It is the indwelling spirit that distinguishes right from wrong. It is a binary outcome, you are in or out. While ever we listen to doctrines of men rather than the indwelling spirit, the divide grows.
Christy, thanks for your post. You share some really interesting dilemmas. I agree; there are some doctrinal issues, especially regarding sovereign vs. free will salvation and various eschatological understandings, with which some I consider solid believers disagree. But, as you point out, the main issue is the truth of the gospel and the willingness to be like the noble Bereans who verify all that is said against the word of God. Again, as you state, Christ is the only way, and faith and repentance, not works, are the only prerequisites to salvation, with even those being gifts.
Like you, Christy, a lot of my writing is in the form of a response. Thank you for this post. I've copied and saved your link to the 6 articles on why it's important to take Genesis literally - a valuable resource. I also really like the way you explained the difference between calling out a false prophet (like the pope) and fellowshipping with catholics who are sincere believers in Jesus - although it's hard for me to understand why they cannot see their need to come out - I've taken this verse out of context, but I believe it applies - Rev.18:4:
It is the indwelling spirit that distinguishes right from wrong. It is a binary outcome, you are in or out. While ever we listen to doctrines of men rather than the indwelling spirit, the divide grows.
Christy, thanks for your post. You share some really interesting dilemmas. I agree; there are some doctrinal issues, especially regarding sovereign vs. free will salvation and various eschatological understandings, with which some I consider solid believers disagree. But, as you point out, the main issue is the truth of the gospel and the willingness to be like the noble Bereans who verify all that is said against the word of God. Again, as you state, Christ is the only way, and faith and repentance, not works, are the only prerequisites to salvation, with even those being gifts.
Like you, Christy, a lot of my writing is in the form of a response. Thank you for this post. I've copied and saved your link to the 6 articles on why it's important to take Genesis literally - a valuable resource. I also really like the way you explained the difference between calling out a false prophet (like the pope) and fellowshipping with catholics who are sincere believers in Jesus - although it's hard for me to understand why they cannot see their need to come out - I've taken this verse out of context, but I believe it applies - Rev.18:4:
"Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
“‘Come out of her, my people,’
so that you will not share in her sins,
so that you will not receive any of her plagues;"