I like this!
Oswald is pretty on point with things like this. I have often had these things on my mind since after I have had crisis in my Christian life and been brought to understand these things to a degree. I believe these to be so essential and foundational. They are often the most important thing the hardest. The most important in that the personalities is the foundation from which all other things come for out of the heart come the issues of life. It is hard in that it is so rooted in us for how are we who are self deceived to understand ourselves? It must be the work of God, the light of scripture, the illumination of the Spirit, and the graces of Jesus. I often see these things in myself and others and if this were lifted up as important before other things like ministerial zeal and technical theological understanding then the Church would be less ensnared by the devil, the flesh, and the world, and would not devour one another and in that themselves.
At first I thought this was just a short article. Once I saw a second post I wonder if it is a book because I would be interested to read it.
I saw the title but when I read this passage to back it up it made impact. For unto us are the parables given it is a rare thing that can only be given in the place of intimacy and secret.
I have many things to tell you but you cannot bear them now.
The fact that it is surprisingly slow even years or 40 like Moses shows that it is a deep and hard and real work as opposed to shallow and superficial and this is because of the great evil that is in us.
I do wonder and pray though very often that it could be sped up. I know that it is in God's timing and in His perfect wisdom but still I ask for an increase of power crisis encounters especially in light of the need. A word from Toxer comes to mind though I cant remember it perfectly. He said something to the likes of a man take a long time and learn very slowly by having to be rebuked repeatedly or he can look at his error and deal with it and it would save him years. So I see this but I still see the matter of the providence of God. As I grow over time I am in some sense freed from some Arminianistic notions that God needs help and we must do something but the more I walk with God I see how He is working mightily even presently yet it is often hidden as David was hidden out with his sheep.
Humanistic ministerial zeal will not accomplish or avail to much. Also the human personality is a very complex thing and that is multiplied when there are numerous inward deceptions. Human psychological analysis cannot plunge these depths because the heart of man is deep only God who catches the crafty can unveil and expose such darkness.
This is often the word of the hour. We need grace though to confront our weak frame. It is hard to take ones self on since ones self is equal to itself therefore the grace of God is needed. This is also why we need to exhort one another daily and share the treasure in these earthen vessels with each other.
This is one of the most major words in this post! The LAST conceit to go. We think we know we even think we know that we dont know when we dont know. I often do not have a desire for growth until I receive revelation of my need and awful diseased cancerous sickness. The Christian I believe needs to see the Law continually. It is not just for them to come to salvation but also for them to work out that salvation. And I dont just mean read the 10 commandments and the book of Leviticus I mean get a revelation of God for the Law is only words describing the holiness of God get that which the Law speaks of. I believe often the presence of God is not revelatory released because it is not enough desired as a high rare precious thing that is loftily to be sought after even that one would pour out all their lifes saving and break it over the Lord like fragrant oil. This testimony of Mary is this not something very telling for Jesus said that wherever the gospel is preached there will this story be told.
I have seen it.
I have found that it is often those things we thought we could never do that become the very things that we do because we thought we would never do them in a sense of self righteousness.
Do even half of the seminary college types understand this?
