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Philippians 2:12-13 - a simple question
mhykx:
You know, I must tell you (you're all my brothers and sisters, anyway), I sometimes hesitant to post a question here in forum because I hate to be thought as "stupid", or "this guy still can't get it and his on his way to his xxxxth post!" I sometimes wish that if only Ray was well, I could have directed the question to him but since he is not I don't because I hate to be a bother with my simple question. But I continue to post anyway because through asking questions I am able to unlodge my fear and confusion and little by little begin to see things more clearly from different answers given.
"...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. "
So many times until yesterday, I thought this verse implies that God is the one who wills. But just last night I noticed it doesn't say so. It is God WHO WORKS (causes circumstances to happen, etc.). And it is always the man WHO WILLs (but it isn't free since his will is just the effect of the cause).
Therefore to answer my own question, If a person did a terrible sinful act, who worked (not directly but ultimately caused) in him to will and do it? GOD! Whose will (desire, choice) is it to do wrong? MAN! Is this correct?
-Mike
mharrell08:
--- Quote from: mhykx on May 12, 2009, 09:25:22 PM ---You know, I must tell you (you're all my brothers and sisters, anyway), I sometimes hesitant to post a question here in forum because I hate to be thought as "stupid", or "this guy still can't get it and his on his way to his xxxxth post!"
--- End quote ---
To members:
I wanted to make a short thread about this attitude but this is well enough here...please do not hesitant to ask questions on the forum.
Asking questions was probably everyone's #1 reason to join the forum...whether it was to ask questions to further one's understanding of the scriptures and Ray teachings or to ask how others are dealing with living in the Truth, in their lives around family and friends who think you are deceived.
There is no such thing as a dumb or stupid question...though being somewhat familiar with Ray's teachings is somewhat expected.
Thanks,
Marques
P.S. Yes Mike, God is the cause of all and mankind chooses to sin. Our will to sin is a direct effect of the initial cause of God placing us in bondage to sin.
mhykx:
--- Quote from: mharrell08 on May 12, 2009, 09:43:32 PM ---P.S. Yes Mike, God is the cause of all and mankind chooses to sin. Our will to sin is a direct effect of the initial cause of God placing us in bondage to sin.
--- End quote ---
Thanks Marques and to others as well for your/their inputs!
I thank God the most for working my mind to understand His precious words.
-Mike
lilitalienboi16:
--- Quote from: mhykx on May 12, 2009, 09:25:22 PM ---You know, I must tell you (you're all my brothers and sisters, anyway), I sometimes hesitant to post a question here in forum because I hate to be thought as "stupid", or "this guy still can't get it and his on his way to his xxxxth post!" I sometimes wish that if only Ray was well, I could have directed the question to him but since he is not I don't because I hate to be a bother with my simple question. But I continue to post anyway because through asking questions I am able to unlodge my fear and confusion and little by little begin to see things more clearly from different answers given.
"...for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. "
So many times until yesterday, I thought this verse implies that God is the one who wills. But just last night I noticed it doesn't say so. It is God WHO WORKS (causes circumstances to happen, etc.). And it is always the man WHO WILLs (but it isn't free since his will is just the effect of the cause).
Therefore to answer my own question, If a person did a terrible sinful act, who worked (not directly but ultimately caused) in him to will and do it? GOD! Whose will (desire, choice) is it to do wrong? MAN! Is this correct?
-Mike
--- End quote ---
I just always try and remmeber that there is a difference between God's stated plan and His will.
Much like the story of Pharoe.
God's will was for pharoe to let His people go, but God's plan was to harden pharoe's heart so that puny pharoe would stand up and defy Him.
Almost seems contradictive but this was God's most perfect plan to achieve His will.
When it comes to doing evil, we are all brought through causes and circumstances beyond our controle [This is the God operating all] into a position of making a choice. Since our hearts are so weak and we have no spiritual strength of our own, it takes but God to remove His hand from us for us to falter. And with satan wondering around waiting to devour us, it becomes all to easy for us to sin.
I love the analogy of Humans being like the earth.
Think about the earth for a moment. The earth itself is dark and void of light on it's own. Yet the earth has light because of the sun. Not because it has it on its own but because it has the sun!
Well what happens when you remove the sun? The earth gets very dark!
Now we are the earth [or dust of the earth ;)] take away the sun [God] and we become very very dark! We never had any light on our own to begin with but it was because of God that we were lit and shown! :)
Hence since God know's all things, He knows that the circumstances He puts us in will cause us to make evil choices, He takes responsibility! Through the death of Jesus Christ. Don't forget though that when all this comes to fruition [SP?] God will take all the glory. And since IT WAS WE who made those evil decisions, because we were brought to a place in time where in our very hearts at THAT MOMENT we wanted to make the decision, WE will be held accountable!
Remember, YOu are still makign that decision, though you were brought to it through forces unseen, you still at that moment you made the decision, want tto make it in your heart and therefor are accountable!
I hope that made some sence :<
God bless,
Alex
aqrinc:
I would like to make one comment about asking questions. There is a stupid question,???? it is the one you never ask, so if it is an unasked question,????? it will never get an answer.
george.?????????
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