The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum The real agenda of the Da Vinci Code

Janean,

Methinks we have discussed this topic before? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/scratchchin.gif" alt="" /> And my contention is that the blame cannot be totally thrust upon the church but rather shared by those who profess to be believers. The desire isn't manufactured and then distributed by the church a pastor nor any other created being, but rather the true desire to read God's infallible Word and to conform oneself to it in all areas of life is the fruit of the Spirit, aka: regeneration, wherein a new nature is created and which it expresses itself in love toward God and the putting off of the old man and the putting on the new. If that hasn't taken place; regeneration, then all the faithful preaching and teaching in the word isn't going to motivate anyone to read the Bible never mind repent of sin and live a life of holiness.

To be sure, where the pure preaching of the gospel and the application of the teachings of Scripture are weak or absent, a true believer will wane in the exercise of godliness, e.g., reading the Bible. However, it will never die completely. In fact, I believe that where there is true spiritual life in a redeemed sinner, the desire to be fed the meat of the Word will drive a person to seek for it wherever he/she can find it, even if it means leaving a congregation where they have been members for many years. You are certainly a perfect example of that. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

So, again my point is that it isn't just the church which is responsible for its members lack of desire to read and to conform to the teachings of the Bible, but rather a duel responsibility of both the church AND the individual regardless of the presence of new life or not. Responsibility before God is not dependent upon ability. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

In His grace,