In a world where evil is rampant, why would it be said that God rules??? God’s physical and spiritual economy screams revelation through contrast …through opposites. Each created reality reveals its own extreme….such as day/night, light/dark, cold/hot, male/female, up/down, good/evil, old/young, dead/alive, faith/fear, soft/hard…and so forth. We can’t know one without the other. ..since each reveals its own extreme by way of contrast…through seeing one against the other. I challenge you to find a single reality that has no opposite…other than God. As God’s physical economy reveals itself through opposites…so does His spiritual economy. Once we understand that the evil in the world is revealing the purity of God…we are more tolerant of its presence.
In the following verse, God uses opposites to show opposing characteristics when He declares that false doctrine proves/reveals/makes known True doctrine. “For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 1 Cor 11:19
Again, in the following verse, God uses opposites to show opposing characteristics by contrast when He declares that affliction exists and is permitted to prove or show God’s power to heal. ‘John 9:2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, norparents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. his And, again, one more verse among many…reveals God’s spiritual economy in the area of bondage/deliverance. ‘Romans 9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.’
Romans 11:22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Nice post! There is some good theological depth in what you say. Note the Book of Job! 🙂
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Amen, Irishanglican. Job’s story is a perfect reminder of destruction/restoration, disapproval (from man)/approval (from God), desolation (in affiction)/delight in wholeness. Wow! Job knew the value of each.
Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn
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Articulate and wise. Thank you 🙂 And it’s great to be back online again.
God bless,
Mary
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Described as ‘articulate’ by you means a lot. Thanks, Mary. Nice to have you back online. Enjoy hearing from you. Visited your site couple of times recently but never found the place for comment.
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Thanks for this. A great perspective to be reminded of. I especially liked, “Once we understand that the evil in the world is revealing the purity of God…we are more tolerant of its presence. ”
Blessings!
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Thanks for visiting. CH. And, I too like knowing that the more Satan reveals himself…the more he proves God. Awesome!
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Thanks for responding to my podcast. I posted up Part Two on the rebuke about the role of the Holy Spirit, which was in part inspired by what you wrote.
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Thanks for visiting, June. I listened to Part Two of Righteous Rebuke. Amen to all of it. When God is present by way of the Holy Spirit, the intent is Pure….the catalyst is Love..the hearer responds. If the hearer is open to receive from God…he will be helped. If the hearer is against God…he will submit to the authority of the Holy Spirit. Love never fails.
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I posted part three!
http://thewayeverlasting.com/2011/04/14/how-to-righteously-rebuke-part-three/
These are just some personal testimonies of how rebuking went down. I’ll probably do a couple more parts.
Please update your blog soon! =)
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Would that the Church had more “Phebe’s” (Rom. 16:1-2) like you Carolyn!
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Words cannot express the depths of humility I feel over your comparing me to Phebe. Oh that I can be like those early ones who were outcasts in their own society for the sake of Christ!
Sincerely,
Carolyn
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Carolyn,
You are a profound soul in my eyes, and woman of faith and great gift! God Bless you, just keep writing and staying close to God for all of us! 🙂
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I am encouraged! More than anything, in these days of trouble…we should encourage one another. Thank you for your kind and much appreciated words.
Carolyn
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🙂
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Interesting insights–I will think on this for a while. God bless you and your ministry!
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Thanks for visiting, JD. Your Bible Poetry is beautiful and heartfelt Truth. I’ve been posting them at my fb site.
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