This is good

I subscribe (via RSS) to a few blogs that do weekly link lists—think of it as a weekly biblical studies carnival. Among them is the Wednesday Link List, done a Canadian blogger. Today he links to a good post on the consequences of misunderstanding holiness, calling out a well-known Christian leader in the process. Here's a snippet, but do yourself the favor of reading the whole thing (it's really quite short):

Whatever you’re trying to do for the sake of Christ, the most important lesson from the Gospels and epistles is the centrality of the Holy Spirit. You won’t last long by simply trying harder.

Living in fear of an angry God will grow old.

When fear of God gives way to loving God as a father, holiness becomes a natural response.

...

Before the cross, God had an intense, undying love for us.

In the epistle to the Romans, Paul had God’s mercy rather than his wrath in mind. He also called his readers to be renewed in their minds rather than trying harder:

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, NIV via BibleGateway)

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He's singing my song...oh, and while you're reading stuff, check out this post with the scary title of "The intimacy of toothbrushes (and sex)." Here's the final line from the post:

And it makes me wonder if, after an evening of flirting and good chemistry, if handsome guy was to sidle over to delightful girl and whisper, “so, you wanna go home and share my toothbrush?”, whether the response might not be a little different.

Something to think about...just an
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