Discuss Matthew 5 Page 12

Brother S Spencer, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

1 John 3:2 (NOT GODS) I assume this is because of my response to Chris.

I BELIEVE that everyone on this site is here because God has CAUSED them to be here.

I BELIEVE all on this site are seeking TRUTH and God has CAUSED them to be here for that TRUTH.

We just SHARE God's Words; it's the SPIRIT that reveals the TRUTH.

Ephesians 4:4 There is one body, and ONE SPIRIT.....

John 4:24 God is SPIRIT....

There is only ONE SPIRIT (GOD)

Christ was the Firstborn of that ONE SPIRIT, being born again of that ONE SPIRIT we are Joint Heirs with Christ.

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Philippians 2:6 Who, being in the FORM of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God.

Mark 12:20 .... The Lord our God, is ONE LORD.

2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass (mirror) the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same IMAGE from glory to glory, even as by the (ONE) Spirit of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 6:17 But he that is joined into the Lord is ONE SPIRIT.

Ephesians 4:4....ONE SPIRIT....

John 4:24 God is SPIRIT

Joshua 22:22 The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods .....

John 10:34 Is it not written in you LAW, I said, ye are gods

Matthew 5:17 ....but to fulfil (the LAW).

Psalms 82:6 I have said, Ye are gods, the children of the most high.

Psalms 136:2 O give thanks to the God of gods: for his mercy endureth forever.

Understood Glenn God Bless.

Yes , but my meaning is , divorce is not the unforgivable sin , an you need no special forgiveness from a church or man , simply repent, pray , an carry on with your life ,..

Caroline, first we must establish whether or not the "law" applied to you. If you were a natural born Jew or Israelite, then the law applied to you as the law or commandments were given to the Jew and the Jew only, for the Gentile had not the law ( ROM 2:14). Once that is determined, we then decide if the "law" applies in this day and time. We need to understand the purpose of the law. It was given to show that man needed a Savior. "For if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain" Gal 2:21. Where there is no law, sin is not imputed. Rom 5:21. But if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law. Gal 3:21. Christ came to fulfill the carnal or physical law and move it aside so that a new and more perfect law could be established. Matt 5:18.

God referred to himself as the husband and Israel as his bride or wife. So if the wife, Isreal, commits fornication, or goes to another God, as they did with the golden calf, let her remain either unmarried to God or return to God. If you are the true husband, or have that spirit of God within you, you will not put away you wife except for fornication with another god. Remember also, that there is a physical Isreal and a spiritual Isreal

Glenn isn't your reference in Jeremiah about a nation or tribe practicing idolatry not an individual just asking.

Amen and Amen, Brother Alex:

The TRUE Israel was ALWAYS the Israel that would be CREATED by the death and resurrection of Christ.

Everything in the OLD; ONLY, pointed to the NEW.

Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh (Old Israel):

Romans 2:29 But HE IS A JEW (New Israel), which is one inwardly; and circumcision is of the heart, IN THE SPIRIT, and not in the letter (flesh); whose praise is not of men but of God.

When you are BORN AGAIN, you are no longer a gentile, but a TRUE JEW.

The true house of Israel and temple of God are his SAINTS, his OFFSPRING, his INHERITANCE, his POSSESSIONS, bought and PAID FOR.

Psalms 2:8 Ask of me (my Son), and I (the Father) shall GIVE THEE (my Son) the heathen for thine INHERITANCE, and the uttermost parts for the earth for a POSSESSION.

Psalms 2:9 And thou (my Son) shall break them with a rod of iron; and thou (my Son) shall dash them in pieces as a potter's vessel.

We are the pot and he is the potter.

Christ WILL keep breaking you, UNTIL; you AGREE with him.

Matthew 5:25 AGREE with you adversary (God the Father) quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him (while you are ALIVE); lest at any time the adversary (God the Father) deliver you to the judge (Christ), and the judge (Christ) deliver you to the officer (Death), and thou be cast into prison (the Grave).

The wages of SIN (UNBELIEF) is DEATH. BELIEVING is LIFE.

There are many reasons for divorce, an divorce is not the unpardonable sin ,for God himself is a divorcee ( Jeremiah chapter 3 vs 7-9 ) If he or she has prayed an repented , that is forgivable , an able to carry on a re-marry. An feel good about there faith, pursuit for happiness in both there life

When children are involved, unless you are exceptional care giver, this will most definitely put a strain on a relationship. You will find out much about your new spouse you may have never known before! Only after you are married!

Would like advice on the unmarried being able to marry the divorced?

Hello Estela. Yes, many people have enquired how a good God can permit so much suffering upon us. If He is so good, shouldn't He step in & put an end to sicknesses, diseases, murders, etc.?

I think of it this way: if God did put a stop to these things, then they would only be temporary, since every man, woman & child is born a sinner ( Romans 3:23), & because of our sinful condition, all these things come upon us. When Adam & Eve were created, they were sinless, enjoying God's Presence continually, no sickness, in harmony with animal life around them, & would never see death. But once they disobeyed God & sinned, they lost all that perfection, & they had to hide from God (Genesis chapters 2 & 3).

And ever since, their sinful nature & death was passed upon all of us ( Romans 5:12) & the proof is the way we behave before God & our fellow-man even now. Even the one who murders another is no different to the one who has hate in his heart, according to Jesus ( Matthew 5:21,22). Or the man who cheats on his wife is the same as the one who cheats on his taxes. So all these evil traits that we might have in us are a result of indwelling sin. Yes, God can stop us from doing those evil acts, but evil will always be with us & in our hearts - and this is unacceptable before God.

What God has done, was to give us a new heart & a new spirit so that we won't do those things that come from within ( Matthew 15:19). If our heart is clean & right before God, we won't do evil & hurt one another and that was why He sent His Son to this Earth to give His Life. Jesus paid the price for our sin, which we couldn't pay, & made us acceptable before God & a clean vessel to be used by Him. So in God's Sight, stopping the murder of someone doesn't fix the problem of murder: murder will always happen, whether against someone or in our hearts. The solution to stop them is that they be changed on the inside. But most people refuse His salvation & so evil will continue with so much suffering.

Hell is thought of as being a place. Hell is not a place where the wicked suffer forever. Ezekiel 18:20 KJV - The soul that sinneth, it shall die. Ezekiel 18:32"For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye."

Revelation 20:14 "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Matthew 5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, 'Raca,' is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell." That hell fire is God's light, taking darkness away forever. Wicked see that light as vengeance - wrath. Hebrews 12:29 "For our God is a consuming fire." James 1:17

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." Malachi 4:3 "And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts." No one will see God as the fires of hell, when death is no more. Revelation 20:5 "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. They are the wicked. I am working on reducing that number. The size of the lake of fire depends on the number of lost people and souls. There will be a lake of fire. Fallen angels will be destroyed." Eternal torment, made people to make tormenting laws against people. God says fear not, don't be afraid, and don't worry through people, and in person. Ezekiel 18:32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the LORD God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. The saved will have charity, being prefect, not being offended by what is seen, being peaceful. 1 Corinthians 13: 4 - 7, KJV. Giving unto the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house has nothing to do with the giving of money.

Sister Dianne.

What comes out the mouth comes from the heart,

The Gospel is meant to share not store up to ourselves.

We need to take ownership.

Here is two verses I will attempt to draw a picture of the way we "play Christianity"

Consider these two verses in 1 John and James. next the other posted scriptures and then I will explain where we need to take ownership. So please bare with me.

1 John 3:17. and James 2:15-16.

Luke 19:10. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

2 Corinthians 5:15. And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Matthew 5:14-15. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

I'm sure we're familiar with the slothful servant in the parable in

Luke 19:20-26.

NOW YO MY POINT.

We complain so much especially here in the US of America. about the spiritual decay and gross sin dating back to Slavery!! AND ALL THAT MATTERS IS WE HAVE THE GOSPEL STORED IN OUR HEART. Brother and Sisters getting it out undefiled should be top priority to the lost. In a way it parallels with the examples presented in

1 John 3:17. and James 2:15-16.

It's so much we all can do together if what's in our heart generated work rather a SHOW of Holiness.

WHAT'S THE POINT REASONING SCRIPTURE TO SOMEONE ABSENT OF THE SPIRIT?

THEY NEED IN THEM WHAT'S WORKING IN US!!

1 Corinthians 2:14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Love is not hiding the Gospel it's presenting it.

God bless.

Hi Gloria,

I believe you're asking what it means for us being the salt of the earth, etc?

13Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

To me this doesn't teach us as much about God as it is teaching us how to live. Christians should be visible and an example to follow, showing good works, and giving glory to God. At the end of this chapter it says to be perfect. I think it's a challenge to us to strive to be like Jesus. This is an ongoing lifelong pursuit. Of course we will slip up here and there as all are sinful and fall short, but we should stay the course and follow Jesus. This takes active effort. (sadly some Christians think its ok to follow the world as they assume grace is just a fast pass in and that you can enjoy sin and following earthly pleasures as much as you want- I don't think it works that way. Jesus said this: Matthew 7:21-23. That is what I get out of it.

In Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 13 -16

What des this teach us about god?

What does this teach about us?

How do we obey?

Hi Nicole, just so you know, I would rather stay outside in a tent anyday than stay under the same roof as a satanist. That's great that you've sought advice, but even though I think you have some concern, to me, I don't think you're taking this very seriously. I don't think you've tried very hard or have exhausted all your possible options. If it were me, I'd move out immediately THEN I'd decide where to go. I'd stay at a motel for the first day, then travel to the nearest relevatives if I had no money. I'd then call a church- have you tried that? To me it sounds like maybe you'd rather stay with a satanist than with a Christian. I just don't understand it and it sounds like your faith might be in jeopardy.

If it were truly important then you would follow Matthew 5:30 and do absolutely everything possible immediately, even cut off your own arm, to get away. To me it would be an absolute emergency, but I can see you're taking your time and a little frustrated with only one landlord? (aren't there many more, can't you leave town?), but otherwise enjoying free rent. What is more important to you, free rent or your faith? This should be a very easy decision. You have to choose your priorities and what is most important to you. I'm concerned for your soul.

Joshua 24:15

God bless...

Dear Nicole, if I understand right you are a Christian and have voluntarily chosen to live in the residence of satanist, is that correct? If following Christ is important to you then why would you live there? Why wouldn't you leave immediately (now)?

Sin is so evil, deadly, and destructive to you that Jesus said in Matthew 5:30 its better to cut off your own arm than to let it cause you to sin. In other words do absolutely anything and everything possible to avoid sin (and avoid going to hell). Do you think following Jesus's words are important?

You have chosen to put yourself in the most vulnerable position one could possibly imagine then are blindly staying there, even though you've already had your faith under attack. If you're not the one influencing the satanist then you can be absolutely assured you are the one being converted and you are the one losing. You're on his turf and seem to be totally unprepared without your 'armor of God' and you put yourselves there in the first place, which is unimagineable. I don't know what you're thinking. Maybe you don't realize what is at stake- our choices have eternal consequences.

The Bible says many times to depart from evil, stay away from it. You have done the opposite. It's great that you are seeking advice here, but what do you expect someone to say- to live with a satanist?

Psalm 37:27-29

Psalm 34:14

Mark 9:43

God bless...

Hello, it would seem nice if there was a clear cut line for all sins, wouldn't it. But if we knew that, would our goal then be to get as close to that line as possible without going over? Is that really what Christians should do who genuinely love and follow Jesus?

We could ask the same question for drunkenness. 2-3 beers ok? 4-5, 6-8? Lying: a little white lie ok? What about if it will protect someone? What if no one will find out? Theft- what if its 'communal' property, what if the person I take from is 'bad' and 'deserves it'? Murder: abortion if below 1 month? What about 4 months? 9 months? What about after birth if deformed? What about elderly? What about all ages if we don't like them?

Satan loves to tempt people with making tiny little increments towards sin, and he's good at deceiving people into doing it. What if the goal if Christians shouldn't be to see how close the line they can go, but play it safe and try to love and follow God with all your heart, soul, and strength?

Fornication isn't the only sin involved in the scenario you describe, but lust. Jesus didn't say "I died on the cross so you can sin all you want now." If anything he was MORE restrictive, saying sin no more, and if you love Him to obey His commandments. He also said this: Matthew 5:28

God bless...

Hi George.

I would say that is a tough question for me atleast.

But if I was to guess at it I would say you probably could use the same principle for fornication as seen here for Adultery.

Matthew 5:28-29. But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

If you eyes leads you to lust you pluck them out.

So if your hugging and kissing leads one to lust then maybe you shouldn't.

I would go further to say if ones testimony or credibility as a Christian is in question why not get married?

None believers look for such things to attack the Church.

God bless.

You are better than this...you are a child of God, believe that He is there for you even in the midst of a cloud...believe and know that each day God's mercies are renewed and that He cares for you, but it is stated, He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust ." - Matthew 5:45 NKJV We all are tempted but must continue to have "faith"... the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen...Love you In Christ

Hi Stephanie.

We worship EVERYDAY OF OUR LIVES!!!

We don't stop worshipping Sunday through Friday to make Saturday Special, Nor do we do that for any other day!! We need to understanding we're vessels!!

2 Timothy 2:20-21. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

WE DON'T FILL THESE VESSELS!!

We are LAMPSTANDS!! And OUR FATHER

supplies oil!!

Matthew 5:14-16. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

""TRUE"" Worship is not of ourselves!!

Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Worship is also NOT a place you Go!!

John 4:21, 23-24. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

We are fruit barriers!!!

John 15:5. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

WE DON'T PRODUCE THE FRUIT!!!

WORSHIP IS A NEW LIFE, NOT A 9 TO 5.

The Sabbath day is everyday because we don't do it. CHRIST DID!! We join him in his rest.

We're beneficiaries of a Promise.

GOD BLESS.

Amen John2

Peter,

That doesn't sound like a very uplifting or respectful comment there.

Sounds like you're just saying an 'I'm right, you're wrong' argument without even explaining your belief.

Most Christians believe the Bible, including verses like Luke 17:36 that says,

"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left."

Do you believe Luke 17:36 is true? That is what most Christians define as rapture. The term is simply used as a convenience, but the term itself is unimportant, but the event that the end of Luke 17 describes. Will one person really be taken and one left? Is that scenario true? Yes, it is. The Bible says it is, and not just in one place.

Also, it sounded like you were calling Christians "fools" for believing Luke 17:36.

Are you familiar with this verse that gives a warning of serious consequences to anyone calling others by that name you used?

Matthew 5:22

The helm of Christian believers is to make Heaven, let us keep on obeying the word of Our Lord Jesus Christ, inorder to make that Heaven, He promise us. AMEN

Brother Paul, may CHRIST IN US grace us with HIS wisdom and HIS understanding.

Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth PASS...till ALL BE FULFILLED.

Before Christ's death and resurrection, Christ DID NOT dwell or live in man; but in (old) heaven and (old) earth, the OLD DWELLING PLACE of GOD, temples made by man's hands.

After Christ's death and resurrection; the old heaven and old earth PASSED AWAY, and ALL THINGS were made NEW. A New Heaven and A New Earth. Christ now dwells in us.

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth (CHRIST IN YOU): for the first heaven and the first earth WERE PASSED AWAY (already completed).

This fulfils the words he spoke in Matthew 5:18, Mark 13:31, Matthew 24:35, Luke 21:33, etc.

The law and prophets were fulfilled at Christ's death and resurrection; therefore all the laws and ordinances of the Old Testament are NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

Heaven and earth HAVE PASSED; the law and prophets NAVE BEEN FULFILLED.

"THE LAW" as referred to by Jesus is the 10 Commandments..it doesn't say anything about stoning anyone in this LAW.

Jesus did not let the adulteress get stoned in the scripture below:

John 8:2-10 Context

2And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. 3And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

In scripture, Jesus and his apostles refer many times to keeping the 10 commandments. Here are two verses spoken by Jesus

John 14:15

"If ye love me, keep my commandments."

John 15:10

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love."

As Christians .if we keep God's commandments, we WILL NOT kill or stone anyone. The 6th Commandment: THOU SHALT NOT KILL.

Matthew 5:18. Is saying that God's 10 commandments are in force until the end of this earth.

God Bless

Hi Paul,

Notice that what you said in your sentence is not what Matthew 5:18 says. The verse says 'til all be fulfilled' not 'end of time' as you said.

The Bible says Jesus came to earth to fulfil the law. Hover or click on this for proof: Matthew 5:17. Note that Jesus came after the Israelites and after the Old Testament was written.

Jesus's mission was to die for the sins of the world. John 3:16

Notice that after Jesus completed his mission he said 'it is finished': John 19:30.

So, Jesus fulfilled the law. People had lots of laws then including Israelites who had nearly 1000 laws, not just moral, but civil and ceremonial. They were huge in number and governed themselves like a country.

However, even though Jesus fulfilled the law, we are still obligated to follow the moral law. John 14:15. Example: do not kill, lie, cheat, worship false gods, commit sexual immorality, blasphemy, etc.

They did stoning back then. Public stonings are still done today in places in the middle east.

The Bible does not instruct Christians to stone anyone. One must differentiate what is moral law that applies to 'me' and what was a civil or ceremonial law that only applied to a people group at that time. Israelites were God's chosen people so they were given different attention than others as well.

Jesus says that not a single letter of the law will be changed until the end of time. Matthew 5:18

How does this apply to stoning adulterers and homosexuals as outlined in Deuteronomy and Leviticus?

In much love, Hugo.....Once you receive and believe the truth of the Gospel you turn from your old way of thinking and living your life. That's repentance, its means a turning away or to go in a different direction. By believing Jesus Christ, His resurrection and confessing this truth, salvation has come to you. Also, the Holy Spirit indwells you upon hearing and believing through faith. Roman 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8-9......You don't have to run from person to person to ask for forgiveness. The Lord will orchestrate the right time and place for this to occur if needed. Simply, you know that it is impossible for you to go to all the individual that you have wronged while you were in the world. People will see the change in you without you saying one word. Furthermore, we have already been converted when we are told to go to the brethren and our adversary before we bring our gifts to the altar. Matthew 5:23-26

Hi Sheila. It would be difficult to share on verse 4 only, without looking at the whole Psalm. So, I shall give some thoughts for you. The author of Psalm 100 is unknown, but it is a call for ALL to worship the LORD. The Psalmist is so full of praise & thanksgiving, that he longs for all the inhabitants of the Earth to worship the LORD (v1).

He then adds in verse 3, to know that the LORD is (the One) God. Psalm 96:5: "For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the LORD made the heavens." That there can only be one True God for He is the One Who has created us, we are accounted as His very own - as a Shepherd Who owns, guards & nourishes His flock - He loves all His creation, even those who reject or deny Him - He gives blessing to each one ( Matthew 5:45: "(God) maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."). And a further reminder, that He created mankind & we are not "self-created" or from our vain imaginations, but that God is not only our Creator but our Sustainer & Provider.

With that Truth in our hearts, why shouldn't all people respond with "thanksgiving, praise & blessing" to His Name (v 4), & especially to those to Whom He has revealed Himself (Israel) & to those of us, by virtue of His Son's Death & Resurrection & Gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Israel should have entered the Temple gates & courtyard with such joy & confidence in their Creator but sin hid God's Face from them ( Isaiah 59:2). Likewise, harbouring sin in our lives, will keep us from joy & confidence in the Lord & our praise might be only empty words habitually spoken. But when we come into the Holy Place (the place of His Presence, of joy & rest), we can be confident because of "having clean hands, and a pure heart" ( Psalm 24:4) & that because of Jesus' shed Blood for us ( Hebrews 10:19-22). We can praise Him from our hearts through words, music, testimony & witness ( Hebrews 13:15).

(You can add to the above, as you're led).

Hello Cheryl. In reference to your questions: "Does purgatory exist? What is it for and where in the Bible can I read about it?"

Purgatory, from the verb, "to purge", is a Roman Catholic teaching whereby those who have died & yet have sins unconfessed & unforgiven, go into an intermediate state for further cleansing, making them fit to enter Heaven. We don't find any reference in the Bible to such a state that a departed soul goes through, though RCs find scriptural support for their belief. They cite, Isaiah 4:4 ("spirit of burning" as referring to burning off the filth of the flesh); Matthew 5:25,26 ("prison" being purgatory, & "the last penny" being the full payment of that purgation); 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (the test of "fire" as the place of refining & then acceptance by God); the Apocryphal Book 2 Maccabees 12:41-45 (a strong passage to show that the souls of the dead can be 'helped along the way' by making further sacrifice (monetary offering), with prayers making reconciliation for their sins); & so we have 'prayers for the dead'.

If you know your Bible, & especially the references I've given, then you can see how Scriptures can be twisted to mean something else - to support their belief in a further purgation, with the prayers, offerings, masses, etc. to assure the soul's entrance to Heaven. Yet Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." Verse 18, "Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin." These verses tell us that Jesus' Sacrifice is sufficient to deal with the sin problem & to make us (those He has sanctified) perfect (clean & acceptable to God). And if our sins have been remitted (removed or transmitted onto Him), there can be no further offering for sin.

So there is nothing that can possibly be offered to God, whether in this life or the next, that will further guarantee our entrance into Heaven. It's all of Grace - it's all found in the Cross & the shed Blood of Jesus.