Err on the side of caution?

Justin · #1 07-02-2010, 07:54 AM

What's your opinion of "playing it safe, just incase" regarding standards?

Aquila · #2 07-02-2010, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin

What's your opinion of "playing it safe, just incase" regarding standards?

I can respect it. If someone feels convicted that playing it safe is more comfortable and helps them serve God with a clear conscience I fully support them.

I fall into this crowd in some areas.

Digging4Truth · #3 07-02-2010, 07:57 AM

It would seem to denote uncertainty, lack of clarity and fear concerning what God desires to see in us and at what point he would revoke our salvation.

rgcraig · #4 07-02-2010, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

It would seem to denote uncertainty, lack of clarity and fear concerning what God desires to see in us and at what point he would revoke our salvation.

I was going to agree with Aquila because it really doesn't matter to me if they want to, but then D4T laid it out there like it really is and I have to say makes much more sense.

Living for God shouldn't be fearful or uncertain.

192281 · #5 07-02-2010, 08:10 AM

I think people have the right to do as they please. If someone thinks its better to be safe then sorry then so be it. However, I hope those people arent telling others its a matter of heaven or hell and they have to obey their FEAR in order to come to their church or be saved.

Withdrawn · #6 07-02-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 192281

I think people have the right to do as they please. If someone thinks its better to be safe then sorry then so be it. However, I hope those people arent telling others its a matter of heaven or hell and they have to obey their FEAR in order to come to their church or be saved.

If they're doing it from God-given conviction, then I agree.

If they're doing it because of fear that has been instilled in them by the "you can never do enough" preaching they've heard all their lives, then I disagree. It frustrates grace the grace of God and puts them under the curse of the law.

Digging4Truth · #7 07-02-2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I was going to agree with Aquila because it really doesn't matter to me if they want to, but then D4T laid it out there like it really is and I have to say makes much more sense.

Living for God shouldn't be fearful or uncertain.

That's what it boils down to.

This Sunday I am preaching on the flip side of that coin as well. While the "I'd rather be safe" mode is certainly based on fear there is a side that is based on love. And love casts out all fear.

From libs to cons... we live the line. We live the fence. What can I do and not go to hell. Of course that comes from mindset. We label everything that we fear might send us to hell a sin (out of fear) and so what is there left to do since everything we shouldn't do is a sin.

Why not, rather than "I'd rather be safe", we try something like... "He likes this". He's my God... I love Him... and I feel like He likes it when I... help out a neighbor, reach out to someone who is an outcast, dress this way, give to bless a person or a ministry etc.

There is no fear in love but we leave no room for love because, out of fear, we label every possible wrong a sin.

But... the reason we do this is out of the preachers fear. They don't know either... and they feel responsible for our souls... and so they label every single thing that might possibly be wrong a sin and make it a heaven or hell issue. They probably want to teach about living out of love but they are afraid that you won't come to the same conclusions they did about what God likes and so it's just easier to make it a sin.

2000+ years later we are still dealing with law written in stone.

Withdrawn · #8 07-02-2010, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

2000+ years later we are still dealing with law written in stone.

... and frustrating grace! ~Galatians 2.21

Digging4Truth · #9 07-02-2010, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim H

... and frustrating grace! ~Galatians 2.21

Indeed.

Of the prayers I would love to see answered in my life... among the chiefest would be... That I may know what His grace is and understand it's depth and breadth and the peace it brings.

I understand more than I used to... but my upbringing holds on to my like a hungry tiger and I still can't see His grace clearly. But this will not stop my hunger to, one day, see it and understand it.

MissBrattified · #10 07-02-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgcraig

I was going to agree with Aquila because it really doesn't matter to me if they want to, but then D4T laid it out there like it really is and I have to say makes much more sense.

Living for God shouldn't be fearful or uncertain.

True, but some people are weaker such as the ones offended by meat-eating in the NT, and it appears that God made concession for their weakness. He didn't condemn them for it.