GenemZ
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- Mar 1, 2004
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In John20, Jesus tells Thomas: "You believe BECAUSE you see? Blessed are those who have NOT seen, and yet believe."
Why would "unseen" belief, be praised greater than "seen" belief?
Because the "unseen" faith, is faith based upon discerning the character of the one telling you something.
Knowing (from ones soul), that because of the way another person is (trustworthy), you can believe what he says = faith. You do not have to see the promised result now to believe him.
"Seen" faith, is saying... "I will not believe it till I see it."
In other words? Unless I see it? You're a liar. These ones do not discern the integrity of the one speaking the words. Instead, they want to see the results. That is saying? They really do not discern the person's integrity. They only hear his words, not the person.
That is why Jesus said its an evil generation that seeks a sign. For such a generation do not discern the giver, they only desire what is to be given.
I did not say otherwise. Those who believe do not reject the gift giver. The gift is faith. And? The object of that faith is the GIVER!Nope --- saving-faith is an individual choice. Look at the parable of Matt22:2-14; did the KING decide ANYTHING of who would come or not? No.
Not all will accept the faith God willingly would give. For it says many are called, but few are chosen. Many were offered faith.
Those who reject faith impugn the integrity of the giver.
For ultimately, the gift of faith, is a deposit sample, of the substance of the true Gift to our souls. The Lord Jesus Christ!
Genesis 15:1 (New King James Version)
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After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.
Those who read the following and refuse to believe it, impugn the character and integrity of the Lord.
John 6:37-40 (New International Version)
"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
I cringe to think if I were born their son. For, they must be mean task masters when I had done something wrong as a son.
This kind of parent would be very demanding and refusing to forgive unless I worked hard for it. With this kind of thinking, I would only receive forgiveness through works (as penance). And (sadly) always waiting for me to do the next thing wrong.
For in their thinking they do not reveal who and what God is. They refuse to learn how, as well.
Instead, in their minds, they justify their self by making God out in their thinking to be just as they are by taking Scripture and distorting it, to make God appear be the way they are.
That's what man's pride does. He justifies self by transforming God into his own image = worldly.
Or? He humbly admits he is no good in who he is, and allows God to lift him up and transform him into the Lord's image as revealed in Scripture, by grace.
Romans 12:1-3 (New International Version)
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spiritual act of worship. 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 ishis good, pleasing and perfect will.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you:
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."
Pride reverses the order: Pride transforms God's image to conform to our own image! In doing so? The proud ones end up feeling self justified!
Pride disobeys what it says.
"Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought."
Those who say Jesus was lying when he said he will lose none of all the Father has given him? These think more highly of themselves than they ought.
For, they impose their own desired outcome as men in their thinking, against the words of the Lord.
"Well! If I were God!?
And, I had done all that to save you! And, after all that?
You refuse to remain faithful?!
Well! To the Hell with you!
BURN, you unappreciative low life! Lose your salvation!"
That's man's typical prideful thinking. Thinking how he would be if he were God. How he would do it.
Yet, God is not petty and spiteful like men are. Men need to learn to get over themselves and hopefully begin to see themselves as God wants them to become. Perfect as he is perfect.
Not all will submit. And, as a result. Many men will lose out on their eternal rewards for refusing God's will for their lives. Which was, to become more like the Lord.
They refused to deny self and take up their crosses. But rather, they tried to save their lives by making God out to be just as they are. They refused to die to self.
Matthew 16:25 (New International Version)
"For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it."
Those who lose their life, see the vastly superiority of God's ways, as reveled in God's Word, and admit how degenerate they are in contrast to God.
Humility will accept ones own deficiency and see the need for change of one's thinking.. Pride will keep searching for passages snatched out of context to justify its unwillingness to surrender its stubborn pride.
t t t
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