Last night in our community group we discussed the Sermon on the Mount. The portion was retaliation and sharing/giving to those in need. Some felt we should always give to those who need without much thought; I felt we've been given logic and reasoning that should work with the Spirit's desire for our giving.
Further along in the conversation became an area of interest (not that the entire talk wasn't, but this was more so) that has kept me thinking all night; it has even bothered me to some extent. In the area of giving, what are we giving anyway? Something that's not ours, is the likeliest answer. God provides...He gives to us what we have. By no works of our own do we own our belongings. I don't pay for things with money only I've made; I've made it through the blessings of God. May I spend my money the way I want? Sure, but will I continually be blessed with it if I abuse it? Probably not. This facet to the conversation I am okay with. It's when the word "deserve" gets used and its applications.
Do I deserve a loving and submissive wife? I'd like to think so, but why? Where is it said that I do deserve happiness on that scale? So this is my dilemma. The majority stated that we as human beings only deserve death. I understand this in terms of those outside of Christ's grace. But what about Christians who are God's people...do we not deserve love and affection from those who proclaim such love towards us? Even when we're wrapped in God's forgiving arms, do we not then deserve wives who don't commit adultery or for Christian friends not to gossip about them? The countless ways I think we deserve happiness have now been thrown to the jury of my peers, so let me know what you think.
Music
Friday, August 1, 2008
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3 comments:
I don't think we deserve jack. But I'm Presbyterian. We're given Grace and should give Grace. Grace, Grace, Grace. Even when we hate it.
I don't think you deserve a submissive wive. I think you will have a submissive wife when you show her grace. And kindness. Not that you don't already. I'm just saying.
"Deserve" is the key word. As one who has been found guilty, but had someone else who stepped in to take my punishment...do I "deserve" good things? No.
But, as someone who has been set free based on the sacrifice of my Saviour, am I free to enjoy good things? Yes, but I am not promised I will receive them. "In the world you will have trouble, but be courageous-I have overcome the world!"
One of the reasons you may have a different view of this than the others in your group is the "world view" you grew up with. I grew up in a Brethren in Christ church, which is a sister church of the Mennonites. The people there are very plain and humble, so this kind of teaching is very natural for them. The other extreme would be a "Name it and Claim it" denomination, which would teach that we all are missing out on God's plan for us if we don't claim good things God has for us - and plant a seed of faith ($$$), of course. Could there be a pre-supposition connection there? It may be worth examining.
Don't worry if your ideas are different than the group. As long as the group is sincerely seeking truth, either God will use the group to teach you the truth (strengthening their own beliefs at the same time) or he will use you to challenge any ideas that they may have erringly assimilated as truth. You win either way!
Someone would have to get pretty creative with the Bible to show that you deserve this or that on your own account. I think that the Bible is pretty straight about humanity being entirely an undeserving race.
However, I would say that there are countless commands that require both you to do good to others and for others to do good to you.
BUT, that is not because anyone has earned that right. Its entirely on Christ's account. So in the case of Carri, yes, it is right for her to submit to you - but its not because you are such a swell guy and she owes it to YOU. She "owes" (not in the legalistic sense) it to CHRIST to submit to you.
You just are the recipient of the good that Christ "earned" on your behalf. Just because Christ has commanded your wife to submit to you doesn't make you any more deserving of it.
Later
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