November 19
If God does not want to use force to become the
supreme ruler, how can his kingdom be
established? His aim is to have all creatures
voluntarily return to him, as the prodigal son
returned to his father. God has patience. He did
not even try to conquer the powers of darkness
by force; they have first to be treated according
to justice.
Yet creation cannot in its own strength find its
way back to God, because it is snared and
bound by mighty powers; even if it wanted to, it
could not do it. Furthermore, the spirit of
disobedience is so deeply implanted in all
creatures that they would remain bound in
slavery, even if they were freed from these
powers.
There is only one way: God had to let the Word
become flesh, the Word which was with God
from the beginning. The Son of God makes
possible creation's free-willing return to God.
Whoever keeps to Jesus, in the faith that through
him and guided by his hand the return to the
Father is possible, comes back to God of his
own free will.
Johann Christoph Blumhardt, from
Papers from Bad Boll, March 1874.
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A PRAYER FOR TODAY
Blumhardt's prayer for today and every day of the year.
http://blumhardts.com/bl/DailyPrayer.htm?source=Breakfast
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