Hi Joe,
It was great reading your "Spiritual Pendulum" post agian.
For one reason or another, God has blessed me his constant love and light. It was not always like this, yet over the years God has taken center stage in my mind and heart. This may sound somewhat crazy, but I have way more faith in him being there for me when I need him than I have for myself.
I used to beat myself up for being so sinful and inadequate, yet now I know that I am is of God. Christ, the firstborn became the first perfect human; there were non prior or since. I am a living temple of God, as are you my dear brother. Yet I am a sinner, possibly the greatest sinner.
Yet Paul speaks of this so well, and I know exactly what he means.
Rom 7:14
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. Rom 7:15
For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Rom 7:16
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that [it is] good. Rom 7:17
Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Rom 7:18
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but [how] to perform that which is good I find not. Rom 7:19
For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Rom 7:20
Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Sadly, I cannot escape the sin that lives in me, but thankfully God has proven to me that he loves me and is with me always. I just have to trust him.
What I am going to say now may shock some, but I hope not.
The Scriptures are living, they apply today just as well as anytime in the past. They are God's word, yet they are not God. I have learned that if his "words" (scripture) grows quiet or dim, it is not because he is pulling away from me; rather, that he is pulling me to him.
Sounds crazy doesn't it.
But it is so true, for when I begin to get a little big for my pants and "think" I have handle on this "truth" thing, I soon learn that I do not. God is spirit and his Spirit is in our hearts, if I am to comunicate or learn from him, it has to be through the spirit and not my carnal attempts. God does not grow distant, it is I.
Jhn 14:17
[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Learning this through the graciousness of our Father has been such a comfort. The fine words of Christ (below) mean so much.
Jhn 21:19
This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Your brother in Christ,
Darren