At Christmas, most children expects gifts of some sort. Expectations vary greatly, as well as does gratefulness. Yet, what child would not be disappointed if only a lump of coal was found in their stocking?
I cannot imagine the child would excitedly thank the parent for the lump of coal, "Thank you so much! Now I can get together with a dozen of my friends who also hopefully have received a lump of coal ...and we can keep warm for a few minutes."
Other people have a bit more money, "Since you will be beginning driver's training when you turn 14 this year, I thought I'd buy you this Challenger."
I wonder what the child will expect for their 15th birthday?
Someone who has limitless potential to give gifts, with no limit to how grand the gift, may put much consideration in how to begin this expression of giving. And it the lesson learned, one of giving, or of receiving??
I've heard people say that you can't outgive God. And they go to the verses just before Luke 11:11, and direct their attention to how it says that whoever asks receives. One group has been known as the "Name it, claim it" group. But, reading down to verse 13, it says how much more shall our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them who ask.
Some people react to the Holy Spirit in a way that is nearly not reacting at all ...and would be about as appreciative as most would imagine one would be in receiving a lump of coal. But, that would be not really true, as one would not receive the Holy Spirit in a spirit of ungratefulness ...as to say, to receive God is to receive what is characteristic of God. One would not say that they sadly received joy, or that they anxiously received patience. It is the comedian who says that he wants patience, and wants it now!!
There are some who name it.
There are some who claim it.
There are also counter-claims ...and accusations.
A person with pure motives, does not need to defend his motives ...as the truth of his pure motives stays the same. But, most often the one with pure motives does care about whether the motives were conceived as pure. So, this is taken into consideration.
Often a person may be offended, and say, "Oh, so you don't trust me! I see how it is."
But, often they don't see how it is ...as it is not so much that the person isn't trusted, but it's the temptations and trickery of the world that cannot be trusted. How many people would be offended if you told them not to go down a road because the bridge is out? Often we are offended because the communication is not bridged.
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