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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Opus 2013-243: Unconverted Believers

A couple of years ago I heard Alistair Begg use a phrase, “Unconverted believing people.”  It shocked me enough to make note of it.  I asked myself what he was talking about.  Aren’t we saved by faith?  Isn’t believing the same as faith?  I was driving at the time and he kept speaking so I moved on.

He has used the phrase several times since then and I have given it more thought.  I now understand what he is talking about.  In his experience he has run across a lot of people who attend church regularly and believe all that the church teaches but it has not brought them to the point of conversion.  One of the ways I have heard it expressed it “head knowledge, not heart knowledge.”

My original reaction was not well thought out.  We are not saved by faith, we are saved by grace through faith.  There is a difference.  In his discussion of the importance of works to support our faith, James makes this observance.
(James 2:19 KJV)  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
So it isn’t enough to accept the truth of the Bible. 

The world is full of people who accept the Bible as a valid, historical document.  They will concede that Jesus existed, that He was crucified and even that He rose from the dead.  What they refuse to do is accept Him as their Lord.

So if you are critical of Christianity, understand that everyone who wears fatigues is not a soldier.  To put it another way, just because your jersey says “23" doesn’t mean you are Michael Jordan.

If you are a Christian, examine your heart and make sure that you are one of the converted, not just a “believer.”

homo unius libri

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Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.