- Apr 12, 2004
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Having a relationship one to another is fairly straight forward , we have no power over each other and we have no plan for each other , just a singular interactive relationship that can go well (hopefully ) or not so well , depending on ego and pride etc...
But with God it is not so simple .
We relate to God through His Word , through His Spirit and most importantly through His wonderful Son.
Yet God does have a Plan , A decree , and He does make things knowing that they are made for a Purpose.
However , it seems clear to me at least that God does interact with humans , and some of His interaction is grounded in a CONDITIONAL fashion ...eg, "do this and you will live"
So my point is if God interacts with you , can you not see that He desires you to live in Holiness , you may say "yes , God has decreed His people are Holy , therefore ..."
But I am not talking about God's Decree , but His desire.
Do you not see a desire in God that you pray ?
Now if you will not pray , then God's desire for you is not fulfilled.
I know it is much easier to talk about the Decree of God , but that is largely abstract , I am talking about a relationship , God desires your Love , Faith , obedience , submission and Praise. Otherwise how can a relationship of any kind work ?
Now , if God has in deed these desires for you , why should it seem strange that God has these desires for everyone ?
surely God desires the health well being and salvation of all men ........ why else would He send out His message of forgivness and Love ?
God desires all men everywhere to come to Him for healing , for forgiveness , and for salvation .......... even the ones who are not Elect , at least it seems to me.
You may reply , " but this is nonsense , God will not desire something He hasn't decreed" .....
really , I thought God desired your Perfection , but it isn't obtained until the next world ..... but that doesn't stop God's desire.
You have a relationship with One who does inter-react as well as inter-act , God is sometimes sorry , sad and angry even with the things we do , you cannot have a relationship with a Decree , only with a God who condescends to show desire , and reciprocal Love .
this is , I believe where some of the dangers of the Calvinistic theology take us , into the abstract and away from the experiential , and it is both dangerous and error .
Surely God's will is complex , and the best struggle to figure out even the Order of the Divine Decree , but we know God calls us into a living relationship with His Son.
Amen!
But with God it is not so simple .
We relate to God through His Word , through His Spirit and most importantly through His wonderful Son.
Yet God does have a Plan , A decree , and He does make things knowing that they are made for a Purpose.
However , it seems clear to me at least that God does interact with humans , and some of His interaction is grounded in a CONDITIONAL fashion ...eg, "do this and you will live"
So my point is if God interacts with you , can you not see that He desires you to live in Holiness , you may say "yes , God has decreed His people are Holy , therefore ..."
But I am not talking about God's Decree , but His desire.
Do you not see a desire in God that you pray ?
Now if you will not pray , then God's desire for you is not fulfilled.
I know it is much easier to talk about the Decree of God , but that is largely abstract , I am talking about a relationship , God desires your Love , Faith , obedience , submission and Praise. Otherwise how can a relationship of any kind work ?
Now , if God has in deed these desires for you , why should it seem strange that God has these desires for everyone ?
surely God desires the health well being and salvation of all men ........ why else would He send out His message of forgivness and Love ?
God desires all men everywhere to come to Him for healing , for forgiveness , and for salvation .......... even the ones who are not Elect , at least it seems to me.
You may reply , " but this is nonsense , God will not desire something He hasn't decreed" .....
really , I thought God desired your Perfection , but it isn't obtained until the next world ..... but that doesn't stop God's desire.
You have a relationship with One who does inter-react as well as inter-act , God is sometimes sorry , sad and angry even with the things we do , you cannot have a relationship with a Decree , only with a God who condescends to show desire , and reciprocal Love .
this is , I believe where some of the dangers of the Calvinistic theology take us , into the abstract and away from the experiential , and it is both dangerous and error .
Surely God's will is complex , and the best struggle to figure out even the Order of the Divine Decree , but we know God calls us into a living relationship with His Son.
Amen!
