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View of the law
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- A set of detailed obligations that I must keep
- Rigid application of case law
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- The underlying principles of the law describe the ultimate goal toward which God is moving me: a loving life-style
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View of self
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- I am regenerate, and therefore I am able to keep the law.
- The law helps me live for God.
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- I am regenerate, but I still can't keep the law, because of my "outer man."
- By relying on the Spirit, not the letter, I can gradually change.
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View of the Holy Spirit
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- Little practical understanding of the Spirit's ministries
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- Depends on the Holy Spirit for all power, Motivation, and direction
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The "Key" to spiritual growth
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- Self discipline
or
- Special experiences
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- Knows self-effort is futile Romans 7:18
- Looks to a process, not to quick-fix experiences
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Approach to Scripture
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- Relies on an inconsistent hermeneutic
- Unable to harmonize Jesus and the epistles
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- Is consistent, and is able to harmonize the gospels and epistles
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Mental focus
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- My duty: to do what the rules require
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- Identification with Christ
- Personal relationship with God
- Loving others as a means of growth
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Reaction to failure
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- Surprised and distressed
- Rationalizations, minimization, blame-shifting and self-recrimmination
- Vows to do better
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- Not surprised
- Confident of God's acceptance
- Return to active dependence
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Reaction to success
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- Proud and intolerant of others
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- Humbly grateful
- Still able to empathize with those who fail
- Sees continued need for growth
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Eventual result
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- External conformity, but increasing internal defeat and hypocrisy
- Growing cynicism and despair OR:
Self-righteous externalistic comparisons--self deception
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- Gradual transformation into a person with a measure of victory over sin and a spiritual mind-set
- A more loving person
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