A Short Break -- Jeremiah 29:13
For the next few weeks, I'll be taking a break from Galatians or reporting from it sporadically. This is not an indication that I've been struggling with some deep meaning in the book, just that my readings have been a bit more of a meander the last few weeks. And now...
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
This, I take it, is a guarantee. God understands that people have trouble believeing in Him. And He has understood this for millenia. The current skeptical age with its firm belief in science and its firm disbelief of anything spiritual, is not the first skeptical age. The ancient Greek philosophers had some troubles believing. There was never an age without its doubters. This is, since the Fall of Man, the natural state of mankind I think. To doubt.
There is nothing God can do to dissuade us from our doubts. That is, there is no miracle He can bring about that would convince someone who prefers not to be convinced. To a degree, then, apologetics are useless. Those who would be persuadeed by them are not those who most need persuading. (Just to a degree, mind.)
What God offers here is something different. It is the personal relationship. This is the one thing that can convince someone who is other minded. It is the one thing that clears away the darkness that can sometimes haunt the Christian who is unsure (and every Christian goes through those periods of doubt -- it goes with the territory. Remember, it's natural.).
The proviso is that we must do the seeking with all our hearts. It can't be done half-heartedly. This should not stop anyone from trying to find Him. You won't miss Him if you try.
"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
This, I take it, is a guarantee. God understands that people have trouble believeing in Him. And He has understood this for millenia. The current skeptical age with its firm belief in science and its firm disbelief of anything spiritual, is not the first skeptical age. The ancient Greek philosophers had some troubles believing. There was never an age without its doubters. This is, since the Fall of Man, the natural state of mankind I think. To doubt.
There is nothing God can do to dissuade us from our doubts. That is, there is no miracle He can bring about that would convince someone who prefers not to be convinced. To a degree, then, apologetics are useless. Those who would be persuadeed by them are not those who most need persuading. (Just to a degree, mind.)
What God offers here is something different. It is the personal relationship. This is the one thing that can convince someone who is other minded. It is the one thing that clears away the darkness that can sometimes haunt the Christian who is unsure (and every Christian goes through those periods of doubt -- it goes with the territory. Remember, it's natural.).
The proviso is that we must do the seeking with all our hearts. It can't be done half-heartedly. This should not stop anyone from trying to find Him. You won't miss Him if you try.
posted by Steven at 6:52 PM
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