JeanieW

Q2. (1:15-16) In your own words, how would you define "holiness"? In what sense are you (by definition) holy now? In what sense must you be obedient in order to become holy? What is your biggest struggle with holiness We live in a fallen world. Sometimes we can glimpse what we think holiness is like, but we by our sinful nature struggle. We are holy because Christ did the work for us on the cross to redeem us from our sins. My biggest struggle is making the time to stay in the scriptures.

Posted 16 July 2011 - 08:01 PM Q1. (1:13) What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? The second coming of Christ will be the culmination of everything. The fulfillment of our faith. The end of the struggles Christians face. Why should it inspire hope? His return is real, and God keeps his promises. Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? We know better, so we should do better. What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? We act like everyone else.

Posted 16 July 2011 - 08:01 PM Q1. (1:13) What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? The second coming of Christ will be the culmination of everything. The fulfillment of our faith. The end of the struggles Christians face. Why should it inspire hope? His return is real, and God keeps his promises. Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? We know better, so we should do better. What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? We act like everyone else.

Posted 16 July 2011 - 08:01 PM Q1. (1:13) What about Christ's coming should get our undivided attention? The second coming of Christ will be the culmination of everything. The fulfillment of our faith. The end of the struggles Christians face. Why should it inspire hope? His return is real, and God keeps his promises. Why should it inspire self-control and soberness? We know better, so we should do better. What happens in our lives when we don't really expect Christ to come soon? We act like everyone else.

I have to constantly remind myself about the true homeland. God has stripped away many of my ideas about 'home' so I can remember where I truly live and don't live.

Happiness is situational. The joy we have in Jesus is eternal, and we can reference that joy even in bad circumstances. This type of joy is rooted in hope and faith. It doesn't have to be purely emotional.

There are so many instances where God has used difficult situations to get my attention. Getting through these trials allows us to be a blessing to others. It makes us more sensitive to others.

God did it all through the blood of Jesus. Our job is to live like Christians and be grateful.

Forgiveness and Obedience come as a package since we're called to slay our old selves and behave like Christ. Since Christ is the only one who can behave like Christ, obedience is a difficult challenge. I am a Lutheran, so Grace is central to my view of God. Grace and the Law live in tension with each other, but we are saved by Grace, not by any particular good things we do.

Too much of the time, this Christian is me. When things go well, I think it is because I am so talented and good. When things fall apart, I go running back to God. God uses the events in my life to cause me to repent and turn back to Him.