Falling Up!: Secondhand Experiences
So what is real first hand experience?
Pray. Share the gospel with someone. Fellowship with a believer. Write a song (let God lead you through it). Feed the poor. Help the helpless. Mentor.
The Word was written so that you might know the truth, but merely reading is not the ultimate experience; it is simply the way to find it.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Thursday, August 30, 2007
did i do that?
It is obvious that our lives are destined to have hardships. Some more than others. I have discussed earlier on the ‘fairness’ of it all in “the beauty of grace” so I wont go there again. Now I’d like to break out hardships into two major categories: a) Circumstance and b) Consequence
a) Circumstances are situations that exist that are outside your realm of control.
b) Consequences are situations that exist as a result of direct or indirect personal influence.
Just like in the book of Job, there are those who insist that hardships (i.e. aunt Edna got cancer) are a direct result of sin in your life, and so within your realm of control. The book of Job is certainly case against that notion entirely. That is not to say, then, that no hardships in our lives are a result of our own doing. Take for example the man who is poor, homeless on the street. No one knows his story, but God does. He cries out, “God, why have You done this to me?” and God quietly whispers back thru the poor mans guilty conscience, “Not I, but you. You spent the money. You spent it on drugs and gambling. And now it is gone. I have done something, though. I have kept you alive this long. I have brought to you my witnesses that you may hear the good news that I have for you, but your financial hardship is simply the consequence for your actions.”
(a quick appeal to my public image – this is not my presupposition towards the homeless)
And so this brings to mind yet another quote from Relient K: “I so hate consequences”
Anyways, when facing hardships, it’s perfectly okay to ask, “Why God? Why me? Why now?” Just be prepared for the answer. If it is circumstance, remember God is with you. He will never give you more than you can bear (though it may seem as such). If it is consequence, learn from it. Own up to it and thank God for second chances.
a) Circumstances are situations that exist that are outside your realm of control.
b) Consequences are situations that exist as a result of direct or indirect personal influence.
Just like in the book of Job, there are those who insist that hardships (i.e. aunt Edna got cancer) are a direct result of sin in your life, and so within your realm of control. The book of Job is certainly case against that notion entirely. That is not to say, then, that no hardships in our lives are a result of our own doing. Take for example the man who is poor, homeless on the street. No one knows his story, but God does. He cries out, “God, why have You done this to me?” and God quietly whispers back thru the poor mans guilty conscience, “Not I, but you. You spent the money. You spent it on drugs and gambling. And now it is gone. I have done something, though. I have kept you alive this long. I have brought to you my witnesses that you may hear the good news that I have for you, but your financial hardship is simply the consequence for your actions.”
(a quick appeal to my public image – this is not my presupposition towards the homeless)
And so this brings to mind yet another quote from Relient K: “I so hate consequences”
Anyways, when facing hardships, it’s perfectly okay to ask, “Why God? Why me? Why now?” Just be prepared for the answer. If it is circumstance, remember God is with you. He will never give you more than you can bear (though it may seem as such). If it is consequence, learn from it. Own up to it and thank God for second chances.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28 KJV).
This will be the next book study of mine, so I should have some greater insight on this in the future (hopefully), but I would like comment on just a couple things here.
“…work together for GOOD…” What is good? Let first establish what it is not. It is not earthly good fortune for you. God does not work all things toward you earthly well being and comfort. Now, I have heard (1) that “good” is the fulfillment of Gods will in any aspect of the lives of others or ourselves, for all that God does is good (even if we don’t think so). I have also heard (2) that “good” is the attainment of heaven for the follower of Christ and that all things work together as a woven tapestry in our lives toward that end..
“ALL things…” In this case all is limited. It is not limited to what, but to who.
“…them that LOVE God.” The word “love” here is the present participle form of the Greek word AGAPAO. This is a love that is unconditionally available and willing of ultimate sacrifice. Do you agapao God?
“…called according to His purpose.” This is the second criteria for the “good” mentioned earlier. The Greek name for the early church was “ekklesia” which meant “called out ones.” As new Christians, we are ‘called’ to respond to the message of salvation. The required response is obedience / submission to Christ.
This will be the next book study of mine, so I should have some greater insight on this in the future (hopefully), but I would like comment on just a couple things here.
“…work together for GOOD…” What is good? Let first establish what it is not. It is not earthly good fortune for you. God does not work all things toward you earthly well being and comfort. Now, I have heard (1) that “good” is the fulfillment of Gods will in any aspect of the lives of others or ourselves, for all that God does is good (even if we don’t think so). I have also heard (2) that “good” is the attainment of heaven for the follower of Christ and that all things work together as a woven tapestry in our lives toward that end..
“ALL things…” In this case all is limited. It is not limited to what, but to who.
“…them that LOVE God.” The word “love” here is the present participle form of the Greek word AGAPAO. This is a love that is unconditionally available and willing of ultimate sacrifice. Do you agapao God?
“…called according to His purpose.” This is the second criteria for the “good” mentioned earlier. The Greek name for the early church was “ekklesia” which meant “called out ones.” As new Christians, we are ‘called’ to respond to the message of salvation. The required response is obedience / submission to Christ.
they are weak, but He is strong
In regards to the "strong" and the "weak."
Let us recall an old favorite: "Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong for they are WEAK, but He is STRONG"
God won’t let us endure more than we can handle. You'd be surprised what you can live through, but death is not exactly failure either (martyrdom).
So let us not categorize people by either weak or strong, but rather by a more observable criterion. I have come up with 2 major divisions: a) Trails and b) Service. There are those that seem to endure life trials and those that don’t. There are also those that serve with their whole life and those that seem to pencil God in at convenience. In both cases, there is variance in degree and not just the extremes. These groups can also be interwoven. Just because one serves God with every minute of everyday, doesn’t mean that life trials couldn’t take them out (consider Jonah). And just because one endures trials without fail doesn’t mean that they must be religious zealots (consider Job). Our goal should be to be aware of both categories in our own lives:
a) Remember that this life is just the road home. It’ll get rough at times. He said, “narrow is the path” meaning “difficult” is the life that Christ has called us to, but its worth it, so keep pressing on.
b) Remember all that our Savior has commanded of us. This is what’s really important. Christianity is not just a belief, it’s a life, live it!
So who are the people who make up the sum of these categories? -Christians; real Christians and fake Christians. And most times, to the naked eye, it can be difficult to tell the difference, though the Bible does give us a measuring stick in John 15:5. –another topic for another time.
Let us recall an old favorite: "Jesus loves me, this I know for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong for they are WEAK, but He is STRONG"
God won’t let us endure more than we can handle. You'd be surprised what you can live through, but death is not exactly failure either (martyrdom).
So let us not categorize people by either weak or strong, but rather by a more observable criterion. I have come up with 2 major divisions: a) Trails and b) Service. There are those that seem to endure life trials and those that don’t. There are also those that serve with their whole life and those that seem to pencil God in at convenience. In both cases, there is variance in degree and not just the extremes. These groups can also be interwoven. Just because one serves God with every minute of everyday, doesn’t mean that life trials couldn’t take them out (consider Jonah). And just because one endures trials without fail doesn’t mean that they must be religious zealots (consider Job). Our goal should be to be aware of both categories in our own lives:
a) Remember that this life is just the road home. It’ll get rough at times. He said, “narrow is the path” meaning “difficult” is the life that Christ has called us to, but its worth it, so keep pressing on.
b) Remember all that our Savior has commanded of us. This is what’s really important. Christianity is not just a belief, it’s a life, live it!
So who are the people who make up the sum of these categories? -Christians; real Christians and fake Christians. And most times, to the naked eye, it can be difficult to tell the difference, though the Bible does give us a measuring stick in John 15:5. –another topic for another time.
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