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"Why So Hard?"
Martymonster:
I was thinking that God doesn't want us to be cofident in our own ability at all!
isn't that just eating from the tree of good and evil?
My understanding is, every time we try to do our own good works then we are just trying to keep the law through our own self sufficiency which leads to death, but as soon as we've gotten to the place where we realise that we can't do absolutely anything with out Him, as soon as we come to this realisation He can take us by the hand and keep the law of the spirit through us.
It's my understanding that we cannot keep the law through any other means but by Jesus Christ!
The Letter brings death but the spirit brings life! ???
hebrewroots98:
I like that..."THE FIRST CHURCH OF THE DROPOUTS FOR JESUS" ;D
iris:
This is a great thread!!!
Its hard for me to know which way I'm going sometimes, but when I think about it, I can see God working with me and shaping me into something better. I tried over and over to stop smoking and never could. I begged God to help me quit. I got up one Monday morning, three months ago and God gave me the strength to not light up that first cigarette. It was so hard, but he stayed with me and I made it through that first day. The cravings for a cigarette are still really bad, but God is always there to help me make it through each day.
It is such a blessing to have this forum to come to. It always builds me up when I come here.
Iris
rocky:
--- Quote from: Martymonster on January 21, 2007, 12:13:09 AM ---I was thinking that God doesn't want us to be cofident in our own ability at all!
isn't that just eating from the tree of good and evil?
My understanding is, every time we try to do our own good works then we are just trying to keep the law through our own self sufficiency which leads to death, but as soon as we've gotten to the place where we realise that we can't do absolutely anything with out Him, as soon as we come to this realisation He can take us by the hand and keep the law of the spirit through us.
It's my understanding that we cannot keep the law through any other means but by Jesus Christ!
The Letter brings death but the spirit brings life! ???
--- End quote ---
:) :) :)
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: rocky on January 20, 2007, 08:55:20 PM ---
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on January 20, 2007, 11:53:53 AM ---
--- Quote from: rocky on January 20, 2007, 10:49:57 AM ---Something I've been thinking about is what is the suffering we are to experience to enter the kingdom of God?
No one in this world is free from suffering. Wounds run deep, for followers of Christ and non followers of Christ.
I'm thinking the suffering is different for Christians, and the result is different. One leads to worldly sorrow, and one leads to Godly sorrow.
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
there's a verse somewhere that talks about suffering for doing good or suffering for doing bad, (can't find it at the moment)
Just wondering if any have some examples of the differences, or insight.
--- End quote ---
Hi Rocky,
I can give a short, personal response in regard to the difference between my own worldly suffering and Spiritual suffering. When I was oblivious to the Spirit and totally engrossed with day to day life in the world I would blame any setbacks or suffering on others, any time events did not go my way it was either someone else who screwed me or by their incompetence I had to overcome something that "never should have happened."
Now when things are not going the way I would desire or prefer I see it as part of the trials and tribulation I must endure to purge this carnal heart from it's inherent wickedness. Instead of looking outward for someone to blame I look inward and see how far I have yet to go.
There is comfort in knowing that God is in control and that He is creating His Sons and Daughters, as Patrick mentioned we are the clay and for a pot or vessel to be worth anything it must endure the kiln's fire.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
--- End quote ---
I agree Joe, whether we look at trials through carnal eyes or spiritual eyes is the key. But do you think that is what this verse is meaning?
1Pe 3:17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
--- End quote ---
Hi Rocky,
I sure can see that application in our physical lives, to be wrongly accused and punished for something we did not do or like in Nazi Germany for instance when people doing a good thing (hiding Jews, Gypsies, and many other "undsirables") at the risk of imprisonment or worse. Being punished for good works rather than being in that same prison (or worse) for being a murderer, thief, etc.
There is another valid application I believe, that would be repaying good with evil, the one doing good would most assuredly experience a trial/tribulation in the here and now where the repayer of evil (if unconverted or not chosen) will revisit this act in the Lake of Fire.
An example might be that an old friend is down on his luck so I decide to move him in with me, loan him money to fix his old car and help him find a job as I provide food and shelter and an encouraging word.
I come home from work one day and I see my house has been ransacked almost anything of any worldly value is gone, so is my friend's car, clothes and personal effects.
My pain and disapointment would be very real as he was congratulating himself on conning this sap (me).
This is a rather extreme example but betrayel is just as real a pain even if it is only untrue, envious words being spoken.
As Christ was betrayed I believe the elect will also have this experience in varying degrees in this life, often from family or friends. As for those who commit these acts of evil often there is no remorse until they get caught and prosectuted (or even just confronted with their actions), then there is remorse but usually only at being caught. The real remorse will be when they are introduced to His purifying Fire.
So my take here is that it is better to suffer for doing good in this life (chosen) than to suffer in the Lake of Fire for evil done (and thought about) in this life.
A few verses,
Psa 35:12 They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul.
Psa 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
Ecc 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Jer 18:20 Shall evil be recompensed fo good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before thee to speak good for them, and to turn away thy wrath from them.
His Word is so layered in Truths, I have come to see that so much scripture has many levels of Wisdom to be absorbed and understood.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
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