Comments on: The Idolatry of Safety – Part 1 http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/02/the-idolatry-of-safety-part-1/ An unusual perspective on religion, politics and life. Wed, 01 Feb 2012 20:25:52 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Janet http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/02/the-idolatry-of-safety-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-1675 Janet Fri, 19 Nov 2010 20:58:25 +0000 http://www.CompuChristian.com/?p=94#comment-1675 You are largely correct. But you cannot expect a Christian to be willing to face permanent physical death for the Savior when he isn't a daily living sacrifice (Rom. 12). What is at the root of the condition? Jesus loved us enough to lay down his life for us. But we do not have that same degree of love for Him. We don't love Him. Why we don't love Him is another question, but we simply don't love Him. That is also why we live ineffective, unfruitful lives. "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. " Rev. 12:11 I would say this means loving not your life - period; not clutching it, not owning it, not spending it the way you want to spend it.... even if it means death. On the other hand, we must not foolishly take "risks" either. As you said, "Living a dangerous life does not make you more righteous. Danger and risk are foolish goals." Foolishness is not commended by God. Responsible stewardship demands practicing safety as much as possible without compromising the task at hand. God gave a conditional promise of safety to Israel: "Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety." The desire to live and dwell safely is inborn, and not to be mocked or criticized. What we must remember is what the Psalmist expressed in Ps. 4:8, "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety." The question we should ask when faced with anything is not "is it safe?" but rather, "Lord, is this what you want me to do, if so, when, and how should I go about it?" If we do what He asks, when it is His time for it to be done, the way He wants it done, then, live or die, the safety factor is His business. You are largely correct. But you cannot expect a Christian to be willing to face permanent physical death for the Savior when he isn’t a daily living sacrifice (Rom. 12). What is at the root of the condition? Jesus loved us enough to lay down his life for us. But we do not have that same degree of love for Him. We don’t love Him. Why we don’t love Him is another question, but we simply don’t love Him. That is also why we live ineffective, unfruitful lives. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. ” Rev. 12:11 I would say this means loving not your life – period; not clutching it, not owning it, not spending it the way you want to spend it…. even if it means death.

On the other hand, we must not foolishly take “risks” either. As you said, “Living a dangerous life does not make you more righteous. Danger and risk are foolish goals.” Foolishness is not commended by God. Responsible stewardship demands practicing safety as much as possible without compromising the task at hand. God gave a conditional promise of safety to Israel: “Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.” The desire to live and dwell safely is inborn, and not to be mocked or criticized.

What we must remember is what the Psalmist expressed in Ps. 4:8, “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” The question we should ask when faced with anything is not “is it safe?” but rather, “Lord, is this what you want me to do, if so, when, and how should I go about it?” If we do what He asks, when it is His time for it to be done, the way He wants it done, then, live or die, the safety factor is His business.

]]> By: Piuta http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/02/the-idolatry-of-safety-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-796 Piuta Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:13:24 +0000 http://www.CompuChristian.com/?p=94#comment-796 Well said. Well said.

]]> By: TaxmanT http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/02/the-idolatry-of-safety-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-297 TaxmanT Mon, 24 Mar 2008 23:32:43 +0000 http://www.CompuChristian.com/?p=94#comment-297 Yes, Boldness, not safety. Let us greatly encourage those go. Yes, Boldness, not safety. Let us greatly encourage those go.

]]> By: Nick Gausling http://www.thomasumstattd.com/2008/02/the-idolatry-of-safety-part-1/comment-page-1/#comment-155 Nick Gausling Sat, 16 Feb 2008 19:27:20 +0000 http://www.CompuChristian.com/?p=94#comment-155 You haven't gone too far. This is what needs to be said. You haven’t gone too far. This is what needs to be said.

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