What Does The Bible Teach Us About Fallen Humans?

[bobinfaith]

Hello brothers and sisters;

Why do we tend to separate between teaching of the Bible and confronting our personal human lives? Throughout the Old and New Testaments we can be inspired by encouragement from God's promises and faithfulness. We receive God's mercies, forgiveness and grace when we repent of our sin.

However, the moment we put our Bible aside and face opposition (mostly people, world conditions that we cannot control and an attitude that takes away His glory) the Scriptures seem to fall short.

Books such as the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels of Jesus' mission, the Application books such as the Paulines and the Reassurance of Revelation tell us, those whose hearts and lives are broken are the people God is closest to. When we hit rock bottom is when God shows favor.

Psalm 34:18, 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. - ESV

Proverbs 3:34, 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. - RSV

Adults are like "little children" when our tears are seen by Dad and Mom. They pick us up and love us with a lollipop. God is the same way as He sees us from way up on high and tends to us way down when we hit low and cry out to Him.

Problem is adult believers can be too strong (prideful, bruised egos, underlying motives) for God. He sees everything about us and when we display a disingenuous heart during our low points God cannot reveal His strength.

Please read and meditate carefully the book of James 4:1-6, What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. 4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - HCSB

When we hit bottom it can bring out truthfulness, we can come to our senses with humbleness and humility. Our self check can reveal we need to repent where we may fall short with God. We don't always see our sin (from the heart and mind.) When we see ourselves we have that opportunity to turn from self (repentance,) our faith turns us back to Jesus. Repentance equates to faith.

I find this attitude can bring me closer to Jesus by having an honest conversation and confession (prayers) with Him. There's always something that triggers a downfall and broken heart (life, relationships and how we respond to uncontrollable situations.)

I'm not afraid to let my brokenness bring me down (it's going to happen) because I have all the faith God is watching my every move and thought. Time and time again there are always lessons to learn, and time and time again He brings me to the point of reconciliation in all things.

I would love to read your thoughts.

God bless everyone.

Bob

 

[crossnote]

Hello brothers and sisters;

Why do we tend to separate between teaching of the Bible and confronting our personal human lives? Throughout the Old and New Testaments we can be inspired by encouragement from God's promises and faithfulness. We receive God's mercies, forgiveness and grace when we repent of our sin.

However, the moment we put our Bible aside and face opposition (mostly people, world conditions that we cannot control and an attitude that takes away His glory) the Scriptures seem to fall short.

Books such as the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels of Jesus' mission, the Application books such as the Paulines and the Reassurance of Revelation tell us, those whose hearts and lives are broken are the people God is closest to. When we hit rock bottom is when God shows favor.

Psalm 34:18, 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. - ESV

Proverbs 3:34, 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. - RSV

Adults are like "little children" when our tears are seen by Dad and Mom. They pick us up and love us with a lollipop. God is the same way as He sees us from way up on high and tends to us way down when we hit low and cry out to Him.

Problem is adult believers can be too strong (prideful, bruised egos, underlying motives) for God. He sees everything about us and when we display a disingenuous heart during our low points God cannot reveal His strength.

Please read and meditate carefully the book of James 4:1-6, What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. 4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - HCSB

When we hit bottom it can bring out truthfulness, we can come to our senses with humbleness and humility. Our self check can reveal we need to repent where we may fall short with God. We don't always see our sin (from the heart and mind.) When we see ourselves we have that opportunity to turn from self (repentance,) our faith turns us back to Jesus. Repentance equates to faith.

I find this attitude can bring me closer to Jesus by having an honest conversation and confession (prayers) with Him. There's always something that triggers a downfall and broken heart (life, relationships and how we respond to uncontrollable situations.)

I'm not afraid to let my brokenness bring me down (it's going to happen) because I have all the faith God is watching my every move and thought. Time and time again there are always lessons to learn, and time and time again He brings me to the point of reconciliation in all things.

I would love to read your thoughts.

God bless everyone.

Bob

Bob your post reminded me of these passages...

Hebrews 12:5-8 NASB
and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My SON, DO NOT REGARD LIGHTLY THE DISCIPLINE OF THE LORD, NOR faint WHEN YOU ARE REPROVED BY HIM; [6] For THOSE whom THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES." [7] It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? [8] But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons..

John 15:2 NASB
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

Romans 8:28-29 NASB
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [29] For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren;

Galatians 5:22-23 KJV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

It becomes (somewhat) obvious that God the Father is after fruit and will go to any lengths (even if it hurts) to produce such fruit and mold us into the image of His Son.
Hence we are quite fallen.

 

[Big Moose]

Hello brothers and sisters;

Why do we tend to separate between teaching of the Bible and confronting our personal human lives? Throughout the Old and New Testaments we can be inspired by encouragement from God's promises and faithfulness. We receive God's mercies, forgiveness and grace when we repent of our sin.

However, the moment we put our Bible aside and face opposition (mostly people, world conditions that we cannot control and an attitude that takes away His glory) the Scriptures seem to fall short.

Books such as the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels of Jesus' mission, the Application books such as the Paulines and the Reassurance of Revelation tell us, those whose hearts and lives are broken are the people God is closest to. When we hit rock bottom is when God shows favor.

Psalm 34:18, 18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. - ESV

Proverbs 3:34, 34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor. - RSV

Adults are like "little children" when our tears are seen by Dad and Mom. They pick us up and love us with a lollipop. God is the same way as He sees us from way up on high and tends to us way down when we hit low and cry out to Him.

Problem is adult believers can be too strong (prideful, bruised egos, underlying motives) for God. He sees everything about us and when we display a disingenuous heart during our low points God cannot reveal His strength.

Please read and meditate carefully the book of James 4:1-6, What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires. 4 Adulteresses! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason the Scripture says that the Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives greater grace. Therefore He says: God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - HCSB

When we hit bottom it can bring out truthfulness, we can come to our senses with humbleness and humility. Our self check can reveal we need to repent where we may fall short with God. We don't always see our sin (from the heart and mind.) When we see ourselves we have that opportunity to turn from self (repentance,) our faith turns us back to Jesus. Repentance equates to faith.

I find this attitude can bring me closer to Jesus by having an honest conversation and confession (prayers) with Him. There's always something that triggers a downfall and broken heart (life, relationships and how we respond to uncontrollable situations.)

I'm not afraid to let my brokenness bring me down (it's going to happen) because I have all the faith God is watching my every move and thought. Time and time again there are always lessons to learn, and time and time again He brings me to the point of reconciliation in all things.

I would love to read your thoughts.

God bless everyone.

Bob

It is very much human nature that we battle. Just like the typical drug addict, or heavy drinker, they have to hit bottom before they can really make a change. Glenn Beck calls it a "pivot point". A real change of heart, rather than just wanting to make a change. One of these is like a baptism. Getting baptized by submersion is one of these pivot points that God endorsed to be a marker, something one will always remember, of one's commitment to God.

 

[bobinfaith]

It becomes (somewhat) obvious that God the Father is after fruit and will go to any lengths (even if it hurts) to produce such fruit and mold us into the image of His Son. Hence we are quite fallen.

It is very much human nature that we battle. Just like the typical drug addict, or heavy drinker, they have to hit bottom before they can really make a change. Glenn Beck calls it a "pivot point". A real change of heart, rather than just wanting to make a change. One of these is like a baptism. Getting baptized by submersion is one of these pivot points that God endorsed to be a marker, something one will always remember, of one's commitment to God.

Hello Big Moose and crossnote;

I appreciate both your sharing and teaching from the Lord. I also posted your snippets that spoke to me today.

After I wrote this thread, the very next day we got hit from all sides with circumstances and results that were beyond our control! In our daily relationship with Christ I believe challenges that befall our faith are frequently understood as being within God's sovereign timing and purpose.

The biggest setback was our 40 gallon water heater busted yesterday afternoon. Our family had to pull together to move stuff away in our master bedroom from the wall opposite the busted water heater outside. The whole water system is turned off in the house as of yesterday. We had to resort to gallon containers of water from a family member close by. Next, our tax preparer came over earlier in the day. Our tax return has a liability that we need to pay. Next, the California Housing sent me a liability letter of our property that I need to settle. Finally, there were a few other setbacks adding fuel to the fire.

It's taken me years to learn that God, who is faithful in our personal relationships does watch our every move. The Scriptures aren't there just to comfort us when life crumbles. The Scriptures are there to encourage and equip us, that no matter what we're succeeding or failing at, He is with us through it all.

This morning, my family stopped everything, we prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. Afterward we set up appointments for three estimates for the water heater ($$$$), we could discern God is moving, slowly but surely, and by tomorrow the new water heater should be replaced.

I'm not saying I'm all gleeful. I'll admit I'm frustrated getting hit from all sides. But knowing God was there and knew this would happen is testing my faith, my disposition and I felt the frustration melt from me and a sense of peace filled me, knowing God will bring resolve to what seems a mountain I was suddenly facing.

God bless you both and thank you for allowing me to share.

Bob

 

[Big Moose]

Yay! Praise the Lord, me too! I am having to fix some water pipe problems in our house. Just spent $90 for supplies to solder copper pipes and put new shut off valves in under a sink and in the basement. It has been a while since I had to buy solder and found out the price has jumped 4 to 6 times the price I remember. Has something to do with the lead free ingredient being ..................silver...........which explains that! So that is why I am seeing so much of the other ways to do water pipes now-a-days. As Da Sheep says, Good Grief! I have a feeling you are in for more than $90 though. Sorry to hear that happened.

 

[Big Moose]

Hello Big Moose and crossnote;

I appreciate both your sharing and teaching from the Lord. I also posted your snippets that spoke to me today.

After I wrote this thread, the very next day we got hit from all sides with circumstances and results that were beyond our control! In our daily relationship with Christ I believe challenges that befall our faith are frequently understood as being within God's sovereign timing and purpose.

The biggest setback was our 40 gallon water heater busted yesterday afternoon. Our family had to pull together to move stuff away in our master bedroom from the wall opposite the busted water heater outside. The whole water system is turned off in the house as of yesterday. We had to resort to gallon containers of water from a family member close by. Next, our tax preparer came over earlier in the day. Our tax return has a liability that we need to pay. Next, the California Housing sent me a liability letter of our property that I need to settle. Finally, there were a few other setbacks adding fuel to the fire.

It's taken me years to learn that God, who is faithful in our personal relationships does watch our every move. The Scriptures aren't there just to comfort us when life crumbles. The Scriptures are there to encourage and equip us, that no matter what we're succeeding or failing at, He is with us through it all.

This morning, my family stopped everything, we prayed and gave thanks to the Lord. Afterward we set up appointments for three estimates for the water heater ($$$$), we could discern God is moving, slowly but surely, and by tomorrow the new water heater should be replaced.

I'm not saying I'm all gleeful. I'll admit I'm frustrated getting hit from all sides. But knowing God was there and knew this would happen is testing my faith, my disposition and I felt the frustration melt from me and a sense of peace filled me, knowing God will bring resolve to what seems a mountain I was suddenly facing.

God bless you both and thank you for allowing me to share.

Bob

You must really be doing the Lord's work to be attacked like that, viewing it from the spiritual side.

 

[bobinfaith]

You must really be doing the Lord's work to be attacked like that, viewing it from the spiritual side.

Good morning, Big Moose;

I feel the Bible teaches all of us who follow Jesus daily that we don't have to be fallen humans. I've asked the Lord to help me grow more in our relationship and union with Him. At times I forget to ask and then I remember to ask. It's a work in progress.

At the same time He's the One who guides our Christian growth and with that we can never be disunited from Him.

No matter who or what crosses our paths (Christians are in the people business) and those things around us that we cannot control like a water heater, water pipe problems in our homes, or when we are driving and the car suddenly breaks down. When we are truly in union with Jesus then we have everything we need to grow.

I read a book titled, How Does God Change Us? Author Dane C. Ortlund writes, "nothing can change you that does not change Him" and, "To get to you, every pain, every assault, every disappointment has to go through Him."

God bless everyone.

Bob

Copyright 2021 by Dane C. Ortlund Published by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois