tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post5531652345986027717..comments2023-12-26T10:22:04.630-05:00Comments on Things of My Soul: Listening FOR the Spirit, Not Just TO ItPapa Dhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-41978315154895376172009-08-09T09:08:46.682-04:002009-08-09T09:08:46.682-04:00Ryan, that passage is one that influences greatly ...Ryan, that passage is one that influences greatly how I see this issue. I think it's instructive that some of the early denominational leaders who leaned toward or advocated easy grace essentially dismissed James as non-authoritative - even though James echoes the Gospels very well. (I personally believe Paul's writings do as well with regard to grace and works, but I think his writingsPapa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-45369779646484604412009-08-09T09:04:36.929-04:002009-08-09T09:04:36.929-04:00Thanks for your input, Michaela. There is no &quo...Thanks for your input, Michaela. There is no "forgiveness" needed (grin); I think it probably is just an initial difference in interpretation of the terms - based on my lack of more detailed explanation. <br /><br />I see believing in Christ as a subset of believing Christ. In other words, I think it is possible to believe in Christ without understanding and, therefore, believing, Papa Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06704974609266088416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-28476199928087006852009-08-09T07:46:39.389-04:002009-08-09T07:46:39.389-04:00They're both important, yes, and mutually rein...They're both important, yes, and mutually reinforcing, potentially... but to paraphrase James, "Thou believest [in Christ]; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble."<br /><br />If you have to start with just one I'd say go for living the teachings of Christ. That's what will actually bring positive change in our lives, and by doing His will we will come to knowRyanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16637903015592683300noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3199387660357003170.post-91208085738839952142009-08-08T22:45:35.423-04:002009-08-08T22:45:35.423-04:00Forgive me, but I respectfully disagree with the i...Forgive me, but I respectfully disagree with the idea that it is more important to believe Christ than to believe IN Christ. I think that they are both equally necessary and mutually reenforcing.<br /><br />Other than that, I like the idea that you bring forward of trying to become an agent of doing good.Michaela Stephenshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04163084369311708249noreply@blogger.com