Whether Christian belief is primarily by emotions and feelings are the topic, today, along with more on family as a divine tool. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Daniel” (Level 5 with 5,666 points, a member since January 20, 2013) posted the following:
True or False: The only reason Christians accept Jesus’ story is because it appeals to them emotionally?
THE BATTLE AXE: A Family Affair? (04/01/2013)—(8.) The immutable and unchanging aspects of marriage and family derive from operations of the Spirit of GOD that establish spiritual union for couples with one another, and for a sacred bond to GOD. Marriage and family thus pertain to the inner spirit of mankind; and are not merely carnal, material, sexual and social. (9.) As a divine tool, family provides continuity in relationship to the Holy whereby the eternal word of GOD is accomplished despite the temporal existence of individual persons. Thus, birthright, dynasty and inheritance effect proclamation, promise, prophecy and a broad array of sacred purposes. Included are admonition, adoption, confession, judgment, and revelation. (10.) While the human institution of family may be defended, disciplined, encouraged, given instruction and nourished by the divine institution, the church, human family is ineffective as an instrument of GOD because of diversity, secular emphasis, emotionalism, lack of unity, partiality, pride, and spiritual confusion. Answers for family are greater than answers from family. (11.) In a Christian home, the husband is accountable as head of the household, and along with his spouse is the agent and spokesperson of GOD to their children. The children are respected as both a gift from GOD, and an offering to please and serve GOD (See Deuteronomy 6: 4-9, Psalms 127: 1-5, Proverbs 17: 6 and Matthew 19: 14, King James Version).
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter. (2nd Corinthians 7: 8-11, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: How To Love GOD? (03/24/2013); A Second Adam? (03/25/2013); Wanting To Have Our Way (03/09/2013); Not Even Sorry? (03/10/2013); What to Take Literally (03/11/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Our Need For a Son (03/04/2013); Love in Christ (10/23/2012); Unexceptional Beginnings (11/22/2012); Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); Escape from Racism (10/24/2012)
Daniel, there are many things that must be carefully understood, here, from a godly point of view. Don’t hesitate to go to GOD in prayer, and ask for assistance as you consider the following:
(1.) Shared feelings and experiences of emotion are a legitimate dimension of fellowship with GOD. Joy, sorrow and wrath against sin bind Christian believers to one another, the holy angels, and all the persons within the GODhead (Father, Son and Holy Ghost).
(2.) Moses was drawn to the burning bush by curiosity, not by ambition to become a spiritual leader, desire to become a prophet, hunger for a spiritual experience, or motivation to have an encounter with GOD (Genesis 3: 1-5, KJVJ). Like appetite (hunger, thirst, craving for sexual contact), sensation (e.g., hearing, tasting, touching), and mental function (e.g., imagination, thought, and memory), the human aspect of feelings can serve as a “starting point” for ones journey of discovery for the things from GOD. However, because feeling is temporal (i.e., endures only for a limited period), feelings cannot be the foundation for identity as a child of GOD. Anger—that resulted in Moses” not being allowed to set foot upon the Promised Land—bitterness, doubt and fear are also very powerful as feelings, and are poor platforms for experience of Christ.
(3.) Feeling is transformed through operations of the Holy Spirit such that their meaning and value appear as if generated from outside of a believer. Thus, a believers “hope” is a matter of what he is commanded to expect (e.g., the coming of Jesus), rather than what he desires (I hope for a car, a house, a better job, a wife, etc.) Many having a “root of bitterness” and anger against GOD, appear calm, quiet, or studious on the surface. Yet, their spirit substance is in turmoil. (See Hebrews 12: 14-16, KJV.)
(4.) While baptism demonstrates the truth that believers die and are re-born from divine DNA, so to speak, many endure “growing pains” and spiritual confusion, because there are so many “unchanged” features in their new life. Those who were right-handed, remain right-handed; those who were left-handed, continue as left-handed. Believers continue with carnal, material and social challenges. The new nature from GOD is to be realized as spiritual awareness, divine content (e.g., faith, holiness, humility, longsuffering, wisdom), and sacred purpose.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (5.) Spiritual maturity and perfection does not come “overnight.” The process of GOD for mankind in the earth requires a full realization of mortality (i.e., death and resurrection) before the bestowal of incorruptibility and immortality.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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