I have to ask all of y'all to forgive me in advance of what I want to say.
First I'm going to sound like one of those knowitalls again - but only because I am trying to get you to think about what I am saying...
#1. Look at Israel being brought out of Egypt into the Promised Land.
In particular please look at the signs and miracles.
I think when God called Israel out He kick started the thing in a big way, then He gave signs and miracles all along the way.
But when they entered into the promised land all signs stopped. It was left for them and their offspring to remember - and believe.
Please don't beat me but I think John W is right about considering and trying to understand what God said to Paul - My Grace is sufficient for thee.
NO people who live by faith should think that signs are for people who live by faith, imho. Signs are for sight. Sometimes we need evidence I guess and God gives it in some ways, I believe that.
But once God kicks starts with signs and wonders then at some point He sets them up as believing Him, not Him continually proving Himself. At least that is what I think looking at Israel being brought out.
Now believe me, I know we need His love and care. Amen.
But God loved Paul who said himself he came out at the improper time compared to the other apostles.
I have to say something about the face of Moses. It was great it glowed. But as it faded something that was better and would not fade was coming.
Do we need glowing if we have something better? Well forgive me but there ya go.
Now are you going to say I am serving those MADists?
John W gave some great verses a while back and this section is so great and important, imho (here in NASB, sorry John
)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
I think about that and how counter intuitive it seems... Wouldn't it be better if Paul could have said he had been healed?
Wouldn't that have been a great testimony?
But Paul says no. He would go around in fear and trembling and yet be one of the most powerful believers with the Lord working with and through him that the world had ever seen...
And all so we could be focusing on how great this Grace is - that honestly we hardly understand what it will totally mean. And in the mean time it is the ability to have a relationship with God like Paul did - on our knees.
Of course just as the same covenant that brought Israel out also was with them once in the land - aren't we in the same one that can be seen starting in Matthew - even if signs and wonders do not happen like they did then? So no MADist shouldn't go too far, should they? :nono:
And I do think God is willing for some things to be done or happen - even if we think not. yes.