| It's a battle out there...it's not a flesh and blood one but a spiritual. |
KFC, don’t you think we can afford to surrender that the victory is already won? If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, and God exists outside of time, then the ultimate outcome is already assured, and that outcome is good.
It’s logical to believe that God already knows everything that will happen – past, present and future. This doesn’t mean that we have no free will, incidentally. It just means that we have a different perspective to God. We can do whatever we like down here, for we have been blessed with free will. But whatever we do, it cannot change the ultimate outcome. God already knows who will become a Christian, who won’t, who will doubt, who will believe etc. (God even chooses who becomes a Christian and who doesn't in the first place, according to the Bible. I happen to agree with that.)
Whether we're Biblically orientated or not, we can afford to surrender our life to the Power that is greater than ourselves, and trust that He knows exactly what He’s doing. Jesus said that His yoke is easy, and He invites us to hand our burdens over to Him, to relax, and to find inner peace – whilst living on earth.
I believe that the most powerful prayer we can pray is “thy will be done”, because while our mind sees only the next corner of the road, or the next fork in the path, God sees the whole way ahead. Once we accept that God is watching over us, caring for us and loving us, we can confidently let go of our cares and problems, hand them over to Him, truly relax, and trust that He will guarantee success in ways that are most beneficial to our spiritual growth. We no longer need to fear what the future holds. Instead, we can place everything in God’s hands. Our task will be to take things a step at a time, do what we believe is best, and trust God completely. By the grace of God we will be allowed to make mistakes. The principle illustrated in Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal Son shows that God honours our bad choices and mistakes. I personally believe that there is no such thing as mistakes - only learning curves, which lead to a higher good.
It’s all a question of trust, and a case of changing our frame of mind, which is what I was trying to say on the other thread. Even St. Paul affirms this: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12.2
| hmmm how do I reconcile this with Paul when he said..."Fight the good fight.... I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith?" |
hun I can’t answer that one, because you’ve already told me off for repeating myself too many times. But as long as you express the same principles over and over – as I do, I must admit – then you’ll have to expect the same replies. (My reply has something to do with “breathing space”, “Bible”, and “depends on where you are born”, as you know)
In my opinion, if we are bound to the Bible as tightly as you are, then it’s a bit like having our hands tied behind our back, in terms of seeking higher logic, or a wisdom that we’re ready for. But with that said, the Bible is clearly exactly what you’re ready for, so it’s not a bad thing at all. But I’m probably just sounding arrogant, so you can tell me off again if you like.
I think there are times when we can put more trust in our inner-guide, and try to align certain Biblical verses with what He has to say. It is true that just before Jesus finished His earthly work, He told the disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to guide us, strengthen us, and inspire us. Jesus also said that He Himself would remain with us always, even til the end of the age. We can therefore seek and find the Comforter and Jesus Christ
within us (Colossians 1.27) - in the Kingdom, where He now is and where He has prepared a place for us. We can talk to this Jesus and find His wisdom and guidance and strength any time we like. We just have to attune our mind to Him, which is naturally something we will 'choose' to do when we're ready. If not in this lifetime, then in another.
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