| Author | Comment | Rafael Olmeda
(9/23/00 9:43:17 pm)
| The Blue Book
As Jerry continues reviewing PFAL, I thought it would be profitable to get started on VPW's other books, particularly the Studies In Abundant Living series.
I know there are those who are opposed to the idea of deconstructing VPW's work, but I simply do not agree with this mindset. This is Waydale, and Waydale exists to examine the doctrines and practices of The Way International. It would be disingenuous NOT to examine the publications and measure them against the standard of Biblical accuracy on this Web site.
I have a request: please don’t get ahead of me. We’ll go through the blue book chapter by chapter, so please reserve your comments on any specific chapter until after I’ve covered it. (There will be no enforcement of this request. It’s just a request).
So without further ado...
STUDIES IN ABUNDANT LIVING Vol.1
The Bible Tells Me So
Chapter 1 – Release From Your Prisons
What’s right with it…
In this opening chapter, we learn the importance of our own mindset in dealing with our problems. Recognizing fear, worry, and anxiety as prisons from which we should be released was revolutionary for me, even though it’s not unique to VPW’s doctrine. There are some very powerful and accurate statements in this chapter, including:
Quote:
“In following God’s Word and in knowing His Son, we will not only be free, but we shall be free indeed.”
“Every influence which is not based upon the accuracy of God’s Word shall come to naught. Such influences lead only to imprisonment.”
“Outside of Christ we cannot be free. Jesus Christ was the liberator who set us free. He is the head of the church.”
“The truth of The Word and of Christ is our light and power in life; this is our release from fears, worries anxieties, frustrations, heartaches, headaches and everything else that comes along. This is our means to get out of the negative prisons of self-enslavement
into the glorious liberty of children of God.”
"It is the introduction of light that dispels darkness, not the dwelling on darkness that introduces light."
What’s wrong with it…
This chapter fails in several ways. First, it rips numerous verses from their context in order to make a point about “thinking positive.” The best example is the first. In quoting John 8:31, 32 and 36, VPW alerts us to the fact that the truth of Christ shall make us free. But what about the missing verses? The missing verses answer a very important question: FROM WHAT shall the truth of Christ make us free?
VPW’s answer: from self-condemnation, from bad thoughts and bad feelings based on sins committed ages ago: “The prisons of our secret sins, things in our lives which we don’t want to share with any other person in the world...”
Jesus’ answer: “I tell you the truth. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36, NIV).
See the distinction? Christ was discussing freedom from SIN. VPW used those verses to discuss freedom from SIN CONSCIOUSNESS, from self-condemnation, from feeling bad. Now, the Bible DOES teach freedom from those things, but not in these verses. And the Bible teaches HOW to be released from these prisons. But the answer is NOT “clearness and concern.” It is NOT getting a “positive, clear picture of your freed self.”
The answer to freedom from sin-consciousness and self-condemnation is mourning (Matthew 5:4) and godly sorrow (II Corinthians 7:9-10). VPW takes us from the commission of sin straight to the rejection of sin-consciousness, skipping the all-important aspect of godly sorrow, the genuine and heartfelt REPENTANCE of a humble heart who comes to the Father and says, with sincerity, “I am sorry.”
You will NEVER be released from the prison of sin-consciousness or self-condemnation without mourning and godly sorrow. The forgiveness is guaranteed by God (I John 1:9). Then, and only then, should you be free from sin-consciousness.
Another failure of this chapter is the centrality of the human will. Take the following statements for example:
Quote:
“If you want to get rid of something today, you must focus, dwell on what you want.”
“If you want to get out of your prisons today, immediately change your thinking about your situation; change your subject of focus. As you change your thinking, you will draw a mental pattern for the things you do want in your life, which in turn will dispel and root out those things you do not want.”
“The release from one’s prisons depends upon two things: clearness and concern – the two “C’s” of release.”
Now, to VPW’s credit, he does eventually invite God into the picture, but it’s not central. It's very clear that the solution starts with you and your mind and your framework and your mental picture and you you you you you and oh, by the way, God. It should be the other way around (Matthew 6:33).
What if you pray for release and you do not get it? According to VPW, it’s because “you only momentarily changed your mental image; you did not keep your picture in focus and allow the proper exposure time.” The focus is on the process and how you ask.
According to the Bible, the answer is: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) The focus is on your heart and intentions. God isn’t in the business of giving us whatever we want. He’s in the business of giving us what He wants us to have.
Quote:
“How have you mentally pictured yourself for the past week, month, year, ten years? The picture that you carry of yourself with clearness and with concern is what you are. This law works for positive and negative thinking alike.”
I really like the above statement. There’s a lot of truth to it. But it’s not a law, and calling it a law doesn’t make it a law. It’s very nice. It’s really nice. Copy it and stick it on your refrigerator. I LOVE THAT STATEMENT. But it’s not a law.
VPW’s conclusion:
Quote:
“When you find yourself in one of life’s prison’s, get a positive, clear picture of your freed self. Focus in on the positive image and thank God that right now you have the answer. Keep confessing and believing positively according to The Word, and your release will absolutely follow.”
My conclusion: When you find yourself in one of life’s prisons, PRAY. Get God into the picture as early as possible. Ask Him what He wants you to do. Learn His will so that it becomes second-nature to you (something VPW also suggests). If the prison is guilt, mourn your sin and God through Christ WILL comfort you. The “positive thoughts” of God’s Will are stronger than anything you can conjure up in your mind.
Edited by: Rafael Olmeda
 at: 9/23/00 9:43:17 pm
| Mandii
(9/23/00 6:59:33 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
APPLAUDING APPLAUDING APPLAUDING
Rafael, that was absolutely wonderful and it brought me closer to God, not myself.
I hope to get a printer someday and be able to print out your above posts and those of Jerry and Co. on the pfal thread.
Magnificient.
Mandii | Outin88
(9/23/00 8:43:19 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
Rafael, this is great, thanks for sharing & God Bless
ya.
| Orange Cat
(9/23/00 9:00:39 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
Thanks, Raf, again I am struck wondering if twi was a Christian organization. Seemed to go out of its way to push that which is central to most of Christiandom to the fringe or the tag line of a prayer.
Orange Cat
| Rafael Olmeda
(9/23/00 9:04:03 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
Thanks, everyone. OC, I'm not going to answer your statement except to say: look at the part about "What's right with it." Those are some beautiful things there and, say what you want about VPW, I give him credit for introducing those truths into my life.
No conclusions, just observations.
| Orange Cat
(9/23/00 9:20:17 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
Hey Raf, I thought I was agreeing with you, lol. That the crux of Christianity isn't a happy glow gimme gimme but a life of duty, service, kindness and love. Not the candy floss of a gumball dispenser sort of God where our believing is the penny in the slot.
I won't argue with your experience, however, that I never do. That good which folks found in twi is their's to keep.
Peace
Orange Cat
| JBarrax
(9/23/00 9:25:09 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
Very well said Rafael; especially the distinction between sin and sin
consciousness.
One of the things my old LC taught was a similar revision of this teaching. He suggested that when VP talks about getting a clear picture, he meant to say focus on the Word, which he does eventually say. Focusing on the Word on a given topic can lead our thoughts in God's direction, and can build faith for deliverance. But, as you said, VP also threw in a lot of self-directed stuff that eventually became entrenched in our minds and lead to nonsensical nomenclature and unbiblical carnal practice.
Good job Raf
Peace
Jerry
| Rafael Olmeda
(9/23/00 10:07:12 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
OC,
I guess I'm just trying to say: I'm just reviewing a book. I don't want to say TWI is or is not a Christian organization. I am not the one who gets to decide that.
Jerry,
Thank you for the inspiration.
I can't emphasize it enough: The Way International never taught freedom from sin; only the freedom from the consequences, harmful effects, and bad feelings associated with sin. It is my observation that the phrase "let us sin, that grace may abound," really does apply to TWI's outlook on the Word.
Edited by: Rafael Olmeda
at: 9/23/00 10:07:12 pm
| Robi
(9/25/00 6:36:44 pm)
| Re: The Blue Book
Rafe...
The thoughtfulness you have put into this is amazing! Coupled with an excellent writing style, this series promises to be very intriguing. Generally I stay away from doctrinal reviews and issues...but this is one I will follow.
Glad you are my brother!
love,
Robi
Edited by: Robi at: 9/25/00 6:36:44 pm | Rafael Olmeda
(9/25/00 4:41:29 pm)
| How To Avoid Being A Failure
Chapter 2 - How To Avoid Being A Failure
What’s right with it…
This is a really frustrating chapter. VPW begins with a worthwhile premise: God does not want any failures. He wants His children to be successes. And VPW quotes several reassuring promises of God through Christ:
“Come unto me… and I will give you rest.”
“Lo, I am with you always…”
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
What’s wrong with it…
The chapter on “How To Avoid Being A Failure” IS a failure. It is a failure because it does not define success or failure! Without a definition of success, it is virtually impossible to succeed.
The majority of this chapter is devoted to the blatant and incomprehensible misapplication of a parable in Luke 15. Please READ LUKE 15 before proceeding. I’ll wait…
I mean it…
No, really, go back and read Luke 15 or I’ll call you a failure.
Ok, you’re back? Good.
VPW uses the parable of the lost piece of silver to teach something other than what Jesus is teaching. Looking at the parable in its context, we see that it is the second of three parables. The first is commonly and accurately referred to as the parable of the lost sheep. The second is the lost piece of silver. And the third is commonly and accurately called the parable of the prodigal son. Why are these names important? Because the focus of each of these stories is the value of that which is lost.
VPW writes, “The second is a story of a woman who avoided being a failure because she found one little piece of silver.” VPW is wrong. That is not what this story is about. Note all three stories: what do they have in common? All involve something of value that is LOST (a sheep, a piece of silver, a son). All involve the FINDING or RETURN of that which is lost (the sheep is found, the silver is found, the son returns). And all involve the REJOICING of the one who lost the item or person in the first place (the shepherd, the woman, the father).
In all three cases, the thing lost is compared to a sinner, the return of the thing lost is compared to a sinner who repents, and the one who rejoices is compared to God and the angels of heaven rejoicing when a sinner repents. (The “Prodigal Son” contains all of these aspects, and adds the aspect of the jealousy of the son who did NOT waste his inheritance: meaning the steadfast are to rejoice at the repentance of a sinner, not glory in their own steadfastness).
So this story has nothing to do with a woman who avoided being a failure. VPW took the emphasis off the importance of that one little piece of silver (YOU) and put it on the woman trying to find the silver. A parable is supposed to make a point, and using the parable to make ANOTHER point may be profitable, or it may not. In this case, VPW completely missed the reason Jesus was telling the story.
The woman, in the story, is compared to God. The woman does not want to lose that piece of silver. God does not want to lose YOU. The woman does whatever she can to find the piece of silver. God does whatever He can to get YOU back. The woman rejoices when she gets the silver back. God rejoices when He gets YOU back. That is the lesson of this story.
Does the woman avoid being a failure by finding the piece of silver? Would God be a failure if you or I failed to return to Him? If the answer to the first question is YES, and the answer to the second question is NO, then clearly, the analogy no longer applies. So why emphasize the one aspect of the parable in which the analogy does not apply?
VPW then writes, “We too can avoid being a failure by putting first things first.”
Huh? I agree with the statement, but it doesn’t flow logically from that parable. VPW goes on to quote Matthew 6:33 (Seek the kingdom of God first and all these things will be added unto you…), and concludes that if you seek anything else first, all things will be subtracted from you. That’s faulty logic. It’s not what the Bible says at all. It says seek the kingdom of God first, and these things (food, clothing, necessities) will be added to you. Logic dictates, then, that if you DON’T seek God first, those things will NOT be added to you (that is, not by God). There is no threat in Matthew 6:33. VPW’s threat has no biblical foundation.
VPW’s conclusion:
Quote:
You are the one to now decide
Whether to believe Him or toss Him aside.
You are the one to make up your mind
Whether to accept Him or linger behind.
Take Him or leave Him, which will you do?
Believing is assurance of no failure for you.
My conclusion: Believing is assurance of no failure? Hogwash. Success takes work. It takes hard work. According to VPW, success means you turn your house upside-down to find that one little piece of silver worth just a few cents. Obedience to God and His Will is what assures success. So with all due respect to VPW, this chapter has a catchy title and an uplifting conclusion, but as a study on How to Avoid Being a Failure, I give it an F.
Edited by: Rafael Olmeda
at: 9/25/00 4:41:29 pm | Mandii
(9/25/00 3:19:21 pm)
| Re: How To
Avoid Being A Failure
Hi Rafael, I went and read Luke 15 and it was like the words were jumping off the page at me. The whole context, as you pointed out was totally about God's faithfulness, His care and His concern and great love toward us.
Jesus WAS depicting a loving heavenly Father and not a 12 step program for success.
And then, if a man is rich towards God, he isn't a failure, is he??
Thank you for sharing, Rafael, this is truly wonderful.
Mandii | Rafael Olmeda
(9/25/00 6:25:27 pm)
| Are You Limiting God?
Chapter 3 - Are You Limiting God?
What's right with it...
I really, really like this chapter. God is glorified throughout, and His grace really shines. To write everything I like about this chapter, I would have to practically rewrite it. Here's the point: God wants to help us. He promises to be there for us in every situation. He gets the glory. When we don't believe Him, we limit Him. So let's believe Him and we'll see His Word come to pass.
What's wrong with it...
This is not a flawless chapter, but the benefits far outweigh the nits I'm about to pick.
VPW's discussion of kingdoms is not recognized by anyone anywhere. He made it up. It's nonsensical, and gets in the way.
The oft-repeated definition of righteousness is given. Practical error often accompanied this definition. I think many Way believers were willing to say "I get to stand before God without any sense of sin, guilt or condemnation," always forgetting that it's our "GOD-GIVEN" right. Is VPW to blame for the practical error that accompanied this definition? Partially, but not in this chapter.
VPW's conclusion:
Quote:
Are you limiting God? Why not release the power of God that is latent within you, and believe God for the abundance which He has promised?
My conclusion: VPW blows it with this closing paragraph. Throughout the chapter, the focus is on God, His ability, His willingness, His grace, His mercy, HIM HIM HIM. Then, suddenly, at the close of the chapter, it's about the latent power within YOU. Dang! Why? Why? Why? The chapter is not called Are You Limiting YOU? I wish I could find an old manuscript somewhere that omitted the last paragraph of the chapter.
Edited by: Rafael Olmeda
at: 9/25/00 6:25:27 pm
| JBarrax
(9/25/00 10:14:15 pm)
| Re: How to Avoid being a failure
Great Stuff Rafael. I always felt that something was missing from How to Avoid Being a Failure, but could never quite figure out what it was. It did seem rather pointless, but I always just figured I wasn't getting it. You hit the nail on the head. Very illuminating.
by the way how do you do those nifty Quote things?
Jerry
| laleo
(9/25/00 11:46:24 pm)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
I don't know, Rafael. Maybe you can discuss at greater length the benefits you see in this chapter (Are You Limiting God?). To me, it sounds like that old familiar message: denying our negative feelings means they will no longer exist. Confessing our negative feelings brings about dire consequences.
Quote:
When this great transformation takes place and we do not limit God, then we will not talk about worry, fear, anxiety, sickness and want. We forget those negatives . . .
That sounds unhealthy to me. If you're sick, say you're sick. If you're afraid, say you're afraid. Accept your situation for what it is. There are so many testimonies from people who, through their struggle with cancer and other fatal illnesses, found God. But according to this doctrine, God cannot be found in illness, because illness is "negative." Illness means you're limiting God.
Quote:
We frequently limit God in ourselves by our wrong believing, by accepting the knowledge that comes to us through our senses. Our reason says, "That just cannot be," and so we confess the negative, when all the time His spirit within us is crying out, "Sufficiency in everything."
Do you really agree that we should suspend reason in pursuit of spirituality? For years, I thought "that just cannot be," and I was right. It wasn't.
My first inkling that something was amiss with this doctrine came from a book I read to my toddler by Mr. Rogers, Wishes Don't Make Things Come True. It is childish to think that the thoughts in our minds can appropriate results. There is a difference between what we think and what we do. Thoughts cause feelings. Feelings inspire us toward action. Actions can bring negative results. That's why it is so important to talk about our "negative" thoughts and feelings. That way the power to destroy is dissipated.
I don't find anything that glorifies God in this chapter. I think we do ourselves great harm when we believe that we've "limited God" by our confession.
Jerry, It's simple (I just learned it, too). Just do this (where I have the parentheses, place brackets []):
(quote)Whatever you want to quote(/quote)
Laleo Edited by: laleo
 at: 9/25/00 11:46:24 pm
| Rafael Olmeda
(9/26/00 10:18:04 am)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
Laleo:
Thanks for raising your points.
As I said, the chapter is not flawless. You are absolutely right in pointing out that VPW falls back on the same old "confessing positives=positive thinking=good, confessing negatives=negative thinking=bad" mindset that is so dangerous. I just believe that in its context, it was okay (that is, in this chapter).
I'm trying to study each of these chapters individually, since they were originally published individually. In this chapter, VPW never says "believing equals receiving" or "confession of belief yields receipt of confession" or anything along those lines. He simply holds up the promise of God and asks if you believe it. Then he asks if you are seeing the promise of God come to pass in your life. If you are not seeing the promise of God come to pass in your life, VPW asks IF you are limiting God through a lack of faith. All of these are valid questions. If he had taken the next step and said "if you are sick then you are limiting God," I would have objected. Since he does not say that, I'm not objecting (even though it's quite likely VPW believed that, and many point to this chapter to prove exactly that point).
I can't accept that you don't find ANYTHING that glorifies God in this chapter.
VPW writes:
Quote:
How much are we allowing God to work in us? That is the paramount question. It is not a question of God's willingness or ability. It is simply a question of allowing the limitlessness of God to live in us and work in us, to will and to do of His good pleasure.
The message of VPW and TWI is often: you you you you you, believe believe believe believe believe, and then, oh, by the way, God. In this chapter, for once, that pattern is reversed. God wants to help. God wants to deliver. God wants to work in you. God wants to work with you. Believe.
Can the chapter be misapplied? Yes. Has it been? Oh, absolutely. But on its own, I find limited fault with the chapter.
Edited by: Rafael Olmeda
at: 9/26/00 10:18:04 am
| Mandii
(9/26/00 11:23:06 am)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
I like the work you are doing, Rafael and I hope you don't mind me jumping in here.
I know there is a fine line between being real, and saying that life stinks at any given moment and being one of those who always see the negative side of life and therefore defeat their ownselves before they even try.
And there's a difference between being positive and then believing that our thoughts can actually create circumstances to change by our own mind power.
I only state the above to let readers know I do see the difference before I get into the point(s) I really want to make.
The last quote in your post that came from VP, it itself is a wonderful quote. How much are we allowing God to work within us?
But under the auspices of TWI, to me, (and others) that comment sounded one way and meant a totally different thing.
VP was talking about material and physical abundance that was supposed to be available to us as long as we 'believed and unleashed the power of God within us."
It was always more of a physical thing than a deeply true spiritual awakening, and renewing.
Today, to me, to not limit God in my life and to let him work within me to do His Will, it means a spiritual cleansing, of allowing Him to prune away my pride, my fear, my doubts for me to totally submit to the Lord Jesus in the most secret parts of my heart.
It's an inner thing, while God allows me into His Holies of Holies through Jesus Christ, I allow/trust Him into my unholies of unholies and allow Him to mend, grown, shape and direct.
That doesn't mean I don't pray for healing or for deliverance in physical/material/financial areas for myself or others but I just define spirituality differently now and don't see a person battling an illness as unbelieving as that is usually not the case, and usually far from it being true.
I just mean that TWI had an altogether different standard for judging true spirituality than what the Bible indicates.
Mandii | Rafael Olmeda
(9/26/00 1:15:26 pm)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
Mandii:
You are absolutely right. I'm just trying to stick to a critique of what's actually written.
There was one other line that bugged me, along the lines of Laleo's comments.
VPW wrote: "Have we been limiting God in our lives? We must be if we do not have all sufficiency in everything."
So if you lack something, ANYTHING, you're limiting God. Sorry, I don't buy it. Laleo used the example of sickness, and it's a good one. Sickness is NOT proof that you are limiting God. It is proof that you are born of Adam. Death is not proof that you stopped believing. It is proof that you stopped breathing.
VPW recovers from this flub quickly: Quote:
Our having sufficiency is God's will for us; yet how many of us have limited God by not allowing Him to fulfill this promise in our lives? How slow we have been to realize that God is our ability, that He is the life of our lives, the strength of our strength, that He is our sufficiency.
How can we say God is not glorified in this chapter?
Mandii, Laleo, your points are good. In the hands of TWI, this chapter is poison. All I can say is, if I distributed this chapter to people as a pamphlet, without any reference to VPW or TWI, I think it would help more people than it would hurt. Maybe I'm wrong, but I really do like this chapter very much. Now, the next two chapters are another story
entirely, as we will see.
Edited by: Rafael Olmeda
at: 9/26/00 1:15:26 pm
| Gem72
(9/26/00 12:07:46 pm)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
This is definitely my favorite chapter in the blue book. At one point, I had the entire chapter
committed to memory.
As we read, each of us has the responsibility to not put the "overlays" of TWI dogma or any other dogma onto the words.
To me this entire chapters focus is on the unlimited possibilities for each of us when we do not limit God. If your need is physical, mental, spiritual, financial, etc. etc. It is still our responsibility to "see God bigger."
The other nice thing about this chapter is the very definite focus on Jesus Christ, and the power that is given to us.
I honestly wondered how I would "feel" when this chapter was evaluated. I have not changed my thinking with what has been said. It still edifies me and helps me to put my focus back on the source of all life and power.
I honestly believe that this chapter was God inspired...take me to task if you like, but I do not think I could have done a better job with this subject matter. Could you have?
Sometimes I think that hairs are split with some of the commentary. Just because your mind rejects something that is written because you believe it focus' on the material realm, does not mean that that is what is said. Someone else may read it with an entirely different focus (say spiritual) and get their need filled.
I also believe that VPW strength was being able to write and teach so that others would be inspired. He definitely wasn't a "dry, textbook theologian."
While I can concede some points on what has been said about the other chapters, even those chapters still bless me. I think it is because I "look" to get "personal" answers.
In any event...I know of no man's work that is perfect, with the one exception of Jesus Christ.
That said, I am enjoying these posts and this exercise.
| Sunlight8
(9/26/00 4:18:29 pm)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
The first question that occurs to me on this subject: Where in the Bible does it say it’s possible for us to limit God in His interactions with us? Where is the documentation for the assertions in this chapter?
The most basic fundamental is the fact that God is greater than man. Always was. Man is the one who is limited, God is not. Since man is limited categorically in comparison to God, he will of necessity always fail under the premise of “Are you limiting God?” Our minds and our wills can only take us so far. God can go farther.
Job’s basic error (unlike what TWI taught) is he thought God should or would act a certain way, because he had acted in a certain way. God Himself confronts him for several chapters. The truth is God acts a certain way, therefore we can, if we choose, act a certain way in response. God expects us to adapt to Him, not the other way around. God is not required to be subject to our limitations. This is one of several truths laid out in God’s confrontation to Job. Consider Job 40:11 (Amplified version).
Who has first given to Me, that I should repay him: Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine. (Therefore, who can have a claim against God…)
I don’t think we should be trying to get God to fit within our framework (God does according to what we allow), but rather, let’s fit within His (God does what He does because He is righteous and just). Or stated another way, our actions should be predicated on God's, rather than God's actions are predicated on ours. Then, our response and responsibilities will be much more clear.
Sunlight
| Rafael Olmeda
(9/26/00 4:45:52 pm)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
Sunlight,
While I understand your point, I take issue with your opening comment. We most certainly CAN and often DO limit God in His interaction with us. In fact, I would venture to say this is the ONLY way we can limit God. If God needs me to do something and I do not do it, I have limited His interaction in my life through my disobedience. If God makes a promise to me and I refuse to believe it or walk on that promise, I have limited His interaction in my life. I have not limited His power or His ability. I have only limited His influence in my life. I do not want to do that.
As for documentation, there's that familiar verse in which Jesus could not perform miracles in a certain city because of their unbelief. Please note several other examples...
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Now, if I do not acknowledge Him in all my ways, it follows logically that He will not make my paths straight. I will have limited God's interaction in my life.
Ephesians 6:11
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
If I don't put on the full armor of God I will not be able to stand because I have limited God's interaction in my life.
I'm sure there are plenty of other examples, but I'm equally sure you see my point. Have I missed yours?
| Sunlight8
(9/27/00 11:35:36 am)
| Re: Are You Limiting God?
Rafael,
Unlike the old days when I used to accept things simply because of who said it, I am very uncomfortable with undocumented assertions and teaching. Therefore my opening questions were rather rhetorical.
Re: this particular chapter, upon reflection, I am not yet satisfied. When I have time, I plan to look at Ephesians rather closely as that is where it is spelled out that we are God's dwelling place. I want to look at it closely in regard to doctrine and practice and then compare with this chapter.
I have no problem with focusing on God's limitlessness with respect to my life. I do have some problems with VPW's practical assertions. So for me at this time, the real question is what does the Bible say I am to do with respect to God's limitlessness? Specifically. If I find any agreement with VPW, okie dokie. If not, oh well. But, that is my personal approach, and what I feel I need to do to be really satisfied one way or another on this subject.
Sunlight
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