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How God decides who are worthy of judgement (whether some primitive soul or those with mental shortcomings, etc), is God's matter, not mine nor yours. If you believe this God of Love is incapable of judging sinners in such a manner, then you would need to consider the operation of God throughout Scriptures - i.e. He is indeed a God of Love but also a God of Justice. We can often be conditioned by the world & what we perceive to be right, to think of such a justice system as normal, as true. Whereas God's Justice always demands the correct penalty - and unfortunately, simply losing one's life in death (which happens to us all) is just one part of that justice. The wages of sin might indeed be death, but the wages for the rejection of God & His offer of salvation are far greater ( Daniel 12:1,2; Matthew 18:7-9; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Jude 1:6,7; Revelation 14:9-11; Revelation 20:10-15). And sister GiGi has also given a very apt response to you.
Thank you for the complimentary words. I appreciate that. I try to be as led by the Spirit as I can in posting, knowing the power of words, especially those that are "heard" by people we do not know and are not conversing face to face.
Participators, like Abraham. He was fulfilling God's command to sacrifice is Son Isaac when God stopped him. If God ad not stopped him when He did, the knife would have plunged into Isaac, killing him. Abraham participated without hesitation and his obedience was counted to him as faith and his faith was counted to him as a righteousness.
May we be like Abraham. He did not have all of the answers and full knowledge of God, but He believed God and knew tat by obeying God he was walking in faith.
yes, that is what Paul was describing. We battle the sinful nature all of our lives until we are finally free of it in heaven. But, daily, we can put it to death by the power of the Holy Spirit who is stronger than our sins and our old nature. It is the Spirit's work to show us our outward and inward sin wit His s, and it is His work to sanctify us with His Presence and His Word.
So glad for that!
Totally agree and wonderfully stated. Thanks!
The Taliban has been going door to door looking for Christians to kill and unmarried women to take captive. Christians in Afghanistan fear the same genocidal persecution suffered by fellow Christians in Iraq and Syria.
Christians are hiding in their homes in Afghanistan for fear of what the Taliban will do to them.
President Biden failed and the Deep State is trying to cover it up. We MUST take action NOW. It's our sacred duty.
I've also personally presented an oral intervention to the U.N. in defense of these abandoned Christians. And we've helped children get out of harm's way. TODAY, we (ACLJ) are filing a lawsuit directly against THREE Biden Deep State agencies over the abandonment of Christians.
But we face a daunting challenge. Our global fight for the persecuted Church requires help, and prayers.
I find that your various reply's to this thread have been very on target, thoughtful, and most of all encouraging.
As Christ followers we are asked to also carry our own crosses. Jesus, Paul, and the other apostles encourage us to do so in so much of their scripture.
Matthew 16:24-26
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
We need to be participators, not spectators, in our salvation!
God Bless.
He had given orders for Christians to be executed. He was like a poster child for sin. Except all sin is bad.
He was being boxed in by the Savior, until Paul realizes he can't fix this. HE is going to have to rely on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to keep him saved, sanctified, led by the Holy Spirit every single day.
God has to work that 'Reactive' impulse out of us. This happens and we react; that clobbers us and we have to react as our Savior would.
The Lord took me to this experience also. Until I was sitting in the dirt on the side of a road, just like Job. And then a Miracle Happens! We stop defending and striving; and this glorious acceptance from God envelopes us. Carries us through the problems on to the victory over them.
Our reliance on Jesus and the Holy Spirit is burned into our being. But Sometimes we'll fall into that trap of thinking we are hot stuff. Got all the answers and March onuntil we get set on the curbside, in the dirt again, to think, remember it was Jesus who got us where we are. He is constantly leading us; and follow Him we must do.
Our lives are Hid in Jesus. And people need to see Jesus, follow Jesus. Fall deeply in love with Jesus. Be smitten with love for the Holy Spirit.
Gods Love should fall on all people we run into.
Our hearts and what we know and have experienced, in Jesus; is the testimony we carry to others who don't yet have that. Follow Peace with all men (humans). They should see Jesus when we walk in the room.
Jesus is the WELL we draw from for the Living Water. If you feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, all alone; go to the WELL. Be filled anew. Splash that joy on the people.
Bread laying on the ground is eaten by crows. Jesus is the Bread of life. Feed those starving, with THAT bread. Come and Taste the Goodness of the Lord. Tell that Jesus to the seekers.
Mishael
1 Corinthians 3:14-15. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
I have yet to have someone who says you can loose your salvation tell me what the scripture means to them.
As for resting, God knew that mankind would need rest from physical work to have time to renew their strength and to have time for other important things. He made mankind to live in families and families need to spend time together, not all going their separate ways every day. Thus the Sabbath is for such things that working all the time doesn't provide for us.
The Sabbath is for man. God does not need to rest or worship Himself. He does not not need to be reminded that He exists or learn about who He is and what He has promised. We do.
Colossians 2:16-17 does tell us to keep everyday as holy to the Lord. If people want to have have a set day to rest and devote to God, that is good. If someone else is able to rest daily and devote time to God, good.
Some people have to work 7 days a week and do not have much leisure time. This was especially true in centuries past where most poor people and slaves did work a days a week. It is difficult for people on such a schedule to have time to attend worship services or fellowship outside of their home and family. Many of these people practiced the Presence of God all day long. Singing, meditating on God's word, and living towards others as God would have us do.
In today's society we have far more leisure time tan in any generation before us. That is why we have so many leisure activities and are inventing them daily. Look at the new outdoors sports activities that have been developed and popular in my lifetime. Look at the ways we entertain ourselves. Too much of a good thing isn't always good. I think it is important to remember to do all things in moderation. That way, we will have time each day to devote solely to God. Even so we are told that in whatever we do, we are to do all to the glory of God 1Cor. l0:31. We live each day not to ourselves, but to serve God in what ever situation we are in.
This is what Paul means when he talks about the liberty we have in Christ concerning the Law. We don't abolish the Law, but fulfill it in an elevated way beyond that proscribed by the Pharisees. The Pharisees had a myriad of laws and regulations about the Sabbat written in the Midrash. These additions to the simple commandment to keep holy the Sabbath burdened the Jews unnecessarily.
Regarding the reason that Jesus was baptized, you may want to ask him:) because we both know he didn't need to! Personally, I believe that one of the most important reason's was to fulfill the scriptures, and show others that he was in fact the Son of God.
Matthew 3:17
"And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."
This was one of many actions that Jesus took while on this earth to show us, and guide us, in what is right and to set a good Christian example for all of us to follow.
The "rightly divided question" concerns a verse used only one place in the bible. 2 Timothy 2:15.
I understand this scripture is directed (primarily if not entirely) at Timothy by Paul regarding how Timothy should endeavor to teach the Church.
Currently, there are many people saying that they use this verse and apply it directly - to help them to read and understand the Bible. Based on their understanding of this verse, they say that we are to "rightly divide" scripture in order to know which of the scriptures are meant for the Jews and which are meant for the Church. If it works for them thats fine.The problem that I see with this process is that many people have many different ways, to divide the scripture, and who is really right? I believe much scripture is being disregarded, and even twisted to fit their belief, which could be a big mistake.The result of dividing scripture can be easily seen by looking at all of the various denominations of Christians, ie: Baptists, Mormons, Jehovah Witness's, and on and on. All of them think their "rightly divided" scripture is the superior one.
My belief as a Christ follower, is to read the bible entirely (I don't add or subtract) and pray for the Holy Spirit to teach and guide me. I'm comfortable with my current understanding, and I will change as the spirit may move me.
God Bless.
Good post and conversation here.
It is true that we are saved when we believe in Jesus. This salvation is an ongoing salvation that will reach its fulfillment at the final judgement. Are we in heaven seeing Jesus face to face the moment we believe? No, So there is both a present and a future tense to our salvation. Like you said, in this life we are advancing towards that future fulfillment, when all is said and done for this life, in the fulfillment of the ages. We have something to look forward to, something to hope for, tat we do not possess quite yet, but have the Spirit as a guarantee (down payment) of what is to come. This knowledge of a future hope causes us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling in this life. Lord, teach us to order our days aright.
Thank you for your thoughtful post. I appreciate reading this conversation. It is helpful.
9-16 Whatever happens, nothing shall hurt the believer; though trouble and affliction befall, it shall come, not for his hurt, but for good, though for the present it be not joyous but grievous. (Meaning, even if it hurts for the time being, God is still working out everything for our good.) Those who rightly know God, will set their love upon him. They by prayer constantly call upon him. His promise is, that he will in due time deliver the believer out of trouble, and in the mean time be with him in trouble. The Lord will manage all his worldly concerns, and preserve his life on earth, so long as it shall be good for him. (Persecution isn't the most ideal way to live) For encouragement in this he looks unto Jesus. He shall live long enough; till he has done the work he was sent into this world for, and is ready for heaven. Who would wish to live a day longer than God has some work to do, either by him or upon him? A man may die young, yet be satisfied with living. (If a man completes what God has him do on Earth, Heaven is a reward versus continuing to live in persecution and suffering.) But a wicked man is not satisfied even with long life. At length the believer's conflict ends; he has done for ever with trouble, sin, and temptation. (In death, a Christian no longer has to deal with pain, suffering, sin and temptation.)
Your post warms my heart this morning. Thank you.
This verse (v.40) does not describe the Rapture of the Church. Those taken, are taken to be judged (cp. Lu. 17:34-37). Those left, are left to inhabit the Kingdom.
LORD JESUS qualified the word "taken" in Luke 17:37 when HIS disciples asked HIM, "[Taken] Where, Lord?" The LORD answered, "Wheresoever the body {contextually a corpse; carcass} is, there will the eagles {vultures; carrion eaters} be gathered together."
Those who are "taken" identify with those whom The LORD will "gather together" ( Rev. 16:16; 19:19) to judge them during Armageddon. Luke's expression as recorded in Luke 17:34 also agrees with Apostle John's description of "the Supper of the Great GOD" during which "fowls that fly in the midst of heaven" will assemble "to eat the flesh of" the armies of the Antichrist and his false prophet (see Rev. 19:17-18).
Those who are "left" will "live and reign with CHRIST a thousand years" ( Rev. 20:4).
The generation affected by the Flood presents a great typology: The earth's entire population were "taken" in judgment by the flood. In contrast, Noah and his family were "left" to replenish the earth.
Moreover, GOD "took" the entire population of Sodom and Gomorrah in judgment when HE destroyed the cities with fire and brimstone. Nevertheless, GOD preserved Lot and his daughters when HE "left" them out of harm's way.
In HIS parable of the net, The LORD graphically proclaimed this eschatological "taking" and "leaving": "So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just" ( Mt. 13:47-50).
My prayers are with you as you work trough your doubts. There is still a measure of faith planted within you by the Holy Spirit, or you would not be asking this question. So, trust that God will renew and grow your faith as you seek Him wit all of your heart. He will draw near to you as you draw near to Him.
I am sorry that you have gone through so much illness and loss. That is a huge, painful, heartbreaking trial! I pray for the Lord to comfort you and continue to bless you with all you need. May your son be blessed by you and be a blessing to you as he grows. May your son come to know Jesus as you work through this faith challenge. God is able to do all of these things. I pray that you can believe this, as well.
My thoughts are that animals were not given the consciousness or soul to know God, to sin, or to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. As you said, they were not made in the image of God. I think that they were created to age and die as well. But I am not aware of a bible verse that states this.
I think that Romans 7 is referring to Paul's struggles as a believer. When we come to Christ and are remade in Christ we do become more acutely aware of our sinfulness and the impact of our sinful nature on us daily. Paul, before conversion thought of himself as righteous according to the law. His conscience did not bother him too much. But now, as a Christian believer, his conscience, being made aright by the Spirit, is bringing to light what Jesus meant when he elevated the commandments (if you are angry with your brother, you commit murder, etc..) Paul was being sifted by the Holy Spirit, showing him areas were unknown sin is manifested in his life. As one who really loved what is good and right, it was very grievous for Paul to face these sins (habits of the mind, attitudes, sins of omission) that didn't bother him before conversion. God was calling him to a higher righteousness than that of the Pharisees (which he was as a Jew) Wanting to be victorious over all sin in his life, he realized e could not and then turns his attention and hope to Jesus, proclaiming that Jesus alone can rescue him from sin and death. Praise God! This is true for us, too.
Those of us who are in heaven will not be enjoy viewing the wicked receiving the penalty for their unbelief in hell. We will not be allowed to view it. God separates hell from heaven in order to have heaven be perfect for us. God is perfectly just and is not unloving when he judges unbelievers to eternal punishment in hell. He is exercising His perfect judgment and wrath rightly. It is this very judgment and wrath that Christ's death and resurrection saves us from, not just death. If death is all that awaits the unbeliever, then Christ's death does not change was only a one way act, sparing believers from eternal death. Which is not what Jesus taught (i.e. Lazarus and the rich man).
I believe that God will judge children, mentally impaired, and those who never heard the gospel in is perfect wisdom. I don't think we need to think for God.
I once heard a story about someone who was brought the gospel to a remote area of the world. Upon hearing of Jesus, one person remarked, "So that is the name of who we worship." This reflects what is said in Romans 1. Man can know that God exists and seek Him. But in places where they have not heard of Jesus or have the Bible to learn more of God, most people create idols and devise wicked practices and false worship. But even among such people, there may be some who worship God from a true heart. God does not despise these. Nor does he despise children or those who cannot understand Him through their minds. He speaks to their souls. The Holy Spirit can regenerate anyone He chooses. But since Jesus' incarnation, the Spirit most often regenerates through the hearing of the gospel.
I choose to let God be God, and myself be a lowly human. I do not question His judgments as either right or wrong.
If he created hell and determined that it will be inhabited by the unbelieving humans, angels, and the devil, I trust that that is the right and just thing.
pointing finger at fault shows no one how to change. I have met very few leaders that teach how to walk by the spirit
but have no problem telling someone how fast they can be sent to hell. So where's the leading in love that's what Jesus
Christ did and the Apostle Paul 1 Corinthians 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod,or in Love and the spirit
of meekness. Eph.4:15 speaking the truth in Love not fire and brimstone. Just sharing some heart.