I’ve been thinking lately about some erroneous things I did. Well, it was yesterday, actually. :)
Anyhow, yesterday I wanted to be humanitarian, and I’m known for being very kind in that respect, but any attempts to be helpful backfired for me. Later, my friend told me that my intention was honorable, but it annoyed him very much and his other friends, as I intruded upon their dorm room with two other people! I did not foresee that that would serve as an annoyance, but my friend told me that I should have thought about it more, etc.
My point is that we may have the best intentions to do something, but it may backfire, hindering another person from their freedoms (i.e. not wanting to be intruded upon). This, in a way, is relative to how people respond to certain situations. However, I think that trusting in what God wants you to do is not only honorable, but it is the exact course of action you should have taken. So, I do think there are moral absolutes in terms of the faith, but in the way that the individual responds is entirely up to them.
In the Bible, it is a requirement to praise God, however we have the choice to not praise God as well. There is nothing does not praise God, for the Great Book says, “…the rocks will cry out in their place.” We are fallible, which is why we need grace. How fortunate that we can talk to God personally!
It sounds as though the topic of Determinism vs. Libertarianism is at play. I’m arguing for Compatibilism, which incorporates both notions.
God chose to test Job without reason, but Job continued to praise God. Want to know what the meaning of life is? That is to praise God in everything. In terms of the courses of action we should take depends on the individual, as I said before. Sometimes, there will be issues that are obviously in need of ratification. The question is “Is it your moral obligation to be involved?” What a wonderful thing that God lets us shape our own destinies as well as our pursuits (i.e. teaching/majoring in music, being an electrical engineer, being a friend to someone)
Whatever we do can glorify God. It’s all in the mindset. Do you glorify God in all things? Do you thank Him everyday? In terms of knowing God’s will, going beyond the thrusts of the self, is another story. However, I will say this. It takes a lot of prayer and examination. Perhaps there is someone more educated in the field of theology that can explore the will of God. I’m sure there are books!
Also, we are becoming more educated, so the Word is revealed to us more so. There are so many commentaries and sources out there nowadays! However, be wary of some of the sources.
Estherminator
Dec 07 2002
06:45 am
I’ve been thinking lately about some erroneous things I did. Well, it was yesterday, actually. :)
Anyhow, yesterday I wanted to be humanitarian, and I’m known for being very kind in that respect, but any attempts to be helpful backfired for me. Later, my friend told me that my intention was honorable, but it annoyed him very much and his other friends, as I intruded upon their dorm room with two other people! I did not foresee that that would serve as an annoyance, but my friend told me that I should have thought about it more, etc.
My point is that we may have the best intentions to do something, but it may backfire, hindering another person from their freedoms (i.e. not wanting to be intruded upon). This, in a way, is relative to how people respond to certain situations. However, I think that trusting in what God wants you to do is not only honorable, but it is the exact course of action you should have taken. So, I do think there are moral absolutes in terms of the faith, but in the way that the individual responds is entirely up to them.
In the Bible, it is a requirement to praise God, however we have the choice to not praise God as well. There is nothing does not praise God, for the Great Book says, “…the rocks will cry out in their place.” We are fallible, which is why we need grace. How fortunate that we can talk to God personally!
It sounds as though the topic of Determinism vs. Libertarianism is at play. I’m arguing for Compatibilism, which incorporates both notions.
God chose to test Job without reason, but Job continued to praise God. Want to know what the meaning of life is? That is to praise God in everything. In terms of the courses of action we should take depends on the individual, as I said before. Sometimes, there will be issues that are obviously in need of ratification. The question is “Is it your moral obligation to be involved?” What a wonderful thing that God lets us shape our own destinies as well as our pursuits (i.e. teaching/majoring in music, being an electrical engineer, being a friend to someone)
Whatever we do can glorify God. It’s all in the mindset. Do you glorify God in all things? Do you thank Him everyday? In terms of knowing God’s will, going beyond the thrusts of the self, is another story. However, I will say this. It takes a lot of prayer and examination. Perhaps there is someone more educated in the field of theology that can explore the will of God. I’m sure there are books!
Also, we are becoming more educated, so the Word is revealed to us more so. There are so many commentaries and sources out there nowadays! However, be wary of some of the sources.