correction to a recent post
A couple nights ago, I posted this:
“Christendom in 2008 is overwhelmingly self-centric. It is common to think that God favors us more if we read the Bible everyday, or if we say our 19.2 minutes of prayer immediately before bed every night. The truth though, is that our actions have no impact on God’s actions toward us and our love has no impact on God’s love toward us. ”
Today, I was gently exhorted that my words were not exactly correct. In my mind, I was painting God as a safe resting place. I was depicting him as a person who is there to turn to, no matter how far you may have gone away. But in my haste, I used some words that are just plain wrong. Let’s look at a couple verses discussing God’s favor.
Psalm 5:12
For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.Psalm 84:11
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Clearly, “favor” is something that God gives to people who do in fact serve him with their actions. My intent was really to say that God does not LOVE us any more or less. Love would be a better word than favor.
Secondly, I said that God’s actions to us do not change based on our actions toward him. Again, my heart was really just saying that nothing we can do will separate us from God’s love. While we cannot lose his Love…we certainly can lose his “favor” or his “blessings”.
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That’s good Darren – really good.
Thanks for the further explanation. I love to wake up to hearing what you have to say about God’s word. How about another of Misty’s index cards though. The first one was such a blessing.
I pray that God wraps you and Olivia in His love this Thanksgiving season and you receive His favor and blessings.
Hm. That’s interesting…and true. “Favor” and “love” are not synonymous. Still, there is an incredible comfort in knowing His love isn’t going anywhere, but that should ignitite a desire to serve and, therefore, receive favor of a God so loving…and powerful.
Happy Thanksgiving to you, Olivia, and the rest of the family.
Hey…good post. I’m thinking about you guys this Thanksgiving. Hope you have a great holiday with your daughter and make some good memories.
Side note…after reading your photography posts I’m inspired to get a new camera and really start trying to get some good shots of my boys. I’ll stay tuned for more tips! Thanks!
Kristin
Thanks for sharing the update… I think that your original post made the point that was in your heart, but it’s good to remember that God expects and deserves obedience from us. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Olivia.
Thanks once again for blessing us with what God puts on your heart. May you, Olivia and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
How can we be blameless though. The book of Romans says, no one is righteous, not even one. We are open pits, we are vipers. I agree with your first statements. It is the grace of God that makes us blameless, not our actions. We are blameless because God paid for the sin, not because of our actions. Not that our actions do not matter, it is really ignorant to think that. But God’s love and favor are not based on what we do, because there is no one who does enough to earn that. However, the bible does speak of those who live in rebellion, and He says their prayers are not heard too, so there is a line to be drawn. The challenge is to stay as far away from that line as you possibly can.
Zombie is going down a road I think I have heard debated for years….once saved, always saved, compared to…you can lose your salvation. Interesting line of discussion.
Darren…sending up prayers for you and Olivia this Thanksgiving and your extended family. I know learning from families who have lost loved ones that the year of “firsts” is HARD!!
I pray you feel peaceful and continue to bless people with your blogworld :)
Hey bro I’m happy to see that God and His Holy Spirit came back to correct you just a little .. because to be honest with you the other day I almost went Billy Graham on you and for some reason God put it in my heart not to say a word and today I see why .. it is better when it comes directly from Him .. but yes our actions have a lot to do with God’s favor in our life’s .. God bless you, Olivia and the rest of your family over the holiday weekend .. Tbone out
hmmmm…how does Job fit into this theological discussion, I wonder? I think so many of your points are right on, Darren. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts…this blog blesses me!
Hey Darren-
Was talking about you the other day… we were talking about all the people we know who have been casted as Jesus… thought of you :-)
- Kristin