Timotheose - A son in the Faith

I wonder how free we really are in the lives we lead.

How many true independent, free willed choices went into your or my life?

I am not a determinist , I do believe that we have free will and that our choices matter but I am convinced that the choices that we do make are not made in a vacuum. We are encouraged to make choices that conform to our cultural identity, our parents expectations, our economic reality our peer groups and our own internal desires. Ultimately I believe that we have the ability to agree or disagree, to follow and conform or, to rebel and be different from these influences. But even this choice is most likely influenced by heredity as early childhood studies are making a convincing argument that our personality traits are indicated VERY early on. So I ask, how free are we?

Right now, in my current situation I am wrestling with issues like this. I live in a broken, dysfunctional community that despite this has some very endearing and positive qualities. I wonder why people end up here? How does a Christian, faced with such blatant self-destruction and sinfulness navigate lovingly and wisely through this landscape of human misery? Do you just simply, as has been done in the past say that they are all 'lost' and 'sinners' and attempt to 'reform' them? How does one truly follow Christ's example?

The facts of Christ's life is that he did not hesitate to fellowship with the 'lepers' and the 'unclean' of his culture. He chose to live with them, to share with them and ultimately to declare freedom and life to them.

I want to see the truth.


Maranatha and Shalom and blessings to you and yours.