Reasons I like this message so much ... First, I was tortured as a kid by the message of eternal hellfire as well as getting saved or born again through Believe This and Believe That, or, rather, through holding an opinion. Fear caused my belief, and belief caused my fear, yet neither caused me any love for others. Finally, I became transformed through the Commandment of Jesus, words about our imitating his love. The clash of Bell's message of loving against a more popular message can be seen as a conflict between Romans, Chapter 6--the resurrection of our spirits, Jesus living in our hearts, goodness, morality, the New Man--and Romans, Chapter 10--the confession of Jesus Is Lord and the held idea that he was physically resurrected. Obedience and love versus a mantra and an opinion. So, then, which is the true meaning, the true salvation? One chapter may symbolize the other. I myself, learning from my own past, see a deeper meaning in one of the two chapters, and, of course, it is the depths of meaning that change lives. What is your opinion: Is true religion a community of lovers ... or believers?
Well said. We live out our beliefs so you could say that Belief (leading to loving your neighbor as yourself) and Confession (of the Lordship of Jesus and His resurrection) are two sides of the same coin.
Thank you for your opinion. It would be impossible to live out a belief that is indifferent to our lives’ choices. But that is what is too often taught: to rest in God’s grace, doing nothing until He does something in us … or assume He has done something where He hasn’t. I look forward to your additional thoughts and feelings. Wishing you a good day!
