Why does God use humans?

[obedienttogod]

hmm if i go back a chapter..

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. ​

When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. ​

(1 Corinthians 13:11)​

what's this context?

Verses 8 - 10 also speak about Tongues, even though the correct translations is not Tongues as gift of the Holy Spirit, but as human languages will cease.

Which is true that all human language will cease.

Once New Jerusalem is in place and we are all risen in Christ, we will speak the Heavenly language, not our native human language.


Nevertheless, your scripture reference still pertains to a specific subject matter, not to everything else as a whole!!

 

[posthuman]

That verse is fascinating as to reasons calling Simon son of Jonah.

there's a coin in that fishes mouth!

 

[Hungry]

With Pharoah, God further hardened a hard heart. Why didn't God further harden Frank's heart? (ok, Frank was hypothetical) But many of us could have been snuffed out at 22 but instead of further hardening our hearts, years later, God in His mercy showed us our sin and vain ways leading us to repentance and faith in His Son.

Matthew 16:16-17 KJV
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Perhaps if Frank bowed down to other gods and ruthlessly mistreated Gods chosen people then He would have. Perhaps by making an example of one who vehemently opposes you, you show your might, and prevent future enemies.

 

[KnowMe]

there's a coin in that fishes mouth!

Heeey I like that thks for posting.

2 Corinthians 8:9
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

 

[posthuman]

Nevertheless, your scripture reference still pertains to a specific subject matter, not to everything else as a whole!!

does Matthew 18:3 have no context?

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity​

(Hebrews 5:13-6:1) ​

​

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.​

(James 1:4) ​

​

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.​

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.​

(Ephesians 4:11-16)​

​

He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.​

(Colossians 4:12) ​

​

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.​

(Philippians 3:15)​

​

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.​

(Luke 8:14) ​

are all these about tongues?

i think there is a running theme in the NT teaching that we should not remain as children, but grow in Him to maturation, being adult in our thinking, leaving childish ways behind & increasing in the knowledge of God.
do you see a parallel theme in scripture teaching us to accept everything without examining it?

 

[Journeyman]

That seems to be the consensus, but exactly where in the Bible does it say being prepared for a greater use precludes the command to be generous and a good steward of your time? The last command we have is to go forth. It never specified ANY exemptions.

satan ran thru my life like a wildfire last year. SOLELY because idle hands are his work.

I'm sorry, I'm not buying the 'it's not my time' thing. It's NOT scriptural.

Brother, Jesus said the angels rejoice over one who turns to God. If because of you obeying God, only one person came to know the Lord, that's huge.
God used Jeremiah greatly, but nobody listened to him.
And when Jesus's "time came", we know where he was....rejected.

Never lose heart.

 

[Sipsey]

To the original point of why God uses us frail humans to communicate the things He wants us to know, I think a tour of Job can help, it did me.

When Satan approaches God, He asserts that there is “no one” that truly loves God, that they only do so because God gives them stuff, essentially implying that God bribes us humans into compliance and therefore a counterfeit type of love.

Satan has been condemned, but his sentence has yet to be carried out. He is condemned because of his assumption that he too can be just like, or even better, than God. He convinced a fair number of fellow angels of that same lie.

Could it be, that our creation (us humans) is in part, a direct result of the Angelic conflict and a rebuttal to satans assertion that “no creation” truely loves God without the perks God provides as a bribe?

 

[crossnote]

Perhaps if Frank bowed down to other gods and ruthlessly mistreated Gods chosen people then He would have. Perhaps by making an example of one who vehemently opposes you, you show your might, and prevent future enemies.

But remember, Franks heart was already hard at 22yrs. of age. It was by God's mercy his life was extended where eventually he came to faith at 38.
But point taken if you are referencing God's dealing with nations in Rom 9, even if it means dealing with individuals who represent whole nations e.g. Jacob/Esau/Pharoah etc..

 

[posthuman]

That verse is fascinating as to reasons calling Simon son of Jonah.

also for calling him Simon instead of Peter. there is a connection to Simeon, about whom the Holy Spirit had prophesied that he would see the salvation of Israel ((Luke 2))

 

[Journeyman]

I think this creation is related to the fall of angels. I believe God showed his love surpasses all and at his weakest (humanly speaking) he is stronger than all.


Nothing to do with bribes. We love our earthly fathers and mothers because they love us.

 

[KnowMe]

also for calling him Simon instead of Peter. there is a connection to Simeon, about whom the Holy Spirit had prophesied that he would see the salvation of Israel ((Luke 2))

I like that for sure, a few more things IMO Peter looked away walking on water, Jonah looked away, Jesus calmed the storm in the boat with Peter, Jonah went over board and the storm calmed.

 

[tourist]

That seems to be the consensus, but exactly where in the Bible does it say being prepared for a greater use precludes the command to be generous and a good steward of your time? The last command we have is to go forth. It never specified ANY exemptions.

satan ran thru my life like a wildfire last year. SOLELY because idle hands are his work.

I'm sorry, I'm not buying the 'it's not my time' thing. It's NOT scriptural.

This points out about the works you will do:

John 14:12
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Of course, you should be generous and a good steward of your time. When doing these even greater things you will accomplish both because being generous and a good steward of your time is necessary to accomplish the greater things that the Father has prepared for you to accomplish, and the good work that He will start in you He is certainly capable of finishing through you.

 

[obedienttogod]

does Matthew 18:3 have no context?

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity​

(Hebrews 5:13-6:1) ​

​

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.​

(James 1:4) ​

​

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.​

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.​

(Ephesians 4:11-16)​

​

He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.​

(Colossians 4:12) ​

​

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.​

(Philippians 3:15)​

​

The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life's worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.​

(Luke 8:14) ​

are all these about tongues?

i think there is a running theme in the NT teaching that we should not remain as children, but grow in Him to maturation, being adult in our thinking, leaving childish ways behind & increasing in the knowledge of God.
do you see a parallel theme in scripture teaching us to accept everything without examining it?

It's an obvious theme, much like we see our Lord and Savior Yeshua throughout the entire Word of God, from Beginning to End!!

But each time it is used, it still falls within context of the scripture(s) before/after. It does not necessarily connect to other scriptures proclaiming the same message. That is like classifying a small rain filled puddle to an ocean, all because they both are defined as a body of water.

 

[oldethennew]

That seems to be the consensus, but exactly where in the Bible does it say being prepared for a greater use precludes the command to be generous and a good steward of your time? The last command we have is to go forth. It never specified ANY exemptions.

satan ran thru my life like a wildfire last year. SOLELY because idle hands are his work.

I'm sorry, I'm not buying the 'it's not my time' thing. It's NOT scriptural.

======================================================================================
of course when all of those years that satan was running through my/our lives like a 'wild-fire', we never realized it!!! -
but, after 'conversion', we know for sure Whose servants we are, belonged to - this has changed our whole lives,
now we live our lives for our Holy Saviour, and we know what my and my wife's purpose is while living upon this earth...

 

[stonesoffire]

The best example of this is Noah:
Noah didnt prove his message was from God through any miracles like the Apostles did. Yet Noah was right, he was the man of God.

So my question is: WHY does God use humans? Wouldn't it be much more effective to just appear to everyone in Noah's day and send them an angel or appearing from God, a supernatural encounter telling them "HEY, Repent or a floods coming". Most people would heed that warning.

If Jesus came to me right now and said "build a boat" I'd start building right away, "Yes, Lord". BUT, if some human came to me and said: "You need to build a boat or else" i'd tell him "you're crazy! leave me alone!"

No doubt I would of drowned in Noah's day lol.

Why does God use humans, instead of appearing to the people directly, does the Bible answer this question?

God did come to earth and announced the kingdom of God and heaven is near.

Jesus did tell a parable about men not believing even if one was sent back from the dead.

 

[noblenut]

The best example of this is Noah:
Noah didnt prove his message was from God through any miracles like the Apostles did. Yet Noah was right, he was the man of God.

So my question is: WHY does God use humans? Wouldn't it be much more effective to just appear to everyone in Noah's day and send them an angel or appearing from God, a supernatural encounter telling them "HEY, Repent or a floods coming". Most people would heed that warning.

If Jesus came to me right now and said "build a boat" I'd start building right away, "Yes, Lord". BUT, if some human came to me and said: "You need to build a boat or else" i'd tell him "you're crazy! leave me alone!"

No doubt I would of drowned in Noah's day lol.

Why does God use humans, instead of appearing to the people directly, does the Bible answer this question?

the israelites did not listen to God or the angel, and if Jesus appeared to u today, how do u know if u will listen to him if u dont already, and God does not use us he blesses us, if you have faith in him

 

[Jan7777777]

Not that I disagree but let me ask you this.
There were twin brothers, Hank and Frank both 22 years old. Both at that age rejected Jesus. Hank died unforgiven but Frank lived on. At 38 Frank came to repentance and forgiveness of his sin through Jesus Christ.

Do you believe both twins had the same opportunity to repent?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God gives everyone an opportunity to repent, somewhere the first had that chance and rejected him, if he rejected him, he had to know about him from someone in order for him to reject. ...God gives everyone opportunity why would he die for 'their' sins and not give them an opportunity?

 

[Jan7777777]

With Pharoah, God further hardened a hard heart. Why didn't God further harden Frank's heart? (ok, Frank was hypothetical) But many of us could have been snuffed out at 22 but instead of further hardening our hearts, years later, God in His mercy showed us our sin and vain ways leading us to repentance and faith in His Son.

Matthew 16:16-17 KJV
[16] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. [17] And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

He tells the reason he hardened Pharaoh's heart in Exodus 10:1 - And the Lord said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh; for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, THAT I MIGHT SHEW THESE MY SIGNS BEFORE HIM.

 

[Jan7777777]

Because Frank realized what was happening. He woke up. Look here,

Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy. Pro.29:1

When the Bible says "God hardened Pharaoahs heart", it doesn't mean on purpose. It means when God corrected Pharaoh, Pharaoh became even more angry. Pharaohs heart was hard to begin with. He thought of himself as a god. He was worshipped as a god.

Look at Jer.18. It shows it's never Gods correction is for repentance.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God was humbling his heart with each plague....Hardening => gave up to his own heart's lust's. is how one explains it

 

[Journeyman]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
God was humbling his heart with each plague....Hardening => gave up to his own heart's lust's. is how one explains it

Yes, the humbling didn't last long even though God gave him a good pounding. A Pharaoh could see was the lowly shepherd Moses telling him what to do and he couldn't stand that.