Scripture alone regarding confessing sins.

[Rdr Iakovos]

Thank you. And the Catholic Church also claims is it Christ alone who can forgive.

But of course- the earliest Church is our common ancestor.

 

[ticker]

To quote Paul:
"Is Christ divided?"
I do not choose one over another. Rather, I look to the whole counsel. I suspect that you do as well, but that you choose to emphasize one over another for reasons that are not germaine to this discussion.

Things is, they are germane though...that's why I made that distinction. The reasons are precisely linked to what Paul felt that James maybe needed to gain a better understanding on.

Indeed I don't think Christ is divided, and I've often pointed out on these boards how there is a lot of value in Orthodox tradition and practices (as well as traditions and practices of other denominations)...and I know this first hand growing up with a Greek Orthodox background. But what certainly isn't of value is the religiously spawned idea that YOU have to be the chief motivator in your life...something that's in fact destructive to a Christian....and which all goes back to how Christ in fact does this for you.

And I feel there's something I should've explained to you by now but haven't I'm sorry to say.......I've never said that He doesn't do it through you (in fact I don't know how many times I've said that on these boards). Of course He does it through you if He does it for you! But the difference is, religion tells you that it's up to you to motivate yourself to do things that will then allow Christ to live through you. That's just simply wrong...and destructive as it will lead you to feel inadequate. The truth is it's up to God (through His grace) to do just that! He is the divine motivator....and HE will motivate you (through His love) to bring you closer to His Son, which will then allow Christ to live through you and enable you to do everything you've been called to do (in bevhaviour and in action) in your life. That is Grace. It's part of God's unstoppable Will. And believing the very opossite of that will create unrest in Christ (...which just takes the joy and peace out of a Christian life....joy and peace that's needed to be shared with the rest of the world)......and that's really Christianity in a nutshell.

You do know Christ promised you rest, don't you? Well guess what....if you don't believe His Word on that, then you're not gonna get it. And the world around you won't benefit from what your relationship with God could bring. You're gonna be running around doing things He never asked you to do....(like Jesus pointed out Martha would do, and Mary knew not to)....until, of course, you finally become burnt out on religion and say, "Jesus....take over. I need your rest after all".

Just trying to save you the trouble mate!

Peace back.

 

[Rdr Iakovos]

Things is, they are germane though...that's why I made that distinction. The reasons are precisely linked to what Paul felt that James maybe needed to gain a better understanding on.

Indeed I don't think Christ is divided, and I've often pointed out on these boards how there is a lot of value in Orthodox tradition and practices (as well as traditions and practices of other denominations)...and I know this first hand growing up with a Greek Orthodox background. But what certainly isn't of value is the religiously spawned idea that YOU have to be the chief motivator in your life...something that's in fact a destructive to a Christian....and which all goes back to how Christ in fact does this for you.

And I feel there's something I should've explained to you by now but haven't I'm sorry to say.......I've never said that He doesn't do it through you (in fact I don't know how many times I've said that on these boards). Of course He does it through you if He does it for you! But the difference is, religion tells you that it's up to you to motivate yourself to do things that will then allow Christ to live through you. That's just simply wrong...and destructive as it will lead you to feel inadequate. The truth is it's up to God (through His grace) to do just that! He is the divine motivator....and HE WILL motivate you (through His love) to bring you closer to His Son, which will then allow Christ to live through you and enable you to do everything you've been called to do (in bevhaviour and in action) in your life. That is Grace. It's part of God's unstoppable Will. And believing the very opossite of that will create unrest in Christ (...which just takes the joy and peace out of a Christian life....joy and peace that's needed to be shared with the rest of the world)......Christianity in a nutshell.

You do know Christ promised you rest, don't you? Well guess what....if you don't believe His Word on that, then you're not gonna get it. And the world around you won't benefit from what your relationship with God could bring. You're gonna be running around doing things He never asked you to do....(like Jesus pointed out Martha would do, and Mary knew not to)....until, of course, you finally become burnt out on religion and say, "Jesus....take over. I need your rest after all".

Just trying to save you the trouble mate!

Peace back.

Your worries are for not, sir, as I know both His rest and His chastisement. I became worn out on the Charismatic religion as I wandered through half-teachings and human reasoning-until I found peace in the ancient Way. I was not born Orthodox, but it was in my heart from the beginning, to know the fulness of His love in His Church.
To Him be all glory, honor, and thanksgiving.
And to each their own.