Being finite (limited) and being untrusting (unbelieving) are not the same.
Being finite is not *bad or wrong, it is simply what and who we are i.e. we are limited, not unlimited. We have the capacity to participate in the unlimited but only if and when we are connected with God.
Being finite is not *bad or wrong, it is simply what and who we are i.e. we are limited, not unlimited. We have the capacity to participate in the unlimited but only if and when we are connected with God.
A key aspect of unbelief (rebellion) is refusing to recognize the reality of our limitations or that of the rest of creation.
For example, Adam was told he was not suited to know good and evil **(at least not yet) i.e. He was limited/finite. Yet he bought into the lie he could be his own god -- someone without limits -- and no longer needed to be the limited/finite being he actually was; a being dependent on the only one who is truly infinite, unlimited, self-sufficient (i.e. God), for life, love, and all things.
In eternity the means by which we will continue to progress in our relationship to God is not faith as we do presently -- we will then be face to face with God and relate to him by sight. We will participate in an ever-increasing expansion of our being in greater union with He who is the infinite source of love and life.
The reason our capacity will be ever-expanding is we are like God i.e. We are in God's image, designed to experience him to the maximum of who he is, without ever becoming fully God ourselves.
The reason our capacity will be ever-expanding is we are like God i.e. We are in God's image, designed to experience him to the maximum of who he is, without ever becoming fully God ourselves.
And because God is infinite our expansion/progression will never cease i.e. We will always be increasing in our experience and enjoyment of God throughout eternity i.e. there will never come a point we will "arrive" for there is no end to the infinite God or our capacity to enjoy him.
Love is the common factor in our ongoing transformation/progression both now and in eternity.
Love is the common factor in our ongoing transformation/progression both now and in eternity.
The love of God presently revealed to us by the Spirit through faith is what transforms us now and in eternity. The difference in eternity is that same love will be experienced directly and seen face to face and not by faith i.e. No longer through a glass darkly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Being limited is considered bad by many, particularly those more tied into eastern philosophy who advocate man is unlimited. They say the reason for his problems is he has not yet learned to "tap in" to himself as infinite beauty, strength and wisdom. Though we have the capacity to participate and enjoy infinite beauty, strength and wisdom this is not the same as saying we are these things within ourselves i.e. independent of God who is the source of these things. To say it directly God is he source, we are not.
**Some have speculated that as Adam and Eve matured they might have eventually been allowed to eat of the tree. The reasoning is everything God made (all trees) were good. And knowing good and evil was an attribute of God himself and therefore must have been a good attribute but one that required something Adam and Eve did not yet have but over time might have developed. I am not sure I subscribe to this notion but it is an interesting one.
Of course the challenge to this view is Christ "was slain before the foundation of the world" i.e. the fall at a minimum was anticipated if not planned. So a scenario that does not include the fall is purely speculation, not to mention an inferior option, otherwise it would have occurred if you believe God is the all wise Creator and Sustainer of all things/events.
**Some have speculated that as Adam and Eve matured they might have eventually been allowed to eat of the tree. The reasoning is everything God made (all trees) were good. And knowing good and evil was an attribute of God himself and therefore must have been a good attribute but one that required something Adam and Eve did not yet have but over time might have developed. I am not sure I subscribe to this notion but it is an interesting one.
Of course the challenge to this view is Christ "was slain before the foundation of the world" i.e. the fall at a minimum was anticipated if not planned. So a scenario that does not include the fall is purely speculation, not to mention an inferior option, otherwise it would have occurred if you believe God is the all wise Creator and Sustainer of all things/events.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for dropping by. Feel free to leave any comments, questions or thoughts and I will try to reply within 48 hours.
If you like our posts please feel free to subscribe to our blog and recommend others to the same. Just click on the home page at the far left of the navigation bar up top for instructions.
Grace to you
Jim Deal