SOUNDING
OUT:
Heirs Together in the Grace of Life (Prologue by Constance Darnell)
In the beginning, God created
the heavens and the earth for the dwelling place and sustenance
of mankind. He instructed men and women clearly and specifically
in their responsibilities and restrictions with a view
toward prosperity and health. Gods will is that men and
women learn what is necessary to live together according
to His design. Then, all the various relationships of
life succeed. Mother-daughter, sister-wife, father-son,
brother-husband, all combine with godly friendship and
love to produce an atmosphere of fellowship with God and
one another.
2 Peter 1:3-4:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all
things that pertain unto life and godliness, through
the knowledge of him (Jesus Christ, the agent of our
salvation) that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto
us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these
ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped
the corruption that is in the world through lust (over
desire in any category of life).
The promise is that everything
necessary for men and women to live in peace with one
another and God is defined in the spectrum of life and
godliness. The word life in verse three, is translated
from the Greek word zoe, a word used for the
entire experience of life. All the possible relationships
and circumstances of a lifetime are defined in God's word.
The word godliness, is the Greek word eusebeia,
which is the planned behavior of mankind in every facet
of a lifelong relationship with God. From birth, to youth,
to middle age, to old age, God's promises apply. It is
only the rejection or perversion of God's defining principles
that causes contention in the man-woman relationship.
Proverbs 13:10:
Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised
is wisdom.
Proverbs 16:17-19:
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he
that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18 Pride goeth before destruction,
and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19 Better it is to be of
an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the
spoil with the proud.
1 John 2:16-17:
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,
and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is
not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth
away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will
of God abideth for ever.
Pride is ultimately the
lust or over desire to have your own way set above God's
instruction. Often, pride is comfortable, familiar, desirable,
and it is always self-serving. Pride prevents the prideful
from learning and growing in the nurture and admonition
of the Lord.
The opposite of pride and the standard for receiving
instruction in life and godliness, is humility.
1 Peter 5:6-7:
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of
God, that he may exalt you in due time:
7 Casting all your care
upon him; for he careth for you.
The humble learn under God's
instruction that they will be exalted. They also learn
that they are to cast their cares upon Him. Casting our
cares means we do not allow our uneasiness or discomfort
with learning to restrict our ability to act specifically
according to His will. Two of our cares are the fear of
loss and the discomfort of change. Commonly held beliefs
and culturally defined behavior often run at cross-purposes
with God's plans for mankind. It is the nature of the
humble to be teachable. Humility is not only a decision
but also a learned behavior.
Colossians 2:20-3:2:
Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments
of the world, why, as though living in the world, are
ye subject to ordinances,
(Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments
and doctrines of men?
Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship,
and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any
honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which
are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of
God.
Set your affection on things above, not on things on
the earth.
We can either learn to regard
the traditions and ordinances of men as our standard,
which has a form of humility, or we can decide to learn
God's standard. Casting the discomfort of change and the
fear of loss upon God's shoulders the truly humble trust
His word and act accordingly.
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