Greetings, dear Sab (again, peace to you!). I mean absolutely NO disrespect, but you appear to be misunderstanding me as well as contradicting yourself. In addition, there are a couple/few things I must disagree with. You stated:
There is no need to "accept" that we fall short of that power because it goes without saying.
When I responded that it SHOULD “go without saying”, you responded:
You said that they SHOULD know better.
I really did not say that. I stated that as to your comment that that we fall short "goes without saying." - that some don’t recognize this (that is goes without saying), some don’t even recognize that there IS a power, or although some do recognize that power, they don’t know how they fall short with regard to it. Whether they should know BETTER was, IMHO, another subject altogether. But since you brought it up:
Why should they? They will either figure it out or they will not given their genetics and circumstance. That's why the Bible talks about the separation of the sheep and the goats, correct?
Ummmm… I’m not sure. Depends on what you mean by “genetics” and “circumstance.” Can you clarify/elaborate, please? Thank you!
God does the sorting, in His own due time, based on our actions here.
Ummmm… not exactly. But since you apparently believe Christ (who does the sorting, along with his co-rulers) to be God (which isn’t the truth, but that is another thread entirely), I will concede, for now, and say yes. But that kind of contradicts what you say further on…
Using the word "should" implies that these people have what is needed to "know" and are choosing not too for some reason; personal or not.
Well, but now, that IS true. EVERYONE “has” what is NEEDED to “know.” That they don’t LISTEN to what they "know" really IS a choice. And it really is usually personal.
With many humans I have witnessed a certain event in their life is what turns the tide within their minds. Until the life cycle is complete there are no "shoulds."
That is true for those who may have left, but turned around; however, EVERYONE is born with it inherently IN them. “Life” causes them to turn/move away from it. Those you are speaking of have life events that tend to turn them BACK (although, not always to the right “road”). But even little children "know." It our various world societies and cultures... and their expectations... along with the hypocrisy, falsity, and heinous acts of religion... that "learn" it out of them.
That is why I asked "what's the rush?" Because if one has the tools, and the know how, to build the House and is sitting on the tailgate smokin' dope one needs a fire lit under his ass, right?
True that…
Then again, if one is sitting on the tailgate smokin' dope while one waits for material to arrive the responsibility meter drops dramatically.
Unless one was supposed to get their tail off the tailgate… and go GET the material. Or make arrangement to have it delivered. Right? What your example is suggesting is that one has WHAT ONE NEEDS to build a house... except the actual materials... but expects the materials to simply drop out of the sky. IF one has the tools and know how to build, one logically knows one needs materials to build WITH. So, one would AT LEAST… place an order FOR materials, yes? In which case, one CAN sit and smoke dope while waiting DELIVERY, yes. But if one never placed an ORDER… then one is no different than the one sitting and doing nothing but smoking… while the materials right there under his nose. Right? Either way, no house gets built.
[Or perhaps you're suggesting that the guy down at the lumber yard somehow miraculously KNEW that your tailgating dope smoker wants to build a house... even though he never got his tail off the tailgate and went to the lumberyard and TOLD anybody there what he planned... heck, didn't even make a phone call... but just sat on his tail[gate] expecting the lumberman to know... and just show up with lumber???????]
I would like to comment regarding your comments with dear PSacto (peace to you!), as well, if I may. You ask:
So when it's all said and done and God looks back at how we all interconnected with each other he could never come to the conclusion that someone came to righteousness because of someone else?
He could not. Because NO ONE comes to righteousness because of someone else, unless that someone else is Christ. One can’t even come to CHRIST because of someone else… unless that someone else is God. And one can’t come to God… unless they go through Christ. The purpose of OUR message isn’t to bring people TO Christ; only the Father does that. It is a proof of OUR faith… as to who and what he IS… and what he can and will DO… for anyone who IS so drawn.
Two PERFECT examples of that are the Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius (although there are other examples). In the case of the eunuch, Christ TOLD Philip to join to the chariot. Why? Because the eunuch was ALREADY searching and being drawn. He just didn't understand exactly to WHOM. So, Philip was used to CLARIFY. But PHILIP'S faith was tested because HE was the one given the instruction. Would he do it? Or would he beg off.
In the case of Cornelius, Cornelius was told by someone other than Peter that his prayers had been heard; yet, Peter was sent. Why? To lead Cornelius to Christ? No! Cornelius already knew about Christ! It was PETER'S faith that was being tested... because he was being sent to a man he previously would have called "unclean"! But NOW... he was being told that what was formerly unclean was now clean! Did he believe it? Would he GO?? Both of these men showed THEIR faith... through THEIR obedience to what they HEARD. If they hadn't gone... someone else would have been sent. But... they would have missed out on the privilege of being used by Christ... because of their disobedience. They were faithful, though... in these least things... and so were given greater tasks: heralding the good news... ABOUT CHRIST... to both Israel and the nations. Whether those heard... or refrained.
there is a reason why God has allowed so much time to pass.
Yes. Because He doesn’t WANT… ANY… to die. So, He’s allowing for all of US to make our OWN “reply” to the one taunting Him. Not reply for others, not have others reply for us. But make our OWN reply. And when we CAN'T reply... for whatever reason... there is One who will plead FOR us. Christ. IF we accept him as our leader, which we do by, among other things, obeying his voice.
We have to choose him, willingly, and that involves helping others understand why choosing him is a good idea, no?
No. HE has told mankind why choosing Him is a good idea: life. He sent His SON to tell mankind. That Son SPEAKS to mankind. YOU can tell mankind all the day long. I can, too. Won’t change a thing. It is between God, Christ… and that man.
For an infathomable amount of time humans have been entrapped within the confides of religion.
On THAT we agree!
For most of human history God, as he can be, was murdered and replaced with men.
Not sure what you mean, here? Literally? The Most Holy One of Israel cannot be murdered, dear one. Nor can He die. True, He has been replaced with men, and so the REALITY of Him has been “murdered.” But I don’t understand what you’re saying, especially since you say “For most of human history.” Again, can you clarify/elaborate, please? And, again, thank you!
No king rules forever
Ahhhh, here we MUST disagree. No HUMAN king rules forever, dear one; however, God, as the MOST High, and Christ, as His appointed King… rule… forever.
and we are finally breaking those rusty bonds, wouldn't you agree? God doesn't detatch those, we do.
Again, I must disagree. We can release others from OUR bonds… those WE have on them (primarily, our judging!)... and we are directed to DO that. However, it is Christ who sets us free. For if the SON sets you free… you are TRULY free. All other freedom is merely an illusion.
Again, I mean no disrespect… and bid you peace!
YOUR servant and a slave of Christ,
SA