I appreciate your comments and no doubt a lot of ministry is being done in our own strength. I do not believe the entirety of the problem lies in false assurance given by preachers and S.S. teachers. As the article clearly states, people have taken a true implication of the death of Christ, namely that Jesus’ death accomplishes our salvation, and have perverted their practical application of the truth by becoming spiritually lazy seen in their lack of pursuit of God (article #1) and their lack of continual pursuit of salvation by striving to maintain a close relationship with Jesus.

I also agree that it is not as easy as changing what we teach, but without correcting false implications the people make concerning their salvation we cannot hope to change their behavior.

God bless and thanks for reading.

I am not so sure this is as accurate as you suggest and I am convinced that it is not the source of the problem. I agree with the first part of your statement, that folks in our churches have “given up the pursuit” but the reason you cite for their choice is where I disagree.

I believe the problem is much more systemic than your assertion. People today have a completely different concept of life and the priorities that they ought to be holding onto. I remember growing up and hearing about the “post depression mentality” of the older people in our society and church; they had a much different perspective on things than I did. Fast forward 40 years and see the economic impact and the self-centered mentality that we as a society in America have adopted and we have gone from one extreme to another.

The problem as I see it is we are a generation of spoiled brats that do not need God. We are better educated; we have the ability to communicate so much more effectively than in any time in the history of mankind and where has it taken us? Nowhere because I believe we are making the mistake that we can do what God wants us to do without allowing Him to do it through us and that is what is affecting our churches and our communities; we as God’s children and His choice servants are doing ministry on our own… in our own ability… and that is the primary problem in the church today, at least as I see it.

I wish it were only as simple as changing WHAT we are trying to teach.

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David

I too, love it when offenders (but not me) get what’s coming to them in this world. We see people get away with stuff and it rubs our sense of justice the wrong way. “God’s law will not be mocked”(however) ans everyone will get theirs, in the end (including us).

“In this life there is no rest, no peace, and no victory.” I forgot who said that, but it’s true. In the lasting sense, anyway. Sure, there are temporary respites, but in the end we will all receive the wages of our sin.

But thanks be to God for our Savior! He is not content with letting us stay in that grave. He loves fresh dirt…and mercy!

Thank you.

David

But, helping people to pray to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is not “easy believism,” as Platt has stated. If people have been counseled that they need to turn to God with all of thier heart, and put all of their faith in Jesus; then helping people to pray, or using the phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” is not “easy believism. If people have been counseled that faith is a surrendering faith; one that will produce good works due to a changed heart; then helping them pray, or to call upon the Lord, is not “easy believism.”

So, I think Platt has really missed the point on this whole issue.
I think that Platt has gotten “easy believism” mixed up with “sinners prayer” and “asking Jesus into your heart.” Easy believism is a big problem; it does seem to me. There are many people, who think that just because they believe in Jesus….purely a head knowledge….where they said a prayer and got baptized….that they are saved. When in reality, they’re just as lost as the Demons, who believe in God and tremble, according to James. They have a head knowledge of God. They may have even said a prayer. They probably got baptized. BUT, they never really, truly got saved; because they never repented and put their faith in Jesus.

But, helping people to pray to receive Christ as their personal Lord and Savior is not “easy believism,” as Platt has stated. If people have been counseled that they need to turn to God with all of thier heart, and put all of their faith in Jesus; then helping people to pray, or using the phrase “ask Jesus into your heart” is not “easy believism. If people have been counseled that faith is a surrendering faith; one that will produce good works due to a changed heart; then helping them pray, or to call upon the Lord, is not “easy believism.”

So, I think Platt has really missed the point on this whole issue.
David