How has the Apostle’s wish fared?

[PAC-fit]

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know
the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy
people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18,19)​

​

A look at the enlightenment of the Christian “heart”, 1746 to Present

“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”*

John Witherspoon 1746,
signer of the Declaration of Independence,
president of Princeton Univ.​

300yrs hence, have we surpassed this enlightenment of the Founder? Or, does it serve as beneficial to our contemporary understandings?

*SOURCE: The Second Report of the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West (New York: J.F. Trow & Co., 1845), p. 30, quoted by Rev. S.H. Cox.

 

[Magenta]

Ephesians 1:17-19

 

[homwardbound]

Ephesians 1:17-19

Continue, see to not give up to see the truth from Father and Son as Won (One) for us.
There will be troubles here in this world, see to not let go of Father and Son as Won, receive the new living in you for you to be freed in the truth of risen Son for you. Those that will not stop, quit or give up, will see through any and all adversities we all get, at least I know I have gotten them too, thanking God for this gift of risen Son where the new life begins to see new humbly so, thank you

 

[homwardbound]

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened i

Those that will not quit, no matter what troubles come upon them or not, will eventually see through it all and be freed in love and mercy to all, wow!

 

[Magenta]

Continue, see to not give up to see the truth from Father and Son as Won (One) for us.
There will be troubles here in this world, see to not let go of Father and Son as Won, receive the new living in you for you to be freed in the truth of risen Son for you. Those that will not stop, quit or give up, will see through any and all adversities we all get, at least I know I have gotten them too, thanking God for this gift of risen Son where the new life begins to see new humbly so, thank you

John 14:1-3 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am.

 

[PAC-fit]

Continue, see to not give up to see the truth from Father and Son as Won (One) for us.
There will be troubles here in this world, see to not let go of Father and Son as Won, receive the new living in you for you to be freed in the truth of risen Son for you. Those that will not stop, quit or give up, will see through any and all adversities we all get, at least I know I have gotten them too, thanking God for this gift of risen Son where the new life begins to see new humbly so, thank you

Oh my yes. Hope to see you all on the other side. Victory in Jesus to those who endure to the end.

 

[Magenta]

Victory in Jesus to those who endure to the end.

John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

 

[PAC-fit]

Those that will not quit, no matter what troubles come upon them or not, will eventually see through it all and be freed in love and mercy to all, wow!

No question, the sufferings of Christ through the ages from that point they were first called Christians plays a critical role in our entering the kingdom of God. Persecutions, afflictions and all that effort within His rest for the whole company of believers, themselves gain a piece of that enlightenment.

 

[PAC-fit]

Ephesians 1:17-19

Thank you for that fuller clarification (V17)

 

[GWH]

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know
the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy
people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. (Ephesians 1:18,19)​

​

A look at the enlightenment of the Christian “heart”, 1746 to Present

“Cursed be all that learning that is contrary to the cross of Christ.”*

John Witherspoon 1746,
signer of the Declaration of Independence,
president of Princeton Univ.​

300yrs hence, have we surpassed this enlightenment of the Founder? Or, does it serve as beneficial to our contemporary understandings?

*SOURCE: The Second Report of the Society for the Promotion of Collegiate and Theological Education at the West (New York: J.F. Trow & Co., 1845), p. 30, quoted by Rev. S.H. Cox.

Don't stop there! Paul's prayer/wish continues in EPH 3:16-19, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.... that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

 

[p_rehbein]

No question, the sufferings of Christ through the ages from that point they were first called Christians plays a critical role in our entering the kingdom of God. Persecutions, afflictions and all that effort within His rest for the whole company of believers, themselves gain a piece of that enlightenment.

Jesus has not "suffered through the ages," the Church has suffered. Enlightenment comes through the sanctification of believer with the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. It is He who gives us so many things and teaches us so much about Scripture.

 

[PAC-fit]

Jesus has not "suffered through the ages," the Church has suffered.

I am not convinced of any uncertainty on my part. On the contrary, quite sure it is well within the spirit of the Apostle's welcomed quandary: From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus, , Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Gal 6:17, 1Cor 11:1

 

[PAC-fit]

Don't stop there! Paul's prayer/wish continues in EPH 3:16-19, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power... to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.... that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

Fair enough. How has it fared in your opinion?

 

[GWH]

Fair enough. How has it fared in your opinion?

Not well enough on CC, which is why on another thread Rufus proposed that "all participants make a pact (or covenant, if you will) to sheath our swords and put away our knives from henceforth. Let us all forgo the insults, the derogatory name calling, straw men, red herrings, deflections, and all other sundry forms of ad hominem attacks and instead make a concerted effort to season our speech with grace and LIGHT -- IOW replace the amount of noise on this thread with genuine substance by giving straightforward honest answers to each others questions or in a dissenting rebuttal to another's posts. Let us all strive to be civil, polite and compose intelligent, thought-provoking posts. Besides...this idea also makes for a good New Year resolution",

which I amened, saying "This is why I posted to by way of a constructive criticism that we try to improve our discussions on CC by doing what we can to keep the general direction going toward essential agreement/unity rather than being content (or even seeming to prefer) getting stuck going in circles regarding how to interpret GW.

I suggested that we might accomplish this goal in three ways: 1. Provide quotes when accusing someone of saying something objectionable so they can clear up misunderstanding and avoid veering off into ad hominem attacks, projection and arguing (cf. 1TM 6:3-4, 2TM 2:23, TIT 3:9-10, RM 16:17, 1CR 1:10, PHP 4:2). 2. Instead of adopting "either/or thinking" as our default position, employ "both/and harmonization" (which is often needed in order to sew Scripture together into one tapestry without cutting off parts) so that we will resist the temptation to be combative and judgmental, and 3. Affirm more often God’s all-lovingness, replacing our hateful tendencies with the HS's love rather than blaspheming Him or insulting each other, persevering in being humble or teachable, admitting our fallibility.

 

[PAC-fit]

Not well enough on CC, ,"

A well-rounded quota from which to work.

I suggested that we might accomplish this goal in three ways, ,"

Nice. Could I ask you or the reader if they happen to come upon some examples to goals "2" and "3" to assist in expanding upon those edifying points? I see no harm or derailment from the OP in doing so.

 

[PAC-fit]

Note correction: "examples to goals "1" and "2"

 

[GWH]

Note correction: "examples to goals "1" and "2"

So far on this thread no accusations have been made and the only disagreement I discern is your saying that "the sufferings of Christ through the ages from that point they were first called Christians plays a critical role in our entering the kingdom of God", and rehbein saying "Jesus has not "suffered through the ages," the Church has suffered."

How to harmonize? I provided relevant quotes and will employ "both/and" reasoning by suggesting that the Church is the body of Christ, so both Christians/the Church and Jesus suffered through the ages, because they are one in the HS (cf. JN 17:20-21, RM 8:17, 1PT 4:13, 1CR 12:25-27).

 

[homwardbound]

John 6:37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

That leads me to eternal security, not by me, by God Father and Son as Won (one) woe is me to ever think differently where doubt resides and many do not get established by even a modicum of any doubt, mixing flesh and spirit, as I have been guilty of as well, it is like mixing oil and water, the two do not naturally mix. Only Father can mix it in with us to be new in Father's Spirit and Truth and do the same as Jesus has done already for us, not by me or anyone else, by the done work working through us in love and mercy to all, wow again.
No wonder God has said to take all thought captive to the obedience of his Son for us. How did Jesus do that
I do nothing or say nothing except by my Father's lead. My Father is now your Father, he said to Mary in John 20, how deep does that go for me and you and all others too? choose, is not a have to or else flesh attitude, that cannot, does not ever please God

 

[PAC-fit]

How to harmonize? I provided relevant quotes and will employ "both/and" reasoning by suggesting that the Church is the body of Christ, so both Christians/the Church and Jesus suffered through the ages, because they are one in the HS

Right. I doubled back to emphasize no difference but my edit time had lapsed .

 

[GWH]

Right. I doubled back to emphasize no difference but my edit time had lapsed .

I hate it when that happens! :^)