Nuggets from An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith by Dave Hunt - Doing Away with Excuses

Nuggets from "An Urgent Call to a Serious Faith" by Dave Hunt - Doing Away with Excuses -

The Bible does not say, “Rejoice in the Lord always…unless you are unable to do so because of an unhappy childhood, a bout of depression, or adverse circumstances.” It does not say, “Be anxious for nothing…unless you have a nervous disposition.” It does not say, “Forgive…unless you are unable to because of abuse.” We are not excused from obeying the command, “Be not afraid” because we happen to be timid and fearful. Nor are we excused from the command, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts” because we have been diagnosed as susceptible to stress. Nor are we excused from the command to love because we find certain people unlovable. Unfortunately, however, simple obedience to God’s Word, which sound doctrine compels, has been undermined by “psychological counseling,” which nourishes unbelief and rebellion. Therapy then offers to justify our disobedience, to comfort us in our rebellion, and to provide the peace and joy that only God can give to those who trust and obey Him.

Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance (Galatians:5:22-23 [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
See All...) are clearly declared to be the fruit not of therapy but of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. How? Through some magic process by which God “zaps” us and we are transformed? No, but as God’s truth so grips our hearts that we are fully persuaded to be ruled by His Word, to obey Him, and to trust Him to fulfill in us what He has promised. This is not to deny the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit powerfully in our hearts and through us in others, in ways beyond human comprehension. It is merely to say that the Bible clearly declares that God works in our lives through our obedience to His Word. As Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John:8:31-32 [31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
See All...).