Testimony of Lost Sheep

aron · 01-14-2019, 02:41 AM

A word on the trinity - when I was in the LC, I avoided the subject because it seemed so hard to "get right" and the payoff was so small. We sang, "It's not for doctrine, it's for dispensing", but regardless, the dispensing occurred whether you "got it" or not. By analogy, the infant needs to drink, not examine the concepts of calcium in milk.

But in the past couple of years the subject has somewhat settled, and conceptually coalesced. So what follows is my opinion, as of today.

The key is the principle of agency. God is like a very rich and powerful actor who can send others to act on his behalf; when you see the sent agent you see the sender. The King sends his Ambassador to Spain; the Ambassador says, "When you see me, you see the King"; even though the Ambassador is not ontologically the King he is operationally the King's extension, his "right arm".

I learned this from the Centurion, who said, "I also have servants under me"; when the Centurion spoke, the servants heard Caesar. The Centurion, like Jesus, was "a man under authority", who could by his obedience function as the extension of Caesar's will. (But the Centurion was not ontologically Caesar). (Matt 8:5-13 & Luke 7:1-10)

Likewise, Jesus could pray to the Father who was (still) in heaven, while saying, "When you see me, you see the Father". Nobody has ever seen God (the Father); yet the Son has declared him - if the Son was the Father, then the first half of that statement would be untrue. ~John 1:18

Ohio · 01-14-2019, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aron

The key is the principle of agency. God is like a very rich and powerful actor who can send others to act on his behalf; when you see the sent agent you see the sender. The King sends his Ambassador to Spain; the Ambassador says, "When you see me, you see the King"; even though the Ambassador is not ontologically the King he is operationally the King's extension, his "right arm".

Likewise, Jesus could pray to the Father who was (still) in heaven, while saying, "When you see me, you see the Father". Nobody has ever seen God (the Father); yet the Son has declared him - if the Son was the Father, then the first half of that statement would be untrue. ~John 1:18

aron, thanks for this, very helpful.

awareness · 01-14-2019, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Sheep

The only times I think I have "experienced" the Lord is when I am in times of need. However, is that truly an experience of Him or just the mind's attempt of creating moral support? When God answers prayers, how do I know it's not just a coincidence?
Kind regards,
Lost Sheep

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ohio

Dear Lost Sheep,

The LSM has become a legalistic and doctrinal ministry that talks endlessly about the "experience of God" yet often seems void of what they teach. They have become quite similar to the Jewish religion we read about in the Bible. Like you, many of the Jewish people wondered if Jesus was who some said He was. The same cloudy environment which surrounded the Gospels still exists today.

But ask one of those hurting folks that was healed by Jesus, and there was no doubt in their minds. Like you, they were in need, and that need enabled their faith to break thru traditions, confusion, and doubts. Jesus visited them in their time of need, and it was no coincidence.

Jesus tends to respond to us out of our need or our love. Endless talk about Him usually just wastes our time. When I was in the LC's, I was bored with all the talk, endless teachings which did me no good. But when I needed Him, He was always faithful, and when I needed Him, I did not go to LSM's books, but to His word.

I appreciate this attempt to direct Lost Sheep to the healing Jesus, and to His word. I hope it answers his need.

Hopefully he'll come out here and clarify, but I didn't get that sense when he said the only time he experienced God was in time of need. That struck me more like, 'There are no atheists in fox holes."

What say ye Lost Sheep?

01-14-2019, 02:41 AM	#1
aron Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Natal Transvaal Posts: 5,632	Re: Testimony of Lost Sheep A word on the trinity - when I was in the LC, I avoided the subject because it seemed so hard to "get right" and the payoff was so small. We sang, "It's not for doctrine, it's for dispensing", but regardless, the dispensing occurred whether you "got it" or not. By analogy, the infant needs to drink, not examine the concepts of calcium in milk. But in the past couple of years the subject has somewhat settled, and conceptually coalesced. So what follows is my opinion, as of today. The key is the principle of agency. God is like a very rich and powerful actor who can send others to act on his behalf; when you see the sent agent you see the sender. The King sends his Ambassador to Spain; the Ambassador says, "When you see me, you see the King"; even though the Ambassador is not ontologically the King he is operationally the King's extension, his "right arm". I learned this from the Centurion, who said, "I also have servants under me"; when the Centurion spoke, the servants heard Caesar. The Centurion, like Jesus, was "a man under authority", who could by his obedience function as the extension of Caesar's will. (But the Centurion was not ontologically Caesar). (Matt 8:5-13 & Luke 7:1-10) Likewise, Jesus could pray to the Father who was (still) in heaven, while saying, "When you see me, you see the Father". Nobody has ever seen God (the Father); yet the Son has declared him - if the Son was the Father, then the first half of that statement would be untrue. ~John 1:18 __________________ "Freedom is free. It's slavery that's so horribly expensive" - Colonel Templeton, ret., of the 12th Scottish Highlanders, the 'Black Fusiliers'