1co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Is living in a big house while others live on the streets…a sin? Is eating more than needed and storing it as fat…when many are hungry..a sin? Is the constant purchasing of changes of apparel..when many are without basic comforts…a sin? Is spending time reading books of interest and watching ones favorite television programs…when many are living and dying without God…a sin?
Oh my. I do believe the answer to all the above is..YES! For some time now…God has been challenging my everyday ‘Christian’ lifestyle. And I do not like the behaviors I practice. Though in America, we refer to abundance and excess as ‘blessing.’….I am not at all sure God sees it that way. The picture above is a good representation of everyday behaviors of so many of God’s ‘children.’ We seek our own. We look out for #1. We hoard for the future. And so many other behaviors which SCREAM…..’Self First!’
I desire God’s forgiveness for my sins of pride. I, also, desire His forgiveness for my sins of omission against those with both spiritual and physical needs.
Ya know, I am a quadriplegic from birth with less than 7% use of my right arm & 10% use of my left & I can’t walk–but I am so blessed by our Lord. He’s enabled me to type w/a mouthstick held between my teeth, He has empowered me to earn a masters & PhD, & He’s given me a form of mobility–a motorized wheelchair. I am so blessed! I feel so rich!! And there are so many people I wish to encourage–don’t give up, that is my message. Trust God. When I remain silent I deprive others of spiritual richness God has blessed me with.
I thank you for the opportunity to read your post–and I thank you for allowing me the priviledge to share from my riches.
Oh..Mary…the priviledge is all mine …I assure you..concerning the sharing of your riches. God has given you a gift. The gift is your bright countenance amidst physical afliction. I saw your sweet little body in that chair….and my heart lifted. I read the ‘about’ and learned of your spirit of accomplishment…and my heart lifted. And you are so right…motorized wheelchairs are a ‘blessing.’
Your ‘don’t give up’ message is edifying. I needed to hear it. God tells us to say only those things which ‘edify’ …for a very good reason…..as encouragement to one another…the brethren.
Carolyn
Appreciate this post. God’s wisdom is incredibly different than my human wisdom.
The Bible is clear — our calling is extreme: present our bodies a living sacrifice! lose our lives for Him!
Yet this is “reasonable.” (Rom. 12.) Yes, it is most certainly reasonable — I can see this if I have half a clue what my Lord has done for us!
Furthermore, the present sufferings are not even “worthy of comparing” to the coming glory.
We rejoice and are comforted in God even in our suffering.
All praise to God Almighty!
In Christ,
Paul