Great gobbling grackles Batman!
Admittedly, the title of this post has nothing to do with the contents. I just couldn’t think of anything better.
Something has been nagging me lately- especially when I spend time in prayer. Finally, the feeling manifested itself into more than just a feeling. It became a full-on conviction, and a problem I intend to tackle head on (and hopefully come out on the winning side of).
(Thank you Mr. Del Tackett for this wonderfully phrased question):
“Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?”
This question eats me up on the inside. I know I believe the Bible wholeheartedly. I know I believe Christ died for me. I know I believe that it is only by God’s mercy that I have admittance to even commune with Him. That being said- I’m assuming you believe these things too (assuming you had some foreknowledge of what I write about before you started reading).
I know I believe what I believe. Therein lies the problem. If I truly believe that God, in His infinite mercy, would send His son to die for me, why is it so hard to overcome basic temptations? Why do I feel the need to cuss like a sailor? Why do I struggle with procrastinating? Why can’t I manage to lift the shield of faith and extinguish the flaming arrows that Satan fires my way?
If I believe that when I pray, I am entering the throne room of God to speak with Him, why can I not find the time to pray? Why do I pray more out of habit or need, rather than praying because my adoration and awe of God? Why can’t I “find time” to pray, but I can watch T.V. or search for a car to buy for hours?
I don’t have the answers to any of these questions, except the answer that seems most apparent- because I am a sinner. I would more quickly prioritize my own needs before the will of the Lord of the Universe. I would much rather indulge and give praise to what makes me feel good in the here and now, rather than giving praise to the God who ensures me life now and forever. It is because I am led on a leash by the whims of this world, and, having been at the right place at the right time, would probably have been chucking stones at Stephen, or I would have been cheering as they nailed the Word of God to a cross.
[Malachi 1:8] When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.
Why do I continue to sin, knowing it is not what the God of the universe would have for me? I believe He knows all I do- past and present- but I would still decide to sin. I let God’s intangibility get to my head. If He is out of sight, He is out of mind is the trap I fall into. If God were a king (Malachi’s mentioned “governor”) I could see and feel, I’m sure I wouldn’t be so quick to sin (until He wasn’t around of course).
There is something that bothers me so deeply about the depravity of man. It is amazing to think that even though we are blessed beyond imagination, beyond comprehension, we would still throw that away. Thank God for God’s mercy though.
I can only pray that God will continue to convict me (and others) to remember His mercy and love, and allow that to transform us from the inside so we might better glorify Him.
I hate being human.
Charlie Brown’s parents.
So lately in my youth group, there has been a hot topic issue going around.
Calvinism.
But the hot button isn’t really Calvinism (though some might say it is), what the problem really lies in is the topic of predestination vs free will.
Apparently, some kids in the youth group do not like the idea of a God who predestines everything, who decided before time began who goes to heaven and who goes to hell. And because of this, there are a handful of the youth who bring the topic up constantly (that isn’t to say that there aren’t a couple of “pro-predestinationers” who do the same).
The problem I see is: why bother? Both sides are steadfast in their viewpoint, either wrong or right. Neither side will really give up any slack. If there is a verse that uses the word “elect(ed)”, a free will advocate will claim that it is faulty translation.
A quick disclaimer: Although it seems like I’m ragging extra on free will advocates, this is only because I side with the viewpoint that believes that God predestined everything (including who goes to heaven). There are definitely a couple of kids who side with this view who attack the opposite side just as much.
So I say again- why bother arguing? The Bible is clear on such matters.
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Timothy 1:3-6…
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
The youth who persist to argue each side of the free will vs predestination debate have turned to meaningless talk. The knowledge of whether or not God elects people to salvation or not will not affect your ability to love your neighbor. God commands you to love your neighbor regardless of the status of their faith- saved or not.
The closest thing I can liken the situation to is: those people who keep talking about God’s sovereignty (in the sphere of predestination), the freedom of the will, or the lack thereof- you sound like Charlie Brown’s parents to God.
Mwamp mwamp mwamp. Your debates bring God no glory. And I am confident in assuming that they do not edify your faith, because you continue to argue about it.
You know who you are- whether you are a part of my youth group or not. Turn your eyes solely on Christ, and emulate Paul when he wrote
For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you Jesus Christ and Him crucified. [1 Corinthians 2:2 ]
