Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: bob@morningstar.com (Bob Sutterfield) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Christianity Questions Message-ID: Date: 2 May 91 08:08:19 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 32 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu From: rsmith@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu (Rena L Smith) Date: 25 Apr 91 03:09:22 GMT ...After I realized what I had said I corrected it and repented for it but I still felt gulity. Do other people experience the same thing? Sure, all the time. You're in good company - read Paul's comments in his letter to the Romans, chapters 7 and 8, especially 7:14 through 8:11, particularly 7:24-25: "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin." The christian life is one of tensions: the flesh vs the spirit, being vs becoming, saved vs sanctified, already part of the Kingdom but not yet in Heaven. If anyone tells you that they have it all under control, don't believe them. This is not an excuse to get complacent, but it's a good reason not to feel guilty. Do any of you out there believe in laying hands on people for healing, prayer, etc. Yes, but I don't see much of it except in exceptional circumstances. I'm not comfortable with the amount of emphasis the practice receives in some segments of the Church.