tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post5018101974889767870..comments2024-02-27T10:27:03.841-05:00Comments on The Double Edged Sword: Intimacy vs. Intimidation - Part OneJoel Spencerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-75503123471503548722009-10-28T09:08:34.395-04:002009-10-28T09:08:34.395-04:00Daughter: Well said. Fear alone is not enough. Fea...<b>Daughter:</b> Well said. Fear alone is not enough. Fear is unhealthy when it is the primary motivator. That is clearly evident in any relationship, not just with our Father. Love "keeps" us seeking after Him with all that we have.Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-14212367416158138752009-10-24T07:24:14.569-04:002009-10-24T07:24:14.569-04:00Joel said:
" Daughter: That verse brings up...Joel said:<br /><br />" Daughter: That verse brings up an interesting point. If I recall, perfect love( the love of Christ) casts out fear. When I walk in this love, fear no longer has a hold on me.<br /><br />Nina: Since I started this article, I've discovered that fear's role in coming to Christ is a topic that ushers in much discussion. Some have said fear was the motivator. Some have said fear played no roll at all. I've found it to be quite an interesting subject."<br />----------------------------------<br /><br />Joel, that is so perfectly true! The fear of eternal punishment will drive some of us to try to avoid sin, just as the fear of prison drives some of us to shun crime; but fear does not make our hearts righteous. We can still be fearful, but in our hearts delight in sin, and commit sinful acts when 'no one is looking' (including God!). It is the love of Christ that makes our hearts righteous, so that we can live a righteous life of NO FEAR of eternal punishment.<br /><br />Peace.Daughter of Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01565795173054909961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-90403399325907987222009-10-24T05:27:54.584-04:002009-10-24T05:27:54.584-04:00Daughter: That verse brings up an interesting poin...<b>Daughter:</b> That verse brings up an interesting point. If I recall, perfect love( the love of Christ) casts out fear. When I walk in this love, fear no longer has a hold on me. <br /><br /><b>Nina:</b> Since I started this article, I've discovered that fear's role in coming to Christ is a topic that ushers in much discussion. Some have said fear was the motivator. Some have said fear played no roll at all. I've found it to be quite an interesting subject.Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-79590557085476863702009-10-23T08:35:25.586-04:002009-10-23T08:35:25.586-04:00Great blog. Never really thought about it until no...Great blog. Never really thought about it until now. The fear of judgment didn't kick in until I excepted Christ. Well, actually it was conviction and the fear of disappointinting the father that kicked in. My mom is a pastor, I grew up in the church and the moment I reached the age of consent, I raised as much as hell as I possibly could.I drank, I partied, and I cursed like a sailor. I wanted to be as far away from the "scared straight" religion I grew up in. You were considered a jezebel if your earrings were too large and if you missed a Sunday you were 'backslidden". All of the Church ladies were angry all of the time and the preachers yelled at you from the pulpits. I think the key to evangelism is not the scare tactics of religion, but it it love. Studies show that people respond better to love, which is far more fitting because that is what 'christianity' is built on. What we need to find is a happy medium.Because we seem to take that love and forgiveness thing out of text too. ok,on to part two.Ninapoethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02261153613707778441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-80129876151369215902009-10-22T21:33:53.021-04:002009-10-22T21:33:53.021-04:00If the above verse does not scare the hell out of ...If the above verse does not scare the hell out of anybody, then nothing else will :-).Daughter of Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01565795173054909961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-53406584771848593102009-10-22T21:29:52.666-04:002009-10-22T21:29:52.666-04:00Great post! Only those whose hearts have been reg...Great post! Only those whose hearts have been regenerated by the Holy Spirit will make it into heaven, not those who are scared! At the risk of quoting out of context here goes...<br /><br /><strong>"But the FEARFUL, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8).</strong><br /><br />Peace.Daughter of Wisdomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01565795173054909961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-27363717390439074222009-10-22T07:34:03.740-04:002009-10-22T07:34:03.740-04:00Raven: If I were you I'd go and check it out. ...<b>Raven:</b> If I were you I'd go and check it out. See what the LORD would have you see in it. Ask some questions of attendees and see what the outcome is. I know I'd sure be interested to hear their responses. Perhaps I should go to one and do the same.<br /><br />As you somewhat stated, the reality and love of Christ is apparently seen as insufficient. We must create a scary scenario to "get 'em in". To me, it's just another facet of religious "be saved... or else!" mentality. That's not to say that there aren't some well-intentioned folks behind it all. I just feel we need to see if it all is as God desires us to assist in His drawing of men.<br /><br /><b>Harriet:</b> It fits perfectly into the life of rededications scenario. Sadly, it keeps many people subdued, unsure and so afraid that they never see the beautiful reality of salvation. We, the Christians who should know better, continue to corrupt potential Believers and send them down a path that I don't believe we're ever to go down. In our over-achieving efforts to do God's work, we've sure thrown a wrench in alot of it.Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-38520417203730132542009-10-22T07:26:13.075-04:002009-10-22T07:26:13.075-04:00Melissa Ann: Thanks, I feel it's important for...<b>Melissa Ann:</b> Thanks, I feel it's important for us to look into. Part 2 was just posted.<br /><br /><b>Grace:</b> Simple wisdom. If God's not the One orchestratingit all, we're simply scaring people into empty "decisions".<br /><br /><b>Karen:</b> I think "healthy" fear sums it up best. A biblical, reverent and holy view of God is absolutely necessary. However, it is often way beyond that and moves into a seemingly abusive relationship with our Creator.Joel Spencerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02474230869182287895noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-53993178969674661362009-10-21T12:47:17.384-04:002009-10-21T12:47:17.384-04:00Excellent writing again Joel. Thank you for being ...Excellent writing again Joel. Thank you for being such a faithful steward of the gifts God has given you.<br /><br />I have seen the results of this kind of scared into the kingdom stuff..mostly it is called "fire insurance"..the life lived afterwards is not changed in the least..EXCEPT when caught in a sin..then they repent and start all over again..for a day or so..<br />sad.. they miss out on the awesome fact of daily SALVATION TO LIVE!Harrietnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-36789047702588489412009-10-21T09:44:27.777-04:002009-10-21T09:44:27.777-04:00First, I love the acknowledgement that our world i...First, I love the acknowledgement that our world is fascinated with the undead side of spirituality but bawks at the Eternal Life side.<br /><br />Next it's funny that you mention "hell houses" and "tribulation houses" because I've really been interested in going to one this year. Just to experience first hand what it's all about. Several of the volunteers here acted in them as they grew up. And while they take it with a grain of salt it is intriguing to learn more about it all.<br /><br />Now a response to fear and scary truth as a motivating factor:<br />The first thing that comes to mind is are all those weight loss commercials. You know where someone sees their younger (also obese) sibling die of heart diseases or diabetes and then they realize they don't want to die. Or their innocent child comes up to them and says "Mommy, you're fat" or they can't ride the rollercoaster with their son.<br /><br />It seems like their motivation to accept their current path is unhealthy is the fear of how their life negatively affects their loved ones. Hell houses and Tribulation facts tend to focus how you the individual can save themselves. However even scripture says we shouldn't focus on just trying to save our own life.<br /><br />Maybe a more effective house would be a room with a man crying over each person. Just caring for them and then the next room he takes their punishment (assuming we all acknowledge we deserve some sort of punishment) -- then a room where he has open arms.rave.nhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03177018116227256489noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-39539999936902721212009-10-21T08:41:15.295-04:002009-10-21T08:41:15.295-04:00I think you've posed some great questions here...I think you've posed some great questions here. I especially like, "Does your fear of the LORD draw you closer to Him or push you away from Him?" I think that's the key. As you said, healthy fear draws us in closer because we see the big-ness of God and our need of Him. Some good thought provokers you have here. I'll be back to check out the rest of the series. - KarenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-3913100358499222292009-10-21T07:01:53.533-04:002009-10-21T07:01:53.533-04:00It is only by the spirit of God that one is drawn ...It is only by the spirit of God that one is drawn to the Lord! That is why I always ask the Father who Lord do you want me to reach out to, pray for etc.Gracenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25635043.post-29336427095120688252009-10-21T06:42:34.097-04:002009-10-21T06:42:34.097-04:00GREAT BLOG~~~ as usual !! A must read :) Looking f...GREAT BLOG~~~ as usual !! A must read :) Looking forward to part two.Melissa Annnoreply@blogger.com