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timothyu

Weigh everything against the Gospel of the Kingdom
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If humans continually thrive on their own wisdom and self-reliance and pride, why do they claim to follow God? Self-reliance is idolatry. We want for ourselves, not only salvation, but recognition and a sense of worthiness. We proclaim God, but fail to follow Him. We falsely claim our schemes and personal self-serving accomplishments within the system of man as gifts from God. Users of God as a means to an end, rather than letting God direct us, not only for His own uses, but the welfare of others. People wonder who the Antichrist will be, yet all they have to do is turn on their media and see it in action in their daily lives and the system that we have built. They even partake in it themselves without considering that there is separation between the ways of man and of God, all while seeking the best of both worlds. There can be only one path. This isn't a trade-off.

© ...timothyu
 
I noticed you “copyrighted” that with your name/ handle. Is that not worldly and self focused? Why do you need credit for it? If you just want to get that message out, why do you need to copyright? What difference, besides laying claim to it, does it make? If it’s in “Jesus’ name” why do you need to tag it with yours? Isn’t copyright a worldly/ business/ legalistic thing? Kind of egoistic, no? Also you’re using a social media site hosted by a corporation. None of us is immune to “worldliness”.

How’re you doing on the path you proclaim? Free of all hypocrisy, yourself?

A few questions that came to mind.
 
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Kimmio Laughterlove said:
Isn’t copyright a worldly/ business/ legalistic thing?
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Perhaps as all scripture also is. and often illegally used.
But as it was cut and pasted, I would remove it but there seems to be some editing paranoia here and I can't.. Feel free to spread it around
 
timothyu said:
If humans continually thrive on their own wisdom and self-reliance and pride, why do they claim to follow God?
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Who claims to "follow God"?

I don't. I don't really know that many people who do. Not in real life. I have to come here for that.
 
timothyu said:
Perhaps as all scripture also is.
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Scripture is not copyrighted or copyrightable given it is c. 1800-3000 years old and in many cases, authors can't even be identified. Even the KJV is public domain at 400ish years. Specific new translations can be copyrighted, though (e.g. the NIV, NRSV, etc. are copyrighted) as can paraphrases like The Message. But I am sure you are aware of that.
 
timothyu said:
Self-reliance is idolatry.
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Oddly, this is probably where you and I agree, but for different reasons. When I talk about the illusion of self-reliance, I don't refer to God but to how we inevitably exist in relationship to other humans, to nature, and so on. If I were to bring God in, then, that would be another of those relationships, perhaps the foremost one.

timothyu said:
We falsely claim our schemes and personal self-serving accomplishments within the system of man as gifts from God. Users of God as a means to an end, rather than letting God direct us, not only for His own uses, but the welfare of others.
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Agree with this to a degree as well. No human achievement has been achieved by someone acting alone, no matter what our culture of individualism might say. The great scientists, inventors, poets, authors, musicians, and so on have all built on what others did before them and worked in relationship to others around them. And, again, if we inject God into it, then God is the source of inspiration and guidance for that creativity through various paths of interaction (scripture, visions, flashes of insight, whatever).

Note the "ifs" there, though. I am not as certain as you of a divine presence, even if I do believe that our existence to relationship to each other and the world similarly renders extreme self-reliance and self-centredness (some is natural and necessary, by the way, but we often over-emphasize them which is why I say "extreme") as "idolatry".
 
Mendalla said:
Oddly, this is probably where you and I agree, but for different reasons. When I talk about the illusion of self-reliance, I don't refer to God but to how we inevitably exist in relationship to other humans, to nature, and so on. If I were to bring God in, then, that would be another of those relationships, perhaps the foremost one.
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Self vs Kingdom. Two sides of the same coin.
 
Allegorically, God allowed us to be self aware. We were intended to be self aware or else we wouldn’t be. He gave us big brains for a reason (big enough to supposedly know we’re being tempted, and resist or be punished for what God destined us to do anyway - the constant circular argument that baffles me and seems unnecessary, and explanations are inadequate). All Things considered, wouldn’t the ideal be the thin edge between the sides of “self” and peacefully, well functioning “community”? (I’m not going to use Kingdom language because it’s old language to describe the hope of an ideal future world community - or union of peaceful nations - with a fair leader - Jesus as the head example for Christians. Kingdom implies a kind of misogyny and authoritarian ethos that I don’t believe is what the goal was. It was just language the ancients understood in their context and juxtaposition with the Roman Empire.)
 
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If God knew all this was going to happen none of our efforts make a difference. That’s what I can’t reconcile. It’s the faith vs works argument. If the future is not set in stone then we can break that cycle. If it is, it doesn’t matter what we do, the outcome will be the same. It can’t be both - that creates cognitive dissonance, being “of two minds”.
 
timothyu said:
If humans continually thrive on their own wisdom and self-reliance and pride, why do they claim to follow God? Self-reliance is idolatry. We want for ourselves, not only salvation, but recognition and a sense of worthiness. We proclaim God, but fail to follow Him. We falsely claim our schemes and personal self-serving accomplishments within the system of man as gifts from God. Users of God as a means to an end, rather than letting God direct us, not only for His own uses, but the welfare of others. People wonder who the Antichrist will be, yet all they have to do is turn on their media and see it in action in their daily lives and the system that we have built. They even partake in it themselves without considering that there is separation between the ways of man and of God, all while seeking the best of both worlds. There can be only one path. This isn't a trade-off.
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I recognise the heart you've put behind this. Pride and treating human systems as the ultimate source is a major biblical theme, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6. While I personally have no reason to believe a god exists, I can see how self-reliance becomes "idolatry" if it replaces a divine foundation.

However, the post is perhaps too binary. Scripture also praises diligence and wisdom. Proverbs 21:5 and 6:6 commend planning and hard work, while Paul famously laboured as a tentmaker, insisting that those unwilling to work should not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10). Even Jesus is described as growing in wisdom through effort.

The biblical balance is ultimate reliance on God coupled with the stewardship of one's talents. Believers like you can strive and feel a healthy sense of achievement without claiming prideful autonomy. As 1 Corinthians 15:10 suggests, they can work hard while credit is given to grace.
Scriptural life requires both humble dependence and responsible action.

Perhaps it would be prudent for you to read your Bible more thoroughly before jumping the gun with overzealous remarks.
 
timothyu said:
the average Christian who seem to have no idea what they are following
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Such is the word ... if it is poly misunderstood ... passed over with contemplative concern? Transpiration ... gone as a vapor ...

Water is like that ... a resolution to dry humor ... you might expand on that ultimately! May find some ADHD there in the depth ... as a diversionary stream! Sometimes only seen from the fringe ...
 
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
 
timothyu said:
Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

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.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
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How do you live away from the material world?
 
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