Originally posted by @romans1009As far as I am concerned you have invested enough time and effort to responding to my query on this thread. Don't invest any more on my account.
But if I’m going to invest the time and effort to respond to your query, I first would appreciate the simple courtesy of your devoting a few moments identifying what an agnostic atheist is (one or two sentences would be fine.)
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Originally posted by @fmfAs Bobby Fischer once said, “To get squares, ya gotta give squares.”
As far as I am concerned you have invested enough time and effort to responding to my query on this thread. Don't invest any more on my account.
There’s an obvious reply to the question you’ve asked, but taking the time to explain it to an atheist who won’t answer questions posed to him is a waste of time.
But at least you’ve finally decided to post something substantive, instead of whizzing in the pool, so I give you credit for that lol
Originally posted by @romans1009The small sample of problems facing humans that require communal action [listed in my third post on page 1] potentially involve all humans regardless of whether they are atheists or theists.
There’s an obvious reply to the question you’ve asked, but taking the time to explain it to an atheist who won’t answer questions posed to him is a waste of time.
You have not told me how your own contribution - as a Christian - to solving these problems would work in real life given the limitations Matthew 6:34 perhaps places upon your action.
If you consider the answer "obvious" but at the same time "a waste of time" to explain, then so be it. Not all thread and topics suit all posters.
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Originally posted by @fmfAs Bobby Fischer once said, “To get squares, ya gotta give squares.”
The small sample of problems facing humans that require communal action [listed in my third post on page 1] potentially involve all humans regardless of whether they are atheists or theists.
You have not told me how your own contribution - as a Christian - to solving these problems would work in real life given the limitations Matthew 6:34 perhaps places up ...[text shortened]... me time "a waste of time" to explain, then so be it. Not all thread and topics suit all posters.
There’s an obvious reply to the question you’ve asked, but taking the time to explain it to an atheist who won’t answer questions posed to him is a waste of time.
But at least you’ve finally decided to post something substantive, instead of whizzing in the pool, so I give you credit for that lol
Originally posted by @fmfconcern not worry. or something like that.
"Worrying" leads to recognition, analysis, resolution, planning, and action. And all these things concern the nature of 'tomorrow'.
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Originally posted by @fmfThis has always been an interesting one for me personally. I used to worry a lot, still do a bit at times, but less so nowadays. However if I am honest that is more to do with the way I have managed my finances over time and the time of life I am in, rather than me leaning on and trusting in God.
"Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
Is this really a good way for human beings to live their lives?
This principle in play here is conjoined with the notion of being eternally saved (it is a birthright and spiritual condition not a licence or ticket) to DO good works and not worry about ones self. Let me explain; if one has a deep conviction, a trust in the Lord that they are saved, they don’t need to worry about themselves and they should be “freed” from “self” in order to do good works for others. If I can draw attention to this passage of scripture:
James 4:13-17
13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Note especially the final verse. “Anyone”, not the saved, not the unsaved, “anyone”. This implies, to me at least, that “anyone” can do good works as thier conscience leads and to not do them is, for them, sinful. It takes effort to do good works and all of us, Christian and non Christian, are mostly concerned about ourselves and that is normal. The salvation, the freedom, the liberty that the NT speaks about is being able to not worry about yourself because you know you have security, you have an assurance, faith, and it is this liberty that should free the Christian from the worry of self to do good works. To not be doing good works does not mean one is not saved but it may mean they are being sinful because they are inwardly focused and “worrying” about themselves.
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These are some of God’s promises that have helped me through my darkest hours:
"It is the LORD who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed."" — Deu 31:8
"But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory [and my honor], and the One who lifts my head.
" — Ps 3:3
"The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous [those with moral courage and spiritual integrity] And His ears are open to their cry.
" — Ps 34:15
Christ, who gave His life for us, is our Righteousness!
"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. I waited patiently and expectantly for the LORD; And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
" — Ps 40:1
"He brought me up out of a horrible pit [of tumult and of destruction], out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock, steadying my footsteps and establishing my path.
" — Ps 40:2
"He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear [with great reverence] And will trust confidently in the LORD." — Ps 40:3
"Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become restless and disturbed within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall again praise Him For the help of His presence.
" — Ps 42:5
"O my God, my soul is in despair within me [the burden more than I can bear]; Therefore I will [fervently] remember You from the land of the Jordan And the peaks of [Mount] Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
" — Ps 42:6
"Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song will be with me, A prayer to the God of my life." — Ps 42:8
""Because he set his love on Me, therefore I will save him; I will set him [securely] on high, because he knows My name [he confidently trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never abandon him, no, never].
" — Ps 91:14
""He will call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him.
" — Ps 91:15
""With a long life I will satisfy him And I will let him see My salvation."" — Ps 91:16
""Do not fear, for you will not be put to shame, And do not feel humiliated or ashamed, for you will not be disgraced. For you will forget the shame of your youth, And you will no longer remember the disgrace of your widowhood.
" — Isa 54:4
Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose.
2 Timothy 1:7 - For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Originally posted by @dj2beckerRather like Romans1009, you are missing the point. I am seeking thoughts on how a "Don’t worry about tomorrow" approach affects problems [like the ones listed in my third post on page 1] that need more than one day to solve; problems that need concerted, premeditated action. Listing Christian beliefs/verses about enduring or overcoming personal "darkest hours" is tangential and deserves a thread of its own.
These are some of God’s promises that have helped me through my darkest hours: [...]
Originally posted by @divegeesterPardon me for zooming in on the last sentence and just say so if it means my reaction to it has taken it out of context. Matthew 6:34 seems to me to embody a profoundly passive and selfish sentiment. If "worry" results in steps taken to improve the common good in the future, then it's something that has a positive effect.
To not be doing good works does not mean one is not saved but it may mean they are being sinful because they are inwardly focused and “worrying” about themselves.
Originally posted by @fmfAren't activism, promoting or securing the common good, forward-thinking, and taking responsibility all virtues. Does Matthew 6:34 encourage them or discourage them?
What about human beings working to improve things like maternal and infant mortality, preventable diseases, water and sanitation, food supply, human rights, provision of education, building civil institutions and so on? How does a 'don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself' approach to life work in such a context? And if those things are not the correct context in which to place Matthew 6:34, then what is?
Originally posted by @fmfIsn't this just about promoting good psychological health rather than precluding long term planning or strategy? Similar to Buddhist (and now psychotherapy's) mindfulness of the present moment or the sentiments of the prayer of St Francis of Assisi?
What about human beings working to improve things like maternal and infant mortality, preventable diseases, water and sanitation, food supply, human rights, provision of education, building civil institutions and so on?
How does a [b]don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself approach to life work in such a context?
And if those things are not the correct context in which to place Matthew 6:34, then what is?[/b]
I think it says don't worry rather than don't plan.
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Originally posted by @fmfYes, I am differentiating between worrying about ones self and “worrying” (small w) about other people demonstrated by doing good works.
Pardon me for zooming in on the last sentence and just say so if it means my reaction to it has taken it out of context. Matthew 6:34 seems to me to embody a profoundly passive and selfish sentiment. If "worry" results in steps taken to improve the common good in the future, then it's something that has a positive effect.
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Originally posted by @fmfWhen you have no hope all you can focus on is today. If you do have hope you can believe that everything will work together for the good (in the future) for those that love God. Things may not be good right now, but God can take a mess and turn it into a miracle, he can turn a tragedy into a triumph. I feel this is true in my own life.
"Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34
Is this really a good way for human beings to live their lives?