HIGHER-FIRE digest 382 (WoF)

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Bro. Hall, et al.,

I wanted to comment on a few of the scriptures you named earlier.

Gal. 6.7:

		 . . . Whatsoever a man soeth:  that shall
		 he also reap.  For he that soweth to his flesh
		 shall reap corruption; but he that soweth to
		 the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life
		 everlasting.

This, Bro. Hall, has nothing to do with the parable of the seed (the Word
of God) and is not equated with God's word.  Paul is using a somewhat agrarian
less on on cause and effect, a lesson to Christian saints on properly focusing
on the things of the Spirit.

Proverbs teaches the valuable lessons of speaking good things and the trouble
caused by those who would speak wickedly.  Both references deal, in a meta-
phorical sense, with 'eating one's words.'  Words are powerful.  What we say
can build up or tear down; we may edify or destory.  But, WoFers over-
emphasise and -estimate the spoken word of man.  There is no metaphysical
power in what we say.  It is God that doeth the work.  Our words are in the
terrestrial and natural realm of attitude and emotion, but it NEVER determines
or overrides God's Providence, Counsel or Wiill.  Thus, I argue that there is
ABSOLUTELY NO creative initiative in the spoken word of man.  The power is
explicitly located in God's word and will alone.

This said, I wish to briefly address the issue of faith.  Faith is the carriage
by which God's benevolence is manifested to man.  I believe in God's healing
power, His financial blessings, His ability and will to provide.  However,
we cannot discount the wisdom of God sometimes present in suffering and want.
God teaches us valuable lessons of trust and crossbearing through lean times.
It is these times that try and build our faith.  If we could simply speak our
way to prosperity (financial, physical, social, etc.) as WoFers suggest, would
we not be robbed of the valley experiences that God uses to break our wills and
draw us nearer to Him.

I do not wish to over-sentimentalise, but truly there is a two-sidedness to
faith that involves blessings and needs.  We cannot forget this duality because
it is the kernel of personal faith.  We no need, there is never a miracle.

All Honour to Christ Jesus.



Matthew Shaw
00mcshaw@bsu.edu