> General Discussions
Parable of the Talents
Joey Porter:
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on June 21, 2007, 09:20:33 AM ---Contemplating on this parable recently I began to think about how this could apply to us, are we (those who have been blessed with a clearer understanding of His purpose for humanity) putting to a good use the knowledge (treasure) He has generously provided?
Are we like the servant who buried his master's treasure (Mat 25:14 - Mat 25:30) or are we seeking to increase it by setting a good example (through Him) that draws people to wonder what is the source of our hope and joy? (1Pe 3:15)
It is also written that to whom "much is given" (Luke 12:48) "of him much shall be required" how does this relate to the way we live or speak (write) or think? It can be too easy to denigrate the churches and the people in them but how many talents have they been given? What are some of the individuals doing with the smaller amount of the treasure of His Word that has been granted them?
There are some out there doing some very selfless things based on the limited knowledge they have been given, imagine how those folk's love and committment to the Lord will increase when He opens their eyes to the things we have been blessed to receive! Remember our own joy? What are we doing presently with these talents? With this treasure?
These questions/observations have been rolling around my brain the last few days and any comments are greatly appreciated.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
--- End quote ---
I think we have to find that line between doing good works for which we were created, and running about working from the flesh, trying to accomplish things on our own efforts. But then again, we can't use God's sovereignty as an excuse to be lazy.
I think if we just rely on the guidance of the Spirit, more and more we'll begin to find out what God's will is.
I think about the story of Mary and Martha. That is one of the most clear examples of separating those who are called from those who are chosen. Remember at the house, Mary was sitting at Jesus' feet, just listening to what He was saying. Meanwhile, Martha was running around doing all kinds of works. And also remember, Jesus told Martha that Mary chose what was better.
Then, we also remember when the Lord was coming to raise Lazarus from the dead. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet Him, but Mary stayed at home. Then after Mary heard that Jesus called for her, she went. I am certain these details were added to the story to show us how we are to be patient and let Him lead us, so that we don't get ahead of ourselves and slowly start going astray.
DuluthGA:
Hi Joe and all...
Great thoughts from Arcturus and GMick, and a great set of verses [for which I am especially thankful :-*] to Darren. Also, FABULOUS verses and thoughts from Diana, especially (paraphrasing) these two:
'It's really a shock to wake up realizing that you have not been worshipping your first love.' and...
'I know there are no works I can do that will get Jesus onto the throne of my heart. He comes and takes over in His time.'
[And, I STILL AM A BIT OF A BEASTIE TOO, Diana, rats! :P]
To address Joe's initial inquiry, what am I doing about it?
Well YES Joe, I VIVIDLY remember my first joy and I want to share it!!!
And yes Joe, much has been given to me and of course, I want to share it!!!
So what I'm doing, although I know from reading Ray's paper on "Winning Souls for Jesus" that I really do not have to do a darned thing, is a little advertising for the BT website wherever I go in the form of simple labels as well as laminated picture labels with the website on them. God has put this in my heart, and it makes me feel an active part of the whole picture. :)
Thanks for this topic!
Much Joy, Caregiver
hillsbororiver:
--- Quote from: Arcturus on June 22, 2007, 01:00:49 PM ---
Joe what you say about being patient when a brother is not seeing or not getting it, is well and good if the brother is a brother or the sister is a sister. If a brother or a sister wanders off into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk 1 Tim 1 : 6 we are to warn and admonish and charge them not to teach any different doctrines 1 Tim 1 : 3 because there are certain individuals who have missed the mark and have wandered away. So I agree with you that we should be alert to error and wrong doctrine and be ready to correct, edify and admonish if correction and edification is rejected.
This is what I see Ray doing. He is correcting edifying and warning those who reject sound doctrine.
--- End quote ---
Hi Arcturus,
I addressed this earlier in the thread when I wrote;
--- Quote from: hillsbororiver on June 21, 2007, 06:14:11 PM ---
....we have to have a balance, if we are telling ourselves that we are in the race for election into the first resurrection then we really need to consider how we as individuals interact with our sisters and brothers.
Not only interact but how we think of them, what we say about them, if we have a God given understanding of His Word they have yet to be given we should be approaching them with patience and longsuffering, this is not to say that heretical doctrine should be tolerated but that unless someone is strident and divisive we should have empathy as we ourselves could have been where they are, we haven't done a thing in being dragged to His Truth & purpose for us.
If we are holding the Spirit of Christ deep in our hearts then manifesting the fruits of His Spirit (even in baby steps) should be the next logical (spiritually speaking) move toward the finish line.
--- End quote ---
Gal 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
1Th 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
hillsbororiver:
Hello Everyone,
I truly appreciate all of your input, many good things to contemplate.
My point here is not to say we need to pack a lunch and trudge into the dark and dangerous alleys to preach, teach and boldly proclaim "the message." No, the point was that if we are growing in Christ the progression to manifesting the fruits of the spirit should become evident not only to those we are close to but everyone we come into contact with. These "works" can be an encouraging word to someone having a bad time of it, a helping hand to someone in need, a phone call to a lonely or hurting soul, a hospital visit to the sick, a letter written to someone in prison, the list goes on and on. It is also good fruit to give a timely admonishment with patience and longsuffering for we are not doing His work if and when we let a brother or sister continue in some sort of error as if it is a good thing.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
I had been thinking about this stuff the last few days in regard to my own place in this journey with our Lord and how my own heart views those around me as I interact with the people I come into contact with, not only what I might say or do but the thoughts that I entertain as well. I realize that I need to diligently pray continuously for His Spirit to not only comfort me but to be a conduit of hope, comfort and peace (through His Spirit) to others and to purge my mind of the carnal thoughts that can so easily overtake my consciousness.
His Peace and Wisdom to you,
Joe
Kat:
Hi Joe,
I agree with you completely.
We do feel we should desire to do all those things you mentioned. But for it to be exceptable to God, our heart has to be in it.
Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,
v. 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
1Pe 1:22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere love of the brethren, love one another earnestly from the heart.
v. 23 You have been born anew, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God;
It kind of reminds me of two people dating, and always putting forth their best manners. If they should marry, that is when the true test begins and they see each other as they truely are.
But we can not fool God.
1Sam 16:7 "... for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Eze 11:19 Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,
v. 20 that they may walk in My statutes and keep My judgments and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat
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