A “gem” for writers is a precious group of words cut and polished to convey deep meaning and beauty and to make a person think. For instance, this one is a quote from a Pureflix movie called God’s Compass:
“God doesn’t choose us because we’re confident in our
preparation to go forward and do what he’s called us to do.
He chooses us because he knows what we are capable of….
Follow God’s north for your life’s calling.”
Here’s another gem, this time from the movie, The Shack:
“Don’t ever think that what my Son chose to do didn’t
cost us both dearly. I was there all the time….
“Sin is it’s own punishment. I work for good. I can make incredible
good out of unspeakable tragedies. That doesn’t mean I orchestrate the tragedies.”
As in my last blog, I’ve called these “Gems From My Clutter” because I’ve picked up pieces of paper I’ve saved, upon which I’ve written a “gem.” The preceding two gems might or might not relate to the following.
Sometimes hard questions really make us think, and they are gems in that we suspect the answers will enrich our souls. Here are a few more gems which I found among my clutter and wonder about:
Are fear and love the same, or do they just go together? In otherwords, if one fears God, (has sincere reverence and respect for God), will that one automatically love God? If one loves God with all his/her heart, soul, mind, and strength, then will that one automatically fear (have reverence for and respect) God?
And in relation to the sin and evil around us, my heart cries in anguish: “Why, God, did you create angels and humans who could turn against you?”
I’ve thought of this a lot. Isaiah 53:10-11 tells us that “It was the will of the Lord to bruise him.” Why, Lord?
I would welcome thoughts from you readers on all these questions and comments. I do not have the answers, but here are some statements that make sense to me:
- Obedience implies choice. If we couldn’t disobey, neither could we obey. Rather, it would be only compliance from robots. If we weren’t able to choose to sin, we wouldn’t be able to choose not to sin.
- Genesis says we were created in the image of God. If we couldn’t choose whether or not to obey, we wouldn’t be in the image of God. However, some people are so trapped by the devil that it may seem that they can’t choose to get out. That’s a lie. With God, everything he wills is possible. He sent his Son to set us free.
- Love wouldn’t be love if it is forced or automatic. Obedience happens because of love and trust in the one we obey.
- Therefore God had to take the risk of sin entering the world because of disobedience. Now, if we love him, we are able not to sin because of Jesus’ atonement on the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit to guide our lives.
You theologians out there, please comment if I have this wrong or unclear.
Blessings to all.
Judith Vander Wege
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