For it is GOD which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
"The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, IS FROM THE LORD" (Prov. 16:1). [Regardless of the proper translation of the first half of this verse, the second half is emphatically] "…FROM THE LORD."
"O Lord, I know that the way of man is NOT IN HIMSELF [not in his will or choice] it is not in man that walks to direct his steps [he is not ‘free’ to choice where he will walk]" (Jer. 10:23).
"Man’s goings [steps] are OF THE LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?" (Prov. 20:24).
I've been visiting another forum the last few days, and found it to be very humbling. I got involved in several topics. This forum had believers, and those that don't believe in God at all. Some that have read Rays writings. Anyway, I learned some things about myself. The topic I got more involved in was a discussion about responsible and accountable.I found out that I couldn't explain it at all because I myself still struggle with it. I think that I so much want to that I just except it rather than understanding it. There are times that I just say its one of those things that God just doesn't want me to know, and then as I was re-reading Free Will part 2, I think; I came across the verses above quoted from that series. It seems that these verses nurtures my not understanding even more than before, but on the other hand it seems to put me at the edge of something even bigger, such as a treasure I've been digging for that I thought was in a large chest, but as it turns out for me that this gem might very well be in a small chest in a big field, but a large treasure; if that makes sense to anyone. Well anyway; back to the verses above, and responsible vs. accountability. Doesn't both words mean the same? Since our steps are led by God, then where do we get lust of the heart such as any carnal thought or action or words that we speak. Ray says that we of our own have lust of the heart, but where does that come from since it is God that directs our steps, even this posting I'm doing now, and how am I to understand my own way?
Pastors mislead the flock and the flock follows; all steps directed by God, and they understand not. Isn't trying to expose those that contradict, actually exposing that God is the one in charge of what they are doing? According to the verses above, they don't understand because God is leading their steps, and at the same time leading the steps of those that want to expose them? Is this correct? Am I right or wrong to think that no one can be led astray by man unless that's the steps God wants them to take?
There are times when I'm having thoughts that are very carnal or some sort of action or words that lead me to ask God why am I doing this, or having these thoughts that I can't get rid of. Last night my wife and I was watching a TV serious that has a Gay person on it. He is more feminine than a woman; well I made a comment to Silvia that the least he could do is at least act like a man. This guy literally annoys me to no end, but I don't want to think and feel like that toward anyone.I want to understand, and not judge people like that. Well it was this morning that I found the verses above, and they explained that he can't help the way he is and acts no more than the things that I think and do. Is this not correct? I also want to be in Spirit all the time, and see things, and understand in Spirit, but I come nowhere close, no matter how much I want it.
Can someone explain the difference between responsible and accountable, and why does God, who is responsible for all things including our steps, hold us accountable and punish, or correct which ever is the right word when we are doing what he directs us to do?
I went to a forum of which I have avoided all forums except for this one, because I thought I could be misled into some other belief, but I was wrong to think anyone can mislead me or lead me in the right direction unless that is the step God wants me to take. Isn't that what the verses above are saying?
I can understand being submitted to vanity to humble us and teach us as we are being transformed. Is it that I'm seeing accountability as punishment rather than correction or transformation?
Peace
Roy