First, in regards to “spiritual/spirituality,” although there may be no Hebrew word for “spiritual,” the Bible does discuss the difference between our flesh and our spirit. Probably the most dramatic verse comes from Paul and is 2 Cor. 4:16: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.

Paul separates our spirit from our body, so therefore we should too - at least when it comes to self-analysis and determining where we are in relation to God and His holiness. I was attempting to stress in my article the need to contemplate our spiritual condition, even though that spiritual condition is directly affected by our flesh/body.

When I stated that “sin separates a person from God, because God cannot interact with them in their unholiness,” perhaps I should have related it more to the unsaved. They cannot receive conviction, as they cannot be guided by God’s Holy Spirit. Yet, I can confirm from experience that the more I permit sin in my life (post-salvation), the more separated I feel from God and the harder it is to forge a deep connection with Him. You can feel it in your spirit!

I hope your qualms have been dispelled, but if not, feel free to post again!

Live4Jesus

I would really like you to explain a little more about your line: “Sin separates a person from God, because God cannot interact with them in their unholiness.” I agree with the first part of the sentence but the latter gives me an uneasy feeling. How would you explain convictions if God could not interact with us when we sin? I’m not tearing your article down or your thought because I really do like it. I’m just trying to gain different perspectives and strike up a deeper conversation.

Keep writing, thats for sure. I look forward to more posts.

Good to see a young woman of faith writing for ZA. Props!

Live4Jesus

Questioning is good if you’re willing to hear the answers.

Plus i think it is easier for us to remember a picture with a lesson attached to it, instead of just words. I am so thankful for Jesus to be able to put the truths about God into terms that our easier for us to understand. Of course ones with the Holy Spirit inside will be able to see the 2 or 3 dimensions of a parable instead of just the 1 dimension.

Not sure if this goes with the article, but i think it goes with how no one understands the truth without God. I think it is awesome how Jesus in the New Testament talks a lot in parables. Do you ever wonder why??
One reason i think is because our minds are not 3 dimensional like you described above. Plus i think it is easier for us to remember a picture

Good article Brendan! I am glad to see that you have your eyes and hears open to the world but that you are not living like this world.

It is now my background at home - so thanks for designing it. Here’s encouragement to keep these wallpapers coming!

“Same end result, different motives.”

i think that if you look at different ways that “the world” is applied, there’s one way which denotes the general conventions of society, and I don’t think that’s what Paul intended here. It can’t apply to every definition of “the world” - because otherwise we’d have to not conform to gravity, an element of this physical world. As I said, why not be a nudist? Because there’s nothing inherently wrong with wearing clothes. “The world” here more likely refers to evil and corrupt tendencies - wearing clothes out of pride or to cause lust, to name two examples.

Same deal with the tie. Show up for an interview in a toga and see what happens…no chance, right? Suit and tie is the modus operandi of our society and there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. Now if you wear a see-through blouse with a few buttons undone to show off that chest hair, then maybe you’re wearing your clothes for the wrong reasons.

does that make sense?

The only reason I can think of wearing one is because society tells me to.

If 90% of people didn’t wear ties at a job interview I don’t think I would.

I understand the talk about the evil in extremes. I’d have an easy time arguing Aristotle’s “Golden Mean” philosophy for this book. Very good point there.

I see your point on Phil 4:13, but I don’t think everything in the Bible was said with a context in mind. Think Revelation here, but I speculate. The context for Paul’s verse about Christ’s strength giving him the power to do all things should always be thought of as within the boundary of God’s will.

The giving aspect of God and the tree is definitely more one-sided, if you really try to take measure of it all. God gave His own Son for us(Himself really), and all we do is believe and confess.
But that’s not my central point. My central point is that whenever you think you can’t go to God for a direction, for an answer, for forgiveness, He can provide it. You might get a bad answer, or work hard for that direction, but God still provides.

I have considered putting an allusion to this story, however I see it best as a tale of two extremes. The boy is destroying himself through greed, and the tree is destroying itself through charity.

The extremes show us how being too far either way can destroy us. The tree was never loved in return even though it gave everything. The boy ended up alone because he took everything he could.

I find God saying “no” to things I ask for. They are not what I need. Maybe the story offers some wisdom into two vices?

Remember when you use scripture to keep it in context. Something helpful when creating allusions is to look at a whole passage so that a verse is in context.
Ex. Phil 4:13 >> talking about Paul’s hardships and how he has known what it feels like to be poor and have plenty

Phil 4:13, if we truly believe it, means that we are content no matter what the circumstances.

Nice job overall.

I was disappointed to hear about Mike Guglielmucci, particularly because of a tremendous song titled “Healer” that he wrote in response to the “disease.” The song was very recently released on the latest Hillsong cd, and it is quite a strong song. It was sad to hear, but also good cause for self examination in respect to hidden struggles and lies we put forth.

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates.

Thanks Brendan.

The second one is tough. If they’re a Christian, I think you just have to sit down and do it. State your concern, state your love for them, state your commonality with them in that you struggle with stuff. Buzz actually talks about this issue a bit here: http://zamagazine.org/topic/christian-friendship/

If they’re not a Christian, then it’s tougher. Paul says in 1 Corinthians, “Who am I to judge the world?” That is, in a passage where he was talking about shunning believers who are unapologetically disobeying God, he says that we can’t do that to nonbelievers because then we’d have to leave the world. So while I think you can talk to someone about the dangers of drinking and you can tell them that drunkenness is a sin, ultimately it’s the message of salvation that’s more important. Show them with your life why it’s better to stay sober!

And yeah, it’s pretty pointless to witness to drunk people.

Question: One of your friends are very big into drinking and they get drunk pretty often. How would you come across telling that friend your concerned about their drinking and how it is wrong for them to get drunk. How would voice your concern without condemning them or coming across as judging them? Plus it is pointless to try and talk to them while they are drunk.

Thanks….just throwing things out there!!!
~just me~

Question: You know that getting drunk is wrong. You have explained to your friends why you don’t get drunk. What happens when you go out with your friends to get a drink and you see someone who knows that your a Christian but they are so confused cause they see you with a drink. They have no clue that, that drink is the first drink of the night. They have no clue about your view on alcohol. So is there a line not to cross in public with drinking? to be an example? Basically, how do you drink without coming across wrong or making other people question?

I kinda alright made my own answer for my question, but i am not going to share it yet because I am curious what other people are thinking about the subject matter. Has anyone had this problem?