Comments on: The Absence of the Spirit http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/ my postmortem life with Christ Tue, 01 Dec 2009 21:29:51 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: David http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-475 David Thu, 23 Aug 2007 23:09:01 +0000 http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-475 It's interesting to me that she, somehow, experienced a removal of the feeling of absence when she took a break in 1959. But whenever she was in the midst of her ministry in India, helping others...she felt the absence of God. Contrast that with Paul in 4 Timothy, when he was in the midst of his ministry and <i>deserted</i> by all his friends. Yet we read this, "At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. <i>But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me</i>(!), so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and <i>will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom</i>; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen." 2 Timothy 4:16-18 In the midst of the service of God, the people of God are comforted and ministered to by the son of God. Amidst hard time, his presence envelops them, protects them, and sustains them (Hebrews 2:17-19). Daniel, Jeremiah, Joshua, Paul...me, and you. It’s interesting to me that she, somehow, experienced a removal of the feeling of absence when she took a break in 1959. But whenever she was in the midst of her ministry in India, helping others…she felt the absence of God.

Contrast that with Paul in 4 Timothy, when he was in the midst of his ministry and deserted by all his friends. Yet we read this,

“At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me(!), so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.”

2 Timothy 4:16-18

In the midst of the service of God, the people of God are comforted and ministered to by the son of God. Amidst hard time, his presence envelops them, protects them, and sustains them (Hebrews 2:17-19). Daniel, Jeremiah, Joshua, Paul…me, and you.

]]> By: David http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-473 David Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:17:30 +0000 http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-473 "That absence seems to have started at almost precisely the time she began tending the poor and dying in Calcutta, and — except for a five-week break in 1959 — never abated." “That absence seems to have started at almost precisely the time she began tending the poor and dying in Calcutta, and — except for a five-week break in 1959 — never abated.”

]]> By: Val http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-472 Val Thu, 23 Aug 2007 22:11:28 +0000 http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-472 Feelings are not belief. It did not say she kept doubting forever. She felt a separation for a long time. There's a world of difference. Feelings are not belief.

It did not say she kept doubting forever. She felt a separation for a long time. There’s a world of difference.

]]> By: David http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-471 David Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:58:51 +0000 http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-471 Colossians 3:15 says "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts...and be thankful." If that doesn't involve any sort of feeling, heart change, or attitudinal adjustment, I have no idea what that means. He promises this peace to those who trust in him for salvation. We <i>will experience</i> that peace if we just let him reign in us! In John 14:26-27, Jesus says, "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." But if we doubt God, relying upon ourselves instead, Scripture has warnings much more stern than anything I wrote... James 1:6-8 "... the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." The core idea here is autonomy. If someone believes they can acquire salvation, please God, or remain in fellowship with Christ apart from complete reliance upon the mercy, grace, and lordship of Christ, they are doomed. If someone cannot sense Christ at work in themselves for, "nearly [a] half-century", they are missing out on this. Yet as the author tells us about this, he <b>commends</b> her for good works in spite of this...Christ <b>condemns</b> the Pharisees for the <i>exact same approach </i>in Luke 18:9-14. Colossians 3:15 says “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts…and be thankful.” If that doesn’t involve any sort of feeling, heart change, or attitudinal adjustment, I have no idea what that means. He promises this peace to those who trust in him for salvation. We will experience that peace if we just let him reign in us!

In John 14:26-27, Jesus says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

But if we doubt God, relying upon ourselves instead, Scripture has warnings much more stern than anything I wrote…

James 1:6-8 “… the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”

The core idea here is autonomy. If someone believes they can acquire salvation, please God, or remain in fellowship with Christ apart from complete reliance upon the mercy, grace, and lordship of Christ, they are doomed. If someone cannot sense Christ at work in themselves for, “nearly [a] half-century”, they are missing out on this. Yet as the author tells us about this, he commends her for good works in spite of this…Christ condemns the Pharisees for the exact same approach in Luke 18:9-14.

]]> By: Val http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-470 Val Thu, 23 Aug 2007 21:11:03 +0000 http://5smoothstones.wordpress.com/2007/08/23/the-absence-of-the-spirit/#comment-470 Philip Yancey's "Reaching for the Invisible God". I'm sorry, but this post makes me quite upset. It's fine to have opinions, to believe your way is best -- but to criticize someone for not "feeling" properly? Heaven help us. And me, especially. Philip Yancey’s “Reaching for the Invisible God”.

I’m sorry, but this post makes me quite upset. It’s fine to have opinions, to believe your way is best — but to criticize someone for not “feeling” properly?

Heaven help us. And me, especially.

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