Two obvious things that can keep people from finding forgiveness and in slavery to sin (if never confessed and repented of ) and separated from our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, are:
1. Our own self-centered desires.
2. Our own stubborn pride.
Agree or disagree?
Why?
Posts
5 comments:
Agreed as long as never confessed and repented is a factor. If that took place and the person fell away it gets complicated.
I was thinking about the potter and the clay. I think GMPilot is the perfect example of someone who rebels against God not liking how God made him ... but in reality he's made his own choices and allowed himself to be deceived into believing God is the "bad guy". He doesn't understand the concept of being a free moral agent and God knowing the future of each and every one of us. All of us are where we are spiritually because of our own choices in life. Raising our fist to God and blaming Him for the ills of mankind is fruitless and vain. It only increases bitterness and a hardness of the heart.
People get bitter at being ugly or short or fat, bald ... whatever, and get mad at God because of it. It's easy to understand. Yet most of us that don't like the way God made our flesh tend to overlook the fact there are people much worse off in nearly every circumstance and this is where thankfulness comes in. Having a thankful heart is probably the most important "ingredient" for salvation in my humble opinion. Our trials come in many forms. Being poor. Being sick. Being unattractive, homeless, without family. And every other adverse thing that can come upon us ... to these things and more isn't it written:
I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Now I'm no one to be talking or preaching at all, trust me on that. My failures in life are my own and I bear the weight of them every day ... hoping only in God's mercy.
I really haven't put together all my thoughts regarding the potter and the clay thing. I'm quite sure there are many much more smarter people out there that can do it much better. Maybe you could do a little search and let me know what you find.
Have a great week.
Hi Steve!
Good points all around. Perhaps GM will come around and read what you had to say.
BTW, I did a post on the "Potter and the clay" issue. Here is the link:
Talk Wisdom: Earthen Vessels
I borrowed some information from Dr. David Jeremiah and paraphrased it within the post because I think he makes great points!
What you have said in your comment reminds me of this portion of the post:
God is the potter and humanity is the clay. It is another way to express God's sovereignty over all humanity; a way to express our need to yield to His divine plan; a way to encourage us to find the purpose for which we have been made; a way to accept the divine purpose for all of God's handiwork.
We can learn four lessons from the biblical imagery of the Divine Potter and His clay:
1. He has a plan.
2. There is variety in what He makes.
3. There is an ultimate purpose for God's pottery.
4. There are no imperfect pots. (In other words, God wants to fill us all with Himself!)
I think that you made a terrific point when you wrote:
"
He doesn't understand the concept of being a free moral agent and God knowing the future of each and every one of us."
That is truly an awesome observation! It is one of those "stumbling blocks" for people who can't comprehend and accept our finite reality here on this earth and God's Infinite reality throughout eternity. He is the Alpha and the Omega. We would all be wise to learn from His wisdom, mercy, and grace.
Steve, I think that we all are called to be ambassadors for Christ. Even if we don't always say things "perfectly" (only Christ did that!!!), our efforts are sent out and hopefully will plant a seed in some who are searching for the truth.
As an aside, I recently posted several comments at the TEA Party Community, and the "non-religious" people went bonkers. There is so much hatred against Christ and Christian believers, that sometimes I find it astounding! However, Jesus warned us that it would be this way because they "hated Him first." All we can do is share the Gospel and ask people to answer Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" The rest is up to the Holy Spirit.
I appreciate your input here Steve! I know how busy you are at your own blog so thanks for coming over and sharing some wisdom!
Enjoy your week as well!
Larry L. wrote the following in response to this post over at the TEA Party community:
"Larry L.
For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify and bring to nothing. Where is the wise man (the philosopher)? Where is the scribe( the scholar)? Where is the investigator (the logician, the debater) of this present time and age? Has not God shown up the nonsense and the folly of this world's wisdom? ~ 1 Corinthians 1:19-20"
DOES WHAT A MAN THINKS AFFECT HIS SALVATION?
Does what a man thinks alter the fact of a man's salvation?
Can a man say that he believes that Jesus is the Son God and then say, however, I do not think that it is essential for my salvation? Can that kind of thinking save anyone? (John 8:24'Therefore I say to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.")
Is it possible for someone to assert they they were baptized in water and say, however, I do not think it was not essential for me to be saved? Can that kind of thinking save anyone? (Mark 16:16 He who has believed and been baptized shall be saved...)
Is is plausible that a person can profess that they believe the God raised Jesus from the grave and then say, however, I do not think it is essential to believe that, in order to be saved? Can that kind of thinking save you? (Romans 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.)
DOES WHAT A MAN THINKS ABOUT GOD'S TERMS FOR PARDON AFFECT HIS SALVATION?
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