[soc.religion.christian] Faith & Works - Hypnosis & Sin

davidbu@loowit.wr.tek.com (David E. Buxton) (01/24/91)

On the topic of Faith and Works there have been a number  of
discussions  on  who  is doing the works - Jesus or me.  And
how these works are to be performed  -  attempting  to  earn
salvation vs because we love Him.

On the topic of conquering sin an apt illustration comes  to
mind  from a few years ago.  A hypnotist places his 'victim'
under hypnosis and under his spell tells his  'victim'  that
he  will  not be able to lift the spoon that is place on the
table in front of him.  He is encouraged to  reach  out  and
try.  Sure enough, the spoon cannot be lifted.

Christians are taught that we are powerless to  conquer  sin
and  to  do good works that are genuine.  We are taught that
we cannot keep the law in a truely loving way.  That is what
the  Bible  teaches.   The  Bible also teaches that there is
power in the gospel.  That the spell of Satan's hypnosis can
be  broken.   Let us not deny this power of the gospel.  Let
us not be like those "having a form of godliness but denying
its power. . . . ."  (Tim 3:5 ).

The story of Peter in Matthew 14:25-32 is worth considering.
Peter  had  enough faith in the power of Jesus to be able to
step over the side of the boat secure in the knowledge  that
he  would  not sink.  Peter did walk on the water.  But then
his faith falters and he does sink.  He crys out "Lord  save
me.  Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him".

Don't let Satan hypnotise you into paralysis.  Don't let the
knowledge  that  you alone cannot do it leave you powerless.
It is faith in Jesus that makes it possible to leap over the
side  of the boat and conquer sin.  And if our faith falters
it is Jesus that we should turn to.  Having the courage  and
the faith to do something does not mean that we do it in our
own strength or that we deserve any credit for it.   Without
Jesus,  Peter  could not have walked on the water.  But yes,
Peter did walk on the water.  Peter did have  enough  faith.
Peter  knew Jesus well enough to know that jumping overboard
would not result in a drowning.  Somehow we must balance the
fact  that  we  have  to get up on our feet and act with the
fact that the power is not in ourselves.  We must place  our
faith  in  him  rather  in  our  own abilities and then step
forward with confidence.

  Some texts worth  studying  in  this  context:   Deu  6:5-7;
  10:12,13;;  Deut 30:6; 1 Kings 8:58; Ps. 19:7; 27:14; 51:10;
  119:105,165; Prov. 3:1,5,6; 23:7; Jer. 13:23; Ez.  18:31:32;
  36:26,27; Dan. 1:8; Zech. 4:6; Matt. 1:21; 6:24; 7:7; 1 Cor.
  15:21;    Rom.    6:1-7,14,15,23;    8:6-10,13-14,    36-39;
  12:1,2;13:9,10; 1 Cor. 9:25-27; 10:13; Gal. 2:20; 5:6,13,14;
  Eph 2:8-10; 6:10-18; Phil. 4:13;  Heb.  10:24;  James  1:25;
  2:14; 4:7,8; 2 Peter 2:9,10; 3:9,17,18; 1 John 3:9,10,22-24;
  5:18; Rev. 3:20.

Friend,

Dave