tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68099350421869954032024-02-20T09:05:12.151-06:00Auntie M's BookshelfMost commonly in the Hellenist culture of first century Christianity a disciple was known as not just a follower but as an adherent to the instruction of the one they followed. I am Christian who is taking discipleship seriously and hoping to inspire others to do the same along the way. Many followed Christ; few adhered to His teaching. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-878338019659300232018-05-01T13:32:00.001-05:002018-05-01T13:36:27.869-05:00A Christian Conversation on Immigration (part 1)Auntie M's Bookshelf has moved to its own dedicated site. Please <b>follow the link</b> below to read and don't forget to<b> sign up to get email alerts</b> when new posts are published.<br />
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<a href="http://auntiemsbookshelf.com/immigration" target="_blank"><img alt=" A Christian Conversation on Immigration (part 1)" border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="622" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPRMB61pbgoxMu_vCxNUilKDrzWMfKgW2GeOoLOzoR_8ZyxYja8XxBDlSR8TxRfmQJUHTiRh5cUgCFS66sSTsOddzopfvM8raVhEK2Ex4nAp715nxr5GlF2RdAes5pOui5MMVggTB7Nw/s320/illegal+where+do+I+goresize.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://auntiemsbookshelf.com/immigration" target="_blank">A Christian Conversation on Immigration (part1)</a></h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-907443573934581982018-04-10T14:18:00.000-05:002018-04-10T14:18:02.074-05:00Equality does not demand Identicalness!<pre style="word-wrap: break-word;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">It has been argued that their cannot be equality </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">between men and women according to God in</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Kingdom economy because that means </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">removing the differences between men and women;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">differences which should be </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">celebrated not removed. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">I argue that this is not a true statement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I believe that there is confusion between the term equality and the term </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">identical. It would be a false</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">statement to say that men and women are </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">identical. Even the simplest human being on the planet can</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">understand and perceive </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">that there are inherent differences between men and women but this should</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">not </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">necessarily result in a lack of equality between the sexes in God’s economy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Why? </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Because equality does not demand that we </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">be identical contrary to some teachings by today’s popular</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">mainstream complementarians </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">teachers. For proof of my concept I urge us to look at a couple of</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">simple mathematical </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">equations for clarity. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">5 + 3 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">4 + 4 = 8</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">5 + 3</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">= 4 + 4</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">The above equation shows us that both 5 + 3 and 4 + 4 equal the same amount even though the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">equations are not identical. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">5 + 3 is indeed quite different than 4 + 4. So we say celebrate the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">difference! It can be said that these two </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">equations are naturally not identical yet they are equal. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>In fact:</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">0 + 8 = 8</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">1 + 7 </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">= 8</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">2 + 6 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">3 + 5 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">4 + 4 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">5 + 3 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">6 + 2 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">7 + 1 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">8 + 0 = 8<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;">Are all simple mathematical equations that prove that <b>equality does not necessarily result in identicalness!</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">We can celebrate the beauty of the differences </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">of each without removing their equality. Equality</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">among men and women in </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Kingdom economy does not demand identical nature between the sexes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Equality in </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Kingdom economy does however demand an equal distribution of status, rights and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">opportunities; this equality being the result of the redemptive work of Christ that ensures them and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">nothing earned or warranted because of our natural state of being. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Christ’s sacrifice secured our status and </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">rights as children of God; we are all seen as sons of God in</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">the eyes of God. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Only sons receive an inheritance remember so either daughters are seen as sons</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">in the eyes of God or they do not receive the inheritance. It is then through the resurrection and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">transfiguration of Christ that we are all given the Holy Spirit who seals us as well as designates</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">our calling, giftings and opportunities in Kingdom service in response to the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">individual’s obedience both in Heaven and on earth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">The outcry for equality within the body </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">of Christ does not remove uniqueness from the male and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">female nature of </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">creation or from the individual as fearfully and wonderfully made. </span></div>
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</span><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Equality does not demand that we see the </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">sexes as identical or remove the differences that should be</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; text-indent: -0.25in; white-space: pre-wrap;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">celebrated between </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">us anymore than it demands that we remove the attributes of different people</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">groups or the unique identity of each individual in Kingdom economy. All are to</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">be celebrated not used as a means of separation or designation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Unity will come when equality is understood</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>and is the standard we seek.</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-4935694444007553962018-03-08T11:15:00.000-06:002018-03-08T12:18:45.146-06:00Those Who Complain of Adversity<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Exodus and Numbers we read of God’s delivering His
people out of the slavery of Egypt. As the people are trekking through the wilderness
they begin a pattern of complaining. In Numbers 11 we see one such incident.
Scripture says that “the people became like those who complain of adversity.” <a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We see in this passage that the people were
recounting their lives in Egypt as though they were in club med. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="color: #604a7b; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, we had such good food to eat and it was all free! <a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="color: #604a7b; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Wow, what a terrible memory we humans have. If they
had stopped to consider the reality of the lives that God had delivered them
from they would have remembered their slavery and abuse. Their meals weren’t
free and neither were they. The food they so fondly remembered eating was the
food of the common people; the impoverished. But Psalms tells us that what God
was feeding them in the wilderness was the bread of angels!<sup> <a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></a>
</sup>This was food that God provided while they slept. While they were unaware
God was working to make sure His people had what they needed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Manna tasted like honey and the people were allowed
to prepare it anyway they wanted. We see that the people would grind it, then
boil it or bake it. And “an honest attempt at gathering it” always led to each
one having enough.<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
But any attempt to exercise greed never led to anyone having any more than
another; hoarding the stuff led to rot and maggots. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As my imagination runs away with me I begin to think
of bagels and donuts. I don’t know about you but this sure sounds an awful lot
like a bagel. I do so love a good bagel especially with a generous honey almond
cream cheese schmear.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even more miraculous was that on any day other than
the day before the Sabbath collecting extra and having it lasting overnight was
not possible. On the day before the Sabbath, however, a person could gather
more in preparation for the Lord’s Day and God made sure it would last and be
sufficient. This was because no manna would appear on the Sabbath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So here in Numbers 11 we see the people of God, the
ones He has rescued out of slavery living off of the bread of angels supplied
sufficiently for their every need and with the freedom to be creative in its
preparation looking at this stuff and complaining;</span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“but
now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this
manna.”<sup> <a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></a><o:p></o:p></sup></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Psalms lays it
out bluntly for us. They didn’t believe in God. They didn’t trust in His
salvation.<sup> <a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></a><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">So then how is a child of God to
look at and live in adversity? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
must promptly realize that it is God who has made both prosperity and adversity.<sup>
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[7]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></a></sup>
God is not in the business of personal comfort for His children. He is not in
the business of earthly pleasure or happiness. He no more created prosperity to
reward His good children than adversity for his wayward ones. No, the rain
falls on the just and the unjust alike.<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> But
rain like prosperity and adversity can be both a blessing and a curse. The
difference is perspective. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Both
prosperity and adversity are for the purpose of sanctification and often the key
to recognizing which one you are experiencing hinges on eyes that are full of
wisdom. We see this example when God provides the meat for the children of Israel
in the wilderness. They, I’m sure saw this as abundance of the meat as prosperity
but the end result was disease and sickness due to their desire to gorge
themselves. They experienced adversity by the means of human prosperity. Such
is the case for many of us today. The difference between prosperity and diversity
is in perspective which is exactly what God is working in our lives to change.
He desires we leave behind our earthly fallen perspective on life and live in a
fresh new Kingdom perspective. He flips the world upside down and we would do
well to just let go, throw our hands up in the air and yell Wheeee! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So does
this mean that God does not or will not provide the means for earthly pleasure,
comfort and happiness for His children? Is He disinterested in our pleasure and
happiness? No, not at all. He is a better Father than any earthly father and a
good earthly father desire both of these things for his children. In fact, one
of a parent’s greatest joys is to watch their little ones living in the
pleasure, happiness and gratitude of things provided for them. So I must
believe that God also enjoys watching His children enjoy and gain pleasure from
what He has provided because He is so much better than any earthly father. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So if
God is interested in our pleasure and happiness then why would He allow
adversity? It is because God knows that true perfect pleasure stems from a root
of wisdom in his children. He knows that while money and prosperity offer momentary
protection He also knows that money and prosperity move like the wind and their
protection is removed along with them. They blow into our lives in a moment and
blow out the next. They are fleeting because they are elements of this fleeting
life but wisdom is a different story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wisdom,
scripture tells us protects just like money. The difference is only one will
preserve your life. God desires to preserve life first and offer pleasure
second because only a life preserved through His Son can experience true
pleasure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <i>“For
wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of
knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.”</i><sup> <a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn9" name="_ftnref9" title=""><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[9]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></a><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wisdom
causes us to consider the works of God rather than our own works. Wisdom causes
us to know that only what God accomplishes will last well beyond our earthly
existence. Wisdom teaches us that God is God and we are not. This may seem like
a simple notion but it is one each of us struggles with daily if not in every
moment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Say it with me,
“I am not God. I am not God!” </span></b><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What
does this epiphany mean? It means that you and I are not master and commander
of our ship. We can make plans using the provisions of God in our lives just as
the children of Israel in the wilderness were allowed to prepare the manna any
way they desired. But it is God who supplies the means of accomplishing those
plans every time in every way. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
have nothing that we have not been given but what we have been given comes in
abundance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We
don’t have to seek to make our mark on this world and hope to see the effects
of what we have done long after we are gone from this life. In fact, it is an impossibility
to do so. We are free to live in the moment, daily. We are free to be little
children without stressful schedules and agendas so that we can rise to the top
like cream. No, we feast on the bread of angels in abundance. We are free to
make an honest effort in gathering for the day what is necessary and has been
provided and trust that it will be enough. We are free to live as little
children playing, exploring, discovering and loving all the while gaining more knowledge
and wisdom about our Father and about ourselves in relation to Him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In worrying
about tomorrow you miss the beauty of today but it is the beauty of today that
will build your tomorrow if you let it. If you won’t then it is the absence of
the appreciation of the beauty of today that will build your tomorrow; you will
become as one who complains in adversity and remembers slavery as freedom and prosperity.
Oh, what a terrible skewed perspective. Adversity is there to guard us against seeking
to always worry about and build our tomorrow. Tomorrow is a much brighter day
when you allow the Lord to provide for it rather than seeking to gather more
than you need today and hoard the goodness of God for yourself. Believe Him and
Trust Him and you will incur is pleasure instead of His anger.<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftn10" name="_ftnref10" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[10]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Freedom
is sweeter than slavery. The food of angels is better than the menu of the
impoverished. Rest accomplishes more than worry. The protection wisdom provides
is greater than the protection afforded by money. We are not God. We are his
children and His children live, walk, play and love in abundance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Nu 11:1). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Nu 11:4–9). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ps 78:22–31). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY
<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>\l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><i>The Pentateuch:1996. </i>Holdcraft, L. Thomas. Sumas, Washington: CeeTeC Publishing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
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</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Nu 11:4–9). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ps 78:22–31). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[7]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ec 7:12–14). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<div class="MsoFootnoteText">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[8]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a> <i><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">New American
Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Matt. 5:45). La Habra, CA: The Lockman
Foundation.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn9">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref9" name="_ftn9" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[9]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ec 7:12–14). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn10">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Is%20His%20provision%20enough.docx#_ftnref10" name="_ftn10" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[10]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ps 78:22–31). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-40671128580728069882018-03-06T09:31:00.000-06:002018-03-06T09:31:27.154-06:00[from the archives] The Center of Every Pearl<i>[I have been looking at my families current situation in life and was reminded of this post I wrote a few years ago. I wanted to share it with you again.]</i><br />
<br />
<br />
I was reading the other day and came across the explanation we have all heard many times. The explanation of how a pearl comes to be.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The formation of a natural pearl begins when a foreign substance slips into the oyster between the mantle and the shell, which irritates the mantle. It's kind of like the oyster getting a splinter. The oyster's natural reaction is to cover up that irritant to protect itself. The mantle covers the irritant with layers of the same nacre substance that is used to create the shell. This eventually forms a pearl. (http://science.howstuffworks.com/zoology/marine-life/question630.htm)</span></i></b></blockquote>
Tonight as I was talking with a few friends of mine who were recounting their personal history and what God had delivered them from I was reminded once again of the story of the pearl. What hit me was that at the center of every pearl is the source of irritation.<br />
<br />
I have heard this analogy over and over in church. How God can take things in your life that are bad and turn them into something good if you let Him but what I had never thought of before and what I have never heard in a sermon on the subject is how the source of irritation is never removed. The oyster begins a process of covering the irritant with a substance called nacre as stated above. The same substance which creates the shell. The nacre is created from minerals in the oyster's food. The more nutrient rich the oyster's diet the stronger the shell. The closer we walk with God and live on a steady diet of His Word the stronger we will become spiritually.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><i><span style="color: #0c343d;">The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. Psalm 28:7</span></i></b></blockquote>
The shell is there to protect the oyster from harm. Like the oyster we have protection from harm as well in our Lord Jesus Christ. That protection is there inside and out! Even those things that we hide deep down inside away from every one else. God sees them and starts to coat them in his protective coating so that they don't continue to cause irritation and damage to us. The oyster must deal with the<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBRMQZRG_DRNAhM8oXPoeoIsLSB1iY1FuSQMoEwndKkyXy-nTsSNPAQUCDn2YXAIL8g_tCXzFTX75KZ8iYSCZzhM_3wMAS6Hk9CWm7a78qOpnnFVcQCJPnYBeszKuN6lXlGnfRyl_eUc/s1600/pearlbuzz-souffle+pearls-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBRMQZRG_DRNAhM8oXPoeoIsLSB1iY1FuSQMoEwndKkyXy-nTsSNPAQUCDn2YXAIL8g_tCXzFTX75KZ8iYSCZzhM_3wMAS6Hk9CWm7a78qOpnnFVcQCJPnYBeszKuN6lXlGnfRyl_eUc/s200/pearlbuzz-souffle+pearls-01.jpg" style="padding: 10px;" width="200" /></a></div>
irritation. It cannot simply ignore it and move on. It must move it around on all sides so that the whole things is coated creating a beautiful smooth surface. We too must deal with those things that are irritating or painful for us so that God is better able to create something beautiful out of them. This is by no means an easy process but it is necessary. God will not force you to deal with such things but if you let Him he will let you see the pearl that is created from them.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>The pearl will always have the source of the irritation at its center. </b></span>The thought of this really brings <span class="text Gen-50-20" id="en-NIV-1527">Genesis 50:20 to life:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b><i>You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.</i></b></span></blockquote>
Those things in your life that have been a great source of pain. The things that seems to constantly surface and remind you of the irritation are the things that God turns into something useable for...<span style="color: #0c343d;"><b>the saving of many lives. </b></span>Yet we constantly ask God to remove those things from us or to deliver us from them. Instead we should pray that God would use them for good. For His good so that many lives can be saved. We should value them just as the world values and pays a high price for pearls - irritants and all. They can become our priceless treasures! These pearls are the very things that God will use to help you connect with someone who needs His touch in their life. The common ground that will open the door of someone's heart to welcome in the Savior.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-52096232953801411132018-02-21T22:51:00.000-06:002018-02-22T12:26:43.666-06:00Replacing Repentance with Apologies I am so excited and honored to have my brother in Christ, Tim Fall, allow me a guest spot on his blog, Just One Train Wreck After Another. The topic? Replacing Repentance with Apologies. If you haven't read Tim's blog before follow the link and while you're there check him out.<br />
<br />
Thanks, Tim.<br />
<br />
<br />
https://timfall.com/2018/02/21/replacing-repentance-with-apologies/Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-69714733977288736252017-11-17T21:10:00.001-06:002017-11-17T21:10:33.096-06:00Auntie M's Bookshelf: 1 Peter 3:7 You're Not the Weaker Vessel<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9qOiQ_xZwLM" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-34163981596715887032017-10-11T11:38:00.002-05:002017-10-11T11:39:52.111-05:00Vlog The Path to Wisdom pt. 2The Path to Wisdom pt. 2. If you missed part 1 you can find it here <a href="http://auntiemsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2017/10/vlog-path-to-wisdom-pt-1.html#.Wd5JO1uPK00" target="_blank">The Path to Wisdom pt. 1</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fspunkymartha%2Fvideos%2F10214715773273823%2F&show_text=0&width=476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="476"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-75168182516349583182017-10-11T11:35:00.001-05:002017-10-11T11:35:22.250-05:00Vlog The Path to Wisdom pt. 1In part 1 of The Path to Wisdom I am talking with you about Fear of the Lord and Knowledge. In part 2 of The Path to Wisdom we will deal with Understanding and Wisdom.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="476" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fspunkymartha%2Fvideos%2F10214446812749978%2F&show_text=0&width=476" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="476"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-68923152951900400302017-10-11T11:31:00.001-05:002017-10-11T11:31:53.690-05:00Video Blogs Are Now a Part of Auntie M's Bookshelf.I have made a decision that since people tend to attribute emotions and motives to my writings that aren't there I need to speak to you instead of just write. Now I do realize that my writing at times can be cold and factual. That's how I like things, frankly. But what has happened is that people have taken their own perceptions adn used them to make a basis for accusation and negativity toward myself and my writings.<br />
<br />
So to combat I am going to post video blogs on some of my posts. I promise to work to get better. Please stick with me.<br />
<br />
Hopefully, this will help all of us hear my heart on issues and topics I choose to explore. With that being said...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="true" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="315" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fspunkymartha%2Fvideos%2F10214287238640725%2F&show_text=0&width=560" style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" width="560"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-60729687845385426792017-08-09T12:49:00.000-05:002017-08-11T12:47:31.746-05:00Why The Military Explanation of Biblical Male Headship Doesn’t Work.<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often times when someone asks questions about headship for
which there are no clear or concrete Biblical answers the military analogy is
used to explain the necessity of hierarchy or headship in Christian homes and
the church but as we will see in the coming paragraphs this explanation falls
short of the mark. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have not heard it before here is what the military
analogy sounds like in a nutshell:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; margin-left: .65in; margin-right: .65in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
The wife is to submit to the husband but submission
does not mean inferiority. Men and Women are created equal in worth but
different in function. The word “submit” is a military word meaning to arrange
under rank. It means to come up under. A sergeant is not inferior to a captain.
They are equal in personhood but different in rank. To have order in the
military authority must exist in relationships otherwise there will be chaos. It
is the same in the husband/wife relationship. Both husband and wife are equal
in personhood but different in function. Someone must be in authority and
someone must submit to that authority. <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Right
off the bat it must be addressed that the dangerous thing about much of our
religious language or analogies is that they contain just enough truth to pass
for legitimate Biblical explanations. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
For
instance, it is true that both husband and wife; man and woman are indeed equal
in personhood. It is also true that both husband and wife; man and woman are
created different in function. Let me go on further to state that this
difference in function but sameness in personhood should not be attached to
gender. It is true that the male and female of the species serve different
functions in regard to gender but it should not be understood that one gender’s
function is to serve the other gender’s function. In procreation you cannot
accomplish the task without both parties. Even if all you have from one party
is genetic material alone it is still from the other party. It is also true
that the raising of children is the function of both and neither gender serves
the other in this function. But in the spiritual realm gender is not a
necessary component so things functioning of a being of a spiritual nature should
not confined to the operations of the physical. If it is then there will be a
huge crisis of identity when we get to Heaven. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Each divinely created human being is equal in personhood and different
in function. </b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>There is no BUT!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are all created uniquely. We all possess and reflect the
image of God. We all have a specific God ordained purpose for our lives. So it
necessarily follows that each person while maintaining equality in personhood possesses
a different function in the body of Christ because each purpose is unique to
the individual. We can accomplish different function and still have equality.
We can also accomplish the same roles differently according our functioning. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>We are like snowflakes.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each one created uniquely and beautifully by our Awesome
Creator God. Each one simply a configuration of frozen water molecules and each
one awe inspiring and serving its God ordained purpose. One falls here while
another falls there to accomplish the same function but each accomplishes it
uniquely and differently according to their design. Have I mentioned that I
love snowflakes! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Each one has the purpose or function of reflecting the image
of God in their flakiness and glorifying Him yet each is unique because no
other snowflake has the ability to do those things like another snowflake. Each
reflection of the Creator is distinct and each act of glorifying Him is also
distinct since each is unique. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
People are the same; each one unique yet people are different
from snowflakes because only human beings reflect the image of the Creator God.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>I have often joked with others that I don’t want to change the world someday…I
already have.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day I was born my presence changed the world forever.
Before my birth the world had no one else like me but after I was born the
world was different simply because I was now a part of it. There was never
anyone else like me before me. This may seem like a simplistic viewpoint but
there is truth in the joke. I am unique and wonderfully made and the same is
true for each of us. The day you entered the world you changed it too!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The military (and I might also add complementarian) explanation
falls short when it uses the word “<b>BUT</b>”
in the analogy when referring to the differences in men and women. You see we each have the function of
procreation yet men and women accomplish it differently, uniquely and neither
accomplishes it without the other. The same is true in every realm of human
existence; the home, the church, the world. We were meant to work together. One
piece of a puzzle is not more authoritative than the other. No matter which
piece is placed on the table first in completion of the puzzle all pieces are
equal. The first piece laid down is not naturally in a position of authority over
the other pieces simply because it was laid down first. In contrast all puzzle pieces are equal in
puzzlehood. They all represent the picture that the puzzle reflects and they
all have a different function in the completion of that puzzle. Men and women
are the same. If you have to use the word “but” to explain how a person is
equal to you yet not equal to you then you have removed equality all together. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are several phrases where the word “but” simply does
not belong. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an
apology, <b>“I am sorry…but.”</b> <br />
In a declaration of love, <b>“I love you…but.”</b> <br />
Concerning a person’s
honesty or validity of their statements, <b>“I
believe you…but.”</b> <br />
And when speaking of the
equality of mankind, <b>“you are equal in
personhood…but.”</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The “but” in each of the statements automatically negates
the phrase previous to it. A more honest and direct way of presenting this
information should read like this. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In an
apology, <b>“I would be sorry…but.”</b> <br />
In a declaration of love, <b>“I would love you…but.”</b> <br />
Concerning a person’s
honesty or validity of their statements, <b>“I
would believe you…but.”</b> <br />
When speaking of the
equality of mankind, <b>“you would be equal
in personhood…but.”</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is nothing more than a passive aggressive way of stating
things so that the hearer only hears the positive words in the statement and
hopefully overlooks the “but.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>You can’t be “equal…but” just like you can’t be “sorry …but.”<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And if you think there’s nothing wrong with the phrase “I am
sorry but” it’s probably because you are the one giving the statement instead
of receiving it. Ask yourself if you are willing to accept an apology that
contains a “but” or any of the above phrases that contain a “but” for that
matter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If they aren’t
acceptable to you then they shouldn’t be acceptable for anyone. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The second problem with the military hierarchy analogy seems
to be the most obvious yet no one ever addresses it. In the military there is
always the opportunity for promotion within the ranks. This promotion ability
is based upon respect earned in exemplary service and self-sacrifice, dedication,
ability, and education. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this the analogy completely falls apart because in the
male headship model the ability for promotion for the woman does not exist no
matter how much respect she may be able to garner for herself as a woman in
such a marriage or in religious institutions. Her abilities are limited because
she is only allowed or encouraged to have abilities that pertain to her womanly
rank. If she is encouraged to increase in ability she is only allowed to use whatever
abilities she possesses in the same rank she already occupies. This as a
natural course will inhibit or stunt her abilities because she will never be
pushed beyond what she already knows, has experienced, or her “rank” in order
to increase in understanding, ability, strength or stamina. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Concerning education,
she need only be educated in ways that will benefit her current rank. Since she
is not to be a biblical source of teaching or authority in the church or home
she need not desire to increase too much in her biblical ability. After all
that is her husband’s responsibility. Such education may threaten the male
headship of the home if she were to surpass her husband’s knowledge if indeed
that is possible for a woman to accomplish. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If a woman gains too much Biblical education or training she
may be tempted to threaten or question the male authority in the body of
Christ. Her ignorance is for her protection. No, to be educated for a rank you
cannot fulfill is simply a waste of your time and breeds discontentment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now of course in most circles this isn’t said outright.
Instead phrases like “well now you’ve shot yourself in the foot” upon a woman’s
gaining a religious degree are used to imply that your particular set of skills
while they may surpass the male’s ability and may be desperately needed simply
cannot be utilized past your “rank”. So in most religious settings unless the
biblical knowledge you gained and the areas you excel in can be used within
what is known as the God approved woman’s realm they really are a waste of time
and effort. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; margin-left: .65in; margin-right: .65in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
Anyone remember the old joke of the man sitting on the
roof of his house in a flood waiting to be rescued. A row boat comes by and the
rescue worker in the boat asks if the man needs to be rescued. The man on the
house yells out, “No thank you, God will provide.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
Perhaps we in the church have been saying no thank you
to the means by which God desires to provide for his body…simply because it is
a row boat.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the Christian military hierarchy analogy for male
headship promotion for women simply does not exist and to seek it is a sign of
a rebellious heart. Meanwhile for a man to seek a higher rank is considered a
sign of devotion to the body of Christ and self- sacrifice. It is to be
commended and respected. The analogy falls short. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A third way this military analogy fails is in the
description of duties for the ranks. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: center;">
<b>You see…there are none.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Nowhere
in scripture are we told that the rank of wife fulfills such and such duty
while the rank of husband fulfills this and that. There are no clear guidelines.
Yet in the military the clear cut duty roster is unmistakable. Biblical
headship as explained through the military hierarchy model leaves this
description of duties up to…you guessed it… the husband as leader or the male
church leader. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Now
at this point many who hold the complementarian view would argue that the
husband and wife should discuss such things mutually. The problem is that if
the wife disagrees the decision rests solely within the husband’s discretion.
She must submit or be in disobedience. There is no mutuality in such a
scenario. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
What
results is that each wife has a different description based upon the desire or
understanding of her husband. Should her husband change his mind or desires her
duties change as can her “rank”. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
This
is evidenced in the fact that of all of the literature that is available today
both in print, and in electronic form, in all of the conversation you will have
on this topic you will never see so much squirming or fence riding as you will
when you ask someone to Biblically define the duties of each role or rank
within the marriage and for scriptural proof to back it up without taking that scripture
out of context. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
If
the military operated this way it would lead to confusion, chaos and defeat.
God is the author of none of these yet He left out some very vital pieces of information
with regard to this headship issue as we understand it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
Now
at this point many will cite 1 Timothy 5:8 for an explanation of part of the
husband’s responsibility. You know the one,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; margin-left: .65in; margin-right: .65in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
“Men if you don’t
provide for your family the Bible says you are worse than in infidel.” <o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem with this is that the focus of this passage in 1
Timothy is on taking care of widows. The “husband” is dead so the text cannot
be addressing him. If we take a closer look at the text we see that it is
addressed to the children of the widow. Not male children…all children. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; margin-left: .65in; margin-right: .65in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
“…if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must
first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return
to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God.<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Why%20the%20military%20explanation%20of%20headship%20doesn't%20work.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">[1]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and
especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse
than an unbeliever.<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Why%20the%20military%20explanation%20of%20headship%20doesn't%20work.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">[2]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a>”<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The male pronouns in this passage because English like
Hebrew and Greek regularly use masculine forms when making general statements
have been added for ease of reading in the English language but were not there
in the Greek. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">This is known as male representative case.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What does this mean for the English reader? This means that
the Bible you are reading quite often has male pronouns added that are not
there in the literal Greek. We add them in because Greek as a male
representative case language has word endings like Spanish that are gendered. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For instance, in Spanish the object “paper” may be noted as
male but that doesn’t mean that paper is actually male. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Greek when a word refers to a group of people, unless
that group is explicitly and exclusively female, it is noted as male even though
females are included in the group. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The same is true in a passage that isn’t explicitly
indicated as speaking only to females. The words in the Greek are male as a
matter of course even though the passage is referring to females as well as
males. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>The mixed audience is always referred to as male.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So when the English translators translate words as male when
they are a mixed group or add male pronouns for ease of reading and
understanding it misleads the modern day English reader into thinking that the
text is written to males or speaks specifically to or about males. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>This simply is not true.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A reading of the literal Greek will show you that the
pronouns are not there in 1 Timothy 5, that the text can and should be read
without them and the point is that the immediate family of a widow is
responsible to take care of her so the church will not have to bear that
burden. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In this way the church can take care of the widows who truly
have no one else to take care of them. Nowhere does the text state that this is
the responsibility of the male alone. It is the responsibility of the entire
family male or female. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the widow has no children but has extended family of
another sort then those members both male and female are required to take care
of her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i>Anyone
who does not take care of their family is worse than an infidel. <o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This text is not proof that men alone are ordained by God to
be the providers for their family. Yet in statements of belief everywhere in
various denominations you will find this verse tucked in amidst a myriad of
other verses that have been plucked out of context and continuity to force a
point that was never intended. You will
find this to be the case with every proof text used to support male/female
gender roles. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So once again we are left with roles to fill but no gender
specific or husband/wife marching orders to follow with respect to those roles
or ranks. If you believe you know of such role descriptions in the Bible please
be cautious to check context within context within context. Scripture was not
meant to be plug and play. It must be read within the context of surrounding verse,
surrounding chapters, and within the context and confines of the entire Bible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lastly, this military analogy leaves us with the
understanding that God’s kingdom is one of a military government or regime but
human military control leaves us severely wanting. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since in scripture we are told that men as the husbands are
the head of the wife and we interpret this to mean a military rank and order we
are left to discover what this military looks like and how it acts. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; margin-left: .65in; margin-right: .65in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white;">Military regimes tend to
portray themselves as non-partisan, as a "neutral" party that can
provide interim leadership in times of turmoil, and also tend to portray
civilian politicians as corrupt and ineffective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white;">There are two basic
types of institutional military regimes: Bureaucratic (conservative)
authoritarian regimes and revolutionary military regimes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">Military
bureaucratic regimes </span><span style="background: white;">tend to build
one-party rule, though all citizens of the state are involved. A result of
such a strategy would be a close cooperation with the institutions of
civil society. During time, the military regimes are able to control the civil
society (especially the labor unions). </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">Like all authoritarian regimes</span><span style="background: white;">, military bureaucratic regimes are </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">repressive, and they attempt to eliminate all possible
rivals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white;">In </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">Revolutionary military regimes</span><span style="background: white;">, the power belongs to a selected </span><span style="background: white; color: #0070c0;">elite</span><span style="background: white;"> group. The rest of the population does not have many chances to promote
their interests if they have any at all, or to participate in the political
processes of the state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Truth is that God’s kingdom is not a military regime. It is
not a human government of any kind. It is a Theocracy meaning that God alone is
in control; above all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Notice in the parable of the good steward it was their work
and return on that good work or lack of it that promoted or demoted each
steward. Their promotion/demotion was not once based upon their physical nature,
marital status, socio-economic status, nationality or any such human activity.
No, their promotion was based solely upon their ability and this was seen
through the proof of their good work. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we instinctively read the story of the good steward as
though each one of the stewards were male. The text however never provides such
information. It is an inference that we draw from our own experiences and
understanding which are based upon our teaching and culture. Now if you are
inclined to argue with this point I just want you to take a good honest look at
your imagination for a second when recalling this story of the good steward and
tell me quickly…is the steward a male or a female? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Scripture calls each of God’s children a steward. Scripture
calls each of God’s children a son. We each have the opportunity to gain
promotion, rank, position, and opportunity in the Heavenly kingdom equally
without the “but” just as we gain inheritance. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So then if the home is a picture of the church and the
church is a picture of Heaven (as I have been taught) or if marriage is the
picture of the relationship between Christ and the church then how are we
lining up with the Biblical text we have been given about the nature and
environment of our home, Heaven or of Christ’s relationship to the church? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Christ was given “to” the church not put “over” the church.
Christ empowers the church with the authority and power that He has been
empowered with by God so that the church could accomplish the same things Christ
did on earth and greater. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If husbands and wives reflect Christ and the church are
wives being empowered by the husband’s authority and power given to him by
Christ so that she is able to do the same as things as her husband in this
world and greater like Christ and the church? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If we are currently citizens of Heaven yet some citizens are
being instructed to live as though they were citizens of this world in the body
of Christ how does this line up with our Biblical text? Does the phrase polar opposites come to mind
at all?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Folks, this military analogy has been used for ages and
because it contains bits and pieces of truth while distorting the truth it is
easily swallowed. In reality this analogy is a danger to the body of Christ. It
promotes a regime mentality; one of oppression not one of freedom or healthy
relationships. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God created us for relationship not business, not war, not
government. He desired someone to love Him. He desires intimacy with us His
Creation. He wants us to know Him and He to know us unhindered. God created
Adam and said it wasn’t good for him to be alone; that word literally means
isolated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
God never said it wasn’t good for Adam not to be in charge
He said it wasn’t good for him to be isolated. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are designed for relationships; intimacy with God and
each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>True intimacy doesn’t require someone to be in charge. <br />
But someone being in charge in intimacy negates freedom and true intimacy
itself.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Why%20the%20military%20explanation%20of%20headship%20doesn't%20work.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (1 Ti 5:4). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Why%20the%20military%20explanation%20of%20headship%20doesn't%20work.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (1 Ti 5:8). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Why%20the%20military%20explanation%20of%20headship%20doesn't%20work.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (1 Ti 5:4). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Why%20the%20military%20explanation%20of%20headship%20doesn't%20work.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (1 Ti 5:8). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-50485207675264462972017-08-08T11:43:00.003-05:002017-08-08T11:51:52.345-05:00Correcting the Cultural Mandate (Creation Mandate) Part 1: (a multi-part series)<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I want to begin by explaining what this Cultural
Mandate, Dominion Mandate or Creation Mandate is for those who have not heard
the term. Though you may not know the technical name I assure you that you have
indeed been taught this Creation Mandate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">First things first, the term Creation Mandate or
Cultural Mandate or Dominion Mandate are not found anywhere in scripture. These
terms have been created by people to define what God said to mankind in Genesis
1:28 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 1.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">God blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful
and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the
sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the
earth.”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="color: black; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is considered a divine set of commands given to
mankind for how to operate as God’s image bearers in the world. So we see from
Genesis 1:28 that the Creation Mandate can be simplified as:</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li> Be fruitful and multiply</li>
<li> Fill the earth</li>
<li> Subdue the earth</li>
<li> Rule over the fish, birds and every
living thing that moves on the earth.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is important to note that many evangelical
Christians today indicate that these directions were given to Adam and that he
was to assign to Eve the tasks that he either deemed her capable of or that he
could not accomplish himself. This is how many understand the meaning of Eve
being created as a helpmeet for Adam. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It is also important to note that the bullet points
above are the common threads you will see in any explanation of the Creation
Mandate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In order to understand why the Creation Mandate
needs correcting we must break it down into sections of [man to man] and [man
to creation]. It must also be noted that man in this writing will be understood
as mankind or human beings not specifically as male human beings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Man to Man: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The first correction that needs to be made deals
with the first set of instructions in the phrase from Genesis 1:28. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><b>Be fruitful
and multiply and fill...</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This one phrase has done more damage in my opinion
to man’s relationship to his fellow man than any other in this mandate. By
including this phrase in what we have defined as a command from God for man to
fulfill as those who bear His image in the world we have made part of our
purpose for existing and personal fulfillment about sex and procreation. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This elevates sex and
procreation to a status of obedience and honoring God. This phrase has also
simultaneous been used to reduce the role of Eve to the level of all other
animals in creation but this will be explained further in later posts. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It has also been argued by some that in giving man
this command to be fruitful and multiply God was indicating that through
procreation man exhibits the Creator side of the image of God that he bears.
God created man and man as the one who bears His image continues to create life
through sexual relationship within the confines of marriage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is just one major problem that needs
resolution if this is true. Man is the only part of creation that bears the
image of God so the Creation Mandate as the definition of man’s purpose and method
of fulfillment should only have been given to man as the part of creation that
bears His image right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFFEF7; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Doug Kelly in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Creation-Change-Changing-Scientific-Paradigms/dp/1857922832" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">Creation and Change</span></a> states, “Traditionally Christian
theologians have understood Genesis 1:28 as mankind’s purpose and permission
for engaging the world. The Cultural Mandate not only gives us purpose in our
vocation, it’s connected to our fulfillment in work.”<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFFEF7; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFFEF7; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In his
book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gods-Children-Suede-Shoes-ebook/dp/B0026Q80CG" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration-line: none;">All God’s Children and Blue Suede Shoes</span></a>, Kenneth Myers writes “Man
was fit for the cultural mandate. As the bearer of his Creator-God’s image, he
could not be satisfied apart from cultural activity.”<span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftn3" title="">[3]</a></span></span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftn3" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: #FFFEF7; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So we understand this Cultural Mandate to be the
divine instruction from God for man to obtain fulfillment and purpose as the
bearer of the Creator’s image. You would
be hard pressed to find a religious leader who would not agree that the
cultural mandate defines man’s purpose and that man cannot be fulfilled apart
from accomplishing it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So since, it is the common belief among religious
leadership that this mandate gives man purpose and fulfillment we must
recognize that no other part of creation can have any part of the cultural mandate
as its purpose or method of fulfillment because man is set apart from the rest
of creation as the only one who bears the image of the Creator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It follows that if any part of the Creation Mandate
is found to have been given to any part of creation other than man it must
necessarily be removed as part of the divine mandate from God given <u>specifically</u> to man in order to help man understand
his purpose, find fulfillment and reflect the image of his Creator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, Houston, we have a problem. In looking at the
fifth day of creation we see this phrase “be fruitful and multiply and fill…”
given to a part of creation. If, right now you’re thinking (and I pray you are)
but man wasn’t created until day six you would be correct. So then who was this
divine command given to? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 1.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis 1:21-23 <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 1.5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then <b>God said</b>,
“Let the waters teem with <b>swarms of
living creatures</b>, <b>and </b>let <b>birds</b> fly above the earth in the open
expanse of the heavens.” God created the great sea monsters and every living
creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed after their kind, and every
winged bird after its kind; and God saw that it was good. God blessed them,
saying, “<b>Be fruitful and multiply</b>, <b>and fill</b> the waters in the seas, and
let birds multiply on the earth.” <b><sup> </sup></b>There was evening and there was
morning, a fifth day.<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftn4" name="_ftnref4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">You read that correctly. God gave part of the
Creation Mandate to the birds and the creatures of the seas and waters. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But how can this be? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Birds and creatures in
the waters are not created in the image of God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why would God give them a
command that He gave to man in relation to man’s purpose, fulfillment and
responsibility to bear the Creator’s image in the world? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The short answer would be that He didn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God didn’t
give man this command of “be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth” in order
to represent the image of God in creation, understand his purpose or find
fulfillment. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He couldn’t have because He also gave this command to the birds
and creatures of the water. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now does man
find fulfillment and purpose in being fruitful and multiplying some would say
yes while others would argue no. What about those who don’t get married or can’t
have children? Do they possess any less purpose than those who can? Was man’s
job of bearing the image of His creator lost in the fall? Was it lost to only
some while others still possess it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Christ as man was the ultimate image bearer of God on earth
yet he was not married and he had no physical children. Was His ability to
represent His Father on the earth hindered in any way? NO. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In fact, Christ tells us in scripture that "if you have
seen me you have seen the Father" in John 14:9. Christ was the clearest representation on
earth of the image of God in man of anyone who ever lived or will ever live yet
he was not “fruitful” he did not physically “multiply and fill the earth.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What was God doing then when He pronounced that man
along with the birds and fish should procreate if that is indeed what be
fruitful and multiply means? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I argue He was doing the same thing that He was
doing when He pronounced that each plant should bear fruit and seed after its
kind. He was setting up the natural order of life on earth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Could it be that God in speaking creation into
existence also spoke into existence the ability for creation to continue
through the means of biology? I cannot tell you for sure but I can tell you
that the phrase be fruitful and multiply and fill… is not a divine command
given only to man as the one part of creation that bears His image. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So it must be removed from this Creation Mandate
that we have created. As long as we continue to teach, preach, and speak about "be fruitful and multiply and fill…” as a divine command given to man so that he
will find purpose and fulfillment we are leading people astray. We are elevating
things in the natural order to a level they were never intended to be on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So if we were to removed “be fruitful and multiply and
fill…” from the teaching of the Creation Mandate given specifically to man it would
leave us with two specific statements. This is proper because these are the <u>only</u> two parts of the Creation Mandate that
are spoken <u>specifically to mankind and only
mankind:<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Subdue the earth</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Rule over the fish, birds and every
living thing that moves on the earth.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In the next part of this series we will deal with
man’s relationship to creation in conjunction with the Creation Mandate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Works Cited:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY
<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>\l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Darek Isaacs, Beth
Hallel. "Is There A Creatin Mandate?" <i>Answers Research Journal 6</i>
(Answers in Genesis), 2013: 1-16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Kelly, Doug. <i>Creation
and Change.</i> Mentor publishing, 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Myers, Kenneth. <i>All
God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes.</i> Crossway, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">New American Standard
Bible.</span></i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation., 1995: Update.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 1:28). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Doug Kelly, <i>Creation and Change (</i>Mentor
publishing, 2017).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><span class="MsoFootnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></span><!--[endif]--></span></a>
Kenneth Myers, <i>All God's Children and Blue Suede Shoes (</i>Crossway,
2012).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Correcting%20the%20Cultural%20Mandate.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 1:20–23). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-56947021175825416502017-07-18T14:57:00.004-05:002017-07-18T14:57:58.166-05:00How To Pick a Fight With God and Win! Part 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
last time I wrote to you I told you that I was in the middle of my fight with
God. I am determined to strive with God until I receive the blessing that He
spoke to me. Jacob is not our only example of Biblical characters fighting with
God but the story of his all night struggle with the angel is a great example
of what it takes to win a fight with God. So, while it is my desire in this
blog post to inspire you to fight there are a few things you need to
know before you go picking fights with God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">First,
you must remember who God is and what He has told you. In order to strive with God
concerning the blessings and promises He has made to and for you there must be an understanding that He is able to fulfill those promises and what they are. The struggles of this world and our tendency
to withdraw from Him when in the middle of our earthly struggles can overshadow
the knowledge we have of Him causing us to see Him and His desires for us
incorrectly. We must remember that He is God and we are not. We must remember
that He is for us…You must remember that He is for you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once
you remind yourself of who you, who He is and whose you are it is imperative
that you know the blessing He has promised to you. Otherwise, you will begin to
believe the lies of Satan that says He is against us or that we have misheard
His promises. This is the same method the serpent used on Eve. The lie told to
Eve in the garden was that God was for Himself and that she misunderstood. This
lie implied God withholds something of Himself from us in an effort to remain
above us; separate from us. This is the lie Satan still uses today. If we adopt this concept it won’t matter what
He tells us or does we will interpret His motives and desires incorrectly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The next part of Satan’s lie is that we either
have misunderstood or cannot understand. If we adopt this part of the lie then
we will always live a life on shifting sand. To say that God never changes but not
know who He is leads us to instability. To say God gave us His Word so that we can know
and be sure of Him and then say we cannot understand His word is to build a
house on shifting sand. Jacob knew God and the promises of blessing God had
spoken to Him. He was not afraid to call God out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is
God far above us? Yes. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Are
His ways like our ways? No. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is God far beyond mere human comprehension? Absolutely. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Is
it arrogant to say I can know God and understand His Word? No! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">To say that I as a child of God
cannot know Him or understand His Word is arrogance. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>Why? </b> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We have been given the Holy Spirit. We have
been given the mind of Christ. We have been given everything necessary for life
and health and peace. We have been given the spirit of power, of love and of a
sound mind. Through the death and resurrection of Christ we have been reborn.
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit we have been given the ability to
know and understand God and His Word. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">To say that I cannot know these things
makes us more powerful than God because we are claiming that our fallen limited
human state is more powerful than the ability of the Holy Spirit to overcome
it. We have become more powerful than God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
also make God a liar we when claim these things. Look at all the scripture that
talks about our ability to know God and His Word. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1 Chronicles 28:9, Jeremiah 29:13,
James 4:8-10, Matthew 7:7-8, Jeremiah 24:7, Proverbs 2:1-6, 2 Chronicles 15:2,
Jeremiah 17:10, Psalm 9:10, Jeremiah 9:24, Isaiah 45:19, John 17:3, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2 Corinthians 4:6, John 14:26, John
16:13, 1 John 2:27, Luke 12:12, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 12-13,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Isaiah 30:21, 1 Corinthians 2:14,
Ephesians 1:16-17, Proverbs 1:23, Hebrews 10:14-16<span style="background: white; color: #23221f;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We see in
scripture example upon example of God’s desire to be known by us both personally
and for us to know His Word. We see countless examples of those who did understand
and know Him both on a personal level as well as His Word.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The key
verses from the list above that should end this debate of whether or not we as
born again believers can know and understand God and His Word for me are found
in 1 Corinthians 2:10-16<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">For<i> </i><b><span style="color: #e46c0a;">TO US</span></b></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> </span>God revealed<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> </span></span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">them</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> <b><span style="color: #e46c0a; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #E46C0A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">THROUGH THE SPIRIT</span></b>;
for the Spirit searches all things, <b><span style="color: #e46c0a; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #E46C0A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">EVEN THE DEPTHS
OF GOD</span></b>. For who among men knows the </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">thoughts</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> of
a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">thoughts</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> of
God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not
the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that <b><span style="color: #e46c0a; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #E46C0A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">WE MAY KNOW</span></b><span style="color: #e46c0a; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #E46C0A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;"> </span>the things freely given to us by God, which things we
also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by
the Spirit, combining spiritual </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">thoughts </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">with spiritual </span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">words</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">.
But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of
God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them,
because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual
appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For who
has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But <b><span style="color: #e46c0a; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #E46C0A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: lumm=75000; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: accent6; mso-themecolor: accent6; mso-themeshade: 191;">WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST</span></b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jacob
knew this and was confident in it. He let God know that he understood he had a
knowledge of and history with God. He also reminds God of the blessings He has
spoken over his life and in this confirms the he himself knows what has been
spoken over his life by God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jacob
then finished with an acknowledgement of his understanding of who he is on his
own. Through Jacob’s own confession he acknowledges that God is loving and
faithful and that he is not. He acknowledges the provision that God has already
provided for him and that he would not be where he was without the power of God
on his side. He then goes on further to acknowledge his fear and complete
dependence upon God for deliverance. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">These
things are the essentials in picking a fight with God. If you don’t know who
God is, who you are both with him and without him, the blessings He has already
spoken over your life and your inability to deliver yourself in any situation I
don’t suggest you pick a fight with God just yet. After all, can you really
know what you are fighting for if you don’t know these things? I’m not saying
you can’t strive with God if you don’t know these things but I am telling you
that your fight will be considerably longer without them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
next, essential component in a fight with God is honesty. Jacob was completely
transparent with God. He admitted that he was afraid. He admitted that he
desired his own personal safety as well as the safety of his family. Jacob
wasn’t trying to sound spiritual in order to get God’s attention or gain His
approval. Jacob got down to the nitty gritty and God respected it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If you are
going to win your fight with God you must have honesty. You have to admit to
God what it is that you are truly after. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Once
again, I feel I must warn you that if you don’ t know what you are after in your
fight with God or if you insist on putting on airs with God in an attempt to
impress Him with your religion your fight will last a lot longer than you want
and possibly can endure. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">You cannot win a fight with God without complete gut
wrenching honesty. So God will wrestle with you until He gets you to the point
where gut wrenching honesty is all you have left.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The next component in winning a fight with God is probably one of the most
overlooked yet most important for endurance. Are you ready for it? Get ready to
have your mind blown!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>God
doesn’t fight fair so neither should you. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">This is essential to understand or you may quit the fight believing that what happens next in your fight should be interpreted as punishment for engaging in the fight in the first place. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I feel like this part needs a bit more explanation than the rest so I want to give you two examples of what I mean. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The first comes from the lessons
Europeans learned concerning warfare from the Native Americans. Europeans
fought battles in a way that frankly I have never understood. They would stand
in infantry lines at close quarters with their enemy who did the same and fire shots. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I remember as a child thinking how completely stupid this way of
fighting was. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Native Americans on the other hand used the resources their
surroundings gave them to their advantage in warfare. They used trees as
shields and hiding places, they would fire off arrows and guns from whatever
vantage point best lent itself to their success. They used poison from native
plants and animals to inhibit their enemies ability to fight and so on. This
makes sense to me. Europeans learned quickly in their battles with the Native
American tribes that they had to adjust their fighting style or become accustom
to losing. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">One of Washington’s generals, General Forbes is quoted as saying,
“We must comply and learn the art of war from enemy Indians.” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">My second example
comes from the term street fighting. There is a vast
difference between the rules of fighting in a boxing ring versus street
fighting. In a boxing ring there are referees to make sure everyone complies with the
rules and plays “fair.” On the street however, you do what it takes to win,
everyone knows it and no one complains. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><b>God
is a street fighter. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Notice
in the story of Jacob and the angel they were wrestling and when the angel
realized that He was not winning He employed street fighting tactics or Indian warfare.
He used the weakness of his opponent to his advantage. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Genesis 32:24-25<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When he saw that he had not prevailed
against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh
was dislocated while he wrestled with him.</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">So then what is the exact significance of God’s
touching Jacob upon the socket of his thigh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“The sinew of the thigh is the strongest in the
human body. A horse could scarcely tear it apart.” God had to break us down at
the strongest part of our self-life before He can have His own way of blessing
with us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">—J. H. McConkey</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[2]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></span></sup></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="right" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: right; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">God when He saw that Jacob was not going to give up in this fight touches him on the
strongest part of his body and dislocates it! </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">That’s street fighting at its
finest!</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">McConkey had it right in his statement above. God was testing Jacob to
see just how much he was invested in this fight he had picked before he would
bless him. God wanted to prove Jacob’s commitment. It is said that Jacob limped
from that day on but I don’t that that this can be proven. This event did make
such an impact on Jacob and his people that the sinew of the thigh is not eaten
to this day in Israel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Genesis 32:32<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Therefore, to
this day the sons of Israel do not eat the sinew of the hip which is on the
socket of the thigh, because he touched the socket of Jacob's thigh in the
sinew of the hip.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="background: #FDFEFF; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
you going to pick a fight with God then there will be pain; God will make sure
of it. Why, because it is in the pain that we are purified. Just as McConkey
stated God will have to break you down at your strongest part so that He can
have His own way of blessing you. So be prepared for it. If you aren’t willing
to endure excruciating pain and keep fighting, if the blessing isn't worth the
price you have to pay then I suggest you don’t engage God in battle. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">But if you are and if God is
going to employ street fighting tactics then so must you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Street
fighters have something that ring fighters don’t; Desperation. Street fighters
are fighting from something deep within themselves. They are willing to pay any
price for the victory because they know they need it for survival. Ring
fighters rest in the safety of the referees call for fairness. Street fights
aren’t about fairness they are about who needs the victory more. Jacob had been
street fighting since before he was born. He was conceived as a soul desperate
for the blessing. From the grabbing of
his brothers heal, to the stolen birthright, to wrestling with an angel and telling
him, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Genesis 32:26<br />
“I will not let you go unless you bless me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Hosea
12:3-4 tells us that Jacob wept and sought the blessing in the fight. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">In the womb he took his
brother by the heel, and in his maturity he contended with God. Yes, he
wrestled with the angel and prevailed; He wept and sought His favor.<br />
He found Him at Bethel and there He spoke with us,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: 1.0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoQuote" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">There was something in Jacob that knew the
only way to get ahead in life was to obtain the blessing and he was not going to
quit until he got it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">What
about you? Do you desire the blessing more than life like Jacob? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Do you
understand that the only, and I can’t stress this enough…the ONLY way to get ahead
in this life or the next is to obtain the blessing? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Are
you desperate for it? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">If
you aren’t’ then you certainly won’t win because it is precisely this desperation
that inspires the determination to see the fight through to the end even in the
midst of excruciating pain. It is this desperation along with the understanding
of who God is and who you are that will see you through to the end in victory. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">There
is a price to be paid in picking a fight with God and it will hurt. Consider
the cost or you may just come out of your fight with nothing more than a limp. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The
word <b>yaqa</b> that we find in verse
Genesis 32:25 means to dislocate but it also means to alienate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">3363</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">. </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">יָקַע</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>
</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">yaqa</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">
(429b); a prim. root; <i>to be dislocated</i>
or <i>alienated</i>:—</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">We
see that both happened to Jacob in his striving with God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">First God, alienated
Jacob from his brother then he was alienated from his wealth and his family
which is how he ended up alone on this side of the river where God began the
wrestling match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Next,
God brings the pain by making the alienation very real and personal for Jacob.
He alienated Jacob from his own health, personal strength and comfort. Jacob endured great pain as a result of
picking this fight with God and you will too. Jacob on the other hand gained a
victory that far outweighed the pain. We can too if we are willing to endure. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Lastly,
if you are going to pick a fight with God and win you must be completely
committed to the fight. No matter what don’t quit until something changes; exert
yourself, persevere; commit to the struggle. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Look
again at the conversation between Jacob and the angel in the middle of their
wrestling match. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Use your imagination.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Jacob has the angel pinned to the ground
maybe with his hand on his chin forcing his face into the dirt. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">The angel
manages to mumble </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">in a strained breathless voice</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">“Let me go, for
the dawn is breaking.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Jacob loudly fires back
with a determined yet pain filled, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">The angel replies, “What
is your name?” and he hears a determinedly defiant response from his opponent,
“it’s Jacob.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Then something amazing
happens. Jacob wins! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">Genesis
32:28<br />
“Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with
God and with men and have prevailed.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-left: .75in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">From that point on
Jacob would be known as the one who strives with God. Not just Jacob but an
entire nation of people would be known as the ones who strive with God. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">This is
what the name Israel means: he who strives with God; God strives. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">We as believers,
Children of God, are to be known as a people who strive. Scripture tells us to
contend for the faith. Paul tells us to fight the good fight. We are to be a
picture of Christ to the world and Christ was a fighter. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">If we look at the
progression of Jacob’s fight with God we see the same things in the life of
Christ. Christ was alienated from all of these things. He was alienated from
His wealth, His family, His brothers and sisters, and lastly from His physical health, strength, and comfort. He didn’t let go until He obtained the victory. We should
fight just as hard. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">What you will learn in
your fight with God, what I have learned so far is that I am not fighting
against what I thought from the beginning. I am not fighting for what I thought
form the beginning. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;">But God knew. He knew what my heart needed and wanted. He
knew what I was fighting for and so He was happy and excited to engage in the
battle with me because God not only loves a good fight…He loves a good fighter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">So go ahead, pick a fight with God. </span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">STRIVE</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Do it right and see if you don’t come out blessed!</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 32:24–25). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> Tan,
P. L. (1996). <i>Encyclopedia of 7700
Illustrations: Signs of the Times</i> (p. 1404). Garland, TX: Bible
Communications, Inc.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div id="ftn2">
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-69025239909992748642017-06-27T14:24:00.000-05:002017-06-27T14:26:06.751-05:00How to Pick a Fight with God and Win! Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>(a 2 part series as
it seems I have more to say about his topic than I realized when I began
writing.)</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yes, you read it right. You see I read something just a few days
ago in scripture that made me realize I have been fighting with God. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, the
uber religious folks out there are all sanctimoniously nodding their heads in
agreement. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><b>“Oh, yes dear, come to altar.”</b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you have ever
fought with God and heard their voices much like the voices of the friends of
Job in the middle of his fight with God you can probably hear them again today
and you cringe. But there’s something that those of you who have fought with
God realize that the sanctimonious peanut gallery does not realize and may
never realize.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">You can not
only pick a fight with God but you most certainly can win that fight! <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 6pt;"> Created by Balasoiu - Freepik.com</span> <span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #00cc99; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Oh, George, did you hear her? That poor girl’s gonna go
straight to hell. (tisk-tisk)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Do you Strive? <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We all seem to from time to time. Some of us strive for
perfection. And if I can be candid the religious “some” may well be striving
for the picture perfect godly family, or picture perfect religion or reputation
which is why we don’t really tell folks how we are doing when asked on Sunday
morning or we wait until we are away from church and have looked over our
shoulder before we begin to gossip I mean discuss the situation concerning sister
“so and so” or we wait until we think everyone has left the church building
before we let that vulgar curse word fly out of our mouth as we vent our
frustration from the happenings of the “Lord’s” day. Yes, I have been around
church long enough to not only be guilty of all of the above but also to
witness a good portion of the rest of us “children of God” actively becoming
guilty of them as well. But back to the
point some strive for success or status, some of us strive for peace or
security and so on. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>We strive. </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think we all from time to time strive for one thing or
another. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>But do you<i> really</i> STRIVE? </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I mean the blood, sweat, tears and time kinda strive? <b>Do you?
</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When was the last time you were so desperate for something
that you did that kind of striving? </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is where I am. I have picked a fight
with God. We are still in the middle of our fight.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">I HAVEN’T WON YET BUT I’M NOT LETTING GO </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">UNTIL I DO!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Does that last sentence remind you of anything or anyone? It
should. It did for me when it first rattled around in my brain. Head over to
the book of Genesis with me and let’s see if I can refresh your memory or
possibly inspire you to pick your fight with God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i>Genesis
32:24<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">25 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his
thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with
him. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">26 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he
said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” </span><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn1" title=""><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[1]</span></a></span></sup></b><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn1" style="font-size: 12pt;" title=""><!--[endif]--></a></sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Before we go on there are two things that need to be
made abundantly clear to those of us who tend to deify the characters we read
about in the Bible. By deify I mean we lift them up above mere human status as
though they were more righteous than the rest of us or somehow stronger which
is why they made it into the Bible and that
all their decisions and actions were always right and godly. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So the first thing
to make abundantly clear is that Jacob was a liar. He was a cheat; a scoundrel.
And Jacob knew God. But Jacob was also a
fighter. From before he was born he was fighting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis
25:21-22a<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Isaac
prayed to the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> on behalf of
his wife, because she was barren; and the </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">22 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">But the children
struggled together within her; </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn2" name="_ftnref2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[2]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jacob being a twin grabbed a hold of his brother’s
heel at birth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis
25:24a-26b<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">behold,
there were twins in her womb. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">25 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now the first came forth red, all
over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">26 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Afterward his
brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau’s heel, so his name was
called Jacob</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn3" name="_ftnref3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[3]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Before he took his first breath Jacob was a fighter.
</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Esau was born first. His name comes from <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6213b</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: "sbl hebrew"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">עָשָׂה</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span> </span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">asah</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
(796b); a prim. root; </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">to press, squeeze</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:—handled(3).</span><sup><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn4" title=""><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></sup></span></a></sup></span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I laughed out loud when I read that one
interpretation of the name of Esau is “handled.” Jacob surely handled his brother alright.
Next, Jacob was born holding onto the heel of his older brother Esau. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jacob’s
name comes from <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">6119</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span><span dir="RTL" lang="HE" style="font-family: "sbl hebrew"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">עָקֵב</span><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span><span lang="HE" style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><span dir="LTR"></span><span dir="LTR"></span>
</span><b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">aqeb</span></b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
(784a); from an unused word; </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">heel,
footprint, hind part</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:—footprints(1), footsteps(1), heel(4), heels(3),
hoofs(1), rear guard(1), steps(1), trail(1).</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn5" name="_ftnref5" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[5]</span></span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I grew up in church and in Christian school and one
thing I have been taught all along is that Jacob’s name means supplanter. But
after looking up his name as I was studying I noticed that this is not at all
true. Jacob’s name means as it states above – heal, footprint, or hindpart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>His name does not mean “supplanter.”</b> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But we have his angry older brother calling him that in Genesis 27:36 which is
probably where the misunderstanding comes from. The point being that your
character or personality is one thing but it is your actions that often define who people regard
or remember you as. Jacob’s name does not mean supplanter but his actions in
his dealings with his brother and father have defined who he is for us for
generations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>Reputations linger so
be careful what you do with your name. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then again if my name
meant hindpart I might be more than okay with everyone believing it meant
supplanter instead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am not saying
that what Jacob did concerning the birthright and blessing was wrong; nor am I
saying that what he did was right. This is not the point of this post. I am just
attempting to clear up a commonly taught misconception. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The word supplant means
to take the place of another, as through force, scheming, strategy, or the
like; to replace one thing by something else. So by this definition we can say
that Jesus Christ was also a supplanter - just something to think about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now before you go off halfcocked telling me I am
wrong on this point please do the work for yourself and study. Then present the
corrective information to me so that I can study it as well and we can discuss.
But if you aren’t willing to study and be iron that sharpens iron then I say
keep it to yourself. The last thing I want is for any of us to go around lookin’
like a fool. That doesn’t do much for the keeping of the honor of the name of God
or His church now does it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to Jacob.. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So we see that even before he was
born Jacob was striving for something. Now let’s fast forward to the situation
in Genesis 32 and discuss why Jacob was alone and what he was wrestling for so
earnestly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Remember, that Jacob had stolen his brother’s birthright and blessing.
This wasn’t like stealing your brother’s candy money or his bicycle. No, this
was a huge deal. This made Jacob, the younger brother, the “head” of the family
once his father passed away. This would have been something very shameful for
Esau to live with. Esau was understandably angry even if he did sell if for momentary self gratification. The two brothers parted ways and
Jacob prospered but not without his own struggles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">We read in Genesis 32 that Jacob parts ways with Laban. He
then does something that I think all too often we miss or overlook. Genesis 32:1
tells us that Jacob goes on his way and the angels of God meet him. When Jacob
sees them he doesn’t flip out. In fact, there is no sign of fear at all given
to us from scripture on the part of Jacob. The Bible tells us that when he saw
them he named the place where he was Mahanaim because it was God’s camp.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBk8DVjcDPbXtHdbgty5MTFUOKGxhiGv_yyW-tQgxnxfvZw3-NRXXUBUfG4gvbntE1AlwasXCM8QVnrq3ajOQblwn_ih51Zwvya_8_JgU6nJaktYp9rI13qLMsWop0wYPBmdfUipqsGo/s1600/Jacob+blog+post.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1600" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixBk8DVjcDPbXtHdbgty5MTFUOKGxhiGv_yyW-tQgxnxfvZw3-NRXXUBUfG4gvbntE1AlwasXCM8QVnrq3ajOQblwn_ih51Zwvya_8_JgU6nJaktYp9rI13qLMsWop0wYPBmdfUipqsGo/s640/Jacob+blog+post.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td height="155" style="vertical-align: top;" width="503"><!--[endif]--><!--[if !mso]--><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;"><br /></span><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout; position: absolute; z-index: 251659264;">So we see Jacob going along his merry way and he
decides to send messengers to his brother in Edom. He tells the messengers to
tell his brother what he has been up to and how he has prospered but notice how
Jacob tells them to relay the message. He uses terms of respect; “My lord, Esau”
and “your servant, Jacob.” Because Jacob had received the birthright and the
blessing he should have been known as “lord” of the family not as Esau’s “servant.”
But Jacob knowing full well the depravity of his own nature and past actions
humbles himself even though he wasn’t bound by law to do so. The messengers
come back and inform Jacob that not only did they relay the message to Esau but
that Esau was on his way to meet him.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />Funny, how the appearance of supernatural angelic
beings did not strike fear into Jacob but the news that his older brother was
coming to see him makes him cower. Interestingly, the messengers did not give
any indication to Jacob that his brother was coming to do harm to him. But
nevertheless, Jacob takes immediate precautionary action. He divides all that
he has into two groups and then sends them in different directions. His
strategy was that if Esau attacked and destroyed one group the other would remain
safe. <b>He then calls out to God and picks
the fight.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Jacob
said, “O God of my father Abraham and God of my father Isaac, O </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-caps: small-caps; font-variant-numeric: normal;">Lord</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, who said to me, ‘Return to your
country and to your relatives, and I will prosper you,’ </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">10 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am
unworthy of all the lovingkindness and of all the faithfulness which You have
shown to Your servant; for with my staff only I crossed this Jordan, and now I
have become two companies. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">11 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of
my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, that he will come and attack
me and the mothers with the children. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">12 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“For You said, ‘I will
surely prosper you and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which is
too great to be numbered.’ ”</span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn6" name="_ftnref6" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[6]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The best way to start a fight is to remind someone
what they once said to you and imply that they aren’t holding up their end of
the bargain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="color: #f1c232;"><b>Oh, God, you told me this would work out and now look at the
mess I’m in. Now I know I don’t deserve what you have done for me so far but you
said return and prosperity and now look. My brother is on his way and I am
divided into two different groups for safety. God, he’s gonna hurt me. This doesn’t
look or feel like prospering. You said You would prosper me remember! (my own
humorous paraphrasing)</b></span></i></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="MsoQuote">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jacob then creates this rather elaborate attempt at
appeasing what he has perceived is his brother’s anger through stages of gifts and
messages. That same night Jacob takes his wives, his children and his maids and
crosses a ford. He then sends all of them across another stream while he stays
put and this is how Jacob ended up alone and afraid. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now come back to Genesis 32:24<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then
Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">25 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">When
he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his
thigh; so the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with
him. </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">26 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then he said, “Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he
said, “I will not let you go unless you bless me.” </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn7" name="_ftnref7" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[7]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This brings us to the second thing that needs
clarification and that is that the “man”, the “he” in verse 25 and the
beginning of verse 26 is an angel. When the angel realized that he had not
prevailed against Jacob he…wait for it….fought dirty! Then when that didn’t
work the angel begins to plead with Jacob a mere human…a non-supernatural being
to let go of him! This astounds me to no end. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Frankly, if it doesn’t astound
you I wonder why not? </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jacob wrestled with the angel of God and overpowered
him through mere human determination and chutzpah. From that day forward, Jacob
was forever changed hence the name change. Look at what the angel says to him
in verses 27-29. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Genesis
32:27-29<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“he
said to him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Jacob.” </span><sup style="font-size: 12pt;">28 </sup><span style="font-size: 12pt;">He said,
“Your name shall no longer be Jacob, but Israel; for you have striven with God
and with men and have prevailed.” </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftn8" name="_ftnref8" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><b><sup><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">[8]</span></span></sup></b><!--[endif]--></sup></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Do you see it? Jacob picked a fight with God and men
and he won! Yup, you read it right. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">You can pick a fight with God and win. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; line-height: 115%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In Part 2 of this blog post I will show you just how you can
pick a fight with God and win!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<!--[endif]-->
<br />
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 32:24–26). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 25:21–22). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 25:24–26). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Thomas, R. L. (1998). <i>New American
Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition</i>. Anaheim:
Foundation Publications, Inc.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[5]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a>
Thomas, R. L. (1998). <i>New American
Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition</i>. Anaheim:
Foundation Publications, Inc.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[6]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 32:9–12). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[7]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 32:24–26). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn8">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Blog%20Posts/How%20to%20Pick%20a%20Fight%20with%20God%20and%20Win.docx#_ftnref8" name="_ftn8" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%;">[8]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ge 32:27–28). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-14228181787054486652017-05-30T16:27:00.005-05:002017-05-30T16:27:52.683-05:00What is this Mystery of the Gospel Anyway?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Ah,
so it seems that the mystery is still a mystery. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">If you look on the internet or
in Christian bookstores you will find it. If you listen to preachers either in
your home church or through online sermons you will hear it. But it seems the
one place we have forgotten to search for it is the only place it is actually
found. What is it? It is the Mystery; more specifically the mystery of the
Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Paul
spoke about it as though it had not only been revealed to him but as though he
had also revealed it to the church. Yet, it seems we have either missed it or
have buried it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Many
who speak on the explanation of what this mystery is seem to have misunderstood
its purpose and representation. This has in this writer’s opinion led to a
plethora of wrong theology and structure within the body of Christ. Before I
get into what I believe is the explanation of the mystery I want to give an
examples of this error that best exemplifies the common misunderstanding. The
example below is from a well-known Biblical scholar of today and this example
shows a common view held among today’s Christian scholars on the subject of the
mystery of the Gospel. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>“<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The union of
man and woman in marriage is a mystery because it conceals, as in a parable, a
truth about Christ and the church. The divine reality hidden in the metaphor of
marriage is that God ordained a permanent union between His Son and the church.
Human marriage is the earthly image of this divine plan. As God willed for
Christ and the church to become one body (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gal.%203.28" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Gal.
3:28</span></a>;</span><span style="font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/1%20Cor.%2012.13" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: none;">1
Cor. 12:13</span></a>), so He willed for marriage to reflect this pattern—that
the husband and wife become one flesh (<a href="https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Gen.%202.24" target="_blank"><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 12pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Gen.
2:24</span></a>).</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">”</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sounds good so far…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>“<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The inference</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">…”</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">But here is where we get into
trouble. When we start inferring what Christ meant in what He said. The above
statement is true to be sure. Marriage is a picture of Christ and the church
but the inference we draw is where things get just fuzzy enough that it causes
us to err. Let’s read the example further. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>“…<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">what</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Paul draws from
this mystery is that the roles of husband and wife in marriage are not
arbitrarily assigned but are rooted in the distinctive roles of Christ and His
church. Therefore husbands and wives should consciously copy the relationship
God intended for Christ and the church.</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">” </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">– John Piper</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Sounds
harmless at first and even possibly Biblical but is it right? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Sure
we are to model Christ’s behavior. That is a true statement. Yes, husbands and
wives are to live in relationship with each other that will properly show the
relationship between Christ and the church. Once again I have no problem with
this part of the statement. The part that gets us into trouble is the part that
tells us we have inferred that there are distinctive roles for the husband and
wife in marriage but the explanations we teach of those roles and the picture
that marriage is to provide of Christs relationship to the church are not
rooted in scripture as explained by scripture but rather scripture as explained
by inference. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Let
me stop here and say that I by no means have a complete understanding of this
topic but I understand enough to know that we have somewhere missed the mark on
this topic and are giving a wrong picture of Christ and the church to the
world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">The
picture we give through our teaching is that the husband takes on the pictorial
role of Christ and the wife takes on the pictorial role of the sinner in need
of redemption. We draw this conclusion from the passage in Ephesians 5. Later
in this same passage Paul is very clear what the mystery is. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">In
his letter to the Colossians Paul is equally as clear as to the nature and
understanding of the mystery. Now
normally in my writing I give scripture references but do not necessarily post
the scripture text. This is because I want you to look for yourselves and
discover but today I want us all to look at the scripture together to see what
I am writing about. We will begin in Ephesians and then look at Colossians. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">For this reason a man
shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two
shall become one flesh. This mystery is great; but I am speaking with
reference to Christ and the church. Ephesians 5:31-32</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">For this reason I,
Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of
you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship
of God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">’</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">s grace
which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made
known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By
referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into
the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known
to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and
prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles
are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow
partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which
I was made a minister, according to the gift of God</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">’</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">s grace
which was given to me according to the working of His power. Ephesians
3:1-7</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in right .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">To me, the very least of
all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable
riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the
mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that
the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the
rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with
the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Ephesians 3:9-11</span></li>
</ul>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: 0in right .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Of this church I was made
a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your
benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, that
is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but
has now been manifested to His saints, to whom God willed to make known what is
the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in
you, the hope of glory.</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Colossians 1:25-27</span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">that their hearts may be
encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth
that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true
knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself,</span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">Colossians 2:2</span></li>
</ul>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">What
we learn from these passages is that Paul is instructing the church that the
mystery is indeed the relationship between Christ and the church but the point
is the unifying of two people into one body in relationship with Christ through
the sacrifice of his blood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">The
mystery is not that Christ is in authority over all the church. This is a
misleading statement as if Christ had to accomplish what he did in order to gain authority. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">First, the purpose of Christ’s redemptive work was to
restore creation to its rightful place and relationship to its Creator and
itself. Christ’s authority was never in jeopardy due to the fall of man.
Christ’s authority was never in question due to the fall of man. Christ’s
authority need not be restored for it was never lost or marred. Christ is in authority over all of creation
not just the church. He has a relationship with all things not just the church.
All of creation is involved. Some live in a restored relationship of unity with
their creator and their fellow man while others still live in separation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">This
is the picture of Christ and the church not that the marriage portrays the
distinctive roles for husbands and wives but that the restoration of relationships
occurs in Christ; two people, the Jews and the Gentiles; husband and wife
become one flesh, people, body. If subordination and hierarchy are to be
portrayed in the marriage relationship by husband and wife with husband as
Christ and wife as the church and this example is the picture of the joining of
the Jews and Gentiles into one body then the question must be asked are the
Jews in authority over the Gentiles? Are Gentiles to submit to Jews in the
church? If so, then how? How do we see this put into motion today? It is my understanding that Christ didn’t die
to set up earthly roles for human beings. He died to restore and to </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="background-color: white;">unify. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</v:shape><![endif]--><!--[if !vml]--><!--[endif]--></span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">When
we interpret the mystery this traditional way as seen in the example first
given at the beginning of this blog post it gives the implication that only one
person in the marriage is to mirror the example of Christ in the world while
the other portrays the example of fallen man in the world restored by Christ.
Yet we know that all believers are to be the example of Christ in the world.
Men see themselves as Redeemers while women view themselves in need of redemption
by man whether consciously or subconsciously. This particular interpretation of
the mystery also sets man up as master to be obeyed and followed and woman is
set up to do the obeying and following. Many claim as by their natural state. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>“<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Women by the ordinary law of nature are born to obey, for all
wise men have always rejected government by women as an unnatural monstrosity.</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;">”</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> – John
Calvin</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">It
is my argument that the picture the mystery is to portray through the marriage
relationship is that of two people being united in Christ. The Jews and the
Gentiles were united in Christ into one people; one body but notice also that
men and women were united, slave and free, circumcised and uncircumcised and
even Barbarian and Scythian. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: 0in right .25in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For
all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is
neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong
to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise. </span>Galatians 3:26-29</li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: right .25in left .5in; text-autospace: none; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true
knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which
there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised,
barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all. </span>Colossians 3:10-11</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in right .25in; text-autospace: none;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: 0in right .25in; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Some argue that
these passages refer only to the spiritual aspects of man through salvation and
do not remove or deal with physical barriers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<ul>
<li>as far as equality is
concerned, <span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">neither male nor female</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">”</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> refers only to equal access to the blessings of salvation
through Jesus Christ. The context warrants no other conclusion. – Jack Cottrell</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">But I again must
disagree. I disagree with this assessment of these verses because while it is
through the sacrifice of Christ that all men are unified into one body and
salvation is made available to all it is through the renewing of the mind as
seen in Colossians 3:10-11 that these distinctions should disappear between us
as human beings. It is through the renewing of the mind that we should see our
relationships with Christ differently as well as our relationships with each
other. There were tangible physical differences that took place for each of the
groups mentioned in both the Galatians and Colossians passages. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">The veil was
torn for all people. Technically, in light of Christ women, Greeks, barbarians,
and slaves were allowed into the Holy of Holies not just the Jewish high
priest. All were adopted as ‘sons’ by God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -0.25in;">He predestined us to
adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind
intention of His will, Ephesians 1:6</span></li>
</ul>
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> But when the fullness of the time
came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, so that He
might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption
as sons. Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into
our hearts, crying, </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">“</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Abba! Father!</span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">”</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"> Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son,
then an heir through God. </span><span style="color: #333333; font-size: 14.6667px; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L", serif; font-size: 13.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">Galatians
4:4-7</span></li>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">There are many
more verses that use this same phrase “adoption as sons.” Many who try to
minimize the gender influences in the Bible do a great disservice to those who
seek to truly understand. They are also wiping away the very thing they are
trying to prove. Many believe that these male and female pronouns are the
result of cultural influence and as such need to be corrected for today’s
understanding but this is a grievous error. The above two verses as well as all
others that use this same phrase make the point not only of cultural influence
but of God’s understanding and transcendence of this cultural influence for
those who become His children. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">You see only sons
could receive the inheritance in first century Middle Eastern culture. This is
why these verses are so great. God adopts us all as sons so that we all receive
the same inheritance through Christ. There are reasons which I will not go into
in this post as to why the cultural influence is necessary as an integral part
of the plan of Creation and how Christ’s sacrifice and subsequent victory place
us all high above them. For now, I will leave it at we according to scripture
are all “adopted as sons” and as adopted sons all share the same rights and
responsibilities as sons of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">Please don’t get
me wrong gender differences are important and should be respected, honored and
celebrated but they should not be used as barriers or platforms. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Adobe Ming Std L","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">I
encourage you all to do a scripture study of the “Mystery” for a fuller
understanding of this topic. I also welcome discussion on this point as long as
the sources of the conversation come from scripture first and
inference/cultural influences second. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">As
I stated previously, I have by no means come to a full understanding of this
topic. What I think I begin to understand today may be changed by increased
illumination into the things of God through His Holy Spirit that dwells in me but
this one thing I do know. We have done a great disservice to the world’s
understanding of the mystery when we make it about one role taking the position
of Christ while the other takes the position of the repentant sinner. We are
all sinners in need of Christ and as such none can serve in the position of
Christ save Jesus Christ alone.</span></div>
<br clear="ALL" />
<br />
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">If
this is the picture to be portrayed then the hierarchy must remain intact thus
making Greeks submissive to Jews in both the physical and the spiritual realm. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">The
mystery is about the unifying of two people/groups which is only found in relationship
with Christ. This is the relationship of two people operating in equality as one in the power and
authority of Christ. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;">In
Christ we have restored relationships. The Jew and the Greek can enjoy unity and equality only when united in Christ. Man and woman can only represent the mystery when
we understand that we both represent people who need Christ and only in
relationship with Him can we be properly united into one body in equality with each other. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7tTvWLa4umNmPcK2MIG9fwJ0gGiCtlArJx5dm0o8zwBPPDF7G_gjGk6cyij_9y16sSYo6Q6EzhvE5zT3MseRngZ8-sybIH9nLo1bHIq3qKgDJxLZ4GIvutiMYt-2aoycYu9uRc8gx_U/s1600/relationship+in+the+mystery.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="1048" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7tTvWLa4umNmPcK2MIG9fwJ0gGiCtlArJx5dm0o8zwBPPDF7G_gjGk6cyij_9y16sSYo6Q6EzhvE5zT3MseRngZ8-sybIH9nLo1bHIq3qKgDJxLZ4GIvutiMYt-2aoycYu9uRc8gx_U/s400/relationship+in+the+mystery.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 150%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 150%;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">This
is the mystery. </span></b></span><span style="background: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div>
<!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><br clear="all" />
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<!--[endif]-->
<div id="ftn1">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[1]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Eph 3:8–11). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn2">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref2" name="_ftn2" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[2]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Col 1:25–27). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref3" name="_ftn3" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[3]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Col 2:2). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn4">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref4" name="_ftn4" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[4]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ga 3:26–29). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn5">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref5" name="_ftn5" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[5]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Col 3:10–11). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn6">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref6" name="_ftn6" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[6]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Eph 1:5). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
<div id="ftn7">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="file:///C:/Users/martha/Desktop/Let's%20look%20at%20the%20mystery.docx#_ftnref7" name="_ftn7" title=""><sup><!--[if !supportFootnotes]--><sup><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[7]</span></sup><!--[endif]--></sup></a> <i>New American Standard Bible: 1995 update</i>.
(1995). (Ga 4:4–7). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-9409106788300838912017-05-23T11:21:00.000-05:002017-05-23T11:24:42.321-05:00The Long Walk Home pt. 2: A Fresh Look at the Older Brother<div class="MsoNormal">
In this second post concerning Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son
I want to take another look at the older brother in the story. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are all familiar with the actions of the father but what
we tend not to focus on are the actions of the firstborn son. You remember the
older brother who became angry at the reception his younger brother received
upon returning home; the older brother who believed that he was right and
deserved his position and estate. This is the brother we will look at today. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We as Americans see him as the one who is justifiably
outraged even though we concede that his attitude was not right. We believe he
did what was right. He stayed home and took care of the family. He didn’t squander
or even ask for his inheritance. He didn’t leave the family. He was right all
along…right? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Well, maybe not, let’s look
again.</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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The first thing I want us to notice in the story is that the
father has been looking for the son and the implication is that he had been
looking ever since the son left home. In fact, when the son returns home we are
told that the father sees him before he see the father. The father has been looking all along
desperately hoping for the return of his son so that his family would be whole
again; if his son returns home honor will be restored to the family and his son
will be safe again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But where is the older son?</span></b>
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Why wasn’t he looking?</span></b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Recall in my last post on the Prodigal that I explain the
difference between an Individualist culture like America and a Collectivist
culture such as that of the Jewish people. If you would like to refresh your memory you can read <a href="http://auntiemsbookshelf.blogspot.com/2017/05/the-long-walk-home.html#.WSRhwPnyu00" target="_blank"><b>Part 1 on the Prodigal Son here</b></a>.<br />
<br />
In a collectivist culture because the
older son had already been handed his inheritance he would have been known as
the new head of the family but since the father was still living it was
honorable to allow him to keep his position as head until he died. This meant
that in order to show proper respect for his father and to protect the honor of
the family it would have been the duty of the older son to seek the restoration
of the family honor through the return of the wayward younger brother. This
would have included looking for the younger son and seeking his restoration
back into the family. This should have been the older son’s greatest desire
because when the family is honored everyone benefits and his father would be
alleviated of his suffering. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we see instead is that the older son’s actions and
attitude really aren’t different than the younger son’s. Sure the older brother
didn’t leave home or squander his inheritance but his heart was seeking his own
desires just like the younger son. His heart had no concern for the honor and
safety of the family or his father. He was only concerned with his own honor
and safety. He was concerned about keeping what was his.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> It must also be recognized that the older
son’s actions brought about the same amount of dishonor to the father as the
younger son’s. <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember that the father handed out the inheritance to both
sons. Recall that the Mishna stated that it was inadvisable to hand out
inheritances while you are alive because if the you as a father fall into need
you will have to ask for the inheritance back from your children and thus bring
dishonor to the family. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look again at the conversation between the father and the
older son in Luke 15. The honorable thing for the older son to do would have
been to give whatever the father asked without argument because he loved,
honored, and respected his father. But in arguing and pointing out the younger
son’s sins he was essentially taking the seat of authority over his father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Notice his father <b><span style="color: #e46c0a; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: large;">pleads</span></span></b> with him
to understand. The father doesn’t demand that the older son simply accept what
has happened. This is because what was left of the father’s estate had been
handed down to the older son and this would have been the double portion. The
double portion given to the firstborn was the indicator that the firstborn son
was now the new head of the family as I stated before. The older brother in the
story of the prodigal was now head of the family legally but it was honorable
to allow the father to continue to operate in that position until he died. And
in all respects the estate was rightfully the estate of the father to begin
with. The father chose to hand it down but it was all rightfully his initially
and rightfully his to handle until his death. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The older son in arguing and becoming angry with the father
was causing his father to plead and beg for the blessing he wanted to bestow
upon the younger son. The older son was
the cause of great dishonor upon his father and his family. Through this action
we see that he is found to be just as guilty as the younger brother in
dishonoring the family, and seeking his own desires. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What we don’t see in the story is a change of heart in the
older brother. Much like the book of Jonah which ends with Jonah greatly
lamenting that God saved a non-Jewish people from destruction the parable ends
without the resolution we seek. The older brother as far as we know never
changes his attitude. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here is the point in all of this. We, brothers and sisters in Christ, who have
stayed with the church have the potential to be the older brother in the story
of the prodigal. Now, this parable is indeed speaking about the relationship
between the Jewish people and the Gentiles but there are further applications
that remain here for us. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We certainly can act the part of the Jews when we
condemn those who walk away whether there leaving is willfully rebellion or as a result of deception
rather than doing all we can to honor our father by seeking the restoration of
our prodigal brothers and sisters. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are those who have left God and the church for various
reasons but most commonly they have left because </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">WE have not valued
the honor of the family of Christ</span></b>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have not understood that when
God as our Father receives ultimate honor we benefit with honor for ourselves and
increased opportunity in this world in which we currently live. We have not
sought the safety of all over our own safety for the honor of our family and
Father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Restoration should
always be our goal.</span></b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not just in word and “prayer” but in actions. We should be
out with the Father looking for the return of our brothers or sisters from the
moment they decide to walk away </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">-no matter what their
motivation for doing so is</span></b>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After all who are we to judge another
man’s servant? (Romans 14:4) We should value their safety and honor over that of our own
or our religion. Because... </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">when they are restored
honor is restored. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have instead valued religion and whatever benefit we
believe we receive from our religion. All too often religion is protected above
people and yes, at times at the cost of people. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For some the safety and perceived stability religion
provides is what is valued and if those are threatened in any way religion is
defended over protecting the honor of the family of God. We cover up things
like power struggles, affairs, child abuse, gossip, the mishandling of God’s
Word and more in order to protect the honor of religion whatever chosen
denomination it may be. We believe that protecting the denomination protects
the Holy name of God. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem is that when we protect the religious denomination
over the person we dishonor the name of God. We bring shame and loss of opportunity
for His family. We demean the name and work of Christ who was the means through
which the estate was gained. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We like the older son don’t realize that
our hearts are just as far away from the Father as the Prodigal who left his home
and people. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We sit in our estate that we did not earn and demand that the Father beg us </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
to join in rejoicing in the restoration of honor to the family. Judgment and
self-righteousness are chosen over love for our Father and each other. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #e46c0a; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We leave people to take
the long walk home alone putting them in danger and causing loneliness and great
dishonor for us all.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Works Cited<o:p></o:p></span><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></h1>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MJL
Staff. <i>What is the Mishna.</i> n.d.
www.myjewishlearning.com/article/mishnah (accessed May 16, 2017).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">New American
Standard Bible.</span></i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation., 1995: Update.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Richards, E.
Randolph, and Brandon J. O'Brien. <i>Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes:
Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible.</i> Downers Grove,
IL.: InterVarsity Press, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="-1628612565" sdtdocpart="t">
</w:sdt>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-28759379336658753382017-05-20T09:00:00.000-05:002017-05-20T09:00:32.150-05:00The Long Walk Home<div class="MsoNormal">
I heard a song this morning based on the prodigal son and
something in this song made me think of an aspect of the story I had never
really thought of before. Luke 15 tells us that the prodigal son had traveled
to a distant or far away land after he took his inheritance and left home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been on a quest of late to learn to recognize when I
am interpreting scripture purely from my own Western (American) understanding
so that I can see and understand God’s Word in a broader light. The
American mindset and the Middle Eastern mindset is vast.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Americans prize individualism while Middle
Eastern cultures are built on collectivism.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Americans value self-worth, personal accomplishments
along with personal pride in these two things but collectivist cultures pay
close attention to how individual actions affect the family or group as a
whole.</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Americans live a life of being prideful or
ashamed. Collectivist cultures live by the code of honor and shame.</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Before I go further it is important to note that shame and
shaming or being ashamed are two distinct concepts and should not be confused
as similar or the same. In a collectivist culture a person can either bring
honor to their family or dishonor (shame). In accordance with this each
personal decision is weighed out keeping these two factors in mind: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
</div>
<ul>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Will this action or decision bring honor to my
family or group?</span></li>
<li>·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Will this action or decision bring shame upon my
family or group?</span></li>
</ul>
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Another aspect of this way of living and thinking is that
the ultimate goal in families and communities is to bring as much honor as
possible to the head of the family or group. This is because in collectivist
cultures honor brings opportunities and dishonor removes opportunities for
families, groups, and individual members. If the family was honored everyone benefited with increased
or continued opportunity. However, if one individual brought shame upon the
family or group the whole group suffered in that opportunities would be removed
from all members of that family or group.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With this understanding in mind I want to look again at the
story of the prodigal Son in Luke 15. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The younger son in
the parable asks the father for his portion of the inheritance.</b> <br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Immediately we as American’s have a couple of misunderstanding or things that
we might not catch because we just don’t understand the culture. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In Jewish culture unlike in the West a <b>father
did not have to die in order for an inheritance to be passed on</b>. It was
within the rights of the father to hand out the inheritance at any time he saw
fit. But because this handing down of the inheritance before death had caused
problems in the past it was noted in the Mishna (The most basic definition of
the Mishna is that it is the written account of the oral law of the Torah.)
that it was not advisable to hand down inheritances while the father lived
because if he found that he became in need he would have to ask for the
inheritance back from his children. This would cause dishonor and as such
should be avoided. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Never-the-less it was still the legal right of the father to
decide for himself if he desired to hand out inheritances while he still lived.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One interesting aspect of the story is that it was not the
right of the son to demand the inheritance. While it was the father’s right to decide
the timing of inheritances it was his right alone and according to Jewish customs
he could not be coerced into handing out the inheritance at any certain time by
his children. This too would have been seen as bringing dishonor to the family.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, if a father did divide the inheritance while he was
still alive no one was allowed to sell that inheritance for money or dispose of
the property. Neither the father nor the sons could do so. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This explains what we see next in the story. In Luke 15 we
see that a few days after the younger son receives his inheritance he gathers
everything that he had and leaves. The son travels not just across town to
strike out on his own but instead goes to a distant land. Scripture tells us
that it is there the son squanders all of his estate. So why did the son go so
far away?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Remember, it was illegal for the son to sell or dispose of
the property he had inherited while his father was still alive. Everyone he
knew in his home land would have known that he had received his inheritance
from his father and that his father was still alive. Consequently, since no one
wanted to be guilty of enabling a son to bring shame or dishonor to his father
thus bringing shame to their own families the son would not have been able to
sell or squander any of the estate he had inherited while still in his home town. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was necessary for the son to travel a long distance away
so that he could use the inheritance as he pleased while his father still
lived. He had to travel to a place far enough away so that no one knew him or
how he had obtained his estate. <span style="color: #351c75;"><b>He
needed to become a stranger.</b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s exactly what he did. We see that the son travels not
just to a distant land but to a land of Gentiles. This was as far away as a Jew
could get from home. It was here that the son could be sure that he would not
be hindered by his family connections. <b><span style="color: #674ea7;">He
was free to do and act as he pleased.</span></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In these actions of both demanding an inheritance while his
father lived and moving to a distant land to squander that estate the son was
sending the message that he wished his father were dead. Moving to a distant
land would have added even more dishonor to the family and the father. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, Luke tells us that after squandering everything the
son realizes what he has done and begins the journey back home. Sure, we like
the older son in the story could focus on the squandering but it is a better
use of our time in my opinion to focus on the returning and our role in aiding
it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Notice that the son plans and rehearses what he is going to
say to his father once he sees him again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The son purposely traveled not only to a distant land but he
traveled to a distant people as well. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">He
gave up his family and his people. </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is only when the son realizes that
the people he was living among cared nothing for him that he began to realize
what he had really given up. He desired to belong again to a family; a people.
He began to see what he was missing. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He missed being connected to a people in that shame/honor
society where he would be cared for. He missed having those who would look out
for him and his welfare. In a collectivist culture it was unthinkable not to
take care of your family because it would bring dishonor. The best way I can
describe it in American terms would be that there is a real sense of team in a
collectivist culture and this is what the son was missing; to be valued and to
value others for the sake of the whole because as I stated before when the
whole family benefits from honor each individual benefits. There is safety and
security here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">So we see the son set
out on his long journey home. </span></b></span>
<br />
In a collectivist culture it is seen as a great danger and sadness for anyone
to go anywhere alone. They always travel in groups and at the very least a
group of two people. So the fact that we see this son traveling alone in this
parable would have evoked great sadness in the Jewish audience as it should in
us as well. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there the son is alone with a long, difficult walk ahead
of him. Not only did the distance make this walk home a long one but the
circumstances surrounding why he had to walk so far would have added to the
hard walk home. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With every step the son recalled his past decisions. Each
step would remind him just how far away from home he had gone and why he had
traveled so far. We see the son rehearsing as he walks home what he will say to
his father in hopes that he just might be accepted back into the family even if
it is as a servant. The son doesn’t even consider the state of being a servant
in his father’s house as anything dishonorable. He just wants to make it home
any way he can. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">The son had been
forever changed by his experience. He had gained a new understanding of the
family,</span></b> <b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">of his father, of honor. </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But though he understood them differently
he also understood himself differently. Would they understand as well? He could
only hope and have faith in what he knew of his father.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75;">What a difficult walk
home. </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We are not told how long the son lived in this distant land
only that he had nothing left. He had no food, no provisions for this trip. We
already know that he was hungry. He had squandered everything in a land that
was now engulfed in famine. He was so hungry that he as a Jew took a job
feeding pigs and considered eating with those pigs. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75;">Now, that’s a hungry
Jew! </span><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We also know from the story that he had come to realize that
no one in this distant land cared for him at all. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">This son was hungry,
tired, and knew all too well that he was alone </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
…and now he must walk the great distance to get back home
without assurance that he would be accepted again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">All he had left was
hope and just enough faith to take each step. </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hope that he would make it safely home. Hope that his father
would accept him. Hope that this family would accept him. He hoped in the
goodness of home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We know this trip was an emotionally and physically difficult
one from what we see in scripture. Not only was the son alone, hungry, and
tired but he was concerned about how he would be received once he reached home.We see in the story that the son rehearses what he will say
to his father.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">How often when we are
unsure of the outcome of a situation do we rehearse our lines in hopes of being
understood? In hopes of being accepted? </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This journey home was a difficult journey, possibly in part
because of the distance or terrain though we are not told but certainly because
of the difficulty of retracing the very steps that led the son to his current
situation; </div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">the steps that took him away
from home and caused him to lose everything. </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can’t help but think how much easier that journey could
have been if the son were not alone as he walked. How much easier and safer his
journey would have been if his older brother were out searching for him to make
certain he made it home because he loved him. Because he loved his father and
desired his honor be restored more than his own comfort and pride. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are so many today that for one reason or another have
left God and His family. Some are bravely taking those necessary steps back
home but it is a long difficult trip. It is a journey full of danger,
self-doubt and apprehension. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Am I taking the right
path? Is this the way home I cannot remember for sure? Will my Father accept
me? Do I remember Him correctly? Will I make it there safely or will I get lost
and hurt along the way? </span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is also a journey of <span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">amazing faith</span> that says I remember
that my Father is good and the trip is worth it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Still what a beautiful and honorable thing it would be if
God’s children who stayed with the family would <b><span style="color: #351c75;">go out searching for their prodigal brothers and sisters and help them
come safely home again.</span></b> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How it would ease their journey if we would meet them with
food and provisions and the safety and comfort that comes with traveling
together. How it would strengthen their resolve and faith if we would listen
while we walk as they recount their experiences away from home and what they
have learned about themselves and life. What a restorative action it would be
if we would prove their faith in God’s unconditional love for them and
acceptance of them just as they are through our own actions and desires. My,
how time would fly; why…you would both be home before you knew it. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><br /></b></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">What a beautifully enjoyable walk that
would be!</span></b></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></h1>
<h1>
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Works Cited<o:p></o:p></span><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></h1>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:115%'><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">MJL
Staff. <i>What is the Mishna.</i> n.d.
www.myjewishlearning.com/article/mishnah (accessed May 16, 2017).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">New American
Standard Bible.</span></i><span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;"> LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation., 1995: Update.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="-1103258964" sdtdocpart="t">
<!--[if supportFields]><b><span style='font-size:8.0pt;line-height:115%;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-latin;mso-hansi-theme-font:
minor-latin;mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA'><span
style='mso-element:field-end'></span></span></b><![endif]--></w:sdt><br />
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-no-proof: yes;">Richards, E.
Randolph, and Brandon J. O'Brien. <i>Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes:
Removing Cultural Blinders to Better Understand the Bible.</i> Downers Grove,
IL.: InterVarsity Press, 2012.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-80704218971988453862017-04-27T13:56:00.000-05:002017-04-27T14:24:53.807-05:00Seven Mile Miracle by Steven Furtick<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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Seven Mile Miracle by Steven Furtick takes an in depth look
at the meaning and significance of the last 7 phrases uttered by Jesus
Christ from the cross. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Furtick takes readers on a 7 mile journey through the last
phrases of Jesus on the cross in parallel with the risen Christ’s conversation with the two
disciples that traveled to Emmaus after hearing the news of Christ’s
resurrection but failing to believe. Mile by mile you as the reader will
discover pieces of your own journey in tandem with the journey of the two
disciples on the Emmaus road. Furtick shows us how each phrase Christ uttered
holds great significance for all Christians throughout time. They are just as relevant
for believers today as that were on the day of His crucifixion.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One significant point for me in this book was woven
throughout the book just as we find it in God’s Word; the command of “Follow
Me.” Furtick points out that those in Christ are not just believers, disciples,
or even Christian. Another point that is brought out in the book is that these two on the road to Emmaus were together when they are joined by Christ. Notice they are talking and discussing when Jesus joins their conversation. Furtick shows us that while we are each called to follow Jesus for ourselves we cannot follow Him by ourselves. "You spiritual success will only be as strong as your support system." (Seven Mile Miracle, Steven Furtick, p.73) We are from beginning to end to be followers (together) and it is only
through following that we can be believers, disciples and Christians. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seven Mile Miracle is an interesting perspective on the 7
last phrases that Jesus uttered to His followers from the cross. While this
book is an easy read it is still challenging enough in content to encourage the
reader to think deeper or differently about their Christian walk.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.</span></i> </div>
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<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-22427223370969837042017-04-11T11:49:00.000-05:002017-04-11T11:50:45.156-05:00The Necessity that Free Will Remain Free.<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br />
Free will is an enduring question in secular philosophy but why? Could it
possibly be that as part of the created order by God free will cannot be
dismissed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Free will affirms human dignity. Without the concept of human
dignity societies would collapse. We would be free to treat each other as we
saw fit with no accountability or repercussion. This is because without free
will no one can be held accountable for their actions. If man is not free to
choose his actions then how can he possibly be held accountable for those actions?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Richard Dawkins points out if your computer has a problem we
don’t blame the computer. No, we look for the programming error and we correct
it. If we see humans in this same light then we see how we cannot possibly hold
people accountable for their actions if they cannot choose those actions. It
would be irrational to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It naturally follows that with that line of thinking in place it
is also irrational to believe that a human without free will can possess
unconditional love for their children, which as Rodney Brooks states is the
furthest one might be able to get from rational analysis. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 15.75pt; margin-left: .75pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This poses a huge problem for secular philosopher because it
forces them to live with what they have named “a useful fiction” or “double
thinking.” This is essentially saying one thing and living another. This is
because they realize that free will is not only a useful theory but also
necessary for human dignity and for society to continue to function. Though it
cannot be explained many secular philosophers have accepted the theory of free
will labeling it as necessary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Human
beings no matter how much we try cannot deny what we experience. We may believe
a secular worldview but that belief can in no way remove the everyday
experiences we have of the Christian worldview; the reality that God is the
Creator, morality is not a human construct and free will is something innate in
every human being. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Many
secular philosophers understand that without free will life would be
intolerable. This in itself speaks to the necessity of acknowledging free will.
A machine doesn’t care that it doesn’t have a free choice to make decisions on
its own apart from what it has been programmed to do. Nor do they give any
though as to how their actions might affect another computer or cause harm or
difficulty for themselves. They simply do what they are told in complete compliance not out of choice but due to programming. After all they are merely machines whose sole purpose is to help human beings. They were created to help man. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
believe a prime example of this would be the computer virus. This is something
that is programmed into the computer by those who wish to harm computer
systems, information systems and individuals. They are used to steal, kill and destroy
both the machine and some part of the life of the user. Yet, the computer has
no choice other than to act upon this programming. The only way to stop it is
to find a better programmer to remove the virus, stop it the virus or reprogram
it. Once the virus is initiated harm follows until the virus has been stopped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
computer has no choice but it also feels neither remorse nor shame for the harm
it causes to itself or for the harm it causes to another computer system or the
user. There is no free will so we cannot hold the computer responsible but
there is no free will so the computer doesn’t care. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Human
beings when forced to do harm to themselves, another person or the property of
another always unless there is mental dysfunction or illness will always
without fail feel remorse or shame. It contradicts everything in the nature of
a human being because we were created to live to honor the Creator and each
other. We were created to live without guilt. We were created to live in a
healthy community with each other and our Creator. This shame/remorse concept is
what makes it possible for societies to function properly in a fallen world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even
more important to recognize is that this is how human beings deeply desire
societies to function. We desire not to hurt others or do harm to them and we
desire that we also be free from the hurt and harm inflicted by another human
being. If free will were not a reality then we wouldn’t care how society
functions. We would merely be instinctual creatures following our programming. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Additional
abilities that depend upon free will that come to mind for me are the
expression of the self through art, and music. The most simplistic ability I
can think of that depends upon free will would be choosing from a menu in
restaurant or fast food establishment. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
the first, art and music are better examples. These things cannot merely be a
part of computer programming or biological process. Each human being has the ability
to paint a star for instance. Now if this were mere programming or a biological
reaction then each star should be the same in form, color, size, and placement.
Yet if 50 people were given a paint brush and asked to paint a star each one
would express that star differently. This is not because they are all
witnessing different stars and interpreting them but because while each
person’s experience of a star is the same each one would choose to highlight or
diminish certain characteristics of that star based on their preference of what
was most important to them about that star at that moment. This would be
combined with the imagination of the individual in which they may want to
change something real for something imaginative in order to convey a message or
concept to the viewer of the art. These are all free will choices. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Even
if we are not aware that this is what we are doing when we paint our star if we
are pressed to answer questions as to why we painted the star a certain way
each person would be able to explain their choices. We all choose even if we
are not aware at first of our choices. This concept is the same in music. Every
person has the ability to sing. Some obviously better than others but I would
argue once again this is based on preference or free will choice. This is why
what is considered “good” music is different across cultural boundaries, age
groups, socioeconomic classes, personality types and more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
I want to explain the simple example of the menu as an example of free will.
This could be said to be a biological function in that your body needs a
certain element available in your food choice in order to function properly because
it was low in that element much like a car needing gasoline. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here
is where free will shows us the truth though. The care never “desires”
gasoline. It merely needs it to function and when it runs out it stops functioning.
The car does not automatically drive itself to the gas station and pick out the
octane it wants and how much of it to get. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Humans
not only realize that they are hungry but then they take action to fulfill that
hunger requirement. They will choose a place to eat that most satisfies their
current desires. They then narrow this choice down further by choosing which
item this establishment offers will best satisfy their requirement plus their
desire. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">We
must then add in the social aspect of eating a meal. We choose an establishment
based upon the environment of that place in conjunction with our current
emotional, physical, or mental state. Sometimes we choose a rowdy and ruckus environment
when we want to enjoy fun and at other times quiet and subdued after a long
tiring day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Next,
we consider the element of the influences of others in our group. Often people
choose what they will eat based upon what others in the group are eating or
what they see others in the restaurant eating. They will also base their
choices upon price and quantity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
are all free will choices based upon the preference of the individual. And I
haven’t even begun to delve into the sociopolitical aspects of what we choose
to order or where we choose to eat. To explain simply many Christian choose to
eat at Chick-Fil-A because it is a Christian establishment and they want to
support that economic worldview choice. Many people choose not to order or eat
at places that don’t pay attention to the issues of dolphin free tuna or coffee
beans picked by child labor in Guatemala for the same reasons. These last few
are moral choices and have nothing to do with biological reactions or
programming. They are the direct result of our free will. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">To
squelch or negate the free will of another person leaves a devastating mark
upon individuals and societies. Individuals suffer mental and emotional illness while societies crumble. We as created beings cannot help but desire to
live as we were created. To hinder another person’s free will is to deny them
the opportunity to be fully human. The textbook definition of this action is
called oppression. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">God
as our Creator chose to hinder His own free will in order to ensure the free
will of His creation remained intact. Human beings in our ever constant effort to
take the place of the Creator in creation often maintain that the free will of
some must be limited for the good of the whole or the good of society. But is
this concept true? God doesn’t think so. At least not in the way the humans do.
God desire all of his creation to honor and live in community with him. He desires
that all would come to know Him and live in relationship with him but he desire
that we make that choice based upon our free will. God then goes a step further
and asks us to follow in the example of His Son, Jesus Christ in using that
free will for the honor and benefit of another not the self. The process should
look like this. The lost individual chooses to use their free will to willingly
join themselves to Christ in an eternal relationship. This free will action is motivated
by the immediate benefit of the self. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">However,
after we come to know Christ and as we renew our minds and grow spiritually in
Him we then should more often become motivated to use our free will choices to
benefit our Creator God and our neighbor instead of the self as a result of our
love for other and God. The person who uses free will to benefit the self
especially through the negating of the free will of another loves no one but
the self. This self-love; this
egocentric nature which seeks to do whatever is necessary to promote and
gratify the desire of the self is a direct result of the fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sadly,
this is often times how our religions work. Instead of promoting the freedom of
another we teach that others must give up their free will for our benefit or so
that God is glorified. But if God created human beings to be creatures that operate
in a free will state then how does demanding the removal of that free will
choice from others glorify their Creator? If free will is demanded to be given up; if it
is commanded that you negate it in order to live in a right relationship with
you Creator and your neighbor then it is no longer free will. Free will must be
a choice. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is why we as Christians are told that we should submit to each other. We should
think of others as better than ourselves. We are created to honor God and each
other. We are never told that we are to rule over each other. To come to the
conclusion that some human beings were created to rule or have dominion over other
human beings as some have concluded is an improper understanding of scripture,
the creation and its Creator. It is also a belief that does great harm to the
glory of the name of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
am reminded of Nazi, Germany; the American Restoration Movement’s condoning practices
of slavery as Biblical; and Joseph Stalin, who if you didn’t know was a theological
seminary student training for the priesthood. Stalin was known for his devout
nature to the church as well as his oppressive nature in society. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In
each situation men believed that some humans were created either inferior or
with differing functions. The German’s believed Jews were inferior while the
American Restoration movement which was made up of several denominations with Methodists
and Baptists leading the numbers believed that black people were created to be a
slave race and that God condoned and even set up slavery as a natural practice
to glorify Himself. This was backed up by scripture of course. The belief was
that since God gave guidelines for slaves and slave masters in the Bible it was
a necessary and God honoring part of creation. Those who rebelled against
slavery and desired to live in their own free will were to be beaten or a nicer
word would be oppressed into submission for their own good so that they could
live in accordance with their created function. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Submission
is a choice based upon free will and as such cannot be commanded. But when one
decides that they can remove the free will of another person or people group
they put themselves in a position as ruler over them. Free will submission
results in right relationship but submission demanded results in oppression. We
must remember that it was for freedom that we have been set free not for
oppression. Free will that has been set free from the bondage of sin has the
opportunity to operate in that freedom through chooses to honor and lift up the
Creator and others instead of the self. Freedom glorifies our Creator and draws
the nations to Him. Oppression simply mirrors the state of the fallen world
back to itself so that they no longer can tell a difference between the fallen and
the redeemed. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"'><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY<span style='mso-spacerun:yes'>
</span>\l 1033 <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span></span><![endif]--><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sources: Pearcey, Nancy. <i>Finding Truth.</i> Colorado
Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2015.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-15300122061123871032017-02-08T06:12:00.001-06:002017-08-15T11:38:31.903-05:00Roman's 8 & 9 Ponderings<div dir="ltr">
Attempting to gain a greater understanding of Romans 8-9. I am reminded of the Princess Bride quote, "you keep using that word. Inconceivable! That word...I do not think it means what You think it means."</div>
<div dir="ltr">
"...it is important to remember that in using Isaac and Jacob to illustrate God’s prerogative to choose whoever he pleases, Paul was not concerning himself with the eternal destinies of people. His concern was solely to show God’s sovereignty in electing people to a historical vocation. "</div>
<div dir="ltr">
- See more at: http://reknew.org/2008/01/how-do-you-respond-to-romans-9/#sthash.9dAC0k78.dpuf</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr">
In my thinking and I believe this is what the commentary stated above is speaking about this cannot be solely an election of Jew/Gentile issue. The twins were brothers. Both born of the same line. What it is speaking about is that God's election for service for His purposes are not based on physical requirements. These are earthly things that will pass away. They only have relevance here in the time in this particulate cultural understanding or shaping. Or to put it in today's context our particular cultural shaping. Man is famous for focusing on the physical and making it the important thing because we are finite beings who live and interpret from what we know and understand; the tangible. </div>
<div dir="ltr">
God through Paul is saying let go of what you know and understand. Follow me as God alone apart from your understanding of how the world or more importantly how I as God work! </div>
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Esau should have been first. That's how the "created order" according to their cultural understanding was supposed to work. Ishmael should have been chosen. That's how the "created order" according to their cultural understanding was supposed to work. </div>
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Think deeper with me: lineage was supposed to be through the male not the female...yet Ishmael was rejected. The firstborn had the birthright not the second yet Jacob was chosen. God chooses whom He will to do what He decides and He will destroy your cultural understanding of temporal physical importance to do so. </div>
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Why? Because He is greater and He wants us to understand this. He doesn't desire us to know and follow a God who binds His powerful hands with chains made from temporary materials. </div>
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He wants us to know and trust Him past what we see and understand. When God said Israel he didn't mean physicality. He deals with tissue of spiritual heritage both in salvation and vocation. </div>
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He was showing them they were secure if they followed but not guaranteed because of the state in which they were born. That Israel could mean a gentile by physical nature. </div>
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Begs the question....if He does that here then what else do we need to reconsider. How are Christians today playing the role of Israel and determining calling or usability by God based upon the temporal and tangible while God is Calling and putting into place His choice based on greater criteria. </div>
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Just some early morning thoughts to consider...</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-86847027213341955032017-02-06T19:00:00.000-06:002017-02-06T19:16:10.525-06:00Why Some People Receive Healing and Others Do Not<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZDSZg_XJ9tF4eD_3apibjD9_hPEZz5RXt3PeFV7CjUH75PRDol48SFnEADt6AQlUdMgvWU1ISb1cTde1dB-7xqHo2iEHYjYSA_f1rIKD64EkxH9_C1-6HaZSxu145lbR7vc4mPkTWl8/s1600/marthaselfie2016compressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZDSZg_XJ9tF4eD_3apibjD9_hPEZz5RXt3PeFV7CjUH75PRDol48SFnEADt6AQlUdMgvWU1ISb1cTde1dB-7xqHo2iEHYjYSA_f1rIKD64EkxH9_C1-6HaZSxu145lbR7vc4mPkTWl8/s320/marthaselfie2016compressed.jpg" width="275" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> With reference to
James 5:13-18, we will attempt to answer the question of why some people are
healed in response to prayer and some are not. In order to fully accomplish
answering this question we must understand a few key concepts with regard to
God’s activity in the creation on a daily basis, the difference between divine
providence and miracle and the benefits of physical healing versus spiritual
healing.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 200%;">Let's begin by dealing with the key
concepts.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Jack Cottrell in
his book<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The Faith Once for
All</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>gives us an easy to
understand description of how God interacts with His creation,</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;">"God has something to
do with everything. But He does not have everything to do with
everything." </span><span style="color: #7030a0; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 115%;">(Cottrell, kindle 2937)</span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> God is not a puppet
master. Because He desired man to have free will so that man could live in
close relationship with his Creator by choice it was necessary for God to
design His creation with what is known as </span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Relative Independence</span></b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Man was created
with free will which means that man has the ability to make independent
decisions. In the exercising of this free will man always has the option of
obedience or disobedience, good or evil, self-gratification or self-denial,
love or hate and so on.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Let's look for a
minute at the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Creation Mandate</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">God gave to Adam and Eve in
Genesis 1:28.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #7030a0;">God
blessed them; and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the
earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of
the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="background: white; color: #7030a0; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 115%;">(nasb)</span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Adam and Eve were
given charge over creation to take care of it for God but they were not told
specifically how to accomplish this task. Man was given the option of deciding
the best course of action to accomplish the purpose God had created them for.
God very easily could have instilled in His creation a complete dependence upon
Him so that everything always was as it should be. He could have set every
order without variance or openness to influence. But that would mean that free
will would not exist. A computer has no free will. It cannot decide on its own
when to turn on or shut down. It does not decide when to update, run a word
processor or edit a video. A computer is completely dependent upon its
programming. It makes no independent decisions based on its own set of logic
and reason. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> This is not how God
created things. In order for there to be choice their must necessarily be free
will; the ability to choose something other than the desired choice of the
Creator. In order to allow man to have free will He must permit choices
other than His desires to be made by man. He permits creation to act on its own
through natural laws that have been put into place and the free will activities
of man. Even though God’s desire is not always chosen by man He still keeps His
presence in the world with man. In this continual presence in the creation God
participates in everything in the created world. Because He is interested in
all that happens He observes all that happens.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Man is not a computer. Man is a living being
with free will living in a world governed by natural law as ordained by God.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> But God also does
not leave His creation completely independent from Him. Why? There are two
reasons for this. First, God desires to interact with His creation out of love and
a desire for relationship. Second, because of the issue of the fall of man and
sin's effect on creation God knew that redemption of the fallen creation would
be necessary or it would have to be left to utter destruction and separation
from Him. Once again, God loves His creation so He could not bear this reality
out as long as there was something that could be done. He knew from the
beginning that free will would mean that man could choose to not live in
relationship with Him and as a result would be permanently separated from Him
if not for redemption. For this reason God decided to put the plan of
redemption in place before the creation was ever spoken into existence. We
see proof of this in 1 Peter 1:20, 2 Timothy 1:9, and Ephesians 1:4-5. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Now that's love. But I am getting off topic.
Let’s get back to the key concepts.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Relative
independence</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">is a fancy way of stating
that while free will exists in the creation God is not totally separate or
un-involved with it. <o:p></o:p>God
is active in the preservation of creation by keeping it intact and in motion
toward the culmination of history in order to accomplish the redemption of
creation. This is His mission of redemption.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> From the beginning
God created things to work in a certain order. This order is what we can call
the "laws of nature." Now please don't get nailed down to all of
man's definitions of the laws of nature. Science is about discovering the laws
of nature not mandating them. Since man's knowledge is limited and ever
increasing it stands to reason that our understanding of the laws of nature
should be constantly changing and growing. This does not mean that the laws of
nature change in accordance with man's knowledge. The laws of nature are set to
work in a certain way as ordained by God but man's understanding of those laws
is constantly growing which to the limited mind of man gives the appearance of
change. Looks can be deceiving. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> So at this point we
understand that as ordained by God there are two forces in creation that have
the ability to cause change in that creation independent from God’s direct
action apart from His creating those forces to begin with. These are natural
law and free will. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Remember we stated
previously that God has something to do with everything but not everything to
do with everything. God causes some things and permits others. So then, what is
the difference between causing and permitting? Simply stated when God
intervenes in a situation through Divine Providence, Miracle or Spiritual
Events it can be said that he is causing something to happen. When God chooses
not to intervene in these ways and instead allows natural laws and the effects
of free will to run their course it can be said that He is permitting something
to happen. It is important to keep in mind that due to the fall both man’s free
will and the laws of nature have been devastatingly affected by sin. There are
times that God will intervene in His created order and break the laws of nature
in order to accomplish His plan of Redemption. This is referred to as a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracle</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. The term<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracle</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">has been grossly
misinterpreted in today's Christian understanding. We call things<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracles</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">that are actually either the result of natural laws working on
their own or<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine Providence</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">, but as of yet
we have not defined this thing called<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine Providence</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Through<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine
Providence</span></b><b><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">God can intervene in the created world and in the life of man to
direct His desired purposes. While it is the act of God intervening in the life
of man and creation for His own purpose He accomplishes this direction of
outcomes by working with natural law and man’s free will not negating them.
Through<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine Providence </span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">God directs His
purposes by influencing the decisions made by man in relation to his free will.
God doesn’t disregard man’s free will He instead uses natural law to influence
man’s decisions.<br />
<br />
One way God does this is through
removing His hand of protection from the human body and allowing the effects of
this sinful fallen world to run their course. God can permit bacteria to grow,
the immune system to fail or the brain to develop chemical imbalances. He does
these things in order to influence man to make the decisions that will further
His plan of redemption.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Divine Providence</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">means that while God set the natural laws of His creation and free
will in place to work on their own He can and will direct that free will or
bend those natural laws in order to accomplish His purposes of the Redemption
of Creation as necessary. This is not the same as natural laws or free will
being broken. The natural laws and free will are still intact they are just
directed in the moment or situation toward a specific purpose or goal. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Another way which
God intervenes in the created order to accomplish His divine purposes is
through the use of miracles. Now to address the key concept of the miraculous,
I would like to discuss how many things today are mistakenly named as<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracles</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. It is not a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracle</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">that you found your keys or
your Amazon order came on the exact day you needed it instead of when it was
slated to arrive which would have been late because you forgot to make your
order on time in relation to your deadline.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> These events are
either the result of someone exercising their free will of doing good for
another through returning a set of keys to a rightful owner or keeping them
safe until the rightful owner claims them or the result of an individual
exercising a God honoring work ethic through doing more than what is expected
or using their time and efforts to the ultimate efficiency resulting in their
getting their work accomplished ahead of schedule. This of course means you get
your order ahead of time. These are not miraculous events. Free will and the
laws of nature were not broken.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> They may have been
directed or influenced by God but they were not broken. He may have pricked the
heart of the person who found your keys to remember a time when they had lost
something of necessity or significance and they remembered how they felt and
then used their free will to choose to make sure another person didn't suffer
the same as they did in their loss. He may have influenced the worker by
creating an opportunity for the fulfillment of their desire to get ahead in
their company through promotion or respect so that they would be more diligent
in their work efforts. But in each case free will and natural law were
completely intact.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> A<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracle</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">by definition must in fact include the breaking of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Natural Law</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">. In fact there are three characteristics that an event must
possess if it is to be considered a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracle</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 200%;">(Cottrell,
kindle 3215)</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: solid #4F81BD 1.0pt; border: none; margin-left: .65in; margin-right: .65in; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #4F81BD .5pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent1; mso-element: para-border-div; padding: 0in 0in 4.0pt 0in;">
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;">1. The event
must be visible; observable by the natural senses of man.<br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;">2. The event
must be contrary to natural law; not just the breaking of natural laws but
actions in complete contrast to those laws.</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #7030a0; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><span style="color: #7030a0;"><br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<o:p></o:p>
<br />
<div class="MsoIntenseQuote" style="margin-bottom: 14.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 10.0pt;">
<span style="color: #7030a0;">3. The event
must be for a sign; they must point to a revealed truth of God that has
accompanied the situation or event. They create wonder in the observer which
points them toward the supernatural.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">God uses miracles as a sign to point people
unmistakably to Himself.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> There is yet
another way in which God interacts with His creation in order to accomplish his
purposes. That way is through the supernatural or spiritual events. These are
un-observable or hidden to the human senses unless God has enabled the observer
to see what is normally unseen. For the purposes of this blog post we will not
delve deeper into this particular subject.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Now that we have
explained the key concepts of the created order and how God interacts with His
creation let’s look at the topic of why some people receive healing in response
to prayer while others do not by focusing on<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine Providence</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">in contrast to<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracles</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Before we can
answer this we must first address the difference between physical illness and
spiritual illness. We must also evaluate whether God is more concerned with
physical healing or spiritual healing.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> Physical Healing</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">deals with illness and disease connected with the physical body,
emotions, or mind while<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Spiritual Healing</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">deals with the disease of
sin that affects the spiritual health of a person. God is more concerned with
our spiritual health first and foremost and secondary to that is our physical
health. Mark 8:36 tells us that there is no benefit for a man if he has the
whole world but still loses his soul.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> So in order to
answer the question of why some people are healed as a result of prayer and
others are not we must discern which of God’s purposes are being fulfilled in
the healing or denial of it.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> A person may be suffering
from a disease or illness because God is using<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine
Providence</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">to influence their free will so that they make the decision He
desires them to make in order to fulfill His plan of redemption either in their
life, the life of another or in the grand scheme of human history. In such
cases, if the illness is a necessary means of influencing that person’s free
will choices or the choices of others in relation to that person then God will
not answer the prayer for healing by removing the physical illness as this
would result in spiritual illness.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> On the other hand,
if a person’s healing will benefit God’s redemptive mission then He will of
course grant physical healing. But God can do all of this through His<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine
Providence</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">alone without the aid of<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracles</span></b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> So then what is the
purpose of miraculous healing through prayer? If healing takes place apart from<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Divine
Providence</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #c00000; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">through the prayer of the elders then it may be said that this was
a miraculous healing. Since we discussed previously that<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><b><span style="color: purple; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">Miracles</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;">are for a sign what kind of sign could a miraculous healing
through prayer give?</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> The sign can be the
approval or commissioning of a person by God for the direct accomplishing of
His divine purpose. The sign could also be for the person who was healed
because healing by divine providence alone would not have gotten the attention
of the person being healed in such a way as to accomplish God’s plan in their
lives and in redemption. Lastly, the sign could be for those looking on in the
miraculous healing process. Individuals who do not follow God may be drawn to
Him through witnessing the healing of another in a miraculous way through
prayer when they would have explained away healing through divine providence.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> So, while there are
different ways that healing takes place it can safely be said that divine
miraculous healing through prayer as stated in James 5:13-18 serves a greater
purpose than that of just healing a person physically. It can also safely be
said that some definitely do receive healing through prayer while others may
not but the ultimate reason why some do and some don’t receive healing is
because the healing or lack of it accomplishes the greater purpose that God
desires. This seems at first blush like a no brainer of a conclusion yet it
seems to escape us often.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> God’s first desire
is that men would come to know Him. Secondly, God desires His children to live
a life on earth that entices others to come to know Him. He desires His
children to live abundant lives for His glory; both abundant in suffering and
in comfort as stated in 2 Corinthians 1:5 all for His glory. </span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"> <o:p></o:p>So
if the healing received through the prayer of the elders will first promote
spiritual health and be a sign to those involved of His purpose and plan then
God will miraculously heal through prayer. A secondary benefit of this
spiritual healing and sign may be physical healing as well. If, however, it is
merely physical health that is the benefit then God may choose not to heal
unless this physical healing promotes the spiritual health of another in the
process thus accomplishing His ultimate purpose of the Redemption of Creation.</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
<o:p></o:p>
</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif;">
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h1 style="line-height: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"> Note: </span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">While this author has found valuable information in Jack Cottrell's books I feel it is important to state that this author does not agree with and most of Cottrell's opinions and views.</span></h1>
<h1 style="line-height: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></h1>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<h1 style="line-height: 36.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sources Cited:</span></h1>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cottrell, Jack.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>The
Faith Once for All: Bible doctrine for today.</i><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>United States of America: College
Press Publishing Company, 2002.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="line-height: 18.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<i><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">New American Standard Bible.</span></i><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "nirmala ui semilight" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">LaHabra, CA: The Lockman
Foundation., 1995: Update.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-14639626283487751912017-01-23T13:17:00.000-06:002017-01-23T13:17:00.749-06:00Dancing on the Head of a Pen by Robert Benson<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Dancing on the Head of a Pen by Robert Benson is a guide for
developing a lifestyle of writing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Benson, in this
guide, provides instruction for aspiring writers on how to know what they want to
write about, develop the discipline of a writer and find trustworthy people to
help refine their work. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This is a practical
book full of advice and instruction that any serious writer should find extremely
useful. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Probably the best
piece of instruction Benson gives young writers is to simply write 600 words a
day. In just accomplishing this simple task the writer will gain the discipline
of a daily writing lifestyle and in a somewhat short amount time this lifestyle
habit will yield the writer the beginnings of their written work which can then
be torn apart, rearranged, refined and edited. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This book will definitely
be a tool I will keep at the front of my bookcase so that I can reference it
and be re-inspired often. I recommend this book to anyone who thinks they may
want to try to write or has a book trapped inside them just waiting to be set
free. The discipline of writing is the hard part of writing but Benson gives us
a very practical guide for living a disciplined writing lifestyle that will
yield results. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: 7.5pt;">“I received this book for free from the publisher’s<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/">Blogging for Books</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>program in exchange for this review”.</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-63443143932602994612014-08-21T09:15:00.000-05:002014-08-21T09:15:00.255-05:00Living God's Word by J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel HaysLiving God's Word by J. Scott Duvall & J. Daniel Hays is designed to walk the reader through the <br />
Bible in a two fold process so that they will gain an understanding of the Bible as a complete story not as individual parts and learn to interpret the Bible responsibly.<br />
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The book is split into twenty chapters or sections. Each chapter deals with a particular section of the Bible according to subject matter. For instance, the first section Creation and Crisis walks the reader from Genesis chapter 1 to chapter 9 and then to chapter 11. This section deals with creation, the fall, the world's first murder, and the spread of the wickedness of man throughout the earth. Each chapter ends with a synopsis of the Great Story up to that point.<br />
<br />
This is a really great book for those who may struggle with historical events or keeping a timeline of the Bible events. It is also a great book for those who are knew to the Bible to get a good grasp on what happens when and who did what.<br />
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If you are someone who is trying to get a handle on how the events in the Bible played out as far as who what when and where or a new Christian I would suggest you pick up a copy of the book and go through it but take your time. This is not a book to be rushed through. Stop and notice the details and the connections. <br />
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I enjoyed this book quite a bit more than I thought I would. I am someone who does have a hard time with timelines and sequence of events for historical happenings. I was encouraged to memorize each chapter heading so that I could quickly go through each one in my head to put things in order when studying or talking with someone. They were easy to memorize and it has actually helped me a lot. There were also a few things that the book pointed out about or in the Bible that I had never noticed before!<br />
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You can pick this book up at Family Christian Bookstore here: <a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-7407506-10292422?sid=Living+God%27s+Word+link" target="_blank">
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-8223789500118375742014-05-22T20:04:00.003-05:002014-05-22T20:06:20.044-05:00The Greatest Words Ever Spoken compiled by Steven K. ScottThe book The Greatest Words Ever Spoken compiled by Steven K. Scott is a book I think every Christian should have on hand.<br />
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The purpose of this book is to categorize and organize the promises, commands, and words of Jesus in a manner which is easy to navigate. Each chapter or section begins with a brief summary of the specific words and sayings that are to follow. The section is then further broken down into smaller categories. This process makes it easy for the reader to quickly find the information they are looking for.<br />
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Steven K. Scott encourages and even challenges Christians to know what Jesus said. He lets the reader know how important the words of Jesus are for our Christian walk and points out that not knowing them keeps us from doing them.<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Jesus' greatest promises were made to those who will hear His words and do them. His words will provide abundant light and perfect wisdom for any decision you face and all the power you will need to overcome any adversity. But the promises He makes and the power He offers will never be known by those who refuse to hear His words.</blockquote>
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I like this book because of how it is broken down and organized. There are nine chapters in this book and each chapter has anywhere from one to seventy nine sections dealing with everything from the Holy Spirit to Seeing with Spiritual Eyes. If Jesus said it then you can find it in this book and you can find it easily. This is a great go to source for study, encouragement and teaching. I also really apprecaite the fact that Mr. Scott did not take credit for writing this book. He is listed as the one who compiled the book but he clearly stated on the front of the book that it was written by Jesus.<br />
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I have included an excerpt from the book below so that you can check it out for yourself.<br />
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<a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/166044882/The-Greatest-Words-Ever-Spoken-Everything-Jesus-Said-About-You-Your-Life-and-Everything-Else" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View The Greatest Words Ever Spoken: Everything Jesus Said About You, Your Life, and Everything Else on Scribd">The Greatest Words Ever Spoken: Everything Jesus Said About You, Your Life, and Everything Else</a> by <a href="http://www.scribd.com/RHPG" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="View Random House Publishing Group's profile on Scribd">Random House Publishing Group</a></div>
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My recommendation is to get this book and keep it as reference material.<br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“I received this book for free from the publisher’s <a href="http://www.bloggingforbooks.org/">Blogging for Books</a> program in exchange for this review”.</span></b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-36538942058929286642014-02-14T11:50:00.001-06:002014-02-14T11:50:54.887-06:00Excited About My Next Book Review!I am very excited to get my book for my next book review. I will be reading The Greatest Words Ever Spoken by Steven K Scott. After I read his book The Jesus Mission and loved it I decided that I wanted to read this book but until recently it has not come up for me to review. I will be receiving this book somewhere near the end of this month. It may take me a bit longer to finish and review this book due to the fact that I am finishing up school but I will try to stay on schedule. So glad to be review again. Oh how I have missed this!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6809935042186995403.post-12433359582909885272014-02-14T10:55:00.004-06:002014-02-14T11:46:22.318-06:00Humble Orthodoxy by Joshua Harris<br />
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Humble Orthodoxy by Joshua Harris is a book that strives to challenge today's Christian to hold the truth of God high without putting people down. While I completely agree with this direction of thinking I am just not sure that Mr. Harris accomplished the task.<br />
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I do have to admit from the beginning of this review that I am not a fan of Joshua Harris. After reading his book I Kissed Dating Goodbye and seeing the trouble it has caused in some religious circles I decided to treat this author with kid gloves. I tried to give this author a second chance with this book Humble Orthodoxy because the topic is something I strongly believe in. It was very near the beginning of the book when I realized that this book may not be what I had hoped.<br />
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When Joshua Harris begins talking about his friend who was a new Christian and an author and how his book received some negative feedback from Christians I started to cringe. It seemed to me that Joshua Harris backed a book written by a friend without really checking for content or Biblical accuracy. Then when Christian started voicing their concerns to the author about the problems with the book Joshua Harris took the stance of defender because he believed these voiced concerns to be personal attacks. Joshua Harris freely admits that the content of his friends book is indeed theologically flawed yet this author backed it anyway. Why?<br />
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I do agree that the Christian community has a problem when it comes to holding the truth of God high while not putting others down but standing and saying when something is wrong is not the same as putting someone down. In this case of Joshua's author friend and even Joshua himself I believe that often times when we get called on our mistakes we get our feathers ruffled and pride gets in the way of true growth. We take the stance of someone being attacked and read things with a tone that reflects our wounded pride rather than the tone that may have been intended. From holding press conferences to do damage control from his dating book because people were taking the book to literal and using it as a guideline for their lives to this book where Joshua blurs the lines between personal attacks and standing up for your faith it seems to me this author is still very immature in his faith.<br />
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While this book does make some valid points about a very serious issue in the American church I believe that Mr. Harris' viewpoint on speaking out about your faith and orthodoxy as it pertains to today's church may need further refining.<br />
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I do want to say though that while this may not be one of my top ten favorite authors that doesn't mean that reading this particular book won't give you some points to start thinking about when it comes to your own faith and how you portray it to the world around you. Just remember to read with a discerning eye and be clear about what motivations may have prompted or clouded this author's thinking for this particular book. <br />
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Read an excerpt from this book and decide for yourself.<br />
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http://www.amazon.com/Humble-Orthodoxy-Holding-Without-Putting/dp/1601424752#reader_1601424752<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">“I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review”.</span></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11005133498107614874noreply@blogger.com0