Discuss Matthew 7 Page 8

James 1:5, Matthew 7:7-14, Matthew 21:21-22, Matthew 10:1,8,

Deuteronomy 32:39, 2Kings 20:5,

2Chronicles 7:14,

Hopefully these are helpful

Terri,

Matthew 7:21 to 23 gives us the correct understanding of salvation. And please take note of these three things concerning salvation: Number one, it is not what we say. Number 2, it is not what we do. And number 3, it is who He knows!

So first of all, in Matthew 7:21, Jesus says that it is "Not what we say." Jesus says, "Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father, which is in heaven." So there will be many that will call on Him but are void of His Spirit. They will not enter in.

Secondly in Matthew 7:22, it is "Not what we do." Jesus says many will say to me, (and this is what they did): we prophesied in your name, we cast out demons, and did works of miracles. That is what they did, and they were right in proclaiming that. However, they did these things on their own, apart from God working in their lives.

Notice what Jesus tells them in the next verse ( Matthew 7:23). It's who He knows. Jesus says, "Then I will profess to them, I never knew you." You see, it is who He knows. A person is saved not because they know the Lord. A person is saved because the Lord knows them.

Over the last several years, I have been coming to know the Lord that already knew me. He already knows me! He calls me by name and I am one of His sheep. I respond to His voice.

Paul said the same thing in Galatians 4:9. He says, "But now after you have known God, but rather, you are known by God, how do you turn again to the beggarly elements?" You see, Paul corrected himself in Galatians 4:9. Now that you have come to know God, or rather, that God has come to know you, how can you go back out into the world?

I belong to Him. I claim Him as my Lord and Savior, but I am one of His sheep. He knows me. I'm not sure if He's proud of that, but He knows me. So it is not based on me knowing Him. It doesn't matter how much I think I know Him. If He doesn't know me, it means nothing!

Hope this helps!

It means that if one has faith in God that He hears and answers back when one is asking something from Him then God will definitely answer back. So have faith in God that He will give you anything you ask for.

Please read Matthew 7:7-11.

Alex, this will be my last reply on the subject as I can perceive that you seem very rooted in your belief despite not sharing any scripture to support it. 1 Corinthians 3:16 refutes the claim that satan is inside everyone.

Lots of assumptions were made in the last reply and this time it included a strawman argument: "You being a Christian should know this." I hope this assumption is only an honest mistake and not intended to be manipulative. Your words appear to keep conflating sin with satan. Curse of Adam is a curse and isn't the same as satan being inside a person. Sin isn't the same as satan being inside a person. No where in the Bible does it say satan is in everyone. Christians have the holy spirit within, not satan, as 1 Corinthians 3:16 says.

Here's another verse that refutes it: Matthew 7:18. Someone with the holy spirit dwelling doesn't also have satan dwelling.

Satan probably wants people to believe he is in them though. I can see that playing into his hand and he is the father of all lies. Luke 6:45. Isaiah 5:20. God bless.

Matthew 7:12 - Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

Romans 12:10 - Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Exodus 20:12 - Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

Philippians 2:3 - Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

1 Peter 2:17 - Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king/president

Titus 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Romans 12:9-11 - Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

Acts 10:34-35 - Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

Romans 2:7-16 - To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:

Romans 13:1-7 - Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be, are ordained of God.

Hebrews 13:7 - Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow,

Colossians 3:25 - But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Romans 2:11

For there is no respect of persons with God.

2 Chronicles 6:19 (a prayer)

Have respect therefore to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee:

Use the Search Engine box on the entrance link page. You will be wise.

Mishael

"......His wife sort of represents the parable where Jesus said that

he who turned his back on the plow was unworthy ( Luke 9:62)....

Those who are caught up with the cares of this life; and ensnared by riches will never produce fruit and therefore are unsaved according to the parable of the sower. "

Define "unsaved". Do you mean someone who heard the Gospel and rejected it right away or heard it and blew it off or are you talking about people who knew the truth and then totally chucked it and went back to their old, sinful ways?

Many "christians" have the appearance of Godliness (like going to Church every Sunday, or going to/having Bible studies,

or bragging about how much they fast and pray, or do good deeds to be seen by men, or get a high by "speaking in tongues"

or ......)

Matthew 7:20-23

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Just what is, "doing the will of my Father which is in heaven."??

I'm confused.

1 John 4:8 - He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1 Peter 4:8 - And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

1 Thessalonians 4:4 - That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

Romans 13:10 - Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Ephesians 4:1-3 - I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, (Read More...)

1 John 4:7 - Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Colossians 3:14 - And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

Ephesians 5:9 - (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Matthew 7:15-20 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Read More...)

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

1 Corinthians 13:1-5 - Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (LOVE) I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal__

Acts 5:27-42 kjv, Galatians 5:1 kjv, Ephesians 6:24 kjv,

Exodus 1:15-17 kjv, Daniel 3 kjv, Daniel 6 kjv,

Matthew 7:13-15 kjv, Titus 2:13 kjv, Rev 13:15 kjv,

Proverbs 29:25 kjv:

Beware of anyone giving you answers that aren't in the Bible. For example if someone says yes to your question and if the Bible doesn't say that, then that sounds more like one person's opinion rather than anything from God. But we are trying to learn God's position on this not mans, right? The Bible doesn't specifically address this question, but it does say that even people who expect and feel entitled to get to heaven won't get in. Matthew 7:21. So, many people will be horrified to learn that they put their hope and trust in the wrong thing, or that they weren't even real followers of Jesus to begin with. They should have been following Jesus and His teachings and taking it to heart, not the teachings of the world (satan). So, given that most people will not make it to heaven, is it likely that someone who commits such a defiant sin against God will be warmly welcomed with great rewards? So, someone wants to intentionally destroy God's creation right in front of His face then the next moment beg for mercy and forgiveness from the intentional act of defiance? I don't see these two things as being congruent. My answer is "not yes" to your question and someone considering this act should deeply search what his or her priorities are. God likely has greater plans and purposes for the person they are not even remotely aware of. For someone to blatantly sin, disobey and defy God and His Will is evil. Grace is not an excuse to commit intentional sin. Hebrews 10:26-31, Hebrews 6:4-6, James 2:14-26, John 14:15, Romans 6:1-2. God bless.

Hi Dennis,

I don't know how open minded you are in regards to the scripture you shared and how others interpretations differ from yours. You probably are aware that your view isn't common among most Bible readers and that you might at least expect some kind of response to posting such an interpretation publicly on a Bible website. May I ask have you prayed to God about this and asked Him if what you're saying is true?

The first verse is talking about John the baptist preparing the way for Jesus who is the Light. I'm not sure if that is your belief or not but when you read the whole context it would be hard to come up with any other view in my opinion. Verse 14 days the Word (God, as said in verse 1) became flesh and dwelt among us and continues to describe Jesus.

God created you, gave you life, and He has the right to take your life. You have no entitlements and no authority in comparison. God loved us enough to give us freewill and sadly many choose evil which harms others. But just because people choose evil and just because God may choose to punish evildoers doesn't mean God is "bad". God is good, evil/satan is bad. When your parents disciplined you growing up where they "bad" too? Most love their kids enough to punish them so they will be afraid of doing wrong in the future and avoid it, so they can life a better life. Some people in history have chosen evil and been so consumed with it that they were a lost cause and they were killed so that innocents don't have to suffer anymore by their evil. Is it right that evildoers are continued to be allowed to harm innocents. God is fair and just. This life is temporary, we all will die and face judgment. Just because some extremely wicked satan-followers are taken earlier than others doesn't mean to me that fairly punishnig someone is bad. People keep spitting in God's face and demand entitlements from Him as if they think God is a genie in a lamp to serve them. People are mistaken. Matthew 10:28, Matthew 7:21. God bless.

Thanks brother. Your words, from the Word of God, ought to strike our hearts with a searing iron. It certainly does mine especially when I read some comments that are so far removed from the Truth, prompting others to believe a lie.

Many forget that the Gospel of the Cross is two-fold: one of propitiation ( 1 John 2:2: to provide a means for atonement & forgiveness by God, as well as to avert God's Anger against the sinner); and one requiring a response ( Romans 10:13,14). If the Gospel fails in both conditions, then there can be no salvation - we are forever lost in our sins. Though I've sought an answer to this several times in the past, without a response, I can only understand that there are some who believe in the first part (of God's Forgiveness), but the second part is almost inconsequential. And why so? For God is All-Loving, All-Forgiving, & all men will eventually be saved (a Universalism teaching). Why then the need for repentance in this life? Why did the apostles hazard their lives, even laying them down for the Gospel, if those enemies of the Cross would be changed & accepted by God in the last day? Where does the Bible ever speak about a 'second-chance salvation'? Why should the believer ever be called upon to live holy separated lives unto God if even the unrepentant will be saved?

And then some consider us as believers in a vengeful angry God. And yet we have the Scriptures: Matthew 7:13; John 3:36; Hebrews 10:31; Hebrews 12:25,29; & many more showing that here is a God Who is to be feared & none can stand guiltless in His Presence. Thank you again for bringing this to light brother - it may be that others will be able to differentiate between the true & false Gospels.

What God ask you to do is "to go with faith to Him and ask Him to heal you." Many blind and disabled people lived during Jesus's time but a few got what they needed. Do you know who? The ones that went with faith to Him and asked for help. God never changed, He remains the same for ever.. The Gospel is written with one purpose. To show us how to approach God and live with Him. Do not hesitate. Go to God and ask for things. Also ask Him to heal your child and take care all your needs. Read Matthew 7:7-12. Fill yourself with trust and hope and go to God .We will pray for you. God Bless You dear Margaret.

The gospel is for all, but God doesn't give rewards to those who hate and reject Him as you assume. Jesus even predicted this exact scenario of someone assuming they were entitled to deserve heaven. On this contrary this is what Jesus said about that: Matthew 7:21. I believe Jesus's truth over man's falsehoods. The self-entitled who act deserving and like to shortcut and distort God's word may God have mercy on their soul: Revelation 22:19. "...God shall take away his part out of the book of life." This is very serious stuff. God is a fair judge.

Giannis, let's look at Christ's words and come to a deeper meaning of:

Matthew 7:21-23

You and I and all mankind were born as sinful flesh, not knowing the truth of God.

Christ came, in the flesh, as sinful flesh.

It, SINFUL FLESH, DIED with Christ on HIS CROSS. You and I and all mankind DIED on the cross with Christ.

Three days latter Christ arose with a NEW BODY, we also shared in Christ resurrection, we now are that LIFE.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy IS HE that hath HIS PART in the first resurrection,...

It is no longer, YOU and I as sinful flesh, but that ONE LIFE of Christ in now, US ALSO.

We are just the body, Christ is THE LIFE, therefore everything we do and say and think is actually THE LIFE of Christ causing it. We are being created in the image of Christ.

Christ is also a body, and the LIFE of the Father is HIS (Christ's) LIFE, HIS (Christ's) WORDS, HIS (Christ's works) WORKS.

Christ said, it's not my words but my Father's words, it's not my works but my Father's works, Of MYSELF I CAN DO NOTHING.

Christ said, I am the vine, you are the branches, without me (MY LIFE) you can do nothing.

Colossians 1:27 ...this mystery ..... (the LIFE) CHRIST IN YOU .....

Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh IN YOU (you died on the cross and became a new creation, you and Christ as ONE) both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.

Revelation 2:26 And he that overcomrth and keepeth MY WORKS .....

And they will say in that day, Lord did not WE, and he will say depart for it was not you but ME.

Most believe that have life of themselves, but the word says life is only in the SRIRIT.

We are just the body that does the labour of CHRIST, THE LIFE.

1 John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God (LIFE and TRUTH) doth not commit sin; for HIS SEED remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

Christ's LIFE became your LIFE, and Christ cannot sin.

GBU

When i was reading Matthew 7:21-23 i was always wondering how is it possible that some christians do so beautiful works, cast out devils, prophesying and still Jesus told them that He doesn't know them. Also told them that they work iniquity. How was it possible to work iniquity and still work using God's spiritual gifts. I couldn't understand it.

Well, after some time i understood. Yes, it's possible to work for God but in your own way and not obeying God's rules. You work according to what you think and like and not what God thinks and likes. That is disobedience and it's a sin, and if you keep doing it and don't repent then you will sometime hear Jesus telling you that He doesn't know you.

Sad but true.

Hi Roman,

It sounds like someone thinks you believe 100% of everyone will go to heaven- is that actually what you believe? If so, how did you come to this conclusion and what was your greatest influence in arriving at that conclusion?

In my years of Bible study and I've never come across a verse appearing to supporting that, but have found many supporting the opposite. I try to pray for wisdom and understanding when I read- do you practice that do you feel that God has confirmed anything in your heart about the info you are posting publically here?

I'm not 100% sure that is what you believe, but if it is, I would look closely at scripture for the truth. Scripture doesn't require any creative interpretion, but just to read literally.

Matthew 7:13-14 - says "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Do you believe this verse that "few find it"? To me, "few" doesn't mean "all." What does "few" mean to you?

Matthew 10:28 - this says to "fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

do you agree that we should fear God, or fear that He could destroy our soul and body in hell?

1 John 1:9. This says "If..." which is a conditional statement meaning that if we do something, this will be the result. Do you believe this verse is truth? If not, what part of it do you not believe?

John 15:10 is another conditional statement "If ye keep my commandments..." - do you agree?

Do you think this means, if you don't keep the commandments, that's fine too and won't change the outcome? Do you think it's possible the Bible would say something like that and not mean it?

Thank you for helping explain your religious beliefs.

In order to keep the belief we must look at ourselves, we cannot judge as the world will.

Then we can develop a true love with the author of love...TLG ..The Living God

Hi dear "Ben Piccolino", Matthew 7:1-6 a long long time ago actually in the beginning of being born again i experienced these words in a very strange way. The experience may help you. Testimony: i was to open a meeting with words and prayer. It was 11 o'clock in the morning. Best as i should find a word these from Matthew came to me.

In my mind i could not deliver these, thought then of the man who was to speak that it would turn out wrong. (At this stage i did not know the Lord very well: p).

I rather found a hymn to open the meeting.

As soon as I got up to open the meeting, I got a shred in my one eye! Now i did not think much about it, but the plague in the eye did not go away. It was evening and now the eye was really tender and red. The evening came and the house calmed down but my eye bothered me. Now I began to seek God in Jesus' Name. At 3 o'clock in the morning i promised the Lord and wrote a letter to this man. I did it right away. There i very humbled explained my violation and apologized for not acting on the word as i should. He also received the word from Matthew handed down. The letter had to have a stamp on the envelope so i had to wait until the morning to post the letter. And As soon as i put the letter in the mailbox it shook my eye well! It was a real lesson. After that, I've never been wiser than the Lord! So it was not my business to condemn this person for not being able to receive this word from Matthew. In retrospect, i have thought that meeting was not a success, it was a closed and dark meeting. The meeting gave us nothing, and everyone was happy the meeting was finally over. And everything was my fault! Such is my friend that the Lord does not think like me and you. He always has thoughts of peace. Had i read the words, the person who was to speak would have been freed from something it was bound by. And we will had a meeting with freedom and joy. Hallelujah shouts and thanksgiving. After that, I know that the Holy Spirit gives me words

what kind of judgement is he talking about, and why does he speak against it.

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7

"You do not have, because you do not ask." James 4:2

"For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:13

"Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

Hi Free.

Thanks for your reply.

I believe we are given the Holyspirit is given to every believer.

What ever we do for the Lord it is he that does it through us.

Philippians 2:13.

But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

1 Corinthians 12:11.

This goes for spiritual fruit as well as spiritual gifts.

When we are born again we are a empty vessel and have nothing to offer. All our fleshly talents is insignificant.

It seems in the scripture we are confirmed by our fruit, "Not our gifts." Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

WHEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YE SHALL KNOW THEM. Matthew 7:15-20.

Also:

Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

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.

If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:4-8.

All this is inward. Filling an empty vessel.

God bless.

Hi Jim, just noticed your comment about denying Jesus's divinity. People try to do that from time to time, but in order to do so requires cherry picking one verse, twisting it, then ignoring the mountain of other verses in the Bible. In this case you're conflating God's son with the phrase 'sons of God' which was used in a general sense. The same unsound logic can be applied to twist anything else into what you want it to mean. It's pretty hard to deny verses like John 1:1 that clearly say Jesus is God though. It takes mental gymnastics to escape the truth of such verses. Jesus in Isaiah 7:14 is called Immanuel which literally means "God with us" but its up to each person whether they want to accept Jesus or deny Him. 1 John 2:22-24

Do you consider yourself a Christian? To be a Christian means you follow Jesus Christ and if you don't believe Jesus is Lord then that is similar to what nonbelievers think. Some even admit who Jesus is, but still stubbornly won't accept Him. It's a spiritual battle. Matthew 7:21

John 14:6 - No one comes to the Father (also God) but through Jesus.

1 John 5:7 "For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

John 10:30 "I and my Father are one."

John 8:19 "if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."

Philippians 2:5 - 2:8 "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:"

2 Corinthians 5:19 "To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation."

John 1:3 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 20:28

Pretty hard to disregard all these Biblical truths about Jesus. He became flesh and died for you. Have you tried praying and asking who Jesus is and to reveal that to you?

Hi Bill.

It means apostasia a "defection from the truth." ( Apostasy).

There is many opostates in our midst today. I wouldn't call them members of the Church, they're not called out. These can be called tares as seen in Mathew 13:24-30. You see Jude mention of certain men crept in our midst in

Jude 1:3-4.

It was going on in Pauls day. Acts 20:29-31.

Jesus warned his disciples of this in Matthew 7:15.

So Apostasy isn't something new to the Church.

But 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. has a future climax.

vs.2) That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

vs.3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Jesus asks in Luke "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find the faith on the earth?" The answer is No.

We have 2 departures going on here,

1) The organization has departed from the faith.

2) The true Church has departed from the Earth.

There can be no total Apostasy until the Church is removed.

This notes what must happen before the great tribulation.

God bless.

But that trust takes action Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7:20-27, James 2, Revelation 2:19-29, Hebrews 10:23-31, John 13:34, 1John 4:20, Matthew 5:43-48,

Yes, it all has to start with trust in Jesus CHRIST & His name for Salvation! If someone truly trusts in Jesus they will love others

Hello ELB or GBU,

I'd like to comment on your comment:

"the grave awaits those that commit suicide, they will be brought back to their flesh at the second resurrection, judged, brought to truth, and given their place in the Kingdom of God."

The two assumptions I see in this sentence is that dead people (or cremated) will go back to the flesh, and second, that all people will go to the "Kingdom of God." I assume by that term you mean eternal life in heaven.

So, when I read 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 to me that says we will not go back into the same flesh as before, but one that is now "imperishable" as it says, and one that is a spiritual body.

As for assuming someone who commits suicide will go to heaven, I'm not sure if that's what you mean or not. If so, I'm not sure where that belief comes from because the Bible clearly says most people will go to hell, not to heaven. Matthew 7:13. Salvation is conditional upon people taking action to follow Jesus. The Bible says "if" many times like in Romans 10:9, 1 John 1:9, John 15:10, John 14:15. God bless.

I believe the differences comes from these scriptures : Matthew 5:16, Matthew 7:21-29, Revelation 2:23, Revelation 20:13, Matthew 25:31-46,

Even Jesus did works: Matthew 11:2, Luke 19:37, & said greater works we shall do. John 14:20,

Matthew 16:27,

Matthew 23:3,5,23, hypocrisy not ok, you can read whole chapter & those chapters around it for context. John 8:39,

Romans 3:27-28, helps clarify, 'law of faith' Romans 4, Romans 9:30-33,

What is argued is: Romans 11:6, but in context it's the grace extended to Gentiles Romans 11:16-27, also read whole chapter Romans 11,

& Galatians 2:16, "knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.'' the works of the law are in Gen. Exodus, Deuteronomy, Leviticus. Galatians 3,

& Galatians 2:8,9, but we can't ignore Galatians 2:10,

& 2Timothy 1:9 , Titus 3, Hebrews 4, Hebrews 4:11,

However again we can't ignore 2Timothy 3:16-17, Titus 1:15,16, Titus 2, Hebrews 10:24, James 3:13, 1Peter 2:12, Revelation 2:26,

* James 2,

Dear EDWARD, draw close to the Lord God in daily devotions, praying, not only reading but studying the Bible, singing hymns, meditating. Here's some helpful verses.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

Psalms 32:8 - I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

John 16:13 - Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Isaiah 30:21 - And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Matthew 7:7-11 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you...

Search "verses about guidance" for more help.

May God bless you with peace.

Hello Joe. Both the Proverbs & the NT speak of disassociating ourselves from sinners (e.g. Proverbs 22:24; Ephesians 5:11), and the emphasis in the NT is that we are to love all men even as God does, sending His Son for us all. But Jesus adds a command in Matthew 7:6, "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."

The understanding of this verse, is that Jesus is speaking about the most precious things of the Kingdom, things that are not only beyond fallen man's understanding, but also things that will be perceived as garbage. So Jesus speaks of "that which is holy", referring back to sacrificial times of sacred offering before God, or of the sacred implements used in the service of the Temple which couldn't be handled by non-Levites. Likewise, "neither cast ye your pearls before swine"; the very costliest of jewels of Divine Truth were to be treated carefully & given out judiciously.

Dogs are known for their ferocity when angered, while pigs, for their contentment in wallowing in filth. The imagery is given here of wicked people, who ought to be conscious of their sin & seeking healing for their souls (even as John the Baptist was baptizing only those who so indicated), but these others here continued in their wickedness & filth, having no desire of healing Truth, rather expressing fierceness to it, or being content in living out their evil desires. To these people, Jesus says 'avoid them', for they show by their response & behaviour, that Kingdom life is not what they're seeking - their soul's destiny is not their concern - the response you'll get is ridicule & violent acts against you. So, save those holy words/offerings from these, but give the Good News of the Kingdom to those who are keen to give ear & who consider their own needs & of everlasting life.

Christians can make good policemen because they understand that justice must sometimes be upheld with deadly force but they do not take pleasure in using deadly force. I speak generally because I know not all Christians understand this.

Hello, have you tried praying? You might set a goal and outline all of what you've tried and what all you haven't tried yet in order to avoid this temptation.

Consider this verse:

Matthew 5:27-30

Pretty powerful- to me that means to absolutely everything imagineable to avoid sin even if it means cutting off a body part. In verse 30 it says that the stakes are high. I tend to believe the Bible in verse 30 over what some people claim that they're saved and can do whatever sin they want with no consequence. I trust God's word over man's ideas.

So, this means do absolutely anything and everything possible to avoid it. I would think that would mean ending toxic friendships, moving, changing jobs, and put your max effort into avoiding such sin and temptation. I think this point can't be emphasized enough and the warning that Jesus gave us is: Matthew 7:21. We actually have freewill to choose whether to sin or not and God always provides a way out: 1 Corinthians 10:13, so there is no valid excuse. God bless.