Anyone who says they honor God’s authority and resists authority on earth, or refuses to subject themselves to human authority, is a liar, and the Truth is not in them.
Well said, Geoff. When unbelieving minds hear the profound wisdom of God pouring out through indwelt believers, they can only associate such wisdom with the Tree of Knowledge, the unnatural mind of humanity. It's a shame, though, for such Heavenly wisdom could deliver them from the opinions of God's enemy.
Good article Dr Phinney. I think this is one of those issues that people can use to sew division with seeming "contradictions" (Which are not really contradictions at all, but differences in perspective or context, e.g., spirit or flesh, and spiritual or worldly) Case in point: would you add an addendum to reconcile your premise with Ephesians 6:10-20. Thanks for your work.
The armor of God passage (Ephesians 6:10-20) is the REAL fight. This is a reason why saints should be strong in the Lord, and why they should put on the whole armor of God, and prepare for battle, since their enemies are such as here described: not "flesh and blood"; frail mortal men, demonstrating a believers need, and dependence, on releasing Christ from within by way of the Holy Spirit to combat such forces. My overall point was when people act in the role of playing God, instead of releasing Jesus from within, the flesh takes over. Great point, thanks!
Agreed! To the worldly man, using Jesus' spiritual weapons (armor of God, faith, hope, and love, etc.) seems like bringing a knife to a gunfight. It is really ironic because the opposite is true to those who have tried to fight a spiritual battle with worldly ways.
I have been thinking a lot about this. What about people like Diedrich Bonhoeffer who saved thousands of Jewish lives and eventually participated in the assassination attempt on Hitler? Are we to line up like lambs to the slaughter in mass “vaccination “ for a bogus virus with deadly consequences for many? I would like to understand your thoughts on this.
I'm not sure what you're asking but if it has to do with accepting persecution, then yes, get in the line. However, when the country allows freedom of choice, then use the choice that best aligns with your convictions in Christ.
For example, if your convictions are NOT to receive vaccinations, then you stand on that conviction. If they force you, hold you down, then inject you - you tell me, what can a man do?
If vaccine injections are a form of murder, how is that different than the millions who have been murdered for Christ? There is no difference. The key to this regarding our lesson of "playing god" is to honor all established authority unless the authorities are asking you to defy the ordinances of God. Only then do you stand in defiance. Does that help?
Is this hard to read? Perhaps, it is! The thesis of this essay is one which each one of us must confront and handle. It is better not to avoid such a confrontation.
Speaking without instructions from the Holy Spirit is merely worldly wisdom. The Spirit searches all things, not available to those not renewed.
Well said, Geoff. When unbelieving minds hear the profound wisdom of God pouring out through indwelt believers, they can only associate such wisdom with the Tree of Knowledge, the unnatural mind of humanity. It's a shame, though, for such Heavenly wisdom could deliver them from the opinions of God's enemy.
Good article Dr Phinney. I think this is one of those issues that people can use to sew division with seeming "contradictions" (Which are not really contradictions at all, but differences in perspective or context, e.g., spirit or flesh, and spiritual or worldly) Case in point: would you add an addendum to reconcile your premise with Ephesians 6:10-20. Thanks for your work.
The armor of God passage (Ephesians 6:10-20) is the REAL fight. This is a reason why saints should be strong in the Lord, and why they should put on the whole armor of God, and prepare for battle, since their enemies are such as here described: not "flesh and blood"; frail mortal men, demonstrating a believers need, and dependence, on releasing Christ from within by way of the Holy Spirit to combat such forces. My overall point was when people act in the role of playing God, instead of releasing Jesus from within, the flesh takes over. Great point, thanks!
Agreed! To the worldly man, using Jesus' spiritual weapons (armor of God, faith, hope, and love, etc.) seems like bringing a knife to a gunfight. It is really ironic because the opposite is true to those who have tried to fight a spiritual battle with worldly ways.
You got that right. Unless the believer houses the Holy Spirit from within, spiritual warfare is fruitless. In fact, it pleases the enemy of God.
I have been thinking a lot about this. What about people like Diedrich Bonhoeffer who saved thousands of Jewish lives and eventually participated in the assassination attempt on Hitler? Are we to line up like lambs to the slaughter in mass “vaccination “ for a bogus virus with deadly consequences for many? I would like to understand your thoughts on this.
I'm not sure what you're asking but if it has to do with accepting persecution, then yes, get in the line. However, when the country allows freedom of choice, then use the choice that best aligns with your convictions in Christ.
For example, if your convictions are NOT to receive vaccinations, then you stand on that conviction. If they force you, hold you down, then inject you - you tell me, what can a man do?
If vaccine injections are a form of murder, how is that different than the millions who have been murdered for Christ? There is no difference. The key to this regarding our lesson of "playing god" is to honor all established authority unless the authorities are asking you to defy the ordinances of God. Only then do you stand in defiance. Does that help?
Is this hard to read? Perhaps, it is! The thesis of this essay is one which each one of us must confront and handle. It is better not to avoid such a confrontation.