Thanks for the response, Scott, and great to hear from you again. I read your response again, and decided to ask you the same question I asked Brakelite and Episkopos: In practical terms, then, how does that manifest itself in your daily life and affairs?
Please note: To everyone involved in the thread, giving details on one's personal life is not everyone's cup of tea, so I understand for those who don't wish to. But again, I would think of all the things we discuss on this forum, practical obedience to this commandment in particular would be among the most important.
In elaborating I will take the liberty to address the idea of "daily life" applications, not just for what is "practical" but what is prudent for understanding. But don't misunderstand, I don't mean to say anything contrary. This is not an argument but an elaboration and clarification of why we are allotted a lifetime of practical applications, and, yes, why we are not to think of it as the primary objective.
What we do in daily applications is not the primary objective, but is practice for that which is.
I hate applications!
The examples I gave of Abraham, Job, and Jesus, are just that: examples of them dealing with their daily life and affairs, regarding the things and applications each did in the midst of their worldly circumstances. Each thought not of their own life, but rather of what their circumstances meant to Him who gave them their life to live. That of course is perhaps life's greatest question: "Why am I here?"
The answer is, that we are not here in this life and in the world to make "practical" "applications" at all. In other words, the things of God that we read and learn, though they also come with worldly benefits, they are not for us, but for God...except that we too are the benefactors of what it is that He is doing. The main objective of this life is not ours, but His.
Thus, then, the question of "how does that manifest itself in your/our daily life and affairs?" Perhaps a parable: The body of Christ should be as the body of a deer navigating a thicket. It is the Head that sets the course, and the body that follows with grace. What does that look like? It means making only those decisions that pertain to our part, and none of those that direct our course or direction--not even by the nose, for the nose does not actually lead, it sniffs...so the daily life duty is to sniff. Each of us has been put on a course that we cannot claim. Not really. If we don't do our part, yes, we can claim that; and yes, then our given part will (according to Christ) be given to another. And that is the daily charge, that we should heed His direction, follow, and do our part as if unto the Lord.
As for me personally...surly I am a bruised and groaning rib, with the best of intentions, but often falling short.