(05-09-2018, 07:51 PM)aleshanee Wrote: i believe if Gad gave us all exactly what we wanted.... ..(or thought we wanted ..). ....and allowed us to do anything we desired... ... we would destroy ourselves... and i believe that is true even of those who consider themselves more accurately in tune to the mind of Christ than others.... ..and even of those who might really be so... ..... but like you say knowing who we are... and learning our own hearts - knowing what things in them are of God and what is of ourselves is a work in continual progress. ......... it begins the moment we are saved and doesn;t end until the day we die.... ....and without ever seeing completion........
paul had what he called a "thorn in the flesh".... which he continually begged God to remove... .. but which paul carried to his death... ........ ......... there is disagreement among christians about what that "thorn" actually was... ....but most agree on 2 things..... and that is pauls desire to have that thorn removed never left him.... and that paul would not have been as effective in his message or as fervent in his service to God had that thorn in the flesh not existed...... .. ..but pauls willingness to accept it.... to alter his life accordingly.... then continue in his service to God tells us a lot about who paul was...... and serves as both a challenge and inspiration for those of us others who have our own thorns in the flesh to deal with....... ..and the unremovable desires that might accompany them.... ...
Well said!
We are such forgetful creatures. One of the "big three" classifications of "what's in this world" is found in
1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Some are better than others at controlling the "lust of the flesh". Some are better than others at controlling the "lust of the eye"....
However, there really isn't anything but "living" a certain way.......that can actually control the "pride of life". There is reason that many "rich people" don't find themselves actually in Jesus Christ. Not too many "rich after the flesh" are called.
1Co 1:26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
1Co 1:27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
1Co 1:28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
1Co 1:29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
God has designed this life to "disarm" us. We are such prideful people. When often actually think we are "self made". I'm all for hard word and I teach my children to work hard. I work hard. My entire family has always worked hard.....
But "working hard" doesn't make us successful in ourselves. Here is a fundamental problem with capitalism. Not saying I reject it, I believe God made it this way on purpose. We are taught we can do and be anything we desire through "hard work" and the "American way".
That's NOT often true and it has nothing to do with the failure to embrace liberal philosophies or "left wing" progressive thought. Unless..... God blesses a person and empowers them to eat the fruits of their labor...... Then all their labor is in vain or vanity.
Ecc 5:13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt.
Ecc 5:14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.
Ecc 5:15 As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.
Ecc 5:16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
Ecc 5:19 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.
Ecc 5:20 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.
God, often for His purpose and our good pleasure, "knocks the edge" off our success to make us realize that we're feeble creature in need of Him.
We are designed to "wane" as we go through life. It teaches us humility, empathy and patience. He shows where and what we can actually trust. Where our true joy comes from.
Also, It NOT always about what God does. Its sometimes about what God chooses NOT to do.