tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974789970154361999.post7503882434660518687..comments2023-05-10T01:08:10.925-07:00Comments on R + A: They gave up natural relationsRyan & Anna Wolfehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15075169432596009636noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974789970154361999.post-81404865170052875122014-08-27T19:07:51.832-07:002014-08-27T19:07:51.832-07:00I understood that you were talking about humanity ...I understood that you were talking about humanity in general and not Christians. =) I just wanted to apply the discussion to the desires of believers. And your footnotes are a really good way to clarify things without putting too much in the main post. <br /><br />As far as Magician's Nephew goes, I remember that line largely because Dad quotes it a lot. =) There are a couple others that he quotes often, too. One is when Digory and Polly realize that Aslan didn't provide anything for their meals, and Fledge says, essentially, "I have a sort of idea that He likes to be asked." =) -Natalie<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974789970154361999.post-71209860713660256392014-08-26T03:36:41.028-07:002014-08-26T03:36:41.028-07:00Natalie - again, thank you so much for the comment...Natalie - again, thank you so much for the comment feedback. I really like having interaction about these things and it is so good to talk about and form new categories of thought while doing so.<br /><br />I love "The Magician's Nephew" but it's actually been over 10 years since I've read it. I don't remember that part, which, to me, is actually a very good thing. It means I can read it again like it being new! Those are bar-none my favorite fiction books in the world. But anyways, that's kind of besides the point isn't it? :)<br /><br />Yeah - I completely 100% (and very passionately!) agree with your observation that by the Spirit, we have new desires. And actually, to be technical, when I said God gives "us" what "we" want, I was actually talking about "humanity-in-general", and even more particularly non-Christian humanity. It is my belief that Christians, though experiencing the discipline of God as our Father, no longer are under the wrath of God. What we experience in this life is in the form of discipline to conform us to the image of Christ, not as wrath from God's judgment seat since all of that has been poured out on Christ instead.<br /><br />So, I really am just talking about non-Christians in their desire for sin. I guess I could have added more clarifying statements around that.<br /><br />It's hard to know how to balance that. Sometimes I feel like I add too many clarifying statements, to the point that I haven't even really made my point. I've just confused people haha. "God, please grant me the ability to speak clearly and pointedly" is probably a good prayer for writers to pray :)<br /><br /> - RRyan & Anna Wolfehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15075169432596009636noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-974789970154361999.post-28506919069974850522014-08-25T08:19:07.631-07:002014-08-25T08:19:07.631-07:00"God's wrath is most harshly manifested i..."God's wrath is most harshly manifested in this life when He gives us what we want." That is a really good point. Most of what our flesh wants is not actually good for us, or the desire is out of proportion (like gluttony... food is good for us, but we often want too much of it). It also reminds me of something in "The Magician's Nephew," when Aslan, Digory, and Polly are discussing the consequences of Jadis eating the forbidden fruit. Aslan says, "All get what they want. They do not always like it." <br />Also, on the flip side of what you've been saying in this post, I've seen that the desire for God and for the things of God is a proof of salvation, or at least of God drawing me to salvation, because apart from His Spirit, I would never have any desire for Him or His ways. Because I want to know Him and want to serve Him, I know that His Spirit is at work in my life. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com