(treeoflife;53218)
I am really surprised that the above responders are not grasping the point. My struggle is maintaining my integrity under such poor judgment.
KRISS* For someone who is not trying to judge someone else, you sure just did a lot of really poor judging. Suffice it to say, you missed the lesson entirely. Nevertheless, I will explain more in depth, hopefully showing you why you are wrong for decerning this way. I do know what is best for my wife and I. I prevented pain and suffering rather than caused it, by dealing with an matter of SIN due to a MOMENT OF A LACK OF FAITH, as God lead me to do so. That alone is enough for me, and for God since He is the one who lead me. Though, scriptural relevence of it is as I said, and the point of my post was to
give you, the reader, understanding as God had given me. Hopefully that will become clear to you as I post more.You are incorrect in your judgment of what I should have done. After she was comforted, my wife could have gotten a test if she wanted to do so. However, she didn't want to get one as she previously did in her moment of doubt. Why? Because her worries were calmed, as God had me calm them, and she was comforted, as God had me comfort her. In doing so as God had lead me, she no longer needed a test RIGHT NOW, because she was too busy being at peace and trusting God in the matter.The fact that you *
don't see it as sinful* and see what I did *
as bad judgment* is actually the very point of the matter. In fact, it doesn't take away from what I'm saying... it adds to it. It makes my judgment good. Not that I need the approval... I wasn't coming here for it... I already know my judgment was good, because I know what God spoke to me and what He CALLED ME to do in the given situation. Honestly though, on the same token, that being said... consider the possibility that you aren't simply calling my judgment bad, but God's judgment bad. I'm sure that doesn't sit well, but if in fact I did as God had moved me, and you call it bad... you are calling God's judgment bad. So, listen closely and hear what the Lord has to say on the matter (He told me).------------
Romans 14:22-23Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Is there anything wrong with eating? Paul said their could be. Paul said, "
HE THAT DOUBTETH IS DAMNED IF HE EAT, BECAUSE HE EATETH NO OF FAITH."What is the factor on whether eating is sinful or not? The only factor on whether or not it would be SINFUL to eat... would be the
individual,
personally,
relational faith in God on the matter. Eating is not the sin, obviously... it eating not of faith that is sin.
Lets look at what God gave the Israelites to eat, MANNA because it is FOOD directly related to FAITH. See Exodus 16.God told them that they could only take a certain amount for the day, according to how much they needed to eat. If they tried to take more, and left it till morning, it would rot. Also, if they didn't get the manna before the sun hit it, it would melt away. So,
they had to get it early when God said, and
they were not to hoard more than they need daily or it would rot.
Why would God do this? He is teaching a lesson of faith... it is always about faith.1. They had to GET IT WHEN GOD COMMANDED THEM TO... if they didn't get it at the appointed time it wouldn't be there for them anymore once it melted away. We must OBEY HIS WORD and go to the manna when He has instructed us to. This is not only a matter of faith... but a MATTER OF ACTION. 2. They were NOT TO DEPEND ON MANNA... if they took more than they needed for their daily provision that God provided, it would rot. We are not to depend on the manna, but we are to DEPEND ON GOD AND HIS WORD THAT HE GIVES US. He promises us He will provide, every single day.If they tried to hoard the manna, it would rot. If you try to store it away and hide some for the next day, it will rot. God has given HIS WORD that HE WILL PROVIDE every single day, and that HE IS TAKING CARE OF THEM every single day, and MANNA WILL COME EVERY DAY. Thus, the hoarding of manna is A LACK OF FAITH, which is sin. It rots... and gets nasty. This is a picture of sin, and it comes from a lack of faith in God's Word, Who has told us HE WILL PROVIDE. This is the heart of the issue that God is trying to work out with His people.Some of the Israelites would be inclined to take the GOOD MANNA that God made gave to them, but would not take it IN FAITH. Thus, like sin, it would rot... and stink... and get worms in it. It would be totally useless to them, and only cause them MORE TROUBLE of having to get that nasty stuff out of their homes. They were not to take more than they needed to eat in a day. They had to trust God with the provision, everyday. There were to take no more manna than needed in a day, thus TRYING TO MAKE THEIR ON PROVISION. THEY DID THIS FOR 40 YEARS! It takes a long time to get the point across sometimes.God will provide... trust Him... He has told us that He will. He will give you the manna you need, everyday, right on time, no need to worry. He is teaching them (and He is trying to TEACH US) to WALK BY FAITH, and NOT BY SITE.
------------------So, you see,
the pregnency test was not merely a matter of manna... it was a matter of faith in God, in that moment, in not trusting that God would provide. The same... the pregnency test was not simply a matter of a colored icon on a peice of paper, or wanting ot know the conclusion of a matter. The test, in that moment, on that day, in that situation, was a matter of a LACK OF FAITH THAT GOD WOULD PROVIDE.In our case, my wife was distraught, and the thing that would bring her resolution was the answer to a test. It is better to trust God, and let Him give us resolution in our hearts. You see, once we allowed God to calm our worry, in faith, getting a test was no longer an issue. It could wait till tomorrow... or the next day... or the day after. We don't need one RIGHT NOW INSTANTLY because we know GOD WILL PROVIDE. If she still wanted to know if she was pregnant, then we would go get one right now, today. Why? Because doing so would no longer be a lack of faith in God.Is anyone able to see the point? I'll say it again... sincerly... if you don't see the point, try. Because, I (and my wife) has no doubt that it was the RIGHT DECISION to not take a pregency test in that moment of UNFAITHFULNESS, and if you doubt my judgment, you doubt God's, because it is what God told us to do.I will ask it again. "Do we not all sin, every single day?"Gleen whatever understanding you will.
Very clear indeed Treeoflife. Heres what I get from round 2.
I see it now and it ties into a study I was thinking about doing- about devotion. Charles Finney wrote a great one on that. Everything we do- we must realize why we do it. Everything in our lifes should be deeply rooted in our faith through Gods will and word. Though, I do see where Wingnut is coming from as well. Im pretty sure Wingnut is getting to this idea (which I share): Finding the Lord in everything- slowly but surely becomes invisible to us (not destroyed) rather absorbed into who we are. Treeoflife, I understand your point and agree with it, but maybe this is also an area of your walk with God that you have just recently been opened up to.