Yep. We live in a mystery the quality of which is that it remains hidden even while it is disclosed.
And one small part of the mystery is over here we have a persuasive perception of individual volition (over which we seem to have as much control as an infant has over a stallion.)
And over there we have the Lord who says (as our lives testify) “Apart from me you can do nothing.”
Still, the humiliation of my bad temper and all the other gifts (koff, hack, wheeze, koff some more) of the Religion Forum, not to mention the new friends (including a snake-drinking, poison-handling psych prof out there in injun country), and the benefit to my own teaching and explaining — all these have been gifts.
Our Father in Heaven turns to Jesus and the Snow-White Dove (who, when you look close appears to be flickering flame) and says, “That Mad Dawg. What is WITH him? He’s certainly got plenty to be humble ABOUT ....”
YOU’RE A TREASURE, BROTHER.
MUCH AGREE. LOL.
INDEED:
JOHN 15:5
New International Version (©1984)
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
New Living Translation (©2007)
“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
It has long been a sobering thing to me . . . that Jesus The Christ did not heal everyone very often. And in Nazareth at one point—none.
He was persistently harsh to RELIGIOUS, proud, self-sufficient, self-righteous, prissy, stubborn . . . individuals.
Sometimes, even Love Incarnate cannot, will not violate ‘free-will’ enough to fix such indivuals.
However, those individuals willing to give up their pride, anger, hurt, self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, . . . and COOPERATE with HIS process of conforming us to HIS IMAGE, HIS LIKENESS.
2 Cor 3:18
New International Version (©1984)
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
New Living Translation (©2007)
So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
Romans 8:29
New International Version (©1984)
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
New Living Translation (©2007)
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.