sermon: Magic Doesn't Work (Part 3)
The Work to Produce Fruit
Richard T. Ritenbaugh
Given 26-Apr-08; Tape #879A
Description: Richard Ritenbaugh, reiterating that in physical and spiritual creation, God does not wave a wand, but does a great deal of work. Likewise, in our repentance, there is a great deal of reciprocal effort between God and us. In the stories of Star Wars, the X-Men, or Harry Potter, the protagonist does not grow in character, but merely hones some physical skills which become augmented by magic. Magic is always used as some kind of weapon, but not to build or develop moral strength or character. God chooses a life-long process of sanctification for our developing character, a process symbolized by the Exodus and the Days of Unleavened Bread, events in which the Israelites had to arduously walk, putting out leaven, and consume unleavened bread. In the Christian parallel, the Israel of God must follow God, repent, and grow spiritually. We must repent initially to be justified, but must continually repent in our process of sanctification, attaining both purity of conduct and mind, growing in grace and knowledge of Christ. Grace cannot be considered static (it could ebb and flow), but is a continuous process of growing stronger in the favor of Christ, brought about by doing as He instructs, doing the things that please the Father; in short, keeping His Holy Law in order to produce spiritual fruit after its kind (resembling the original seed- emanating from the Word of God.) If we don't glorify the Vintner as productive branches on the Vine producing abundant spiritual fruit, we will be pruned or cut from the vine. Spiritual growth or character do not come about by fiat or magic. (78 minutes)
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