SELF MADE
Approximate reading time: 20 Minutes
"Your choices created your past and are creating the present situation you are in and are creating the future for you."
The "Affluent Society" is the blue print of the New Age, and the way to get to it? Change the way people think; positivism, right attitude, mental syntaxes, believe systems, Neuro programming and a whole set of fancy sounding words: self-determinism is the magical pill of the new age; the new gospel of our time. The creation of the 'Affluent Society' starts with building a 'New Class' of self-determined individuals; self-determined here implying the new "collective believe" in a theory of human motivation and personality, that concerns people's inherent growth potentials via their innate psychological capabilities. It is concerned with the motivation of individuals based on the tenets of the choices that they make internally – without external influence and interference. Without using too many words, New Age wisdom clearly puts little limits to what individuals can motivate THEMSELVES to achieve.
In his Similarly titled book 'The Affluent Society' Harvard Economist John Kenneth Galbraith sought to clearly outline the manner in which post world war 11 America was to become wealthy through the inherent opportunities scooped by each individual. Many of the same ideas at the time were expanded into what is now referred to as the New Age Philosophy. A New Age rallying call "Yes we can" installed the first African American into the oval office. The very essence of our modern instinctive consciousness, human dignity and sense of morality plays against the notion that our subjective sense of choice could be illusory. We are inclined to think we are free. The idea that our subjective sense of choice might be imagined, we find hard to accept.
"With Him are the keys of the Ghayb (unseen), none knows them but He. He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but he knows it. There is not a grain in the darknesses of the earth or anything fresh or dry, but is written in a clear record." [Soorah al-An'am (6): 59]
The philosophical question of fate versus free will is an old one. Are our thoughts and actions completely determined by forces over which we have no control? Or, are we free to decide for ourselves, to be the captains of our destiny? There truly is strong evidence in favor of determinism, but still the question of fate versus free will remains a controversial issue. I would have opted to steer away from this discussion, and I strongly insist that you proceed with extreme caution. Matter of fact I humbly request that you do not go beyond this point if you have strong deep seeded opinions on this matter. I compare this probe to trying to keenly look at the sun to study it; the closer and longer you look the more it harms you.
I have widely studied this topic myself, from different perspectives and indeed different religions as you may have already figured out by now. And you better believe me when I say that you are likely to get lost by just attempting to look at this, it took me slightly over a year to write this article. But New Age thinking and its proliferation in a mutated way has found its way into the pulpits of the church through what we now commonly refer to as prosperity gospel. This has put a magnanimous spin to the tale, and some sanity needs to be infused. Never before in the history of mankind has man been so intent to be his own captain.
"Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything." [Soorah al-Ahzab (33): 40]
I like the Buddhist approach to this ultimate question. At the end of the Buddhist journey of Soul searching and renunciation of the "self" and dualism; after sessions and sessions of guidance into meditation and stillness, the journey finally leads you to the infamous Buddhist saying:
"If you see the Buddha, kill the Buddha"
This simply tells you to disregard all you have heard, seen and "discovered" during your spiritual journey; all the revelations you have encountered are not the path to enlightenment, WHY? Simply because no single act, or set of acts, formula, or spiritual path can lead one to salvation. It is all in vain, nothing you can do in your capacity as a mere human being, and no teacher can bring you any closer to the Universal truth. It simply is not a choice you can take, it was never, it is not, and it will never be your choice to take. Everything that ever happened, is happening and will ever happen is the will of God. If you choose or not choose, it simply is God's will happening.
"It is Allah, Who has created the seven heavens and the earth the like thereof. His Command descends between them that you may know that Allah has power over all things and that Allah comprehends all things in (His) Knowledge." [Soorah at-Talaaq (65):
Psm 127 1Except the Lord builds the house, they labour in vain who build it; except the Lord keeps the city, the watchman wakes but in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to take rest late, to eat the bread of toil-for he gives blessings to his beloved in sleep.
Ps 94:11 the Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are vain (empty and futile – only breath) (1 cor 3:20) Blessed is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your way.
Severally does the living word point this out. King David the psalmist, despite all his exploits in many fields including in spiritualism, finally saw this inescapable truth when he said that "it is chasing of the wind" Almost the entire book of Ecclesiastes written by the world's most wise king Solomon is dedicated to this single truth.
Eccl 1:2 Vapor of vapors and futility of futilities, all is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and vain glory) (see also Rom 8:20) what profit does a man have left from all his toil at which he toils under the sun?
Jesus, when he taught us how to pray reminded us; before even bringing our needs and desires to the Lord, we first proclaim his sovereignty and ask that "thy will be done on earth as it is done in heaven". By saying so we are simply acknowledging that despite our beseeching him with our desires it is only his will that be done. Even on the cross, Jesus cried to the father that He take away the bitter cup, but still knew that only God's will would prevail. Perhaps the most profound verse to me in the Bible is Jeremiah 18:6
"Oh house of Israel, can I not do to with you as this potter does, so says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hands, so are you in my hands, oh house of Israel."
On several occasions the word of God has compared the ideal relationship of Man to God with that of the clay and the potter. Let's try to understand the potter and clay relationship. When the Lord was about to reveal his message to the Israelites, he sent his prophet Jeremiah to the potter's house. While he was there, Jeremiah saw the potter working at his wheel, the vessel he was making got marred and the potter lumped up the clay again and started to make it into a new vessel of his own will. The Bible also compares the ideal relationship of Man to God as that of Servant to his master or to that of a vine and its branches. The servant can do nothing without his master; neither can the branch bear fruit on its own without the vine. The spiritual "Master to Servant" relationship is different from the worldly meaning of servitude. In the biblical analogy, the servant is not someone who simply enquires over his masters wishes and then goes off to accomplish them on his own and probably asks for assistance only should he need it. In this analogy, the servant is someone who simply makes himself available to his master to be used as the master would wish. Like the clay, he realizes that he has no will of his own and all he can do is avail himself to the "potter" to be used as the potter so wishes, and in this way, the servant knows that he will end up becoming a useful vessel. And even after the vessel is finally made, in as much as it may be precious, it remains nonfunctional until the master so wishes to use it for whatsoever use; it still has no will of its own.
The master can then choose to use it for a noble or an ignoble use. But whichever use the vessel is put to, it demonstrates its master's awesomeness in building something specifically meant to achieve a particular definite purpose. A good servant seeks nothing but to know his masters will, and when that will is revealed to him, he JOINS his master in accomplishing that will by first and foremost making himself available and flexible to be used as the master may wish. Many religions teach this – the denial of the self. The bible tells us to "pick up your cross & follow Christ" which by implication is not a call to deny oneself luxuries, or to fast, or to self-inflict for a brief period, which are all good by the way, but this is a call to join Christ in lifelong selflessness, to give up your whole life like Christ did.
A more in-depth study of Free Will vs God's Will is in the making, and my hope is that you are also beginning on a new journey in this New Year 2014. For now, I offer this short snippet, consider this:
· Do you believe God knows what's going to happen tomorrow?
· Is there anything you can do to change the plans of God?
· Is it scriptural that you can choose to be saved?
· Does your free will impose itself on someone else's free will?
Do you believe the following statement is true? Because of God's unconditional love towards man, He gave man a free will to choose to "screw up" or "get right" with God even though God knows what's going to happen tomorrow. If you believe that statement is true or know someone that does, then the following teaching is for you.
It's pretty hard to get around the fact that God knows what's going to happen in the future. We shall say that the thoughts of God are in - The mind of God. And the mind of God knows all things about you: your past, you presently and your future. The mind of God is also the "Word" of God. Written in the Greek as "Logos". The "Logos" or "Word" or "Mind" of God cannot be changed. It is His will.
Psa 139:2-6: Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted [with] all my ways.Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.[Such] knowledge [is] too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot [attain] unto it.
Q? Does God only focus on big events or does He focus on all events big or small? Didn't Jesus say that the hairs on your head are numbered? (Mat 10:30) Would God know that number at any given moment: past, present and future? I think we can safely say that God focuses on all things big or small. So the mind of God knows all things and is concerned about all things. But you still think you have a choice about your life. You believe your choices created your past and are creating the present situation you are in and are creating the future for you. You think you can will tomorrow the way you want it to be. Didn't the Apostle James say, "That if the Lord will, we shall do this or that?"
Jam 4:15 For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
Whose will? God's right? So where do you get the idea that you are in control of tomorrow? I'll tell you where this thinking comes from: It's called the tree of knowledge of good and evil! The tree of knowledge of good and evil represents contrasting opposites: good - evil, left - right, up - down, black - white = CHOICES! This is why the serpent said "You will be like gods."
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Wouldn't a "god" believe they are in control of everything? Just because God has allowed you to KNOW choices doesn't mean you're actually dictating the choice to happen. It has gone to your head that you believe you're in control of your own destiny. That's the "god-like" attitude the serpent was referring to. To think you're in control instead of God. That, my friend, is the wisdom of the world. That is how you thought all your natural life - before your spiritual eyes could see. That is precisely the thinking of Eve when she saw that eating the fruit would make her wise. Eve making the "choice" made her feel wise. God says the wisdom of the world is foolishness to God. Now do you still think you are in control? Get over it! Choices are a state of mind as I have pointed out here from the time to time. God controls the cause and effect of the actual decision that is destined by Him. Scary, huh? You're really not in control - but your mind thinks you are. That is why Jesus pointed out to fear the one who can kill your soul - not the one who can kill only your flesh – Matthew 10:28. And this is precisely the exhortation the Apostle Paul makes for the believer to understand that transformation begins with the mind:
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Try this fruitless exercise: Get a planner and plan all your choices for tomorrow by each second - everything you want to do tomorrow over a 24 hour period. Now live it for each second and see if you can stay on track. The reason why this is an important subject to understand is because it's the foundation of your faith. It's understanding the measure of grace that is given to you. It's the proper understanding of ALL Jesus has done for you and therefor He should receive ALL the glory with praise and thanksgiving. Do you have faith that God is in control of all things and His purpose and plans cannot be thwarted - OR - do you believe God's plans and purpose can be thwarted by man's disobedience or the actions of the devil? The Word says "Without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him."
Hbr 11:6 But without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
So wouldn't you want to have the proper foundation when "Walking by faith?" 2Cr 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) Faith in your ability to make good decisions or faith that God is in control 24/7? Do you praise Him for ALL things or just some things? Which do you believe? Which belief do you think gives God ALL the glory with praise and thanksgiving? Jesus said in Jhn 15:4
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Do not be content to just be spiritual; by just saying your Sarah, or fasting, or staunchly attending mass, or seeking to know God's will for your life like there's some sort of psychic Spirit force to discover. God's Spirit (Holy Spirit) is not a psychic phenomena. The true walk of Faith is knowing that you are exactly where you are in God's will and that His will is perfect and all you need to do is understand that you are to "abide" in it. That's all we are called to -just ABIDE – Abide in the peace availed to you by the Prince of Peace; He is the true LIFE - all the time - all His choices - all His glory - all His Life. Think about it, when Herod and Pilate each delivered judgment against Jesus, do you think that they did that of their own volition?
"For truly in this city there were gathered together against Thy holy servant Jesus, whom Thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, along with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, 28 to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur," (Acts 4:27-28).
So how do you make the transition from believing in Free Will to God's Will? The first thing you should begin doing is thanking Him for all things that happen in your life. Good, bad, ugly, You thank Him. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. What this does is unleash a peace in you that God is in total control and no matter what happens, you are thankful knowing that:
Rom 8:28,29 (God causes) all things to work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate [to be] conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
I repeat, thank Him for everything: This is the works of your faith. 1Th 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Also, understand this is all part of His wonderful plan for us.
Rom 8:20, 21 For the creation was subjected to vanity, not of its own will, but because of him who subjected it in hope, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
God allowing you to know good and evil means you are like Him as He proclaimed in the Garden of Eden, "And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil..." This is part of His image. God said to KNOW good and evil - not to CHOOSE good and evil. To KNOW good and evil are to KNOW the choices - and thank Him for the choice He has made for you. So RELAX!!! Abide!!! Like the clay in the potters hand, God IS in control.
Now this is where it gets difficult, & this is where you need the Spirit to guide you, please understand this is a progressive relationship. So how do we embark on knowing the Mind of God (Christ) and understanding what choices HE HAS ALREADY MADE for us that we join in on his will? HUH? Well, it takes a little explaining. But when the Word says to know what the will of the Lord is, it means you will know what His will is as you are faced with choices to make because you understand His thoughts, you hear His voice and you have the MIND of Christ. If you are not at this point, then you just go with your heart because it really DOESN'T MATTER since God already knows what you will think and what you will do - which is HIS will. I repeat: RELAX! You cannot thwart the plans and purposes of God. Pray for Wisdom and understanding to learn of Him MORE and have an attitude of expectation to see the works of God unfold before your very eyes!
Psa 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvelous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.
Allow the Spirit to speak to you. Some of you, especially those who feel liberated (saved) will naturally resist the teachings of this page due to the traditional teachings you have received. You think salvation or damnation was a choice you made? I will only say that your "flesh" is hanging on to whatever idea of control you want to maintain. Remember, you are but a vapor! You think vapor can control anything? Always remember that this blog is really intended for argument, I don't assert unquestionable authority on these matters, I only aim to stir an internal debate. For most of you, I have been where your beliefs are and I cannot go back. I praise God for however He plans to use this blog. Your search for the truth should be directed to the Lord - so then the Holy Spirit can renew your mind in Christ.
Ecc 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity, a striving after the wind and a feeding on wind. 15 what is crooked cannot be made straight, and what is defective and lacking cannot be counted. 16 I entered into counsel with my own mind, saying, behold, I have acquired great wisdom, yes, more than all who have been over Jerusalem before me; and my mind has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 and I gave my mind to know wisdom and to discern madness and folly in which men seem to find satisfaction; I perceived that this also is a searching after wind and a feeding on it. 18 for in much human wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow
Related Article:
References: The Affluent Society: Harvard Economist John Kenneth Galbraith, 1958
No comments:
Post a Comment