this is a much heavier book than i expected. i think i could end up taking this class twice and still not grasp all of it.
in chapter 5 vs 3-5 paul talks about how we should rejoice in our suffering because suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character, and character, hope. and hope does not disappoint us because god has poured out his love into our hearts by the holy spirit.
what an incredible relationship paul had with god. i know god allowed paul to suffer so much for his name, to the point where mark had mentioned last week he may have even been stoned to death at one point and god still said "im not done with you yet pal, get back up"...not to mention the prison time and running from those who were constantly trying to kill him. paul had suffered so much in gods name. paul was a living testimony of himself as the type of perseverance that suffering could create. and the amazing character that was the outcome.
i think it was a perfect understanding between a master and his servant. how amazing would it be to suffer so much in the name of god, not only knowing that there is reward awaiting you in heaven, but also on earth as god continued to pour his holy spirit into paul by allowing him to spread the word everywhere he went.
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Wes, I have rarely been moved so much by someone's understanding and perspective on a passage as I have with yours on this passage.
ReplyDeleteoh wow, thanks mark. im always paranoid that if i blog its just going to sound like a bunch rambling haha.
ReplyDeletep.s. what is "the trespass"? is he refering to adams origional sin?
ReplyDeleteyes, i believe so. the original sin of adam and eve, but for paul's purposes, he simply states it as adam's sin.
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