-Removed-An interesting perspective, but I am still minded of Paul telling us that genuine salvation 'inevitably' results in a life of good works. 'Inevitably' is a powerful word to me and I struggle to see how a Christian could not do the inevitable and still be among the saved. - Say for example it was inevitable that after eating a peanut, Stephen would go into anaphylactic shock. - Then say we met Stephen happy and contented. Could we not reasonably conclude that Stephen hadn't eaten a peanut? - For a Christian, the word of God is their peanut, good works their inevitable anaphylactic shock.
'They profess to know God but with their deeds, they deny him, since they are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed.'
Titus 1:16
Originally posted by @ragwortYes, could well be. However, I wonder whether it's a bit of a 'Just Be Passive' message [...and leave the worrying to the Roman Empire's mechanisms and/or your church leaders, as it were] that was slipped in there just as corporate Christianity was positioning itself to coexist with political entities.
Isn't this just about promoting good psychological health rather than precluding long term planning or strategy? Similar to Buddhist (and now psychotherapy's) mindfulness of the present moment or the sentiments of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi?
I think it says don't worry rather than don't plan.
Cf: things like Matthew 22:21 and Romans 13:1 and John 18:36 [the sort of verse that the JWs cling to in order to justify their highly manicured political impotence] and others along with the whole 'virtue of docility' thing that has long been sloshing around in organized Christendom.
Originally posted by @dj2beckerI disagree. When you have no hope, concerted, proactive measures need to be planned and implemented in order to make tomorrow better, and the next day and so on. By contrast, Matthew 6:34 appears to give those who want to navel gaze self-pityingly ~ and maybe wait for "a miracle" ~ some 'holy' cover for their passivity and inertia.
When you have no hope all you can focus on is today. If you do have hope you can believe that everything will work together for the good (in the future) for those that love God. Things may not be good right now, but God can take a mess and turn it into a miracle, he can turn a tragedy into a triumph. I feel this is true in my own life.
Originally posted by @ghost-of-a-dukeLet me just lay down a marker here about my own perspective on this topic. My posts on page 1 are more about activism - and active citizenship - than about good works. I am more talking about people doing stuff, maybe for good money ~ not necessarily for charity, in order to plan ahead and create a better world. I think 'good works' is a separate thing from this.
An interesting perspective, but I am still minded of Paul telling us that genuine salvation 'inevitably' results in a life of good works. 'Inevitably' is a powerful word to me and I struggle to see how a Christian could not do the inevitable and still be among the saved.
-Removed-I personally think you are missing the point Paul makes about assurance.
Followers of Christ have assurance, IF they remain followers.
Assurance is dependent on that one critical criteria that they do not fall away.
As for not having to worry, Paul stated that he himself need to be careful about his actions lest he become a castaway. Christians need to be careful and not go about their life as if they can ignore the commandments of Christ and still enter the Kingdom of God.
The punishment for the sinful Christian appears to be more severe than the punishment for someone who never had an opportunity to learn about Christ.
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Originally posted by @fmfI dont think that planning ahead is necessarily in conflict with not worrrying about tomorrow. They are two different things.
"Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
Is this really a good way for human beings to live their lives?
Someone who is interested in their future plans ahead.
Worrying or being overly concerned is a waste of ones time
-Removed-I wouldn't be if I were you. Good works are also about 'intent.' (Do you have the inclination/desire to help others).
A simple test: a stranger falls over in the street. Is your instinctive impulse to go over and offer help?
From my interactions with you on this site, I am in no doubt that you would. Your desire is to do good works. You don't have to rush into burning buildings 3 times a day to prove it. - I don't think God is keeping a tally.