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23 October
2004

late-night philosophy

analysis paralysis

Funny how as the hours wane on, you can come up with some seemingly brilliant ideas, then wake up the next morning with no idea what you were talking about.

So I've started philosophizing with my laptop. I recorded the following in the foggy hours just before dawn this morning...

A recent thought: in regards to our path to salvation, grace v. works is like this: God has built a bridge a certain proportion of the way across the Grand Canyon. Did He leave it 18 feet short? 16 feet short?

The point: no matter how much we attribute to God in this illustration, we never get it. Because we are still either walking on the bridge that is built all the way across, or we are jumping with all our might to make up the gap. We're still responsible for some portion of our salvation. This is a false view.

The truth of the matter:

We spend so much time trying to figure out how much we have to do, we end up doing nothing. Do we earn salvation? No. Do works demonstrate faith? Yes. So what is the balance?

WHO CARES?

Get out there and get to work. God will supply the messages in due time. You will learn the lesson effortlessly. You will never learn the lesson by academic study.


Posted by dhamlin at 10:11 | Comments (9)


Comments

Re: late-night philosophy

This reminds me of Bro. Tim Galbraith"s lecture at GLCBS. It was titled "Preaching With Power!". During the lecture Bro. Tim said that the only thing holding us back from proclaiming the word of God is what other people think of us. He went on to say "Who cares what others think? God will supply the increase." Truly, God will supply the words needed.

What is that verse? "Cast your bread upon the waters....."

Posted by: Anna DuVall at October 28,2004 13:57
Re: late-night philosophy

I was driving home from wed night bible study and an idea or thought belted me right in the face, after reading your "late night philosophy" I felt moved to comment with the idea.
We must know the "rules" to playing the game or running the race as Paul would say, but there comes a time when we must move on from just studying the rules and go out there and race or play the game. Next time somebody says we should pray for someone or something, stop, drop to your knees and pray on the spot!!!!

Posted by: Preston at November 04,2004 13:25
Re: late-night philosophy

Anna, Actually this was a conversation that was between Dyron and I that was derived from Doug Davis' class at GLCBS this year. Tim's Caution! God at Work was a great class too!

Doug's class was all about our being needy and truly being reliant upon God for deliverance.

I just recently drove to Durango CO (about 17 hours each way) and had time to re-listen to this class. What a class.

He discussed the Widow woman who was going to lose her son to the creditors, and that Elijah provided her with enough oil to redeem her debts and pay for her future needs. She did nothing.

He discussed the prodigal son who had foolishly squandered his fathers gifts and worldly inheritance.

King David did the same thing with Mephibosheth who was crippled in his feet. He brought him to the Kings table, reserved for sons, and provided for him, on behalf of Jonathan.

I am the widow woman. I am the prodigal son. I am Mephibosheth. I am the long-jumper at the Grand Canyon. If I seek to do it on my own, I will fail. I need to have a way across provided, my own efforts are worthless. God did not provide a road across the grand canyon, minus 14 feet, he provided "THE WAY" and Jesus paid "THE PRICE". I have not earned the right to pay any of it, or to define any of the way(s). I need to be paid for and rely on the provision for my life and debts, I have nothing to barter with(prodigal son). I am lame in my feet(straight and narrow path??) and can offer no incentive for someone to adopt me, yet my father wants me to eat at his table, and he desires to provide fully for me.

It makes no sense to add to this explanation, that all of those explanations were written for us, but the responsibility is still in our hands to "make up the difference". We have no right, no price to pay or not contribution to add to that which has already been done. It was done on our behalf already.

Ultimately, are we grateful for the price paid and the invitation to sit at the table? Are we willing to change to be accepted as sons?

Posted by: Cameron at November 22,2004 21:03
Re: late-night philosophy

Um, interesting thoughts. I believe it was Elisha who provided a way for the woman to pay her debts. She had to go and borrow vessels from her neighbors thus showing faith through her works. We always have to DO something. Simply accepting the invitation is not enough-that is the way of the world.

Posted by: Anon. at July 22,2005 14:07
Re: late-night philosophy

Yep, 2 Kings 4:2

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