If your wording is too much like other translations, it's hard to get a copyright.
Wow. That is a rather intuitive statement. I'd never heard nor considered that before. I appreciate that a lot.
I also both like and appreciate all that you said. There is absolutely no doubt that Scripture seems clear that we have choices in this life. I cannot outright deny that. Does the Lord control us in terms of, "Should I use the bathroom now or later" kinds of decisions? I don't think so, but . . . maybe. What if the Lord knew that by slowing us down in using the restroom might prevent us from a car collision? How do we know?
What I know about my life is this: I have been purchased, thus my life is no longer my own. I have offered myself to Him as a Living Sacrifice, making myself fully available to Him so that His objectives would be manifest through me. I have specifically told the Lord to use me according to His every wish and Will. While that is somewhat nerve-racking, considering that torture is real within this world, nonetheless, I still offered myself to Him in any way if it would so benefit His Eternal Plan . . . not that I can stop it or prevent it.
Since I have submitted, fully, to the Lord . . . my life has been nothing but chaotic and filled with hatred. My own "christian" families have hated me and the majority still do. We're talking about active pastors, missionaries, elders, etc . . . and their wives. Why? Because I Share the True Gospel of Jesus Christ. Why? Because I have Godly Confidence. Why? Because I Obey. Why? Because I have Submitted to the Lord. Why? Because what I believe about His Gospel is accurate. I am Believe, have Submitted, am thus Obedient, therefore am Confident and am in conclusion . . . able to share with anyone the True Gospel of Christ. I teach that the Gospel is the Purpose of Christ, the Work of Christ and that there is a Holy result or Effect of Christ. Part of that Effect is being Controlled by the Spirit, hence . . .
2 Corinthians 3:14-18 NKJV - "But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. Nevertheless, when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord [is], there is liberty.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord,
are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
The above NKJV 2nd Cor passage is a clear description of what it means to be controlled by the Spirit, for those who
are being Transformed are those who have received the Circumcision of Christ . . . the lifting of the Veil so that one can Understand, hence so that one can properly Believe, Submit, Obey, become Confident and finally Share the Gospel of Christ with anyone and everyone they meet.
So, I think that it is worthwhile considering the idea that perhaps even our "bad" decisions are decisions that the Lord uses to establish His Holy Discipline in our lives. For, what kind of Discipline would the Lord use if there were never any circumstances of hardship? Did not Peter become more "calm" after Paul jumped down his throat (Gal 2) for leading so many people astray from the Word of Truth? And wasn't it the Lord who hardened Peter's heart so that instead of rushing to Christ's aid and lopping off a soldiers ear, setting him back to denying Christ . . . were these not controlling acts of God so as to prove His Almighty Power?
Certainly, we can agree that Peter's change from being ultra-aggressive in nearly murdering for Christ and being converted into a fearful man . . . this was not the mind of Peter, but a controlling force of God by which to demonstrate Himself in His Almighty, Omnicient Power.
Sorry for the short book . . . I could keep writing and writing and writing. Too easy.
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