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HOW DO YOUR FAILURES AFFECT (INFLUENCE, CHANGE) YOU?

05-15-11

Wikipedia Encyclopedia = Self-actualization is a term that has been used in various psychology theories, often in slightly different ways. The term was originally introduced by the organismic theorist Kurt Goldstein for the motive to realize [arrive at, achieve] one's full potential. In his view, it is the organism's master motive, the only real motive: 'the tendency to actualize itself as fully as possible is the basic drive...the drive of self-actualization'.^[1] Carl Rogers similarly wrote of 'the curative force in psychotherapy - man's tendency to actualize himself [an error: rather, God’s will to actualize us], to become his [our] potentialities...to express and activate all the capacities of the organism'.^[2] However, the concept was brought most fully to prominence in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory as the final level of psychological development that can be achieved when all basic and mental needs are fulfilled and the "actualization" [or actualness, reality] of the full personal potential takes place.

1.      (Rom 8:28)  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God [i.e., to born-again children of God], to them who are the called [i.e., a clarification of being born-again] according to his [God’s] purpose [syn: intention].

2.      Commentary: Failures are included in “all things.” Seeming failures in the Christian life are learning experiences. Like a stalk of wheat, if you are saved, born-again, invested by God with the Holy Spirit, you cannot fail, for God is on your side, empowering you, and drawing you ever closer to Himself. You can only learn (grow, develop, actualize). Christians learn from seeming failures. Our friends in psychology misunderstand who motivates this development by terming it entirely “self-actualization,” whereas in reality it is “self-actualization” for the unsaved, and “God-actualization” for the saved, before they are saved, as well as afterward, for these latter have been “chosen” (John 15:16) from “the foundation of the world” (Eph 1:4).

AN EXAMPLE:

THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN THAT WE EXPERIENCE ON EARTH

(Mat 25:13-15)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh [Christ Jesus’ His Second Coming]. For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two [talents], and to another one [talent]; to every man according to his several ability [“to each in proportion to his own personal ability” Amplified Bible]; and straightway took his journey.

1.      watch = Gk: to keep awake: be vigilant, wake, be watchful

2.      goods = Gk: property or possessions: that which one has, things which (one) possesseth, substance.

3.      Commentary: What things did Jesus have, what was His substance?

4.      talent = Gk: a certain weight [as capable of an expression of power] (and thence a coin or rather sum of money) or "talent". [power (weight) expressed in terms of three talents, two talents, and one talent]

5.      ability = Gk: dunamis, doo'-nam-is; force (lit. or fig.); spec. miraculous power (usually by impl. a miracle itself):--ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), power, strength, violence, mighty (wonderful) work.

6.      “Occupy till I come” = Gk: to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade. [Luke 19:12-27]

(Mat 25:16-18)  Then he that had received the five talents went [“at once” Amplified, NIV; “immediately” New American Standard] and traded with the same, and made them [an]other five talents. And likewise he that had received two [talents], he also gained [an]other two [talents]. But he that had received one [talent] went and digged [a hole] in the earth, and hid his lord's money [Gk: silver].

1.      traded = Gk: to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.): labored, ministered about, trade by work.

2.      hid = Gk: to conceal away (i.e. fully); fig. to keep secret: hide.

3.      Commentary: Silver is the metal that biblically symbolizes redemption, i.e., salvation; which symbolism, when applied to the text much more completely and specifically identifies “his goods.”

THE OBEDIENT SERVANTS

(Mat 25:19-23)  After a long time the lord of those servants cometh [“returned” NIV], and reckoneth [“settled accounts” Amplif.] with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst [“entrusted” Amplif] unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good [“upright (honorable, admirable)” Amplif.] and faithful [Gk: trustworthy; trustful: believing, sure, true] servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy [Gk: cheerfulness, calm delight] of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst [“entrusted” Amplif.] unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

THE DISOBEDIENT SERVANT, LOOKING INTO A MIRROR,

JUDGES HIMSELF

(Mat 25:24,25)  Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard [Gk: dry, i.e. hard or tough (fig. harsh, severe)] man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed [“winnowed (the grain)” Amplif.]: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

1.      Commentary: This man had the personal “ability,” and the proportional “talent” of God given power (weight) (man plus God), that enabled him to competently trade (distribute, sow) his Lord’s goods (the Word of God: Luke 8:11), but he lacked the willingness to obey. He was a stiff-necked and rebellious man, a hard-hearted man and a thief who only saw his own image in the mirror of his nominal Lord, and like Judas Iscariot, he “was afraid” (but not repentant) of the Lord’s retribution for his disobedience. And he was unwilling to share the Gospel of sacrificial love that he had freely received, thereby proving that he did not believe it. In summation, he failed the test because he wasn’t saved.

2.      (Luke 8:13)  They on the rock [the hard places in their heart] are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root [i.e., the sown word does not take root and thus bears no fruit], which for a while believe, and in time of temptation [Gk: testing] fall away.

3.      fall away = Gk: to remove, i.e. instigate to revolt.; to desist, desert, etc.:--depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

THE JUDGMENT

(Mat 25:26,27)  His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed [i.e., using your own reasoning]: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers [Gk: money-brokers, bankers], and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury [Gk: interest] [i.e., with an increase, a profit].

THE SENTENCE

(Mat 25:28-30)  Take therefore the talent [supernatural power (weight)] from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath [understanding - power] shall be given [more understanding - power], and he shall have abundance [of understanding - power]: but from him that hath not [understanding] shall be taken away even that [understanding] which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable [Gk: useless] servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Amen