Today’s study by Selwyn has helped me in a number of ways.
First off, I really liked the verses set for Further Study (Romans 11:33-36 & Colossians 2:2-4) because while looking up these verses I ‘stumbled’ across a number of other verses which appear to be very relevant to some of the other material which I’m writing. The Colossians verses are particularly good: ‘My purpose (Paul’s) is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’Â
The second thing is what Selwyn has to say about God’s knowledge and wisdom. He says: “We can recognise wisdom only when we see the end to which it is moving. Yet God often calls us to trust Him when we can’t see the end He is pursuing, and at such times we have to ask ourselves: How much do I trust Him? …
God’s wisdom is not, and never was, intended to get us through life without being hurt. The goal of divine wisdom, as we said, is to bring about the best possible results, which for us means making us holy. And sometimes pursuing that goal may involve us in considerable pain.”
I think that many people lose sight of God’s goal for us, which as mentioned above is  - ‘to make us holy’ – and; replace it with - ‘to have a long, happy and healthy life.’ This change in emphasis can be devastating for those who see God as a kind of  ’Mister Fix-it’ because there will be times when what we want to be resolved, will be left unresolved. These occasions, if we let them, will start to eat away at our trust in God. Do you agree?
Trust in God’s knowledge, wisdom and power and our response to love others in the same way God loves us. These ‘vision’ statements should be written in our hearts and read each morning when we wake up as it will help focus our actions during the day – we may never get it entirely right but at least we will be heading in the right direction – what do you think?
***
A friend recently delivered a really good sermon on the Centurion’s faith (Luke 7:1-10), which I’ve put up on my other site (which is still under development). It brings out in a really concise way the faith of one trusting in God’s authority.
Fullness – only in God
Today’s study by Selwyn has helped me in a number of ways.
First off, I really liked the verses set for Further Study (Romans 11:33-36 & Colossians 2:2-4) because while looking up these verses I ‘stumbled’ across a number of other verses which appear to be very relevant to some of the other material which I’m writing. The Colossians verses are particularly good: ‘My purpose (Paul’s) is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.’Â
The second thing is what Selwyn has to say about God’s knowledge and wisdom. He says: “We can recognise wisdom only when we see the end to which it is moving. Yet God often calls us to trust Him when we can’t see the end He is pursuing, and at such times we have to ask ourselves: How much do I trust Him? …
God’s wisdom is not, and never was, intended to get us through life without being hurt. The goal of divine wisdom, as we said, is to bring about the best possible results, which for us means making us holy. And sometimes pursuing that goal may involve us in considerable pain.”
I think that many people lose sight of God’s goal for us, which as mentioned above is  - ‘to make us holy’ – and; replace it with - ‘to have a long, happy and healthy life.’ This change in emphasis can be devastating for those who see God as a kind of  ’Mister Fix-it’ because there will be times when what we want to be resolved, will be left unresolved. These occasions, if we let them, will start to eat away at our trust in God. Do you agree?
Trust in God’s knowledge, wisdom and power and our response to love others in the same way God loves us. These ‘vision’ statements should be written in our hearts and read each morning when we wake up as it will help focus our actions during the day – we may never get it entirely right but at least we will be heading in the right direction – what do you think?
***
A friend recently delivered a really good sermon on the Centurion’s faith (Luke 7:1-10), which I’ve put up on my other site (which is still under development). It brings out in a really concise way the faith of one trusting in God’s authority.