I hate this still frame. ugh.

Kevin, all I can say is AMEN!

If one wants to joyfully obey God, how does one move from outright disobedience to joyful obedience bypassing an engagement in alternative motivations such as fear, self-righteousness, guilt, etc? Or maybe the whole problem with such a question is the turn phrase "how does one move".

Kevin, Let me rephrase the first part of my question. Is God pleased with you and I when we obey Him out of sheer duty. Is He more pleased when we joyfully obey Him? I once heard Piper tell his congregation during the collection of the offering that if they were going to give reluctantly or out of duty that he would prefer that they wouldn't at all because it was "cursed" money. I know I am paraphrasing. Is that too far?

Good insight Kevin. Do you think we should obey God's commands if we're not joyful in doing so? Also, can "reluctant obedience" serve as a form of discipline (for the Christian) that will eventually result in a fruit of joyful obedience later? Take the issue of giving for example. Is it better to give grudgingly than not at all and if so, is it possible that the mere practice of giving will produce a "cheerful" giver in due time?

Dan you said it so true! I think alot of Christians think they've heard the Gospel and think that's it, done that. I wonder if the gospel has impacted them in a saving way? I can only speak for myself, that the gospel means more to me now then it did 3, 5, 10, 20 years ago.

Thanks Holly!!

Ok, would you have me be an environmentalist or a capitalist? You can't have it both ways. Me thinks the green might actually be closer to Christ....

LISTEN SIR! I'M JUST TRYING TO SAVE THE ONLY GREEN I CARE ABOUT SIR! AND THAT'S THE MAMMON IN MY WALLET SIR!!!!!!!

I invented this blog, not the internet. So far, 75 miles on 1/4 tank. I'm on pace for a 300 mile tank as opposed to the 230 I've been getting.

Gage, Are you saying I'm green?

Kevin, You bring up some tantalizing points. I do agree with you that God's intent was to dwell with His people. His foreknowledge is difficult to avoid however, and it seems that the "plan" he ordained to accomplish this was Christ-centered. His sovereignty makes it difficult for me to insinuate that "atonement" was some type of plan "B". Let me ask you, is it conceivable that sin/rebellion is the necessary catalyst for Adam to arrive to his "final blessed state", for without it Christ's atoning work wouldn't be necessary?