"I want men who will believe in Me, even when I do not save them; I will not open prison doors where my brethren are locked… I never worked a miracle to save Myself! I will work few miracles even for My saints."
I'm currently writing a story with this exact theological point at its heart. A prince wins countless battles with 100% confidence God will lead him to victory. He begins questioning his faith when in a conversation with king, he learns that God does not guarantee us earthly victory. He begins questioning whether or not it is his own merit that has resulted in all his past victories. He becomes prideful and controlling. Without faith in God, he begins micromanaging the king's vassals and their armies, counting warriors and supplies to plan each engagement, and centralizing power. Eventually he falls, is outcast, and must gain a better understanding of faith, recognizing God's priority for spiritual victory, and reestablish his place in the kingdom with humility.
God does not promise us an easy prosperous path. In fact, the opposite is much more clearly taught. Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake. If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. Take up your cross and follow me...
ATL, yes - and yes to your last paragraph. I still look in the mirror and see someone not really persecuted for His sake - yet this is what He promised for those who follow Him. How far I have yet to walk.
But Bionic, you’ve probably reached the point at which most don’t understand your perspective of reality and think you’re off-kilter or completely daft. I suspect that puzzlement immediately precedes persecution.
[This morning, I saw an advertisement for a Catholic prayer service for Charlie Kirk that included the note “Bring your American flag”. I realized how estranged I am from the land of my birth. How long before that estrangement turns to mild persecution?]
"I suspect that puzzlement immediately precedes persecution."
Interesting point. I have seen that transition in the faces of some who are quite close to me. I have decided it is best, at least for a while, to shake the dust from my feet, so to speak.
I find myself interacting with others less and less frequently, and feel that the most important thing that I do on any given day is to read the Bible (OT, Psalms, NT, and Gospel). https://bible.usccb.org/
The same temptations Satan used to tempt Christ in the wilderness just after He was baptized:
worship - religion (churchianity)
jump - politics (power)
bread - economics (money)
... were what crucified Him later on, and are still used by Satan to tempt us or pervert our attention and obedience today.
"I want men who will believe in Me, even when I do not save them; I will not open prison doors where my brethren are locked… I never worked a miracle to save Myself! I will work few miracles even for My saints."
I'm currently writing a story with this exact theological point at its heart. A prince wins countless battles with 100% confidence God will lead him to victory. He begins questioning his faith when in a conversation with king, he learns that God does not guarantee us earthly victory. He begins questioning whether or not it is his own merit that has resulted in all his past victories. He becomes prideful and controlling. Without faith in God, he begins micromanaging the king's vassals and their armies, counting warriors and supplies to plan each engagement, and centralizing power. Eventually he falls, is outcast, and must gain a better understanding of faith, recognizing God's priority for spiritual victory, and reestablish his place in the kingdom with humility.
God does not promise us an easy prosperous path. In fact, the opposite is much more clearly taught. Blessed are those who are persecuted for my sake. If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. Take up your cross and follow me...
ATL, yes - and yes to your last paragraph. I still look in the mirror and see someone not really persecuted for His sake - yet this is what He promised for those who follow Him. How far I have yet to walk.
But Bionic, you’ve probably reached the point at which most don’t understand your perspective of reality and think you’re off-kilter or completely daft. I suspect that puzzlement immediately precedes persecution.
[This morning, I saw an advertisement for a Catholic prayer service for Charlie Kirk that included the note “Bring your American flag”. I realized how estranged I am from the land of my birth. How long before that estrangement turns to mild persecution?]
"I suspect that puzzlement immediately precedes persecution."
Interesting point. I have seen that transition in the faces of some who are quite close to me. I have decided it is best, at least for a while, to shake the dust from my feet, so to speak.
I find myself interacting with others less and less frequently, and feel that the most important thing that I do on any given day is to read the Bible (OT, Psalms, NT, and Gospel). https://bible.usccb.org/
Thank you.