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NASB | Psalm 119:105 ¶ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Psalm 119:105 ¶ Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. [Prov 6:23] |
Subject: A Private Hot Line to God? |
Bible Note: "Answer (1): To determine for oneself what Gregory Koukl means in his writings, it is helpful to read those writings. Hence, my suggestion "To read more go to: (http://www.str.org/free/commentaries/life/aprivate.htm)" and "(www.str.org/free/commentaries/theology/actsvoic.htm)" " Since you were quoting him as your statement on the subject...I figured you and he were in agreement...Thus, you would be able to explain. "'Secondly, God sometimes does give specialized instructions, so I'm not saying that God can't do that and I'm not putting God in a box. He does sometimes give specialized instructions. He did in Biblical times and He does in the present." I agree, and now that this has been posted here,his position is clearer. "But when we read in the Bible especially in the New Testament, which is what our discussion is about today when He has done it, such specialized instructions are clear first of all." No doubt God speaks clearly to His people, however our confidence in the voice we hear may not be strong until we have grown considerably in the Word. Just because a child does not clearly understand something because of maturity, we encourage them to continue toward the goal whild training, and the Holy Spirit does likewise. "And they are, almost without exception in the New Testament, a sovereign intrusion by God into the circumstances rather than something that is first sought by a Christian." With the operation of the gifts, this is true. It is totally at the discretion of the Holy Spirit. But this does not mean we are not to be listening and submitted awaiting, even expecting, Him to direct us. Are we not to pray and ask the Lord for guidance? Does not the Lord answer when we pray? Is His answer merely manifested solutions to a problem or does He 'direct' us with His instructions? All of these can be answered with scripture, but if God only 'interupts' our lives why pray at all? Of course God speaks at His will just like we do. No one can make Him speak, but we are to seek His presence and direction. We still have a choice. "'Thirdly, God's intrusion in these cases is sometimes through special gifts in the body that I believe are in full operation today, but are by very nature individual. In other words, every person has his own gift and each person does not have every gift. So this working through gifts can't be a means of every Christian hearing from God. In other words, sometimes God intervenes with a prophetic word, but since prophetic words only come through those people who have the gift of prophecy, it's not the kind of thing we all have to cultivate, to learn to do." In regard to the gifts, they are dispersed as the Holy Spirit chooses. However, this does not mean God is not in active comunication with His children through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Any child who listens will hear Him comforting, leading, revealing His heart. And as for not having to learn to do them, true, but we do have to mature in our faith. For instance, the gift of tongues, one can actually not speak when told to. EVERYTHING IS A LEARNING PROCESS. If we carry this to it's conclusion I would have to ask, why when we were born again did God not 'renew our minds'? 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. Our growth spiritually into the calling He has on us is reality, This includes learning when and how God desires to work through us. God bless |