Contempt? No. Sadness more than anything.
I DO apologize, however, if offense has been taken by anything I've posted. I've not meant to offend or give the impression of contempt.
I suppose it comes across that way because the arguements are the same and I don't really see the purpose in continuing on in the arguements. They always end up in the same place. I will make an attempt to not be so snarky in my posts from here on.
I will say that the pattern of condescending to those who don't believe as you do is also quite old.
If I were as lost as you seem to indicate here, do you think your words here would really cause me to want to turn back?
What I have to say is that I haven't left Christ, that I'm a true believer and that I'm growing more spiritually right now than I've grown in years. I've not undermined God's word, but rather have begun to really understand what his grace is really about. It's as if the scales have really fallen off of my eyes and I am beginning to see clearly for the first time. That has allowed me to be Free in Christ in a way I did not know freedom before. I am awed at what Christ has done for me---a meager and undeservng sinner, who has been saved! I am spurred on to do what HE wants me to do and to share with others about HIS great and awesome power. I am excited and revitilized, but at the same time, see how foolish I was before, for pursuing foolish arguements that meant nothing to Him.
No...no contmept. More than anything, I wish you could see and know I what I do now. That's all. The simple gospel of God's unfailing love, his undeserved grace and righteous judgement.
Contempt? Yes! And, to declare/infer/imply that it is following the traditions of men to do what passages such as Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16, and James 5:13 teach is to undermine God's word.
I have said before and will say again for the sake of any that are new to the discussion, studying an issue like singing versus mechanical instruments of music is more about how we handle God's word than just the issue at hand. I fully understand where the "Free in Christ" mindset leads. By the way, is this a reference to the book by that title by Cecil Hook? If so, I have a copy - and I have read the book. Plus, I've studied with several who parrot Hook's reasoning (Hookians, as I refer to them). Even if the book/movement isn't what you meant, I am confident the mindset is similar, if not the same. Tired of having to find scriptural authority for what is believed/practiced. Tired of having to be different from the "mainstream" Christian movement (i.e., those of the Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant churches). So tired of so many things ... but yet somehow forgetting the church the Lord promised to build (Matt. 16:18), the church that He built (Acts 2:47), and the unity that characterized His church (Eph. 4:1-6). Even passages such as Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, and Romans 6:3-11 are pushed to the back of the mind and forgotten to accommodate folks with varying beliefs on what it takes to be saved under the gospel of Christ. These are first principle topics (note the latter part of Hebrews 5 and the discussion that continues into chapter 6).
As for how "my words" will impact you, I suggest taking things to a higher level. How 'bout assuming that it really doesn't matter what either of us says or thinks, but the emphasis needs to be on what God says. By all means, don't take my word for it. Check out Romans 3:4. The words came from the apostle Paul, who said he got them directly from the Lord (Gal. 1:11-12). I certainly can't speak for you, but I sure don't want to challenge Paul's (actually, the Lord's) teachings as Elymas did in Acts 13.
Ever seriously considered Rev. 3:1 (the latter part of the verse)? It's a sobering thought. To think one is alive and faithfully serving the Lord ... but isn't in the Lord's eyes! Sobering indeed. On a personal level ... it could happen to me, and it could happen to you. So, how do we ensure it doesn't? The only way I know is to be faithful to God's word. Not just the warm and fuzzy side where we talk about God's love, grace, mercy, and goodness. You know, where everybody's saved that says they are, and everybody goes to heaven regardless of the church they go to? Forget about the "other" side of God, right? Forget about the contrast in Romans 11:22 between the goodness and severity of God. Trust me. Those aren't my thoughts. However, I do believe them. Both aspects.
Just a few thoughts that you might find a little out of the norm.
I'm not afraid to step out of the box.
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