Researching A Quote

Former Bishop N. T. Wright is considered a conservative in the Anglican Communion, which I found to be a valid statement, based on reading his 2009 Times article regarding the schism in his community:

“But saying ‘we want to stay in, but we insist on rewriting the rules’ is cynical double-think.”

The Bible is not to be rewritten nor ignored in order for selfish people to continue erroneous lifestyles.  Better they admit they do not believe all the Bible says and be open about the parts they do not wish to follow.
While I disagree with former Bishop Wright’s lack of concern about hell and his dismissal of what is termed ‘rapture,’ I do find several of his quotes right on.  The first was included in a question to him about hell:

“… it seems to me that the New Testament is very clear that there are people who do reject God and reject what would have been His best will for them, and God honors that decision.”

There we do agree.  God never has sent a person to hell, but does honor their decision not to be with Him in heaven.

He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18 KJV)

I found the above information while researching the source of a quote. I do not post quotes until I know something about the person quoted, even when I think it sounds worthwhile. It may have been taken out of context and not mean the same thing to the author. It appears Bishop Night and I do agree on this, too:

“...the work of salvation, in its full sense, is (1) about whole human beings, not merely souls; (2) about the present, not simply the future; and (3) about what God does through us, not merely what God does in and for us.”

To accept Jesus as Christ, then focus on what rewards are expected in heaven is to reject the Great Commission and the second greatest commandment. What we do in the present is of utmost importance to our future. Living within God’s will, He is able to work through us to display His glory to those around us, nothing of our own.

I love both the lyrics and music of “To God Be The Glory.”  We sang it last week in services and I was again reminded of Fanny Crosby and her gifted talent.  A blessed example of what God accomplished through her, not what He did for her.  Opening her heart to His work, her hymns are sung world-wide, her present was blessed and ours is, too.

Few people from two centuries ago are so widely remembered.  Few from this century will be remembered two centuries from now.  If we do little or nothing, we will not be among those few.

God will honor our choice to be with Him, or not.  He is available for those who seek Him.  He answers those who call upon Him. He has given us guides to find Him.  Among those guides are people who chose Him.  I do, as Joshua did:

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. (Joshua 24:15 KJV)