Comments on: Where Else Can We Go? http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/where-else-can-we-go/ Passionately pursuing intimacy with God in Christ Thu, 21 Apr 2011 04:55:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Daniel C. Wilson http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/where-else-can-we-go/#comment-1021 Daniel C. Wilson Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:44:51 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=1870#comment-1021 Mike and Al - taken together, your comments have described what the year 2009 felt like on my end. A God-designed test that resulted in a stronger faith because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Not that God didn't know the outcome of my struggle with skepticism, but He knew it would do my heart good to reach firm conclusions after a test. Mike, seeing you here is a welcome sight. I hope you come back and share your insight. Mike and Al – taken together, your comments have described what the year 2009 felt like on my end. A God-designed test that resulted in a stronger faith because of the work of the Holy Spirit. Not that God didn’t know the outcome of my struggle with skepticism, but He knew it would do my heart good to reach firm conclusions after a test.

Mike, seeing you here is a welcome sight. I hope you come back and share your insight.

]]> By: al http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/where-else-can-we-go/#comment-1020 al Wed, 10 Mar 2010 03:38:00 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=1870#comment-1020 I was reading John 6 earlier today, reflecting on John's description of the events surrounding the miracle of the loaves feeding the multitudes. Jesus asked Philip, "Where are we to buy bread...?" Then we read these striking words: "He said this to test him, for He himself knew what He would do." The skeptic would say that Jesus' question was disingenuous, since He knew that there was nowhere to buy bread, they surely had not the money (over a half year's wages) required, and He had no intention of buying anything. But John tells us it was to test Philip. When God tests us, it is never so that He can see the results because He already knows them, but so that He can prove Himself to us. He does the same again in v.67 with the twelve, "Do you want to go away as well?" He knew what would be said in reply, but up until that point they did not know, so He asked it to prove Himself to them-- so that they could be assured that they had already decided in their minds and hearts that there was nowhere else to go, for eternal life itself was in their midst in the very person of their Lord. God's tests are not constructed for our failure, but for our maturation. I was reading John 6 earlier today, reflecting on John’s description of the events surrounding the miracle of the loaves feeding the multitudes. Jesus asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread…?” Then we read these striking words: “He said this to test him, for He himself knew what He would do.”

The skeptic would say that Jesus’ question was disingenuous, since He knew that there was nowhere to buy bread, they surely had not the money (over a half year’s wages) required, and He had no intention of buying anything. But John tells us it was to test Philip.

When God tests us, it is never so that He can see the results because He already knows them, but so that He can prove Himself to us. He does the same again in v.67 with the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” He knew what would be said in reply, but up until that point they did not know, so He asked it to prove Himself to them– so that they could be assured that they had already decided in their minds and hearts that there was nowhere else to go, for eternal life itself was in their midst in the very person of their Lord.

God’s tests are not constructed for our failure, but for our maturation.

]]> By: Mike McArthur http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/where-else-can-we-go/#comment-1018 Mike McArthur Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:57:58 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=1870#comment-1018 I agree, Peter did not play down the reasons why others were leaving Christ and probably had considered leaving more than once himself - that's most likely why he had such a penetrating reply ready. I personally consider it a bit naive and possibly dangerous to ignore the questions that arise in our hearts regarding our own faith in Christ. An honest facing of doubts can strengthen our real trust in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. If we have truly seen him (had our eyes opened to believe), what we see when we look elsewhere is shown to be empty and ultimately worthless, despite any short-term pleasures or satisfaction it may promise. I look forward to what else you have to share. I agree, Peter did not play down the reasons why others were leaving Christ and probably had considered leaving more than once himself – that’s most likely why he had such a penetrating reply ready.

I personally consider it a bit naive and possibly dangerous to ignore the questions that arise in our hearts regarding our own faith in Christ. An honest facing of doubts can strengthen our real trust in Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. If we have truly seen him (had our eyes opened to believe), what we see when we look elsewhere is shown to be empty and ultimately worthless, despite any short-term pleasures or satisfaction it may promise.

I look forward to what else you have to share.

]]> By: Daniel C. Wilson http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/where-else-can-we-go/#comment-1017 Daniel C. Wilson Tue, 09 Mar 2010 20:44:41 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=1870#comment-1017 Amen Brother Jonathan Amen Brother Jonathan

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/where-else-can-we-go/#comment-1016 Jonathan Tue, 09 Mar 2010 16:25:35 +0000 http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/?p=1870#comment-1016 Indeed, there is utter despair apart from Christ. May the words of Jesus continue to produce in us a Peter-type realization. Indeed, there is utter despair apart from Christ. May the words of Jesus continue to produce in us a Peter-type realization.

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