You responded: Sounds like a mighty petulant spirit. That doesn't sound like a comforter, but a high-school cheerleader. Somewhat flighty, and almost girlish.
Would you prefer that "love" is forced upon you??? God desires a loving relationship with us. What sort of "groom" do you take God to be? Sounds like your idea is the "shotgun" wedding.
And smiles will be issued to all present!
Sorry, our ideas of God are quite different.
You wrote: So we decide when the Spirit of God is active in us? Where's the Scripture for that?
We don't decide without God's graces when He will be active. However, any time it says that God is our helper, or that we can grieve the Holy Spirit, or that God is passionate for man, or God is Love are good indications that there is some sort of relationship between God and man. A cooperative one. I'm sure there are other instances where God's effect in us is noted because of man's response. However, it is clear to me that man CAN obey God's commandments as a result of man's response to God's graces.
If God has determined that we are among His children, then I would assume the Spirit works even harder in us when we are weak and faced with temptations. That's what He promised.
Of course God would "work harder". But it doesn't follow that man becomes a puppet once he declares himself as a child of God. The fact that men HAVE left God's family is indication that God allows us the final choice. You would have God responsible for man falling away, otherwise.
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." -- 1 Corinthians 10:13
What does the verse before that one say???
Regards
Yep. Because left to my own devices, I would be just like Saul, a very sad creature.
Thank God, His will prevails. (And I bet Paul would agree with me.)
What does the verse before that one say???
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." -- 1 Corinthians 10:12
Great verse. Anyone who presumes they stand by their own will is headed for a fall. When we stand by the will and strength of God, we have His promise we will not fall.
But there are even more interesting passages that follow those...
I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils." -- 1 Corinthians 10:14-21 "Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
We partake in the "communion" of His sacrifice, and are careful not to make an idol out of our own vain imaginings. We are to "flee" from that error.