tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post1098352264249082933..comments2023-12-25T12:27:32.155-05:00Comments on A Different Way: On a TreadmillJoey Espinosahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-33994904552783844142011-08-31T21:42:51.762-04:002011-08-31T21:42:51.762-04:00I think that verse is out of context. I don't ...I think that verse is out of context. I don't think we are talking here about working for salvation. I am more talking about moving towards God in a worship response.Joey Espinosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-40113182356760771462011-08-31T16:57:34.222-04:002011-08-31T16:57:34.222-04:00...to the one who works, his wages are not counted......to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does NOT work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-7035033570790770832011-08-19T07:41:59.657-04:002011-08-19T07:41:59.657-04:00Here's something I read in My Utmost for His H...Here's something I read in My Utmost for His Highest (June 6):<br /><br />"With focused attention and great care, you have to 'work out' what God 'works in' you -- not work to accomplish or earn 'your own salvation,' but work it out so you will exhibit the evidence of a life based with determined, unshakable faith on the complete and perfect redemption of the Lord."<br /><br />And also,<br /><br />"God not only expects me to do His will, but He is in me to do it."Joey Espinosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-58896660017215634552011-08-17T14:42:32.323-04:002011-08-17T14:42:32.323-04:00Good analogy of a treadmill. I would only say tha...Good analogy of a treadmill. I would only say that the good news of the gospel is that it is not me on the treadmill, but Jesus. His performance is the only thing that allows me to have a relationship with the Father. He ran the race that I could not. Any good work that I can "do" today, is only by the grace of God, and is actually He himself working in me, and not me alone (Philippians 2:13).<br /><br />If you are on the treadmill to work to have, or improve, your relationship with God, get off, and believe that Jesus did that work for you. This is the hope of our faith.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-84401633421977253462011-08-17T12:53:36.246-04:002011-08-17T12:53:36.246-04:00Good points, from both of you.
Maybe a parallel a...Good points, from both of you.<br /><br />Maybe a parallel analogy (but one that fewer people would know) would be the use of special bungee cords that we would use for speed training:<br /><br />You (the runner) would have it attached to a special belt, and your partner would back up, stretching the cord about 30 yards. When you were ready, you would go, and you'd have to move your legs fast to keep up with the pull.<br /><br />What this does is help condition your mind and legs to run faster than you'd expect. <br /><br />Similar to with God -- He is actually pulling us along, and what we need to do is ALLOW Him to do so.<br /><br />Either way, I was excited that my son came up with this himself. I guess he knows what a treadmill is from when his dad USED TO work out.Joey Espinosahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05962252428291430709noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-90047593125402509322011-08-17T09:26:38.811-04:002011-08-17T09:26:38.811-04:00I think this is a good analogy. All relationships...I think this is a good analogy. All relationships take work to maintain and/or improve and when you stop making the effort, problems abound!Valerie Campbellnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7005096405985757065.post-69929603911610339912011-08-17T08:02:48.325-04:002011-08-17T08:02:48.325-04:00Interesting analogy, but I hate treadmills.
Thi...Interesting analogy, but I hate treadmills. <br /><br />This analogy makes the gospel seem like work and not good news for the already weary and heavy-laden (Matt 11:28). <br /><br />Yet, the analogy seems to make good sense when looking at 1 Cor 9:24-27 when Paul talks about running a race.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com