Selwyn starts today’s study with: “Three days ago we said that denial is one of the most popular escape routes down which people run when they are confronted by difficult or unpleasant reality. … Sadly, denial keeps us away from God, for whatever is true must be accepted, integrity means having a system of living that never requires us to deny what is before us. We need not exaggerate what is before us, we need not minimise what is before us, but we need to acknowledge frankly and honestly what is before us.”
Later on, in the study, Selwyn makes a connection between those Christians who deny reality and those who hold, strong dogmatic views. [From an on-line dictionary: dog·ma·tism (noun): Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief.] I’m not so sure that such a generalisation is useful – sure, there would be some Christians who are caught in a trap of denial, and are also very dogmatic, regarding their views. However, as mentioned on previous days, I think fear has a lot to do with people wanting to avoid the realities of bad things happening to ‘good‘ people. People, who are driven by fear can lack the confidence to express any definite views, so I think both outcomes are possible – dogmatic stubbornness in some; and timidity, in others. What do you think?
I liked the key verse for today, (Psalm 86:11), ‘Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth … ‘. It’s good because it illustrates, once again, that to take this sort of issue – dealing with reality – to God in prayer; opens up our heart to God’s teaching. Jesus loves us and you can trust that He will lead us along the narrow path.
Any comments?
What is integrity?
Selwyn starts today’s study with: “Three days ago we said that denial is one of the most popular escape routes down which people run when they are confronted by difficult or unpleasant reality. … Sadly, denial keeps us away from God, for whatever is true must be accepted, integrity means having a system of living that never requires us to deny what is before us. We need not exaggerate what is before us, we need not minimise what is before us, but we need to acknowledge frankly and honestly what is before us.”
Later on, in the study, Selwyn makes a connection between those Christians who deny reality and those who hold, strong dogmatic views. [From an on-line dictionary: dog·ma·tism (noun): Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief.] I’m not so sure that such a generalisation is useful – sure, there would be some Christians who are caught in a trap of denial, and are also very dogmatic, regarding their views. However, as mentioned on previous days, I think fear has a lot to do with people wanting to avoid the realities of bad things happening to ‘good‘ people. People, who are driven by fear can lack the confidence to express any definite views, so I think both outcomes are possible – dogmatic stubbornness in some; and timidity, in others. What do you think?
I liked the key verse for today, (Psalm 86:11), ‘Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth … ‘. It’s good because it illustrates, once again, that to take this sort of issue – dealing with reality – to God in prayer; opens up our heart to God’s teaching. Jesus loves us and you can trust that He will lead us along the narrow path.
Any comments?