As far as the word study you suggest, I’ll have to look into it. In Hebrew, the word “Yirah” is translated into English as either “Fear” or “Awe” but in Hebrew, the word gives the since of both at the same time. It might be part of what you are discussing.

‘Greasy grace’ conjures a ‘K-Mart Christianity’ to my mind where I choose from the shelves of faith a ‘slippery sanctification’ as I am wont to choose…i.e if I don’t like that piece of grace (eg forgiving others) I just leave it on the shelf.

I wonder if grace no longer becomes greasy when we have suffered as Peter teaches 1 Peter 4;1 for surely then I will trust as I never have before, be satisfied when I am with-out and ‘lean no longer on my own understandings.’

James I am with you re ‘abba’ .. please develop it & ‘phobos’ for I believe that there is a close relationship between them and the little GK I remember suggests ‘reverence’ is not a sufficietly strong description of my response to ‘He who literally who holds my next breath in His hands.’ Yet today we are simply told to hold God in ‘awe/reverence’ ..seems a bitt to ‘greasy’ or slippery to me. What do you think?

blessings

This post was mentioned on Twitter by jamespyles: New blog: “Daily Bread” http://tinyurl.com/yaffnxh How often do we take #God’s gifts for granted? Probably more often than we think. #jesus…

I also agree that the “Prosperity Theology” is a method of some Pastors telling impoverished believers that faith isn’t strong enough and to “demonstrate” to the faithful that, by their being rich (thanks to the tithes of others), they must have terrific faith.

Some of the Pharisees were like that, claiming the best seats in the synagogues, enjoying being called by titles, and wearing their tzitzit longer than others; all to “show off” how “holy” they were. Unfortunately, those sorts of folks are still with us, but it’s also important to remember that we can all be tempted in that direction. That’s why humility is so important.

Any of us can be fooled by a persuasive, but as you say, God knows the heart.

I posted this article in part as a “cautionary tale”. We can’t afford to relax on our past accomplishments and assume we’ve done enough for people and for God. Like any relationship, our faith relationship needs constant attention and work in order not only to survive, but to thrive and grow.

The Lord always examines a mans heart first – then He looks at the rest of him. If we worship and speak to Him in true believing faith, then I think we may be half way there – but our heart is the deciding factor.

Hey – we’re almost in agreement here )

Recall from Matthew 3:9 that some of the audience of John the Baptist thought that being “Sons of Abraham” was enough to ensure them a place in the World to Come. The arrogance of some of the religious leaders of that day has been well described by Jesus in the Gospels. The comments you find difficult are addressed to those in our day and age who are like those people; those who feel that, once they’re saved, they have no further need to proceed humbly before God and man.

I have no issue with people who believe as they are taught out of faith and who approach God and their fellow with an open and sincere heart, but there are other people who need to re-examine their assumptions and to take on the mantle of servants rather than rulers who can “do no wrong”.