Posted by Paul Edwards (Fr. Paul) on Dec 06, 2012 | Comments (0)


Advent III Bottom Line Spirituality: Worldly and Godly Thinking

Click here to go to the Bottom Line Meditations for Advent 3

Godly Abiding Spiritually in Jesus Changes the Meaning of What we See Worldly When Not Abiding in Jesus.

The theme for the Advent Season is to recognize how our Worldly thought outside of the Presence can create negative feelings and how the Godly feeling in the Presence can create positive thoughts in the same situation.

Luke 3:7-18 "John proclaimed the good news to the people."

The God News is the difference between the rationality of worldly legalism and the spirituality of Godly grace. Worldly thinks inside the box. Both John and Jesus called the Sadducees and the Pharisees “a brood of vipers”. They were snakes who stayed in their family box, producing others in their kind of legalism. Anything outside the box is impossible. When the Godly spiritual thinks outside the box, all things are possible.

Most every Christian has attended at least one revival meeting. The usual approach of revivals is to dump as much guilt on people as possible. Then have them repent to come to the altar to receive Jesus.

Those who came to John to be baptized asked him, “What should we do?” His answer included such things as: whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none, whoever has food must do likewise, do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation and be satisfied with your wages. He was telling them to repent and then be baptized as any good evangelist would preach. 

Luke knew the grace of God through St. Paul and Mary.  What if his intention was to say they wanted to know what they would do after they were baptized? In other words, after they were baptized they would then repent so they could do what they would do when in the Presence of God.

This is an in or out of the box exercise

What negative worldly thought would make you feel upset that a person should repent after they receive Jesus and not before?

Now think Godly, out of the box and in the mind of God.
What difference would it make if you repented after you received the grace of God?

Which would make the best confession? You are either (a) before a very vengeful judge and prosecutor who would demand every nook and cranny to be investigated or (b) you are sharing to your best friend who would give his life for you? 

This exercise is for life. Difficult relationships are caused by two people thinking inside their worldly boxes. In their boxes means whatever is outside is impossible. It does not give God a chance to share His wisdom with us.

The Godly question to ask is what thought creates the feeling that keeps you inside your box. Many times the thought is something like they are wrong and I am right.  When did this thought first begin?

What difference does it make if your thought is created by the mind of God when you feel His Love?


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