I'm preaching for the first time at my youth group soon.
- Thread starter JesusIsSovereign
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
not exactly ----What we want is to feed our worldly desires -----our flesh is still corrupt even though we are Born Again in Spirit ---We are a tri part being ----We are First a Spirit Being ----we possess a Soul which is our mind --Will and Emotions --and our Spirit and Soul are housed in this Physical Body ----
So while our Spirit is Holy --our Soul still thinks like the world and wants to be fed like the world thinks -------so we have to Change our Soul to line up with our Holy Spirit -which is we have to train our mind to line up with God's ways of thinking and lay down our worldly ways of thinking -----
That is why God says ----
Romans 12:2
Amplified Bible
2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
I say ---God has given us the tools we need ---His Word -----we have to apply them -----
Your Statement here ----
we free willingly choose those desires God gives us
I wish -----for instance --God says don't lie -----but we still lie even though we know it displeases God and what displeases God grieves the Holy Spirit ----and so we try not to lie but we still do -----so while we want to freely choose the desires God want for us --we still fail ===
Paul says it best
Romans 7:15-20
Amplified Bible
15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].
16 Now if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent).
17 So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.
18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not.
19 For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.
I say -----We strive to live Holy and do God's will but we still miss the mark ---and will till we are fully Sanctified and that will be when we have our Glorified bodies in Heaven -----
Preach Truth not what you think -----
So while our Spirit is Holy --our Soul still thinks like the world and wants to be fed like the world thinks -------so we have to Change our Soul to line up with our Holy Spirit -which is we have to train our mind to line up with God's ways of thinking and lay down our worldly ways of thinking -----
That is why God says ----
Romans 12:2
Amplified Bible
2 And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
I say ---God has given us the tools we need ---His Word -----we have to apply them -----
Your Statement here ----
we free willingly choose those desires God gives us
I wish -----for instance --God says don't lie -----but we still lie even though we know it displeases God and what displeases God grieves the Holy Spirit ----and so we try not to lie but we still do -----so while we want to freely choose the desires God want for us --we still fail ===
Paul says it best
Romans 7:15-20
Amplified Bible
15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them]. I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and yielding to my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity].
16 Now if I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law, confessing that it is good (morally excellent).
17 So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.
18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness—my sinful capacity]. For the willingness [to do good] is present in me, but the doing of good is not.
19 For the good that I want to do, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.
20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want to do, I am no longer the one doing it [that is, it is not me that acts], but the sin [nature] which lives in me.
I say -----We strive to live Holy and do God's will but we still miss the mark ---and will till we are fully Sanctified and that will be when we have our Glorified bodies in Heaven -----
Preach Truth not what you think -----
To get his back on topic: How did it go? 
@JesusIsSovereign
@JesusIsSovereign
-
1
- Show all
That God will use Christian people with disabilities. Body of Christ has one Spirit, and different gifts and abilities, Ephesians. Salvation is open to those who have free will. Its personal decision, if new convert will carry there cross daily and follow Jesus. There will be some persecution and hardship at times. Getting deeper here. Galatians chapter 5, be led by the Spirit. Flesh is in conflict with the Spirit. The flesh can't please God,nor know will of God.
Walk in the Spirit. Different functions of body of Christ. One might be good at making money and donates to the poor. Another might be teacher. Another might volunteer at soup kitchen.
2 Corinthians chapter 4
But I have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending our selfs to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Jesus always told the truth. Shepherds are follow Jesus example. Nourish the flock, and teach sound doctrine. Never water down God's word.
1 Corinthians chapter 12
Now there are diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:8
For one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. Whether regular Christian or Christian with disabilities. Jesus uses body of Christ to carry out there diverse functions. The eye can't say, I don't need the foot. The weaker member is just as important as the eye of head.
Handicapped Christian people are not indespensanble.
12:15
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?
12:21
And the eye can't say to the unto the hand, I have no need of thee, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Body of Christ is to edify, and glorify Jesus. Each member has unique gifts.
12:22
And those members of the body, which we Think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more aboudant honour, and our uncomely parts have more aboudant comeliness.
Yes, the testimony of Christian people with disabilities carrys more weight than normal Christian. Gods wonderful works are displayed through handicapped Christian people.
12:25
There should be no schism in the body but, that the members should have same care for one another.
We are to edify body of Christ. Not tear people down. Flip side of the coin. We must expose fruits of darkness, false brethren. They infiltrate Body of Christ to cause division and damage.
Jesus healed blind, lepers, paralyzed people. I failed trade school back in 1992. My dad thought I might have gift to succeed. He was thinking in the flesh, not led by the Spirit. Again, carnal minded people can't understand spiritual things or discern them. Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. My gift is spiritual. Jesus granted me knowledge and wisdom of God's word. I was in special education through school system, and have autism. Wonder ful works of God. Jesus called me out of the world, to serve him. Those who walk in the flesh can't understand will of God,or spiritual things.
2 Corinthians chapter 5
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is new creation, the old has passd away.
Romans chapter 8
You, however are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
The weaker members of body of Christ are not indespensanble. And some people have Spirit of slumber and can't understand deep truth of Gods word. You need holy Spirit. I hope this helps. Peace.
Walk in the Spirit. Different functions of body of Christ. One might be good at making money and donates to the poor. Another might be teacher. Another might volunteer at soup kitchen.
2 Corinthians chapter 4
But I have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending our selfs to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Jesus always told the truth. Shepherds are follow Jesus example. Nourish the flock, and teach sound doctrine. Never water down God's word.
1 Corinthians chapter 12
Now there are diversity of gifts, but the same Spirit.
12:8
For one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. Whether regular Christian or Christian with disabilities. Jesus uses body of Christ to carry out there diverse functions. The eye can't say, I don't need the foot. The weaker member is just as important as the eye of head.
Handicapped Christian people are not indespensanble.
12:15
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body, is it therefore not of the body?
12:21
And the eye can't say to the unto the hand, I have no need of thee, nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
Body of Christ is to edify, and glorify Jesus. Each member has unique gifts.
12:22
And those members of the body, which we Think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more aboudant honour, and our uncomely parts have more aboudant comeliness.
Yes, the testimony of Christian people with disabilities carrys more weight than normal Christian. Gods wonderful works are displayed through handicapped Christian people.
12:25
There should be no schism in the body but, that the members should have same care for one another.
We are to edify body of Christ. Not tear people down. Flip side of the coin. We must expose fruits of darkness, false brethren. They infiltrate Body of Christ to cause division and damage.
Jesus healed blind, lepers, paralyzed people. I failed trade school back in 1992. My dad thought I might have gift to succeed. He was thinking in the flesh, not led by the Spirit. Again, carnal minded people can't understand spiritual things or discern them. Holy Spirit is absolutely essential. My gift is spiritual. Jesus granted me knowledge and wisdom of God's word. I was in special education through school system, and have autism. Wonder ful works of God. Jesus called me out of the world, to serve him. Those who walk in the flesh can't understand will of God,or spiritual things.
2 Corinthians chapter 5
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is new creation, the old has passd away.
Romans chapter 8
You, however are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
The weaker members of body of Christ are not indespensanble. And some people have Spirit of slumber and can't understand deep truth of Gods word. You need holy Spirit. I hope this helps. Peace.
You need to understand that there are 3 types of man described in God's word ---1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Natural Man ----Lives and thinks like this world and Satan is their god ----God's word is foolish to them
Carnal Man -----Born Again Christian ---Babe in Christ ---Holy Spirit is indwelled in this person ----but their minds still think like the world -----these Christians feed on the Milk of the Scripture ----their goal is to change their worldly thinking to God thinking ----they have to Mature in their Faith walk with Christ and become more reliant on the Holy Spirit through Prayer to help them change their worldly thinking and ways to God's way of thinking and ways ------
Most of us Christians will die in this Carnal state ---not one of us in my opinion will ever reach the the last man ---which is the Spiritual Man status in this physical world as we don't have the drive or stamina to achieve it ---we will always be in this Carnal state where we Miss the Mark and have to repent of our sin as our Flesh ----and Flesh here is a way of thinking it is not our skin that covers our bones ---Worldly desires will still have a hold on us to the end in my opinion
Some Bible verses that relate to fleshy thinking include:
The last man is
the Spiritual Man -----the Mature Christian who totally relies on the Holy Spirits Direction in their Daily lives ----they live in God's ways and think like God thinks ------they are in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to direct them through each day ----
Romans 8:5 who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
"JesusIsSovereign,----there is so much to learn and please take your preaching very seriously and don't just Preach the Word of God but be able to Teach the Spiritual meaning BEHIND the Word----
There is the Logos Word ---then there is the Rhema Word ----which comes by way of the Holy Spirit who gives you the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----
Anyone who can read can read the Bible --but they will not get the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----The Rhema Word is the Spoken Word behind the written Word -----
Hebrews 4:12. ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. NIV For the word of God is alive and active.
Jesus is the Word and Jesus is alive and active today ------
preach truth from the word --not what you think ---Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your preaching
Good Luck with your Preaching
Flying on angel wings on Dec 8th
Natural Man ----Lives and thinks like this world and Satan is their god ----God's word is foolish to them
Carnal Man -----Born Again Christian ---Babe in Christ ---Holy Spirit is indwelled in this person ----but their minds still think like the world -----these Christians feed on the Milk of the Scripture ----their goal is to change their worldly thinking to God thinking ----they have to Mature in their Faith walk with Christ and become more reliant on the Holy Spirit through Prayer to help them change their worldly thinking and ways to God's way of thinking and ways ------
Most of us Christians will die in this Carnal state ---not one of us in my opinion will ever reach the the last man ---which is the Spiritual Man status in this physical world as we don't have the drive or stamina to achieve it ---we will always be in this Carnal state where we Miss the Mark and have to repent of our sin as our Flesh ----and Flesh here is a way of thinking it is not our skin that covers our bones ---Worldly desires will still have a hold on us to the end in my opinion
Some Bible verses that relate to fleshy thinking include:
- Galatians 5:16
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh"
- Galatians 5:17
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish"
- Romans 8:5
Those who walk by the flesh must focus on meeting their selfish wants and needs, while those who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
The last man is
the Spiritual Man -----the Mature Christian who totally relies on the Holy Spirits Direction in their Daily lives ----they live in God's ways and think like God thinks ------they are in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to direct them through each day ----
Romans 8:5 who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
"JesusIsSovereign,----there is so much to learn and please take your preaching very seriously and don't just Preach the Word of God but be able to Teach the Spiritual meaning BEHIND the Word----
There is the Logos Word ---then there is the Rhema Word ----which comes by way of the Holy Spirit who gives you the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----
Anyone who can read can read the Bible --but they will not get the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----The Rhema Word is the Spoken Word behind the written Word -----
Hebrews 4:12. ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. NIV For the word of God is alive and active.
Jesus is the Word and Jesus is alive and active today ------
preach truth from the word --not what you think ---Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your preaching
Good Luck with your Preaching
Flying on angel wings on Dec 8th
You need to understand that there are 3 types of man described in God's word ---1 Corinthians 2:14-16
Natural Man ----Lives and thinks like this world and Satan is their god ----God's word is foolish to them
Carnal Man -----Born Again Christian ---Babe in Christ ---Holy Spirit is indwelled in this person ----but their minds still think like the world -----these Christians feed on the Milk of the Scripture ----their goal is to change their worldly thinking to God thinking ----they have to Mature in their Faith walk with Christ and become more reliant on the Holy Spirit through Prayer to help them change their worldly thinking and ways to God's way of thinking and ways ------
Most of us Christians will die in this Carnal state ---not one of us in my opinion will ever reach the the last man ---which is the Spiritual Man status in this physical world as we don't have the drive or stamina to achieve it ---we will always be in this Carnal state where we Miss the Mark and have to repent of our sin as our Flesh ----and Flesh here is a way of thinking it is not our skin that covers our bones ---Worldly desires will still have a hold on us to the end in my opinion
Some Bible verses that relate to fleshy thinking include:
The last man is
the Spiritual Man -----the Mature Christian who totally relies on the Holy Spirits Direction in their Daily lives ----they live in God's ways and think like God thinks ------they are in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to direct them through each day ----
Romans 8:5 who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
"JesusIsSovereign,----there is so much to learn and please take your preaching very seriously and don't just Preach the Word of God but be able to Teach the Spiritual meaning BEHIND the Word----
There is the Logos Word ---then there is the Rhema Word ----which comes by way of the Holy Spirit who gives you the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----
Anyone who can read can read the Bible --but they will not get the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----The Rhema Word is the Spoken Word behind the written Word -----
Hebrews 4:12. ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. NIV For the word of God is alive and active.
Jesus is the Word and Jesus is alive and active today ------
preach truth from the word --not what you think ---Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your preaching
Good Luck with your Preaching
Flying on angel wings on Dec 8th
Natural Man ----Lives and thinks like this world and Satan is their god ----God's word is foolish to them
Carnal Man -----Born Again Christian ---Babe in Christ ---Holy Spirit is indwelled in this person ----but their minds still think like the world -----these Christians feed on the Milk of the Scripture ----their goal is to change their worldly thinking to God thinking ----they have to Mature in their Faith walk with Christ and become more reliant on the Holy Spirit through Prayer to help them change their worldly thinking and ways to God's way of thinking and ways ------
Most of us Christians will die in this Carnal state ---not one of us in my opinion will ever reach the the last man ---which is the Spiritual Man status in this physical world as we don't have the drive or stamina to achieve it ---we will always be in this Carnal state where we Miss the Mark and have to repent of our sin as our Flesh ----and Flesh here is a way of thinking it is not our skin that covers our bones ---Worldly desires will still have a hold on us to the end in my opinion
Some Bible verses that relate to fleshy thinking include:
- Galatians 5:16
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh"
- Galatians 5:17
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish"
- Romans 8:5
Those who walk by the flesh must focus on meeting their selfish wants and needs, while those who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
The last man is
the Spiritual Man -----the Mature Christian who totally relies on the Holy Spirits Direction in their Daily lives ----they live in God's ways and think like God thinks ------they are in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to direct them through each day ----
Romans 8:5 who live by the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit
"JesusIsSovereign,----there is so much to learn and please take your preaching very seriously and don't just Preach the Word of God but be able to Teach the Spiritual meaning BEHIND the Word----
There is the Logos Word ---then there is the Rhema Word ----which comes by way of the Holy Spirit who gives you the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----
Anyone who can read can read the Bible --but they will not get the Spiritual meaning behind the Logos Word -----The Rhema Word is the Spoken Word behind the written Word -----
Hebrews 4:12. ESV For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. NIV For the word of God is alive and active.
Jesus is the Word and Jesus is alive and active today ------
preach truth from the word --not what you think ---Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your preaching
Good Luck with your Preaching
Flying on angel wings on Dec 8th
-
1
- Show all
I have no idea what you are implying here with your statement ----it sound like what your saying here is that People just want God cause He gives good desires ---and that is not a good motive for wanting God --that is selfish and so you would be a False Christian not a True Christian and God would know your heart is not in the right place to Love Him which is the first command -----
The first Commandment is ---
“'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ' There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).
I say
True Christians Agape God with all their Heart ---soul and mind and because they Agape God they want to do what pleases God -----and live a life that is pleasing to God because of their Love for God not just because God gives good desires ----
God in return for our Agape and Obedience to His Will and Word gives His Children Blessings and with the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to accomplish what Good Desires He has for us -----
The first Commandment is ---
“'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength. ' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ' There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31).
I say
True Christians Agape God with all their Heart ---soul and mind and because they Agape God they want to do what pleases God -----and live a life that is pleasing to God because of their Love for God not just because God gives good desires ----
God in return for our Agape and Obedience to His Will and Word gives His Children Blessings and with the help of the Holy Spirit we are able to accomplish what Good Desires He has for us -----
Grace comes through Faith ---you have to have the right Faith to Please God --then by His Grace Salvation is made available to you ---- then we have free will to decide to accept His Salvation or refuse it ----God pulls on peoples hearts every day to come to Him but not all people accept that pull --
Grace makes available Salvation --Grace by itself cannot give you new desires --Fraith receives what Grace has made available ------without God's Faith you cannot access God's saving Grace ----
Ephesians 2:8-9
Common English Bible
8 You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith.[a] This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. 9 It’s not something you did that you can be proud of.
Grace makes available Salvation --Grace by itself cannot give you new desires --Fraith receives what Grace has made available ------without God's Faith you cannot access God's saving Grace ----
Ephesians 2:8-9
Common English Bible
8 You are saved by God’s grace because of your faith.[a] This salvation is God’s gift. It’s not something you possessed. 9 It’s not something you did that you can be proud of.
No --you have to Have Faith in God first -----then you have access to God's Grace----so you have it wrong
Faith comes First from hearing God's word -----then and only then can you have Access to God's free Graced gift of Salvation -----
Scripture tells you that ----It says Grace Comes THROUGH FAITH -----Grace only makes available Salvation to a person ---that does not Save you -----Faith in the Blood of Jesus saves you -----
Ephesians 2:8
GOD’S WORD Translation
8 God saved you through faith as an act of kindness
Faith comes First from hearing God's word -----then and only then can you have Access to God's free Graced gift of Salvation -----
Scripture tells you that ----It says Grace Comes THROUGH FAITH -----Grace only makes available Salvation to a person ---that does not Save you -----Faith in the Blood of Jesus saves you -----
Ephesians 2:8
GOD’S WORD Translation
8 God saved you through faith as an act of kindness
JesusIsSovereign
We say we Love God ---but do we really LOVE God -----you would do well to listen to this video cause this is not just a Sermon on Loving God but a Teaching on what loving God really is and means -----
The first 35 minutes of this video is on --what does it mean to love God ----this shows you that Preaching and Teaching go together ----don't just Preach a Sermon but Teach the Sermon ----
David Jeremiah is not just a Preacher of God's word --He is a Teacher of God's word ----that is what a true Minister should be -----in my view
We say we Love God ---but do we really LOVE God -----you would do well to listen to this video cause this is not just a Sermon on Loving God but a Teaching on what loving God really is and means -----
The first 35 minutes of this video is on --what does it mean to love God ----this shows you that Preaching and Teaching go together ----don't just Preach a Sermon but Teach the Sermon ----
David Jeremiah is not just a Preacher of God's word --He is a Teacher of God's word ----that is what a true Minister should be -----in my view
Oh, I thought it would have happened by now. I just want to say that I think your idea in the OP was good:
"After reading this, I kind of thought that maybe I could say something like, "have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt or thought that, 'if God, you had been with me, this bad thing wouldn't of happened?'. Actually, God is always with us, but He allows bad things for His glory and your good. (Earlier someone else preach on John 9, which was about the blind man being healed of his blindness) Remember the man born blind? Jesus said in verse 3, "neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that the works of God might be displayed in him.". So, the reason why bad things happen is not always the result of sin and is ultimately because God allowed it for His own glory. And Romans 8:28 tells us that it's for our own good as well."
I have thoughts related to this that I will share in this regard that should help answer that question.
An issue frequently cited as constituting stumbling-blocks to belief in the NT God for some people is reconciling God’s power and love with the fact of evil and its consequence. A person might think that God would not permit evil, suffering and hell to exist. People who are mystified by evil and repulsed by its punishment do not realize that the essential aspect of being a human rather than a robot or subhuman creature is moral free will (MFW), which is what enables a person to experience love and meaning. This is what makes humans different from animals, whose behavior is governed mainly by instinct. This is what it means to be created in God’s image (GN 1:26-27).
MFW only exists when there is the possibility of choosing between two qualitatively opposite moral options that we call good and evil. Thus, God created theoretical evil or the possibility of rejecting Him as an option that actualizes MFW/free human personality. As such it is necessary and even good (GN 1:31). Of course, it was wrong for Satan (1JN 3:8) and humanity (RM 5:12) to make evil actual by choosing to Sin or reject Faith in God’s Lordship. These options are opposites because of essentially different consequences for choosing them. Choosing good results in blessing, life and heaven; and choosing evil results in wrath or cursing, death and hell (DT 30:19).
This is why hell as well as heaven exists. It is the just consequence for choosing evil rather than God. Even the wrath of God is an expression of His love. Hebrews 12:4-11 offers the clue for harmonizing these two themes. This passage indicates that suffering divine wrath in this life is intended as discipline. Suffering earthly misery should teach people their need for God's salvation to heaven, and wrath resulting from sin should teach people to repent of their hatefulness or faithlessness (PR 3:12, IS 33:14-15 RV 3:19) before they die, after which divine wrath will be experienced justly without the opportunity for repentance.
God could not force people to return His love without abrogating their humanity; love must be evoked. If God were to zap ungodly souls, it would be tantamount to forcing conversions at gunpoint, which would not be free and genuine. If God were to prevent people from behaving hatefully, then He would need to prevent them from thinking evilly, which would make human souls programmed automatons. Therefore, for reasons we may understand only sufficiently rather than completely, God designed reality so that experiencing His presence is less than compelling, so that even Jesus (God the Son) on the cross cried out “My God [the Father], why have you forsaken [taken God the Spirit from] me?” (MT 27:46, PS 51:11) This phenomenon is sometimes called “distanciation”, because we experience God as distant from us and “unknown” (ACTS 17:23), even though He is close or immanent, “for in Him we live and move and have our being” (ACTS 17:28).
"After reading this, I kind of thought that maybe I could say something like, "have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt or thought that, 'if God, you had been with me, this bad thing wouldn't of happened?'. Actually, God is always with us, but He allows bad things for His glory and your good. (Earlier someone else preach on John 9, which was about the blind man being healed of his blindness) Remember the man born blind? Jesus said in verse 3, "neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that the works of God might be displayed in him.". So, the reason why bad things happen is not always the result of sin and is ultimately because God allowed it for His own glory. And Romans 8:28 tells us that it's for our own good as well."
I have thoughts related to this that I will share in this regard that should help answer that question.
An issue frequently cited as constituting stumbling-blocks to belief in the NT God for some people is reconciling God’s power and love with the fact of evil and its consequence. A person might think that God would not permit evil, suffering and hell to exist. People who are mystified by evil and repulsed by its punishment do not realize that the essential aspect of being a human rather than a robot or subhuman creature is moral free will (MFW), which is what enables a person to experience love and meaning. This is what makes humans different from animals, whose behavior is governed mainly by instinct. This is what it means to be created in God’s image (GN 1:26-27).
MFW only exists when there is the possibility of choosing between two qualitatively opposite moral options that we call good and evil. Thus, God created theoretical evil or the possibility of rejecting Him as an option that actualizes MFW/free human personality. As such it is necessary and even good (GN 1:31). Of course, it was wrong for Satan (1JN 3:8) and humanity (RM 5:12) to make evil actual by choosing to Sin or reject Faith in God’s Lordship. These options are opposites because of essentially different consequences for choosing them. Choosing good results in blessing, life and heaven; and choosing evil results in wrath or cursing, death and hell (DT 30:19).
This is why hell as well as heaven exists. It is the just consequence for choosing evil rather than God. Even the wrath of God is an expression of His love. Hebrews 12:4-11 offers the clue for harmonizing these two themes. This passage indicates that suffering divine wrath in this life is intended as discipline. Suffering earthly misery should teach people their need for God's salvation to heaven, and wrath resulting from sin should teach people to repent of their hatefulness or faithlessness (PR 3:12, IS 33:14-15 RV 3:19) before they die, after which divine wrath will be experienced justly without the opportunity for repentance.
God could not force people to return His love without abrogating their humanity; love must be evoked. If God were to zap ungodly souls, it would be tantamount to forcing conversions at gunpoint, which would not be free and genuine. If God were to prevent people from behaving hatefully, then He would need to prevent them from thinking evilly, which would make human souls programmed automatons. Therefore, for reasons we may understand only sufficiently rather than completely, God designed reality so that experiencing His presence is less than compelling, so that even Jesus (God the Son) on the cross cried out “My God [the Father], why have you forsaken [taken God the Spirit from] me?” (MT 27:46, PS 51:11) This phenomenon is sometimes called “distanciation”, because we experience God as distant from us and “unknown” (ACTS 17:23), even though He is close or immanent, “for in Him we live and move and have our being” (ACTS 17:28).
You are so right here ---and Jesus makes that very plain ---
The person had to be drawn by God ---so what do that means -----how does God draw the willing person to accept that Drawing ---
Jesus said this --John 6:44
AMPC
No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.
So God knows the heart of the person and who will accept His attraction or Drawing and who is willing to take hold of What Jesus has made available to them -----but first they need the right Faith so they have to go to a Church or get a Bible and read the Scriptures which inbirths the right Faith in the person to Receive what Grace has made available to them -----We were Given free will by God to either accept or refuse His drawing ----Many are drawn daily by God but only a few may choose to accept the Draw
Once the draw is accepted ----Faith has to be inbirthed by hearing the word ------
Here is an example --
If you buy a gift for your best friend and you say to your friend -- -I just wanted to buy you a gift --your kindness and love for your friend is radiating here ----your friend did nothing to deserve the gift -and you take the free gift and set it on a table and say ---I will put your gift here for you ------so say Salvation is the free gift ---your kindness --your unmerited favor -Grace ----has made the gift available to your friend ------
But here is the thing -----If the Friend does not move to pick up the gift and receive it and bring it to himself and open it then the gift remains unclaimed ---as the friend knows the gift is there but he has not receive it or claimed it unto himself yet-----
Grace provides ---Faith receives what Grace provided -----Faith always requires a positive response ----and God's Faith will move the person to receive what is available ----
Greek word for Faith -----
Strong's Lexicon ------Read all there is much here on faith
pistis: Faith, belief, trust, confidence, fidelity
https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers
I say -----Notice here ---the word Yielded ---not all people yield to God's Drawing for His Faith
In Scripture, faith is God's warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed will come to pass (His way).
"Faith is the divine response, wrought in man, by God"
I say ---Faith requires us to respond to what is revealed and available to us ----
NOTICE :---Very Important to get this ====
Any gift however, once received, becomes the "possession" of the recipient. Faith however is always from God and is purely His work (2 Thes 1:11).
Summary
Belief and faith are not exactly equivalent terms. When Jesus told people, "Your faith has made you well," faith was still His gift (Eph 2:8,9).
Any gift however, once received, becomes the "possession" of the recipient. Faith however is always from God and is purely His work (2 Thes 1:11).
Faith is a power that seizes upon the soul, one who yields himself to it
Note -----------Faith Receives your Graced gift of Salvation unto yourself --you take possession of it ------you have to RECEIVE and take Possession of the Gift for it to be yours -----
God's Grace Provided only ---Faith Receives what God has made available -------
The person had to be drawn by God ---so what do that means -----how does God draw the willing person to accept that Drawing ---
Jesus said this --John 6:44
AMPC
No one is able to come to Me unless the Father Who sent Me attracts and draws him and gives him the desire to come to Me, and [then] I will raise him up [from the dead] at the last day.
So God knows the heart of the person and who will accept His attraction or Drawing and who is willing to take hold of What Jesus has made available to them -----but first they need the right Faith so they have to go to a Church or get a Bible and read the Scriptures which inbirths the right Faith in the person to Receive what Grace has made available to them -----We were Given free will by God to either accept or refuse His drawing ----Many are drawn daily by God but only a few may choose to accept the Draw
Once the draw is accepted ----Faith has to be inbirthed by hearing the word ------
Here is an example --
If you buy a gift for your best friend and you say to your friend -- -I just wanted to buy you a gift --your kindness and love for your friend is radiating here ----your friend did nothing to deserve the gift -and you take the free gift and set it on a table and say ---I will put your gift here for you ------so say Salvation is the free gift ---your kindness --your unmerited favor -Grace ----has made the gift available to your friend ------
But here is the thing -----If the Friend does not move to pick up the gift and receive it and bring it to himself and open it then the gift remains unclaimed ---as the friend knows the gift is there but he has not receive it or claimed it unto himself yet-----
Grace provides ---Faith receives what Grace provided -----Faith always requires a positive response ----and God's Faith will move the person to receive what is available ----
Greek word for Faith -----
Strong's Lexicon ------Read all there is much here on faith
pistis: Faith, belief, trust, confidence, fidelity
https://biblehub.com/greek/4102.htm
The Lord continuously births faith in the yielded believer so they can know what He prefers
I say -----Notice here ---the word Yielded ---not all people yield to God's Drawing for His Faith
In Scripture, faith is God's warranty, certifying that the revelation He inbirthed will come to pass (His way).
- Faith is God's work; faith is never the work of people. We cannot produce faith ourselves, nor can we "drum it up at will." Rather, faith comes as Christ speaks His rhçma-word within (see Ro 10:17, Gk text).
"Faith is the divine response, wrought in man, by God"
I say ---Faith requires us to respond to what is revealed and available to us ----
NOTICE :---Very Important to get this ====
Any gift however, once received, becomes the "possession" of the recipient. Faith however is always from God and is purely His work (2 Thes 1:11).
Summary
Belief and faith are not exactly equivalent terms. When Jesus told people, "Your faith has made you well," faith was still His gift (Eph 2:8,9).
Any gift however, once received, becomes the "possession" of the recipient. Faith however is always from God and is purely His work (2 Thes 1:11).
Faith is a power that seizes upon the soul, one who yields himself to it
Note -----------Faith Receives your Graced gift of Salvation unto yourself --you take possession of it ------you have to RECEIVE and take Possession of the Gift for it to be yours -----
God's Grace Provided only ---Faith Receives what God has made available -------