A Man's Will

[Churchwork]

A Man's Will

A MAN'S WILL is his organ for decision-making. To want or not to want, to choose or not to choose are the typical operations of the will. It is his "helm" by which he sails upon the sea of life.

The will of a man can be taken as his real self, for it truthfully represents him. Its action is the action of the man. When we declare "I will," it is actually our volition which wills. When we say "I want, I decide," again it is our volition which wants and decides. Our volition acts for the entire man. Our emotion merely expresses how we feel; our mind simply tells us what we think; but our will communicates what we want. Hence, it is the most influential component of our entire person. It is deeper than emotion and mind. So in seeking spiritual growth the believer must not neglect the volitional element in him.

Many commit the error of treating "religion" as a matter of emotion; they believe that it merely soothes and gladdens men’s emotions. Others insist that "religion" ought to be compatible with reason and not overly emotional; only a kind of rational religion is acceptable to these. What both these groups do not know is that true religion per se does not aim at emotion or reason but aims to impart life to man’s spirit and to lead his will to be completely yielded to God’s will. Unless our "religious" experience produces in us a willing acceptance of the whole counsel of God, it is very superficial. What can it profit a man if along his spiritual pathway the will exhibits no proper sign of grace? Or if the will is not touched?

True and perfect salvation saves man’s will. Whatever is not sufficiently thorough to embrace the salvation of man’s volition is but vanity. All pleasant feelings and all lucid thoughts belong exclusively to the external realm. Man may experience joy, comfort and peace in believing God, he may understand His majesty and amass much wonderful knowledge; but does he possess any genuine union with Him if his will is not united with God’s? The joining of wills forms the only true union. Consequently, upon receiving life the believer should be attentive not only to his intuition but likewise to his volition.

[Stephen]

The bible says "there is a way which seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death" 'way = course of life' Pro.14:12

Today we are witnessing more than at any other time in post war history the manifestation of this "way.........man" spoken of in Pro. 14:12. The way of humankind who do not know the LOrd.

In the 1960s the Western world went through the revolution of the liberation of expression. This was seen in the Hippy movement and the like. The Beetles sang "all you need is love" Everything was good, and if you fancied it then go for it. Life was all about pleasure, and the satisfaction of the soul.

Such thinking was embraced as being the real meaning to life. The old paths of 'trust in God' loving 'our neighbour' and 'being content' 'religeous instruction' 'morning assembly' in our schools, etc. were considered to be out of date.

Today we reap the harvest sown a generation ago. Western Leaders, some of them educated in this modern thought, have allowed our foundational beliefs to be eroded away. We see a society at war with itsself to the degree that our streets are unsafe. Society walks in "the way that seemeth right unto a man"

Jesus said "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life"

Pilate asked Jesus many years ago "What is TRuth"

We have to make sure that we are "saved" That we are washed in His blood. That we know "in whom we have trusted"

"Salvation is of the LOrd"

z

[Razor]

Greetings Troy,

Religion is first and foremost obsessed with correcting the works of men, where as on the other hand the Gospel is obsessed with the proclaiming of the corrective work of the One Man....


Peace to you

[Churchwork]

Greetings Troy,

Religion is first and foremost obsessed with correcting the works of men, where as on the other hand the Gospel is obsessed with the proclaiming of the corrective work of the One Man....

Peace to you

Obsession is not a healthy thing, so I would not consider receiving God's gift of salvation through Christ an obsession. Additionally, we all need religion, for religion is to worship, and worship is due to God and deserving of God's favor. It increases our relationship with Christ, and strengthens communion with Him to walk according to His will. Christ died so that man's behavior would be corrected. Why does this offend you so much?

[Stephen]

Greetings Troy,

Religion is first and foremost obsessed with correcting the works of men, where as on the other hand the Gospel is obsessed with the proclaiming of the corrective work of the One Man....


Peace to you

Bless you Brother.

Obsession could be the wrong word, but you are correct to say that the Gospel reaches out through Jesus. None are excluded save them who do exclude themselves.

Thanks for your thoughts. Peace be with you too. Amen

z