Do we choose to become what we are--or are we forced into that becoming? What do you think.
-
Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Are we victims, or masters?
- Thread starter Earth Wind and Fire
- Start date
seekingthetruth
New Member
Probably both.
I was born who I am, but i do make alot of choices.
John
I was born who I am, but i do make alot of choices.
John
Tom Bryant
Well-Known Member
I think it is a combination of both. Our sin nature works on making us continually be worse. How we are raised and the experiences of our lives can work in both directions, both better and worse.
But the grace of God makes us what we could never be: a child of God and joint heir with Jesus.
So the answer to "do we choose...?" or "Are we becoming..." is Yes! How's that for straddling?
Yes. :tongue3:
During our lives, many times we are victims of others sin. But thanks to God that we don't have to remain victims, but through the power of the Holy Spirit can overcome our victimness (new word...lol) by forgiving their sin and a putting our focus on the new life God has granted us.
We can also victimize ourselves by making stupid choices. In this case, we as children of God can go to Him and receive forgiveness and put it behind us and make a new start. God is really into the newness of life!
:godisgood:
I echo Amy's answer - yes.
In my life, I can honestly say that I have been both victim and master.
I've found (through personal experience) that the most tragic victim is the one who wallows in his or her victimhood. Any long-term grudge that I might have held towards a particular person who wronged me damaged me far worse than the temporary wrong.
A victim is only a true victim if they will not perservere.
That's why I like Micah 7:8. "Do not rejoice over me, o my enemy. For when I fall, I will get up. And when I am in the darkness - the LORD is my light."
I did not choose the date of my birth, where I would be born, my physical characteritics, gifts nor did I appoint the time of my death.
Many of my circumstances are beyond my control and some are conseqences of my own decisions and actions.
Often we are the victims of other peoples decisions and actions.
Overall, it is a mistake to assume control by saying I will do this or that in regard to anything in my future without prefacing with "Lord willing" which is acknowlegement that I really do not control the future at all.
I can and do make choices every day that directly effect my immediate and long term circumstances and yet I don't have control over most of these circumstances once they are set in motion.
My only real mastery is found in submitting to the will of God and following His will as revealed in the Scriptures and providence. Walking in the Spirit is where I can do all things and be the victim of none but more than conqueror.
With the exception of my salvation, where God both chose me & Christ died for my sins & saved me, & the Holy Spirit finally awakened me to a rebirth, I truly believe God allows me many choices in my day to day life. Nobody impels me or compels me to sin....nobody but my sin nature. I strongly believe that the same wind that blows a ship on the rocks could blow it into safe harbor. In short, it is not the wind, it is the set of the sail.
And this relates to the OP how?
It relates to the last post of the AUTHOR of the OP. Now back off.
A little sensitive, are you?
Here is the OP
Key words are "choose" and "forced." Now can you give an intelligent answer?
The only rude person on this thread is you! Amy simply asked how does your post relate to the OP. I don't think any reader on this thread can see any relationship between your post and the OP? If they could they would not be asking how it is related!
Instead of telling every one to "back off" why don't you just answer the questions you are being asked without being so abrasive and rude?
If you don't want to post then don't.
If you do want to post, then stop being offensive.
[edited: not related to OP]
Look at what you wrote!! It makes no sense in relationship to the OP. The OP never asked about anything you said! Amy was not knocking you or your beliefs but simply asking what in the world are you talking about when the OP deals with victim verus masters???
I said you were being sensitive. Where did I say you were being unintelligent?
You do not think you are rude when you call me heretic. I am not going to continue a conversation with someone like you who is unfair and untruthful. So stop derailing this thread.