Reading all the replys of our faults brings me to some thoughts. How much of our personalities, our enviorment, and our parents have to due with who we become? My mother was not a believer but when she died at 93 I wanted to say some words about her at the furneral. The fruit of the spirit spoken of in the love chapter really described her. Her life was a testament of a Godly women and if not for her and taking on some of her I could have been like my Dad who was basicaly a maniac. On my Dads side was a lot af alcoholism and addictive personality traits. Out of six kids my one sister and I took on her nature and the others were alot like my Dad.
Has anyone ever studied the 4 personality traits that all human beings are born with and the mixture that we can have. Like intravert and extravert. My husband struggles with anger(his dad was a angry man) and as a believer who could not rid himself of this regardless of all the prayers to God for help. Why does not God help us when we truly desire change and change would bring glory to him and also a witness? I don't have the answers .
Any thoughts ?
Inezray, that is a good point. This is one thing I never could understand about the teaching of hellfire. I feel very blessed to be born into a good family and in this country. To be honest, if I were born in different circumstances in a different envoirnment, I know things would be totally different. So, who are we to say anything about anyone, when it was all up to God where we were born, with the circumstances given.
It has always boggled my imagination of so called christians, who tout their damnation beliefs and hell doctrine, thinking they are right and most are doomed, yet every funeral they always say such nice thilngs to the departed, changing their stance just to appease others and look good in others eyes. Never once have I heard them back up their belief in time of death. Sorry, off track, but hypocrites never cease to amaze me.
Inezray, even the desire to change is up to God. Here is a Psalm that every human being can relate to:
(Psa 38:1) A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O Jehovah, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, and do not chasten me in Your fury.
(Psa 38:2) For Your arrows sink in me, and Your hand presses heavily on me.
(Psa 38:3) There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger; nor peace in my bones because of my sin.
(Psa 38:4) For my iniquities have passed over my head; as a heavy burden too heavy for me.
(Psa 38:5) My wounds have putrefied and rotted because of my foolishness.
(Psa 38:6) I am bent down, I am bowed down exceedingly; I went mourning all the day.
(Psa 38:7) For my loins are filled with a burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh.
(Psa 38:
I am exceedingly benumbed and crushed. I howl from the groanings of my heart.
(Psa 38:9) My Lord, all my desire is before You, and my sighing is not hidden from You.
(Psa 38:10) My heart throbs; my power forsakes me! And the light of my eyes, they also are not with me.
(Psa 38:11) My lovers and my friends stand apart from my stroke, and my neighbors have stood far off.
(Psa 38:12) And those seeking my life lay a snare; yea, those seeking my evil speak ruin, and they utter deceits all the day long.
(Psa 38:13) But like a deaf one I do not hear; and I am like a dumb one who does not open his mouth.
(Psa 38:14) And I am as a man who is not hearing, and who has no rebukes in his mouth.
(Psa 38:15) For I hope in You, O Jehovah; O Lord my God You will answer.
(Psa 38:16) For I said, Lest they rejoice over me in the slipping of my foot; they exalt themselves over me.
(Psa 38:17) For I am ready to fall and my pain is before me always.
(Psa 38:18) For I will confess my perversity; I am anxious from my sin.
(Psa 38:19) And my enemies are living; they are strong; and ones hating me have multiplied; they lie.
(Psa 38:20) And those who repay evil for good, they attack me, because the good follows me.
(Psa 38:21) O Jehovah, do not forsake me! O my God, do not be far from me.
(Psa 38:22) Make haste to help me, O my Lord, my salvation.
God has ALL in His hands, each life no matter how we perceive it, has progressed to His plan, through all circumstances. The penalty has been paid, sins are forgiven, this we must put faith in. To us, at times things seem impossible and incomprehensible, but to God all things are possible. We must never forget, that He, and Him, emphasized, is in the business of creating us in His image, and His will be done, no matter what we or others believe or say. And the bottom line is, God is love. This is GOOD NEWS, in which we can be at peace, knowing these things.
God bless,
Gary