This blog is blessed with intelligent, thoughtful and gracious commenters. One of the delights of posting a piece is in the subsequent interaction with its readers. Whether they agree, disagree or are simply asking questions, I often find that the ensuing conversation helps me to sharpen my understanding of the glorious Gospel and its outworking in my own life and in those around me.
I thank God for all my brothers and sisters in Christ. Even (and sometimes especially) when we have differences of perspective. May the Lord grant that we continue to speak ‘the truth to one another in love, that we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ – from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.’ (Ephesians 4:15–16, NKJV)
Of course, responding meaningfully to comments takes time, and I love it when one commenter responds to another in an insightful way and thereby alleviates the need for me to address a particular point.
Nevertheless, I am a little back-logged at the moment following my last post. It might therefore take a little while for me to make all the responses that I’d like. I ask for your indulgence in the meantime, but please, continue to talk amongst yourselves!
In particular, my father (Alan Neades) raised a number of important questions in his comment on my article, Dangerous pragmatism – why a transformed life is not proof of salvation. He thereby gives me an excuse to clarify my position on a few things, and to explore others in more detail.
Rather than try to squeeze an even longer response than his into the comments section (my first draft weighed-in at over 5,000 words, which I fear might have tried the patience of even the most enthusiastic reader), I have instead decided to respond in a series of three separate articles:
- The Purpose Driven Life: introductory discernment resources
- What are we to make of our good works?
- A closer look at the Alpha Course and whether it is permissible to judge what other Christians teach
All of these articles are now posted, and I shall now direct my attention to the other excellent comments that people have left.
Peace and grace to all of you in our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.