The Pursuit of God Ch: 8

Questions and Answers

What does the fixed center, against which everything else is measured, represent?

The universe

Human morality

The law of relativity

God (correct)

Why do we struggle as seeking Christians?

We are too involved in the world

We are too focused on God

We are unwilling to take God as He is and adjust our lives accordingly (correct)

We lack faith

What is the only thinkable relation between us and God?

Friendship

Equality

Full lordship on His part and complete submission on ours (correct)

Partnership

What is the result of making progress in the holy way and exalting God over all?

We acquire a new viewpoint and a different psychology Signup and view all the answers

What is the language of victorious spiritual experience?

Be thou exalted Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of human miseries according to the text?

A radical moral dislocation, an upset in our relation to God and to each other Signup and view all the answers

What does the story of the prodigal son illustrate?

The experiential aspects of salvation Signup and view all the answers

What is essential to achieving harmony in human life?

Right relationships between humans and God Signup and view all the answers

What makes a change in the Creator-creature relation judicially possible?

The atonement in Jesus' blood Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of a satisfactory spiritual life according to the text?

A complete change in relation between God and the sinner Signup and view all the answers

What, according to the passage, is the consequence of putting God in His rightful place?

We will experience true satisfaction in our hearts. Signup and view all the answers

According to the author, what is the root cause of religious unbelief?

Desire for honor from other people. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's primary argument in this passage?

The need to prioritize God above all else. Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's attitude towards those who prioritize God?

They are truly blessed by God. Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the key to unlocking the treasures of grace in one's life?

Voluntary surrender to God Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Creator-Creature Relation

Order in nature and human life relies on right relationships; harmony occurs when elements are in proper positions relative to each other.
Human misery stems from a moral dislocation, a disruption between humanity, God, and one another.
The Fall resulted in a substantial shift in man's relationship with God, leading to a loss of happiness tied to the Creator-creature dynamic.
Salvation's essence is to restore the right relationship between humans and their Creator, going beyond judicial change to an experiential transformation.

Restoration Process

A satisfactory spiritual life begins with a conscious change in relationship with God that impacts the sinner’s entire nature.
The atonement through Jesus’s blood judicially enables this change, while the Holy Spirit facilitates the emotional aspect of restoration.
The parable of the prodigal son exemplifies the restoration of the father-son relationship after sinful rebellion, emphasizing experiential aspects of salvation.

God as a Fixed Center

God serves as a fixed point for moral bearings; His essence aligns with the declaration "I AM."
To achieve righteousness, alignment with God’s positions is crucial; other positions lead to obstinacy and misalignment.
Many seeking Christians struggle due to a reluctance to accept God as He is, instead trying to reshape Him to their own image.

The Call to Exalt God

True honor belongs to God; human beings exist for His pleasure, leading to a relationship defined by His lordship and our submission.
The quest for God is tied to aligning one’s total personality with His nature—not just judicially through justification, but through personal exaltation of God.

The Impact of Prioritizing God

Prioritizing God leads to a divergence from worldly ways, resulting in a transformative viewpoint and spiritual empowerment.
Many individuals fail to genuinely honor God, prioritizing earthly desires like wealth, ambition, and human love over divine allegiance.

Spiritual Simplification

By exalting God above all, the Christian life becomes straightforward, with a new guidance influencing decision-making and dispelling minor issues.
Such a commitment does not diminish human dignity; rather, it restores proper standing and purpose, aligning with God's cosmic order.

Honor and Responsibility

Honor towards God reciprocally results in divine honor; those who commit to Him will be esteemed in return.
The biblical narrative shows that individuals like Abraham and David, who honor God, receive abundant blessings, contrasting with unfaithful figures like Eli and his sons.

Jesus as the Perfect Example

Jesus exemplified total humility, dedicating honor to God instead of Himself, teaching the importance of divine glorification.
The desire for human honor can hinder genuine faith; those who seek worldly validation may struggle to truly believe in God.

God's Desire for Relationship

God desires a relationship with humanity, particularly with those who choose to exalt Him above all else.
Achieving this position requires the complete commitment of one's heart and will, leading to profound divine encounters.

Commitment to Exalt God

Sincere prayer asserting God’s supremacy over all aspects of life—possessions, relationships, comfort, reputation—facilitates divine acceptance and intervention.
True fulfillment comes from recognizing God's rightful place, leading to a transformative, fulfilling spiritual life.