Hol
Worships Him
Good morning everyone!
Dave, thank you for this thread, I haven't logged on for some time, but this conversation has helped me so I'm hoping that I can share some things I'm learning.
First, I've been reading the book of Ecclesiastics and want to quote from chapter three:
16And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. 17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.
I lack in understanding, and welcome learning through asking questions. One aspect of Christ's sacrifice that your thread has really encouraged me in, is to consider how He was fulfilling His word in such a spectacular way.
As Abraham demonstrated faith in offering Issac, there was complete trust that God would raise him from the dead. Issac was not a child at the time, and trusted his father's authority. In seeing Christ's willingness to obey, we are given a glimpse into the temptation as He sweat great drops of blood and sought another way if possible. Perhaps He was wrestling with the thought of how unworthy mankind is? That's how I react to rejection. Undoubtedly the agony of separation from our Father caused Him to sweat great drops of blood.
The Son of Man, Jesus in His perfection was both able to not sin, and not able to sin. He remained singularly humble in His relation to His oneness as God, Phil. 2:6-7 who existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men...
His obedience seals the truth that God is love. When I consider Satan's motive for Peter's appeal that Jesus not endure the cross, it reminds me of times I'm tempted to find comfort in misguided loyalties. An appeal to my sense of self-pity. Jesus had His faithfulness looking to God's will despite having to go it alone.
The book of Job portrays a man who did not deserve tremendous suffering. I love how God spoke to him in a manner that emphasized His sovereignity and Job stopped feeling sorry for himself. His three friends had attacked Job suggesting some secret sin, and in ways they remind me of the way of Cain, 'Do good works like us.' They seemed a bit jealous of Job. I'd like to think that Job proved to Satan that despite excessive loss, he didn't curse God, but trusted Him. I don't imagine that good evidence, good reason & logic can convince Satan because what we all need to learn is faith that trusts and surrenders.
Jesus in sacrificing Himself for a death He didn't deserve required something beyond normal friendship love, family loyalty/love. His love for our Father, His deep respect for His authority, and courage to perform His promises that ultimately glorify God are qualities that I don't read Satan possesses. Satan has so much more intelligence and power that even Archangel Michael responds to him in Jesus's powerful name. Does he posses an understanding of a willing loving obedience to God?
Your question about Judas betraying Jesus has me stumped, why Satan did that I'm unable to think of except that murderers and thieves do those things as they glory in those things.
God is sovereign so things happen according to His will, but I think it's His love that best characterizes Who He is, and best exalts Christ.
Based on your thread I've wondered if Adam and Eve asked God why He didn't prevent their temptation? Once they had given birth to Seth I think they had matured and began calling on the name of the Lord with loving understanding of how forgiven they were, and how God would provide a way for us out of our sin mess.
Maybe my favorite meditation from this thread is seeing how Jesus demonstrated love to us while we were lost in our own pride, rebellion, lusts; and triumphed openly over death. When I think of God restricting Satan from taking Job's life I understand that Satan doesn't love God or us. Huge understatement, but it causes me to reflect on how much Jesus does!
Sorry if some of these thoughts are disjointed, I'm in a rush to head off to work & can't proofread now.
Prayers & hugs for everyone on RF
Dave, thank you for this thread, I haven't logged on for some time, but this conversation has helped me so I'm hoping that I can share some things I'm learning.
First, I've been reading the book of Ecclesiastics and want to quote from chapter three:
16And moreover I saw under the sun, in the place of justice, that wickedness was there; and in the place of righteousness, that wickedness was there. 17I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked; for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 18I said in my heart, It is because of the sons of men, that God may prove them, and that they may see that they themselves are but as beasts.
I lack in understanding, and welcome learning through asking questions. One aspect of Christ's sacrifice that your thread has really encouraged me in, is to consider how He was fulfilling His word in such a spectacular way.
As Abraham demonstrated faith in offering Issac, there was complete trust that God would raise him from the dead. Issac was not a child at the time, and trusted his father's authority. In seeing Christ's willingness to obey, we are given a glimpse into the temptation as He sweat great drops of blood and sought another way if possible. Perhaps He was wrestling with the thought of how unworthy mankind is? That's how I react to rejection. Undoubtedly the agony of separation from our Father caused Him to sweat great drops of blood.
The Son of Man, Jesus in His perfection was both able to not sin, and not able to sin. He remained singularly humble in His relation to His oneness as God, Phil. 2:6-7 who existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men...
His obedience seals the truth that God is love. When I consider Satan's motive for Peter's appeal that Jesus not endure the cross, it reminds me of times I'm tempted to find comfort in misguided loyalties. An appeal to my sense of self-pity. Jesus had His faithfulness looking to God's will despite having to go it alone.
The book of Job portrays a man who did not deserve tremendous suffering. I love how God spoke to him in a manner that emphasized His sovereignity and Job stopped feeling sorry for himself. His three friends had attacked Job suggesting some secret sin, and in ways they remind me of the way of Cain, 'Do good works like us.' They seemed a bit jealous of Job. I'd like to think that Job proved to Satan that despite excessive loss, he didn't curse God, but trusted Him. I don't imagine that good evidence, good reason & logic can convince Satan because what we all need to learn is faith that trusts and surrenders.
Jesus in sacrificing Himself for a death He didn't deserve required something beyond normal friendship love, family loyalty/love. His love for our Father, His deep respect for His authority, and courage to perform His promises that ultimately glorify God are qualities that I don't read Satan possesses. Satan has so much more intelligence and power that even Archangel Michael responds to him in Jesus's powerful name. Does he posses an understanding of a willing loving obedience to God?
Your question about Judas betraying Jesus has me stumped, why Satan did that I'm unable to think of except that murderers and thieves do those things as they glory in those things.
God is sovereign so things happen according to His will, but I think it's His love that best characterizes Who He is, and best exalts Christ.
Based on your thread I've wondered if Adam and Eve asked God why He didn't prevent their temptation? Once they had given birth to Seth I think they had matured and began calling on the name of the Lord with loving understanding of how forgiven they were, and how God would provide a way for us out of our sin mess.
Maybe my favorite meditation from this thread is seeing how Jesus demonstrated love to us while we were lost in our own pride, rebellion, lusts; and triumphed openly over death. When I think of God restricting Satan from taking Job's life I understand that Satan doesn't love God or us. Huge understatement, but it causes me to reflect on how much Jesus does!
Sorry if some of these thoughts are disjointed, I'm in a rush to head off to work & can't proofread now.
Prayers & hugs for everyone on RF