> General Discussions
1 Cor 2:2
hillsbororiver:
Great topic Arcturus,
Your responses have been very edifying as well Gary & Marie.
It is easy to get distracted at times, our carnal nature strives for the approval of our peers while our spiritual being is consumed by growing in Him as He grows within us displacing the old nature day by day. We can be more vulnerable to this "seeking approval of men" during our "dry times" or when we feel a separation from His Spirit (even though He is ever with us) when we want recognition for a job well done or agreement in something we say or write and it is not forthcoming at that time. I have been guilty of this and I have seen others experience it as well, frustration becomes anger and we lose sight of the prize (Jesus Christ) and what our motivation should be, growing in His Spirit and helping out our brethren in their walks as well.
Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
The above verse I believe speaks to what can happen when we are on a "spiritual roll" so to speak, when knowledge is easily obtained and the Word seems so clear that we can share wisdom and insight almost effortlessly, then comes the accolades or praise from others that once again can take our eyes off of the prize. We must always be aware that any wisdom or understanding we receive comes only from our Lord as He grants it, it is not of our own mind. The "dry times" are also of Him, to strengthen our spirit as we are humbled, it is a time to seek Him more fervently not to be frustrated or angry with our brethren.
When we are being tested or feel out of touch with our brothers and sisters it is important to quietly seek One on one time with Him, remembering that this is a process to complete us as His creation, Sons and Daughters of God Almighty! As such we are the clay in the Potter's Hands. What a wonderful promise.
Pro 3:12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye ********, and not sons.
1Pe 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Thanks for this thread,
Joe
Deborah-Leigh:
Hello Joe
........then comes the accolades or praise from others.......
This reminds me of when Jesus went into Jerusalem on the back of the Donkey with the people screeming their approval...followed by the same people screeming ....Crucify Him Crucify Him....! (Jesus knows what is in the heart of mankind I believe then, now and tomorrow and this will grow worse until He comes again )
....Unmoved cold and to temptation no. Lord and Master of His face....others stewards of His excellence. From Shakespear with one little alteration. Shakespear writes...unmoved cold and to temptation slow....but then Shakespear was not talking about Christ.....
any wisdom or understanding we receive comes only from our Lord as He grants it,
Absolutely ....Matt28:18...ALL authority, ALL power of rule in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.
Peace to you Joe
Arcturus :)
orion77:
Amen, good posts.
We just as Jesus have to learn obedience through suffering. These are the times where most knowledge is gained, that propels us from faith to faith. The true faith never has been accepted by the world, they will hate and persecute you for it. This is a great witness to us that God is working in our lives, and it should be counted for joy. We are in great company. Our many elder brothers and sisters who came before us have suffered greatly for the witness of Christ and their testimonies.
God bless,
Gary
andrevan:
Thanks Arcturus for this post. I have seen a number of people in the church glorifying each other for their works and talents, however nothing is from us, it's all from God.
For me 1 Cor 2:2 always stands out when I read it, it tells me to remain humble in my attitude towards my knowledge, because it is not out of my own effort but a gift from God. It tells to me to watch myself, lest I become puffed up and think I'm qualified in the Word. All my understanding needs to be built on and around Christ crucified, all glory and honor to Him, not to any person, especially myself. The moment I look to someone else for approval, the warning bells need to go off, my eyes need to be fixed on the prize as Joe mentioned, the prize is Jesus Christ.
I've been guilty of doing things for the wrong motives in the past, to please people, I'm just thankful now that God is leading me away from that and into a new understanding.
The peace of God to you all.
Andrevan.
Deborah-Leigh:
So true Andrevan.
I even cringe when I say thank YOU when it is not the YOU I need to thank. I feel, to thank the YOU is to give the acknowledgment away from The Christ that is in YOU. This leads to sounding rude or callous, insensitive or ungrateful, or worse pious when a brother or sister extends the love of Christ or the wisdom of Christ or the council of Christ.........
The world is a heinous place that corrupts and putrifies fleshy things. The world serves up man-made traditions and customs served as delecasies that are like small morsels of self adulation and customary courtesy and politeness that says nothing, means less and burns holes that void the word of God. Surely my brothers and sisters this is the suffering we are united to bear? The pain of sight and seeing as Jesus saw this world..."nullifying and making void and of no effect the authority of the Word of God through tradition which is in turn handed on. And many things of this kind you are doing" Mark 7:13....... We are born spiritually weak and then conditioned by the world to correct behaviour and socialization skills that void the word of God.
Gods Holy Spirit is separate and distinctly removed from such and is smelled as perfume to those who are starting to live in and through it and this is anathma to those who are glorifying the Beast.
I feel jarred to the bone as I recall hearing and singing in with the blind so called praise and worship songs that say.....We...WE WE...give You glory! What glory can a smelly rag give to a royal purple robe wafted in the fragrance of God, distinguished by His Holy blood splashed from His Wounds and carried into the royal purple treads of such a mantle upon the Glorious Shoulders of our King?.............................................
The eyes He gives us shows us the error of the world and the Glory that is His to the Praise of our Father!
Peace to you
Arcturus
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