possibility, the heart behind a LACK of organization APPEEARS to be a lack of drive and seriousness. We have to be extremely careful to not judge someone's heart though...

Instead, we should apply this conversation to ourselves and ask the HARDER question: how am I doing with this area?

It's an easy thing to point a finger, its a harder thing to look in a mirror.

Michael, I'm sorry to not have responded sooner.

I think that Dan and Matt have fleshed out the discussion further, and help me to explain my comment. They have explained that there are two ways that one could read your post, one way is an exhortation to be prepared (which I believe was your intent), the second way is as chiding of behavior.

The second way of reading (which is how I first read your post) often leads to legalistic thinking. The problem is that in legalistic thinking, the rules replace Christ as our leader. My comment was an attempt to battle this second way of reading the post.

I whole-heartedly agree with you and anyone who says that we should examine our own preparedness for battle (as God and life continually show me my shortcomings).

I hope that clarifies what I was thinking.

Ahh... I see. :) Thanks Dan, Matt and Tony for the insight. I didn't intend to have it read as a legalistic post but rather, as you put it Matt, to ask ourselves the hard questions. I was, in no intention, passing judgement, but rather, wishing to ask the tough questions.

However, it would be interesting to discuss (a different topic) how one can safely coorilate fruit of behavior to heart attitude. I agree we can't judge the heart, but we can pass a measure of judgement on fruit. This begs the question, does good intention makeup for bad fruit? I hardly think so... but rather we need to preserve the good heart while pushing for excellent fruit. That was my endeavor. :)