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A question of NT emphasis
Tom:
Craig,
I agree with you brother. The good news is becoming so clear.
For the sake of this forum, I'd like to add a few other thoughts...
I see an image of God in Christ that far surpasses the image I saw as a hireling in the institutional systems of religion that I used to partake of. Theirs was often a use of fear to manipulate for everything they wanted. It was as though much of what they knew revolved around fear, legalism, and control. It became stifling and helped open my eyes to a far larger vision of the grace, love, and goodness of God.
Having come as out of those systems as I have (I'm sure some of it still lingers within me...) I love what I see in Christ these days, and my image of Him is that of conquering by love. However, having said that, I must admit that I'm cautious about an emphasis on the love and grace of God that may well fail to take sufficient account of His justice.
I see God as being the ultimate communicator, and not one Who hides His truth from the truly seeking hearts. As I have studied the theme of UR I have been led to what I think is the love of God balanced by the wisdom of God. In other words, I think God could easily have communicated a far more positive emphasis surrounding the theme of judgment, than He did, so I ask myself and Him the question of "why" the emphasis that is there?
I think, but I'm not absolutely certain, but I think the answer lies in His wisdom knowing that if He revealed too much of the glories of heaven it might just lead the independant minded sinner to conclude he could live in sin here and enter heaven later, after God helped him to see what he didn't want to see here. I think God could easily have said far more about the optimistic approach to judgment that many who are solidly URs believe they see. If He had wanted us to have such a hugely optimistic understanding, as I read among those who are settled in UR, I believe there is much more He would have said about the positive outcomes of His judgments. But...He doesn't. In fact, He paints a very bleak and dire picture.
It seems to me He gave us enough to "suspect" there will be a positive resolution for everyone, but not enough to be "certain" He will. I incline towards a positive outcome, but I'm not certain of one. I'm sure many here would conclude I just need a further revelation of God's love and goodness, to complete my understanding of His image, and I'm open to that possibility.
What I think to be more the case though is that we are not given enough for much of the optimism I read on this topic. I'm not saying there won't be positive outcomes, but I am saying it is an optimism that none of the writers of the NT evidenced in their writings. They are relatively silent where many UR folks are intensely vocal.
I think I'm open to further light in this area, but thus far my theory of His seeming silence, where I would have expected Him to be far more demonstrative, inclines me towards the conclusions I'm coming to.
I'm very hesitant to be more optimistic in my writing and teaching than I see the apostles being. I suspect we are not to "know" as thoroughly as many "seem" to know. I supect it is because of the fragility of the human soul, and its tendency to look for reasons to put off a decision for submission to God.
I know many of the UR writings dismiss the notion that teaching UR will cause the disobedient to remain disobedient, and to embrace a "we'll see..." attitude about the next life, but I'm not so certain that this concern is invalid. Mankind is continually looking for excuses to justify fleshly behavior...why not all the more so where it comes to submitting to His call upon their souls for faith in Christ?
Thus, He paints a picture of judgment that leads mankind to fear a Christless next age. At the same time He paints a picture of glories of the next ages, and His deep and powerful love for all. Both themes seem sooo evident. I wonder if we are to reflect both of these themes, not fully settle on UR in this life, and trust in His wise goodness and wisdom to resolve all things according the good intentions of His perfect will?
These are just my spiritual ruminations. I'm still very open to correction and light from Jesus.
Blessings!
Tom
Tom:
Greetings GODSown1,
I follow what you are saying, and I suppose it is possible, but I guess I'm not ready to conclude I have greater light than my NT writing brothers had.
I see myself as anointed at times, certainly filled with the Spirit, but I tend to believe they walked in a revelation not given to others outside their specific apostolic calling. It would be a far stretch for me to think that I know more about this position than they did, or that anyone else does.
I appreciate the perspective you bring, and I certainly wouldn't want to sell God short, in terms of His power to reveal Himself to all generations.
Thanks!
Tom
GODSown1:
Hi again TOM,
first of all thanx on ur understandn of wot I hav sed (phew!! lol!), But! I jus wanna add I wasnt sayn U were n e greater or lesser den da writters of da Gospels, I believe 1 shouldnt put a Limit on his/her being, az GOD is our Creator our Deliverer etc etc, weneva it is ur time 2 know this or that it is soully up 2 our Creators timing!, Right!? :), GODBLESS! U, I know n the name of JESUS alL will b revealled 2 U, GOD! Willing Amen.
muchLOVE!! Pera
ps. Peace, Grace & Mercy 2 U brother.
Tom:
Hey GODSown1,
Thanks! It is always assuring to know that none of us are very far away from the Father's revelation. If there are things I haven't seen, but need to see, then in His time it will happen.
Do you feel you have some light on the issue of "emphasis" the writers evidence?
Tom
GODSown1:
Amen 2 d@ TOM,
:D Yes TOM I believe wot has been sed frm others is probably a more n depth of wot Ive been sayn :) takecare ma brotner Peace 2 U.
muchLOVE!! Pera
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