Monday, September 03, 2018

Tracks II: The good is not always the greater good


From with edits and revisions for today: Tracks: April 14, 2013

Back in my Christian academic education days at Canadian Baptist Seminary/Trinity Western University, I had a very fine Baptist theology professor that is now a Facebook friend, the late Dr. Earl Radmacher.

Within Theology 1 and Theology 2 which were long several hour sessions, he brought us the theological concept of 'Tracks' in other words, from how I understood back in the late 1990's, it was the concept that a Christian may be well-meaning to do something better and greater for God and yet a track or tracks associated with sin or a track or tracks associated with something less than God's perfect will were holding a Christian back in life. Seems to me he used the example of sexual sin and someone wanting to repent sincerely to God, but habitual sin prevented change. The person could not change tracks. Not in their own strength. It can be difficult to move onto a different track or tracks. I find 'tracks' quite fascinating.

A biblically-based pursuit of God requires being indwelt and guided by the Holy Spirit within God's will in obedience

At rimes, prayerfully, I can catch myself on tracks that, can be reasoned biblically, are not within God's perfect will. This enlightenment to question my tracks can be assisted by prayer, my own private study, life observations, church interactions and fellowship with Christian friends.

I am observing that Christians at times are following tracks that have aspects of good within them.

But, are many of these tracks merely being caused (willingly allowed) by God, being fueled as good things significantly via sinful human natures, tainted desires and limited human free will?

For example:

Placing good political aims before the gospel in priority.

Placing personal agenda before the gospel in priority.

The good is not always the greater good...
Today