If you haven't gathered, I explain and/or learn by way of analogy. That's probably why I enjoyed law school. Everything there is by way of analogy.
I am about to use a legal analogy to ask a question. I think this will be fun for a couple of reasons. (#1) If nothing else, you will learn something about the law, and (#2) I will not be doing as much of the talking after this posting.
I must warn you, though, while this may seem like an exercise in futility or a useless academic discussion from a guy with too much time on his hands, do not take these questions lightly!
If you examine these questions carefully and answer them with reasoned deliberation, you will have a greater understanding of your approach to your entire walk with God.
It's that important.
***
For the purposes of this thread, God's authority is made analogous to "property." Regarding this authority (i.e. this "property") that has been granted to believers:
1. Has God granted us ownership of this authority in fee simple absolute? --OR--
2. Has God granted us ownership of this authority in fee simple determinable? --OR--
3. Has God granted us ownership of this authority in fee simple with the possibility of reverter? --OR--
4. Has God granted us a life estate over this authority? --OR--
5. Has God given us a lease on this authority? --OR--
6. Has God granted us a power of attorney?
***
Now here is our LEGAL GLOSSARY:
FEE SIMPLE ABSOLUTE -- This is simply described as when the original owner conveys the absolute ownership of property to a new owner, with no strings attached. Once the original owner does this, he can no longer get it back (unless, of course, the new owner reconveys it to him)
FEE SIMPLE DETERMINABLE -- This is described as when the original owner conveys the absolute ownership of the property to a new owner; however certain strings are attached. If these obligations are not met, ownership AUTOMATICALLY reverts back to the original owner.
FEE SIMPLE WITH POSSIBLITY OF REVERTER -- This is identical to the Fee Simple Determinable, except that ownership does not automatically revert back to the original owner when the condition is violated; the original owner must proactively take repossession of the property.
LIFE ESTATE -- A life estate is similar to a Fee Simple Determinable, except that the condition is the death of the new owner. In other words, if the original owner grants a life estate to the new owner, even if the new owner were to sell the land to someone else, the property would revert back to the original owner upon the death of the first new owner.
LEASE -- We all know what this is. Here, the owner keeps legal ownership of the property, but the tenant has legal possession. The owner cannot repossess the property unless the terms of the lease are violated, and even then, proper legal steps are required.
POWER OF ATTORNEY -- Here, one person gives a second person the right to possess authority on his behalf. However, the person granting the authority can revoke it at any time. Moreover, both persons can exercise this authority concurrently.
***
Now here is the big picture:
(A.) If our authority is derived from a grant in fee simple (absolute, or determinable, or with possiblity of reverter), or from the grant of a life estate, or from the grant of a lease, THEN our right of possession of this "property"--our right to exercise the authority--is exclusive of God. Subject only to the conditions placed in the aforementioned grants, we (and only we) would be able to exercise this authority; it would no longer belong to Christ. Thus if God wanted something (anything at all) done on Earth, He would need the consent of Christians.
(B.) Conversely, if our authority is derived merely from a power of attorney, then God may exercise His power soverignly without our permission. Moreover, if we do not comply with his bidding, He may revoke our status as his agents. Thus, if God wanted something done, He could let us use His authority, or He could act without our consent.
Whereas alternative (A) implies that Christians have exclusive control over the spiritual and the natural realms (i.e., that God cannot act without us), alternative (B) implies that Christ and the believer share this control.
Which is it? Discuss freely.
I am about to use a legal analogy to ask a question. I think this will be fun for a couple of reasons. (#1) If nothing else, you will learn something about the law, and (#2) I will not be doing as much of the talking after this posting.
I must warn you, though, while this may seem like an exercise in futility or a useless academic discussion from a guy with too much time on his hands, do not take these questions lightly!
If you examine these questions carefully and answer them with reasoned deliberation, you will have a greater understanding of your approach to your entire walk with God.
It's that important.
***
For the purposes of this thread, God's authority is made analogous to "property." Regarding this authority (i.e. this "property") that has been granted to believers:
1. Has God granted us ownership of this authority in fee simple absolute? --OR--
2. Has God granted us ownership of this authority in fee simple determinable? --OR--
3. Has God granted us ownership of this authority in fee simple with the possibility of reverter? --OR--
4. Has God granted us a life estate over this authority? --OR--
5. Has God given us a lease on this authority? --OR--
6. Has God granted us a power of attorney?
***
Now here is our LEGAL GLOSSARY:
FEE SIMPLE ABSOLUTE -- This is simply described as when the original owner conveys the absolute ownership of property to a new owner, with no strings attached. Once the original owner does this, he can no longer get it back (unless, of course, the new owner reconveys it to him)
FEE SIMPLE DETERMINABLE -- This is described as when the original owner conveys the absolute ownership of the property to a new owner; however certain strings are attached. If these obligations are not met, ownership AUTOMATICALLY reverts back to the original owner.
FEE SIMPLE WITH POSSIBLITY OF REVERTER -- This is identical to the Fee Simple Determinable, except that ownership does not automatically revert back to the original owner when the condition is violated; the original owner must proactively take repossession of the property.
LIFE ESTATE -- A life estate is similar to a Fee Simple Determinable, except that the condition is the death of the new owner. In other words, if the original owner grants a life estate to the new owner, even if the new owner were to sell the land to someone else, the property would revert back to the original owner upon the death of the first new owner.
LEASE -- We all know what this is. Here, the owner keeps legal ownership of the property, but the tenant has legal possession. The owner cannot repossess the property unless the terms of the lease are violated, and even then, proper legal steps are required.
POWER OF ATTORNEY -- Here, one person gives a second person the right to possess authority on his behalf. However, the person granting the authority can revoke it at any time. Moreover, both persons can exercise this authority concurrently.
***
Now here is the big picture:
(A.) If our authority is derived from a grant in fee simple (absolute, or determinable, or with possiblity of reverter), or from the grant of a life estate, or from the grant of a lease, THEN our right of possession of this "property"--our right to exercise the authority--is exclusive of God. Subject only to the conditions placed in the aforementioned grants, we (and only we) would be able to exercise this authority; it would no longer belong to Christ. Thus if God wanted something (anything at all) done on Earth, He would need the consent of Christians.
(B.) Conversely, if our authority is derived merely from a power of attorney, then God may exercise His power soverignly without our permission. Moreover, if we do not comply with his bidding, He may revoke our status as his agents. Thus, if God wanted something done, He could let us use His authority, or He could act without our consent.
Whereas alternative (A) implies that Christians have exclusive control over the spiritual and the natural realms (i.e., that God cannot act without us), alternative (B) implies that Christ and the believer share this control.
Which is it? Discuss freely.
