Sabbath, June 16th, 2007 at 5:10 PM EST USA
As a Christian I accept our LORD's Sovereignty over my life. This means something completely foreign to this New York City boy raised on free will, self-reliance and freedom of thought word and deed (legal that is). It runs counter to my very upbringing and developed habits. How can I possible make the adjustment from free and independent spirit to obedient servant to God? - one word - I can't!
That's right - I can't. It is utterly and completely impossible. I can no more achieve this goal than I can save my self (i.e. pay for my sins). All I can do (if that) is wait. While I am waiting I do things to keep busy. I work, study, play games, etc. all in the hopes that God is doing a good work in me. That good work is to turn me into a mature Christian.
And so I move on, sinning, and then hoping, that God will convict me and I will be more and more obedient to Him until it is time for my judgment. And of course I hope that I am saved. The following verse substantiate the above comments:
| the only thing that counts is obedience to God |
| God is the Potter, we are the clay |
| with God all things are possible |
| (there are more, I will have to find them) |
Sunday, 6/17/07 @ 10:36 AM EST USA
We live on God's blessings. Indeed how true is this! All creatures live on God's blessings - they (we) provide nothing for ourselves. Both believer and non-believer live on God's blessings. But the difference is that the elect (those believers who are born of His Spirit) will not face the second death. Rather they will live on, in peace, with Him, for eternity. They will literally live on His blessings.
May God richly bless you to know His Word (Jesus Christ) so that you too will have hope in Salvation, in Jesus' name, amen.