Posted by giveawayboy on May 14, 2003 at 09:54:59:
In Reply to: COM-FORT posted by giveawayboy on May 14, 2003 at 09:49:18:
comfort and encouragement
what i meant was that each of these is often reduced to a wrong meaning, something like making people feel warm and fuzzy. well, it's much more than that.
when we COMFORT of ENCOURAGE another we build them up, make them stronger, we put something in them, it is a gutsy, impact type of thing. it's POWERFUL! It's not merely making people feel good. Really it's not! Through God, we have the power to awaken each other, stir each other to action, call each other to stand up and become who we truly are. We have this power that is the life of God within us, his very nature in us, who gently, kindly, yet powerfully calls all men to be who they truly are in Him. That is amazing, that such power would deign to dwell in us. Who can figure out this mystery? Still, we need to begin to see this power for what it is. This is not prideful. It is necessary and healthy and right. Once we begin to realize, who has dwelt inside of us, we will relate to all men and all of creation in a more dignified way.
Bill