Comments | christianity: Hear and Listen

catholic_heart in christianity

Hear and Listen

Feb 19, 2008 09:07

Today's readings are from Is 1:10,16-20, Ps 50:6-9,16bc-17,21,23, Matt 23:1-12Today's reading from the first chapter of the Prophet Isaiah begins by exhorting us to "Hear the word of the LORD," and to, "Listen to the instruction of our God." Hear and listen. It is important to recognize that these are two different functions. It is first by ( Read more... )

sermons, obedience

Comments 36

pastorlenny February 19 2008, 15:22:43 UTC

What do you think the "good things of the land" are that the Father promises us we will "eat?"

amergina February 19 2008, 20:46:54 UTC

Mac 'n Cheese with ketchup. It's manna from heaven.

pastorlenny February 19 2008, 20:50:39 UTC

catholic_heart February 19 2008, 20:59:19 UTC

Well, the manna in the desert most likely actually tasted pretty gross. So I'd agree with you here :P

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nobleprolet February 19 2008, 16:44:35 UTC

To be willing means to turn our hearts over to God, each day, every minute of every day, to pray without ceasing by constantly giving our will to God.

I doubt this is possible every day. We christians certainly have our days when we are fully inclined to God's will, but speaking about every day I think we depend much on God's lenience.

I would say that to be truly willing has to do with having faith, for when you have faith, sin is put aside, and when there is no sin, the will of God is accomplished. So no, there does not have to be a constant submission, but rather a living in faith, which when there also is hope and love, will be the submission that is required.

pastorlenny February 19 2008, 17:19:39 UTC

when there is no sin, the will of God is accomplished

I'm not sure on what basis one woul dmake this claim. We all sin, and we are all nonetheless capable of playing a part in the fulfillment of God's will. Judas, Nebuchadnezzar, and Jospeh's brothers are all examples of God's will being played out through the very acts of sinfulness themselves. So I'm not sure what connection you're asserting -- or, indeed, what burden you are putting yourself under.

You may be thinking more about the "rewnewing of your mind" -- which may be related to sin (as the term is generally understood) -- but which has more to do with a different way of seeing and being based on Christ-centricity, resistance to carnal delusion, sureness that the redemptive work will be complete, and selfless devotion to the Kingdom enterprise.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. -Romans 12:2 ( ... )

nobleprolet February 19 2008, 17:31:21 UTC

I think of fulfilling God's will in terms of completeness. I'm sure that I sometimes fulfill God's will, when I abstain from a sin or manage a good work. But I think I'm never completely fulfilling His will. But when I have faith, and then do spiritual exercises like giving thanks, prayer and worship, my life becomes sanctified. Which I think is God's will for me ( ... )

catholic_heart February 19 2008, 21:07:44 UTC

Well, faith affects the will, but it is not actually an effect of the will. Faith is what gives us access to knowledge of God, but it is only through the will that we love God. We must first know God, at least to some degree, before we can love God, since the will can never move towards a thing which it does not know, at least in part. So to have a will totally united to God is to love God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself. Remember, we are called to die to self completely, and therefore we are called to a constant submission to God's will. You refer to God's lenience; more accurately we would refer to God's grace, which is His liberally given assistance which allows us to submit ourselves completely to His will. This perfect submission is indeed possible, though only through God's grace ( ... )

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