Walking with God is never meant to be difficult. Never.
It was always meant to be as natural as breathing. It is part of how we humans were made to function.
By 'made', never just think in terms of how a Potter makes a clay pot or a Painter his painting. Though creations are often of sentimental or artistic significance to their creators, and they do have a level of attachment to them, no Potter or Painter will give the life of his child for his pottery or painting. Yes YHWH (God) moulded mankind as a Potter moulds clay but he did something different, he breathed himself (his life) into mankind. So Man was always special. He was meant to be a type of offspring of God.
[Then God said, “Now let’s make humans who will be like us. They will rule over all the fish in the sea and the birds in the air. They will rule over all the large animals and all the little things that crawl on the earth.” Genesis 1:26 ERV]
To this Creation, unlike the others, God began to reveal himself personally and intimately. And as a loving, proud parent, he began to raise him to be all he planned for him to be - like God under God. ''[The Lord God used dust from the ground and made every animal in the fields and every bird in the air. He brought all these animals to the man, and the man gave them all a name. Genesis 2:19 ERV]
Now thanks to the restoration of our union with God made possible by Jesus our Saviour, YHWH is still doing his hands-on upbringing today.
Our new series will look closer at Concepts and Misconceptions about God. The aim is that in the end, we will have cleared some barriers to understanding God and will gain a greater level of freedom in our relationship with Him as our Father and Origin. Walk with me as we learn to understand God so that we can intelligently walk in reverence of Him. [Paraphrased Psalm 34:11]
Because I am writing from my Holiday break with my children at Spring Harvest Minehead UK, I would like to touch on a misconception my daughter raised some days ago. She said it is a sin to enjoy your food. I believe this is a concept derived from an assumption that a lack of sensory pleasure equates to holiness
First, everything God made was made for the Human's good.
From the very beginning, apart from one, every tree was free for his food and pleasure.
''Adonai, God, gave the person this order: “You may freely eat from every tree in the garden''
Even in times of war, God was particular that his people enjoyed the results of their work and progress.
'' The officers shall say to the army: “Has anyone built a new house and not yet begun to live in it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else may begin to live in it. Has anyone planted a vineyard and not begun to enjoy it? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else enjoy it. Has anyone become pledged to a woman and not married her? Let him go home, or he may die in battle and someone else marry her.” Deuteronomy 20:5-7
As Isaiah the Prophet was instructed,
''Say that it will go well with the righteous, that they will enjoy the fruit of their actions;'' Isaiah 3:10 CJB
And Apostle Paul instructed Timothy,
''Give this command to those who are rich with the things of this world. Tell them not to be proud. Tell them to hope in God, not their money. Money cannot be trusted, but God takes care of us richly. He gives us everything to enjoy.''1 Timothy 6:17 ERV
God does not have any problem with us enjoying what we have worked for or what he has created. What he has a problem with is if those things control us. Enjoying a well-made meal, for example, is a blessing from God but eating without restraint indicates a problem: The appetite for food and pleasure has gained unacceptable power or control over the person.
''A wise son observes Torah, but a friend of those lacking restraint (glutton) shames his father.'' Proverbs 28:7 CJB
''Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.'' Romans 6:12
YHWH as a responsible Father frowns on anything taking over control of us when He has made us overseers of all creation. Hence the problem is not the pleasure derived but when deriving that pleasure means we lose control or we disregard his ordinances and instructions. So as we grow in God and work (and walk) in his will, we take time to enjoy the fruit of our labour, the fruit of all his creation and blessings. However, nothing is meant to have us. We are created subject to only one ultimate authority and control: YHWH's.
'' So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.'' Matthew 6:31 -33
''Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.'' Colossians 2:16-17
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