Tag: Christian Theology

  • God Breaks His Children

    God Breaks His Children

    “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.”

    Psalm 51:17

    Being used and broken by God is the only way we are fit to be within His presence, growing in Christ’s faith.

    Suffering is not a sign of God’s displeasure or punishment on us, but rather a way of refining our character and preparing us for His Domain… it’s out of Love.

    “Can I not do with you, Israel, as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel.”

    Jeremiah 18:6

    God uses broken people and things to accomplish His Will, because He is transforming us, like He did in Genesis, akin to the clay (although this is the Spiritual equivalent). We aren’t being “fixed”, He doesn’t “mend” us, He makes us New– this means death, first.

    He does not look at our outward appearance or abilities, but at our obedience to Him, from the heart. The heart is only obedient be His decree.

    He chooses the weak, the flawed, the broken, and the contrite to display His power and grace, revealing His Glory. Those who are already strong have no desire to forfeit their own strength.

    “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

    1 Samuel 16:7

    God breaks us in different ways, such as through trials, temptations, failures, losses, disappointments, or persecution.

    God Takes Away

    God shapes us through the experiences of loss.

    Many people reject this aspect of God. They believe that God would never subject us to such hardship, but in reality, He not only has the capacity to do so but actually does.

    “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not the Lord?”

    Exodus 4:11

    God is inherently good, He is what literally defines the word “good” and he acts according to His own Will. Even Jesus said: “Why do you call me good? No one is good but the Father.”

    Exposing Our Shame Reveals His Glory

    The painful situations uncovers our inherent sinfulness, emphasizing our deep dependence on Him & His unwavering Grace.

    This leaves us with only two options:

    1. Succumb to wrath…
    2. Faithfully entrust ourselves to His absolute sovereignty.

    Furthermore, suffering serves as a means for us to identify with the pain endured by Christ, who was shattered for our sake on the cross.

    Our Purpose: Reveal God’s Glory

    God uses us in different ways, such as through our gifts, talents, passions, etc. These opportunities are only worthy if they glorify Him: from the heart.

    He is worshipped when we bless others, because our hearts See God’s image in all people, even if we are in no position to help, our new nature just desires to do so.. This doesn’t mean it is of obligation, but of the heart of God’s Spirit within. Anything done out of duty is a sin.

    Our purpose is to advance His kingdom.

    Suffering increase the experience of joy, as the contrast increases the intensity.

    Being used & broken by God is a cyclical process that never ends in this life.

    When I say “broken by God,” I mean by His will and decree, though He uses multiple tools like the Adversary, demons, angels, and other humans…

    God Is Still Fashioning You

    We are constantly being shaped and molded by His hand, as He works in us and through us.

    We are continually challenged and pushed to grow under His guidance, as He guides us through life like a shepherd, and rescues us from the dark forces of the world like a lifeguard saving us from treacherous waves.

    The Uniqueness of His Flock

    While God equips those He calls & chooses, the tools and timing may not match our expectations. As Isaiah 48:10 states:

    God tests us..

    “in the furnace of affliction… ”

    … not leaving our metal impure but rather purifying our souls like fine gold.

    The Refinement Process

    Seeing our lives as a refining ritual provides perspective. Just as heat separates useful metal from dross, trials burn away our flaws.

    Charles Spurgeon rightly said:

    … hardships “dig up the soil, & let us see what we are made of.”

    God uses troubles to chip away pride, selfishness, and reliance on human strength alone. This preparation perfects our nature for His service.

    God Smashes Ego and Pride

    It’s dangerously easy to wrongly claim credit for our skills rather than giving all glory to the power working through us.

    When God calls out our weakness, we remember that our completeness depends on Him.

    He wants spiritual brokenness, the kind of brokenness He can use. He wants godly sorrow that leads to repentance.

    2 Corinthians 7:10

    Suffering Builds Character

    Embracing suffering makes us strong yet sympathetic to others’ struggles

    Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

    2 Corinthians 1:3-4

    Our scars enable us to identify with mankind’s anguish in a way comfortable lives cannot.

    This empathy is crucial to authentically reach those in pain.

    Refinement Shapes our Faith

    Though dark valleys may confuse our finite perspective, abandoning ourselves to God’s plans develops trust in Him.

    In this fearful surrender, true faith and spiritual maturity take root.

    Hope For Hard Times
    God Upholds All Things by the Word of His Power
  • God’s Nature Is Not Limited

    God’s Nature Is Not Limited

    “I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”

    —Malachi 3:6
    The Infinite Nature of God

    God’s infinite nature can be seen in His attributes of Spirit, all-knowingness, and all-powerfulness.

    God’s Spirit

    As a spirit, He is not limited by the physical world or constrained by time and space.

    All-knowingness

    Furthermore, God’s all-knowing nature means that He knows everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen.

    All-powerfulness

    His all-powerfulness ensures that nothing is beyond His capabilities.

    When we truly grasp and embrace these truths, we can start to understand how limited our own understanding and comprehension are in comparison.

    Implications of God’s Infinite Nature

    God cannot be manipulated by our schemes or plans. He sees through our hearts and motives, and His wisdom surpasses our understanding. We cannot view God as a means to an end; He is sovereign and in control.

    As the all-knowing Creator, He alone sees the deepest intentions of our hearts and motives in a way that transcends our limited understanding. We ought not presume to use God as a tool to achieve our own purposes or ends. Rather, we must recognize and submit to His perfect lordship and control over all things. His plans will be accomplished not by human effort or manipulation, but by His power according to His eternal purposes. Our role is to humbly seek to know and do His will, trusting that He causes all things to work for the good of those who love Him.

    Submission to God’s Will

    Trusting in God’s wisdom and guidance is crucial. Even when circumstances are challenging, we must remember that God knows what is best for us. It requires faith to obey, but in doing so, we align ourselves with His perfect will.

    Trust in God’s Love

    God’s love is unconditional, and we must rest in His care, knowing that He will never abandon us. This reassurance allows us to let go of our ego-driven desires for validation and seek solace in His limitless love.

    Trust in God’s Control

    Despite life’s uncertainties, we can trust that God is in control of all things. His omnipotence ensures that He will never let us down. As we surrender to His will, we can find peace and security in His refuge.

    As the Almighty Creator who upholds all things by the word of His power, He will never fail or forsake those who have placed their faith in Him. When we surrender our lives fully to His will and purpose, seeking first His kingdom and righteousness, we can find true peace, security and contentment – even in the midst of life’s storms – under the shelter of His almighty arm and watchful care. By anchoring our hope firmly in God’s unchanging character and promises, we can weather whatever difficulties this world brings, assured that He causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him.

    Ambassadors for Christ

    As ambassadors, our mission is to faithfully represent the kingdom and interests of our King, Jesus Christ. Our allegiance is to Him alone, not any earthly power or authority.
    We proclaim the message of reconciliation that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
    Though earthen vessels, we have been entrusted with the treasure of the gospel.
    As diplomats of heaven, our citizenship is in the new Jerusalem above.

    While in the world, we are not to conform to it but be transformed by renewal of our minds.

    – Our reward is not of this world but the age to come. Faithful stewardship of our calling, not success by worldly measures, will be rewarded by our King at His return.

    When we rest in God’s election by Grace, it frees us from relying on our own abilities or effectiveness. Our duty is simply to faithfully declare the unsearchable riches of Christ as revealed in Scripture, leaving the increase to God. As we surrender our fears of man and insecurities to Him, finding our worth and identity in His unconditional love and approval, we can spread the message of the gospel with joy, assured that the Holy Spirit will draw to Himself all whom the Father has given to the Son. The results are in God’s hands; our responsibility is to spread abroad the savor of the knowledge of Christ everywhere we go.

    2 Corinthians 5:18-20 – “All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

    Ephesians 6:19-20 – “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.”

    Matthew 28:18-20 – “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

    Human Ego Vs God’s Spirit

    Ego relies on self, but spiritual truth comes from God alone.

    Ego makes us prone to rely on our own wisdom, abilities, and effectiveness rather than fully trusting in God’s sovereignty, power, and direction.

    Ego seeks glory for self, but spiritual work is about glorifying God.

    Ego can motivate us to preach or serve for our own exaltation, recognition or fulfillment rather than for God’s glory.

    Ego fears failure and man’s judgment, but those with faith fear God alone.

    Ego makes us insecure and afraid of what people may think of us, undermining boldness and courage for Christ.

    Ego takes credit, but true faith acknowledges God as author and finisher.

    Ego wants to claim achievements as its own rather than giving full credit to God for any spiritual fruit or success.

    Ego relies on the arm of the flesh, but spiritual power comes from God’s Spirit.

    Ego leads us to depend on our own strength, intellect or strategies rather than relying fully on the Spirit’s guidance and empowerment.

    Ego is deceived by pride, but humility accepts one’s limitations and dependence on God.

    Ego breeds self-righteousness, arrogance and a lack of teachability, undermining a posture of humility, repentance and continual growth in grace.