Bible Discussion Thread

( 19) I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:

(20) That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

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Verses 19 & 20 goes hand and in hand which means, If we choose to live in sin ( having sex before marriage, marry a woman or man who has already been married, lusting for someone or thing, lies, deceitful, murderers, worship idols such as necklace crosses, portraits, lust

gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, pride ) we will soon be under God's wrath. When things starts happening to us that's not so pleasant; we need to think about the the life style that we live and how we are by others. If you can't love everyone here on earth, God is not letting you go to heaven because God is not letting that type of spirit come there. Why do do think that the devil spirit roams about this earth and beneath the sea? He was kicked out of heaven thinking he can over take God throne. The devil fail to understand that God knows him inside and out; just as he knows us. God said that He wants only holy ones in heaven not a people that loves one and hate the other. We must be kind and have a heart to give to the poor. God said the poor will be with us always; this means that there will always be a chance for you to walk up to someone to offer them help of some kinds such as buy them food, offer to buy them clothes, offer to give them a job, offer them to come to your home to eat at your table, or offer them a gift card to help with their necessities . There is a book of life on everyone of us, so please , to all of you, Be mindful to what you say. God made All. We are All One!

Betty, that was a good reminder about God's requirements for our behaviour on Earth: how we live our lives & how we treat others. But you mention "holy ones". It seems that you've defined them as people with good clean lifestyles & love for everyone, and it is these that God lets into Heaven. Am I correct with your understanding or have I missed something there? In my years of treading about on this Earth, I've seen so many good upright people who've dedicated their lives to the help of others, to the point of being fine examples of what Jesus taught, but yet, are not followers of Christ nor have faith in Him. Could you clarify this? Is your definition of "holy ones" limited to your explanation here, or is there more to its meaning?

Hi and Yes Chris, "Holy Ones" (God said we are as our Father. Our heavenly Father is holy; therefore, we must live a holy life to be holy as He. There are 2 fathers. One is Holy and the other, which is the sinful ( the devil). God said that His children will hear His voice when He call them. If we can not hear from God, then the devil is keeping us busy so that time is wasted because he is determine to destroy many.

Thank you Betty. I wasn't sure whether the "holy ones" you referred to were simply good, caring people as opposed to those who were adulterers, murderers, liars, etc. However, you've said that we have to be holy as our Father in Heaven is Holy, so I know that you were referring to believers behaving as they ought to & not about 'good' people who maybe good in their works, but their hearts are far from God.

Now if only those 'good' people turn to the Lord, then their spirits would be saved & their good works would follow them.

Betty, that was a good reminder about God's requirements for our behaviour on Earth: how we live our lives & how we treat others. But you mention "holy ones". It seems that you've defined them as people with good clean lifestyles & love for everyone, and it is these that God lets into Heaven. Am I correct with your understanding or have I missed something there? In my years of treading about on this Earth, I've seen so many good upright people who've dedicated their lives to the help of others, to the point of being fine examples of what Jesus taught, but yet, are not followers of Christ nor have faith in Him. Could you clarify this? Is your definition of "holy ones" limited to your explanation here, or this there more to its meaning?

Holy ones, yes; they're the same as the people who have chosen to live true in Christ, whole heartedly in Him and not partial. These are below an excerpt from the book Holiness by J. C. Ryle, from a chapter called Holiness; which are very helpful 1-7:

1. Holiness is the habit of being of one mind in God, according to how it's described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing in God's judgment, hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word.

2. A holy man will endeavor to shun every known sin and to keep every known commandment.

3. A holy man will strive to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. He will not only live the life of faith in Him and draw from Him all his daily peace and strength, but he will also labor to have the mind that was in Him and to be conformed to His image ( Rom. 8:29). Christ was a faithful witness for the truth; that He came not to do His own will; but His Father's will.

4. A holy man will follow after meekness, patience, gentleness, patience, kind tempers, government of his tongue.

5. A holy man will follow after temperance and self-denial.

6. A holy man will follow after charity and brotherly kindness

7. A holy man will follow after a spirit of mercy and benevolence towards others.

The greatest misery of a holy man is that often when he would do good "evil is present with him"; that the old man is clogging all his movements and, as it were, trying to draw him back at every step he takes ( Rom. 7:21). But it is the excellence of a holy man that he is not at peace with indwelling sin, as others are. He hates it, mourns over it and longs to be free from its company. The work of sanctification within him is like the wall of Jerusalem-the building goes forward "even in troublous times" ( Dan. 9:25).

This is indeed the heart of a christian! You speak truth based on the word. The word is a direct revelation of the life we have in Him> Thanks for your inspirational comments, we must know that we are not alone !

Trying to be a holy man, and a sinful man I can only say is with my deepest heart thank you Jesus for your Grace bless you.

Thanks Betty for that comment from J.C. Ryle. That wonderfully explains the meaning of holiness & that it ought to be the quest & hallmark of every believer in Christ. There's much benefit from meditating on those words & to use it as a mirror to our own walk with the Lord.

Our reasonable service in self denial allows for many Holy Blessings.

:)