tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57735472024-03-21T09:19:25.186-07:00Just Thinking<p>Thoughts on a variety of topics, mostly Christian.</p>
<p>This is actually a continuation of a non-blog blog I created long ago. You can see it <a href="http://www.sacklunch.net/OldJustThinking/index.html">here.</a> To contact me, click <a href="mailto:brad@sacklunch.net">here</a>.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger283125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-76231043760083260122018-04-23T17:10:00.001-07:002018-04-23T17:10:18.965-07:00Great Thoughts: Heaven and Earth<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19pt;">Our duty as Christians ... is always to keep heaven in our eye and the earth under our feet.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19pt;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 19px; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: 19pt;">Matthew Henry, commenting on Genesis 1. </span></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-83005142429588467532018-03-09T07:04:00.001-08:002018-03-09T07:04:38.839-08:00Hypocrisy as a Tribute<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: large;">An interesting observation:</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText"; font-size: large;">“Wherever there is genuine coin, it will be likely to be counterfeited; and the fact of a counterfeit is always a tribute to the intrinsic worth of the coin - for who would be at the pains to counterfeit that which is worthless? The fact that there are hypocrites in the church, is an involuntary tribute to the excellency of religion.”</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText";"><font size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-family: ".SF UI Text"; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: ".SFUIText";"><font size="4">FB Meyer in his book, John the Baptist</font></span></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-62261936222057183352018-02-01T09:11:00.000-08:002018-02-01T09:11:58.655-08:00Great Thoughts: Religion and Politics in Early America<i>From </i>Democracy in America<i> by Alexis de Tocqueville, speaking of the Puritans. I'm not sure this is still the same today.</i><br />
<br />
One would think that men who had sacrificed their friends, their family, and their native land to a religious conviction would be wholly absorbed in the pursuit of the treasure which they had purchased at so high a price. And yet we find them seeking with nearly equal zeal for material wealth and moral good, -- for well-being and freedom on earth, and salvation in heaven. They moulded and altered at pleasure all political principles, and all human laws and institutions; they broke down the barriers of the society in which they were born; they disregarded the old principles which had governed the world for ages; a career without bounds, a field without horizon, was opened to them: they precipitate themselves into it, and traverse it in every direction. But having reached the limits of the political world, they stop of their own accord, and lay aside with awe the use of their most formidable faculties; they no longer doubt or innovate; they abstain from raising even the veil of the sanctuary, and bow with submissive respect before truths which they admit without discussion.<br />
<br />
Thus, in the moral world, everything is classified, systematized, foreseen, and decided beforehand; in the political world, everything is agitated, disputed and uncertain. In the one is a passive though a voluntary obedience; in the other, an independence scornful of experience, and jealous of all authority. These two tendencies, apparently so discrepant, are far from conflicting; they advance together, and mutually support each other. Religion perceives that civil liberty affords a noble exercise to the faculties of man, and that the political world is a field prepared by the Creator for the efforts of mind. Free and powerful in its own sphere, satisfied with the place reserved for it, religion never more surely establishes its empire than when it reigns in the hearts of men unsupported by aught beside its native strength.<br />
<br />
Liberty regards religion as its companion in all its battles and its triumphs, -- as the cradle of its infancy, and the divine source of its claims. It considers religion as the safeguard of morality, and morality as the best security of law, and the surest pledge of the duration of freedom ...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-75959321429362432232018-01-18T19:11:00.001-08:002018-01-18T19:11:32.605-08:00Great Thoughts: What People Believe<div><i>I read the following in an old commentary by Albert Barnes on the Book of Job (Job 22) and thought how helpful Barnes' comments could be to today's political discourse. Here it is, slightly edited:</i></div><div><br></div><div>How common it is to charge a man with holding an opinion that we infer - from something which he has advanced - he must hold, and then to proceed to argue as if he actually held that opinion.</div><div><br></div><div>The philosophy of this is plain. He advances a certain opinion. We infer at once that he can hold that only on certain grounds, or that if he holds that he must hold something else also. We can see that if we held that opinion, we should also, for the sake of consistency, be compelled to hold something which seems to follow from it, and we cannot see how this can be avoided, and we at once charge him with holding it. But the truth may be, that he has not seen that such consequences follow, or that he has some other way of accounting for the fact than we have; or that he may hold to the fact and yet deny wholly the consequences which legitimately follow from it. Now we have a right to show him by argument that his opinions, if he would follow them out, would lead to dangerous consequences, but we only have a right to charge him with holding an opinion that he professes to hold. He is not answerable for our inferences; and we have no right to charge them on him as being his real opinions.</div><div><br></div><div>Every man has a right to avow what he actually believes, and to be regarded as holding that, and that only.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-24814512462764245132018-01-17T08:44:00.002-08:002018-01-17T08:44:53.064-08:00Thoughts on Luke 11:29-36In this passage (Luke 11:29-36) I had always thought Jesus was making three points.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, that his generation is wicked compared to the Ninevites because <i>they</i> responded to Jonah and repented, and compared to the Queen of Sheba because <i>she</i> sought Solomon’s wisdom, but they - his generation - had Jesus, far greater than Jonah or Solomon, yet did not repent. <br /><br />Second, that no one lights a lamp and hides it, but puts it out where everyone can see it.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And third, that the eye is the lamp of the body and if our eye is good our whole body will be filled with light, and if our eye is bad we will be filled with darkness.<br /><br />I used to think these were three separate parables, but now I believe it is all one thought, which is this:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
First, that just as God made Jonah and Solomon lamps for their generations, so he made Jesus the far greater lamp for his generation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Second, that just as no one lights a lamp and hides it, so God publicly made Jesus a light for the world.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And third, if our “eye” is good (receptive to Jesus) then our entire inner being is illuminated. If our eye is bad (not open to Jesus) then our inner being will be dark. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So, just as God made Jonah and Solomon lights for their generations, so He has made Jesus the far greater light for us, and He has done so publicly where everyone can see, and therefore if our eye is good (looking to Jesus) then our entire inner being will be illuminated. However, if our eye is bad (not looking to Jesus) then our inner being will be dark. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-48707077487544801792018-01-07T21:11:00.000-08:002018-01-07T21:11:38.341-08:00Gems and Other Interesting Blockchain ProjectsI'm deviating a bit from my normal topics, but this is such an interesting topic - and perhaps even a world-changing topic - that I'm going to comment on it. Note: I haven't invested in any of these, but I'm considering it.<br />
<br />
There has been a lot of interest in Bitcoin lately because of its astonishing price rise, but I think the most interesting thing is not Bitcoin itself, but the whole cryptocurrency environment it has spawned, which is exploding with a world-changing creativity that extends far beyond simple currency. See <a href="https://coinmarketcap.com/all/views/all/">CoinMarketCap.com</a>, which lists more than a thousand crypto coins.<br />
<br />
The blockchain (at the heart of this environment) basically enables systems that can operate fairly regardless of how honest or dishonest the people hosting the systems are. So, for example, if you have an entire copy of the Bitcoin blockchain, containing all the Bitcoin ever created, and you try to cheat by modifying the chain, it won't do you a bit of good because the rest of the system, distributed around the world, simply won't approve your changes.<br />
<br />
Some of these new crypto projects are no doubt frauds, or silly, or badly designed, but there is always that sort of thing in a period of rapid change and creativity. But there are also systems that are being designed that will enable all kinds of transactions for perhaps thousands of online systems, and that at far, far lower cost.<br />
<br />
Some of the systems that interest me are the ones that make new online systems possible. These have particilarly caught my eye recently:<br />
<br />
- Gems (<a href="https://gems.org/">https://gems.org/</a>), which seeks to immitate the Amazon Mechanical Turk system (online workers performing small tasks) but with extremely low overhead, thereby providing workers with larger paychecks and employers with lower labor costs.<br />
<br />
- Verify (<a href="https://verify.as/files/whitepaper.pdf">https://verify.as/files/whitepaper.pdf</a>), which seeks to replicate the sort of reputation record you see on, for example, eBay.com, but all handled using a distributed system. I think this sort of system is necessary for people to become comfortable buying and selling on a non-centralized, nobody-owns-it blockchain system.<br />
<br />
- Chainlink (<a href="https://www.smartcontract.com/link">https://www.smartcontract.com/link</a>). Some blockchain systems need to connect with outside sources of information. So, for instance, a financial tool might want to regularly check stock prices. This system would let that happen.<br />
<br />
- Copytrack (<a href="https://copytrack.io/">https://copytrack.io/</a>), a global decentralized copyright register for digital content. The blockchain is ideal for recording in a way that cannot be changed who owns what.<br />
<br />
- BlockMason Credit Protocol (<a href="https://blockmason.io/">https://blockmason.io</a>) A system for recording debts and credit. A basic but critical task for building complex financial systems based on the blockchain.<br />
<br />
- Basic Attention Token (<a href="https://basicattentiontoken.org/">https://basicattentiontoken.org/</a>) is developing a system to improve the efficiency of digital advertising by creating a new token that can be exchanged between publishers, advertisers, and users.<br />
<br />
There are probably dozens of other equally interesting projects (sorry if I missed a favorite), but I just haven't stumbled upon them yet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-74781918040812905152018-01-02T15:15:00.001-08:002018-01-02T15:15:48.819-08:00Great Thoughts: The Outer Limits<div>“There is an outer limit to our investigations on all subjects, and we soon reach it. In life we are to act chiefly on facts; not on the reason why those facts exist. When we have ascertained or established a fact, our feet stand on a solid rock; and there we shall stand securely.”</div><div><br></div><div>- Albert Barnes on Colossians 2</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-11334676085053760102017-11-02T16:47:00.001-07:002017-11-02T16:47:44.952-07:00Time Travel"Ah! Karl," I said, seeing my crazy science friend as I walked into the coffee shop. "How's the research going?"<br />
<br />
"Very nicely, Brian. Why don't you sit and join me."<br />
<br />
I got a cup of coffee and sat down at his table.<br />
<br />
"Time, isn't it? That's what you're researching. Right?"<br />
<br />
"Right. Movement through time, to be more precise."<br />
<br />
"You mean like time travel?," I said with a laugh. "Ha! I could sure use that!"<br />
<br />
"Oh?"<br />
<br />
"Yeah. Last night I got in a big fight with my wife. Silly topic, but oh, what I said! I wish I could just go back and not say it."<br />
<br />
"Well, why don't you?"<br />
<br />
"Ha ha! If I could I would."<br />
<br />
"You think it can't be done?"<br />
<br />
"Of course I think it can't be done, Karl. Are you saying you've found a way to travel through time?"<br />
<br />
"What are you sounding all surprised for? You've been traveling through time all your life."<br />
<br />
"I've been travelling <i>forward</i> in time all my life, Karl."<br />
<br />
"And it's pretty effortless, isn't it?"<br />
<br />
"Of course, but I was talking about going <i>back</i> in time and this time not insultng my wife."<br />
<br />
"Going backward is just about as easy as going forward; people do it all the time, but I'm not at all sure you would correct your mistake when you get there."<br />
<br />
"Karl, this is ridiculous, but you have me interested. So <i>why</i> wouldn't I correct my mistake and make everything right with my wife?"<br />
<br />
"Because if you go back to before the mistake then the mistake has not yet happened, so you will have no knowledge of it. You do not bring your future knowledge back with you."<br />
<br />
"So you're saying I wouldn't know that I made a mistake and I'm likely to repeat the mistake?"<br />
<br />
"Well, roughly. Yeah."<br />
<br />
"So, under your theory there's not much point in going back because the same thing will just happen. Right?"<br />
<br />
"It is very <i>likely</i> the same thing will happen again, but you have a free will so there is a small chance you will make a different decision."<br />
<br />
"Okay, Okay," I smiled, "when are you going to show me your wayback machine so I can give it a try?"<br />
<br />
"There's no machine. Just decide to do it."<br />
<br />
"Like right now?"<br />
<br />
"Sure."<br />
<br />
"Okay," I said, "easy enough to test. I'm right now deciding to go back to last night before I offended my wife."<br />
<br />
I sat there feeling foolish.<br />
<br />
"I'm still here," I said.<br />
<br />
"Of course you're still here! You went back in time and then lived your life forward from then to now."<br />
<br />
"Karl, this is ridiculous. Nothing happened. I wrecked my car last week and my car is still a wreck. Nothing at all has changed!"Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-56321569054474824872015-04-08T22:28:00.004-07:002015-04-08T22:28:35.446-07:00Contents: Salvation, By Faith Or Faith-Plus-Works This is a seven-post Bible study on whether salvation is by faith or faith-plus works. Here is an index to the sections:<br />
<br />
1. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus.html">Introduction, Matthew 1:21 - Matthew 18:24-35</a><br />
<br />
2. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_8.html">Matthew 19:16-26 - Luke 18:28-30</a><br />
<br />
3. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_70.html">Luke 19:7-10 - John 17:8</a><br />
<br />
4. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_91.html">John 17:14,16 - 1 Corinthians 9:24-25</a><br />
<br />
5. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_37.html">1 Corinthians 9:27 - Hebrews 3:18-19</a><br />
<br />
6. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_40.html">Hebrews 4:1-7 - 1 John 5:4</a><br />
<br />
7. <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_45.html">1 John 5:5 - Revelation 22:18-19, Verses on Election – Being Chosen by God</a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-80187904527278309602015-04-08T22:00:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:34:19.472-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part I<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">Is our salvation a
matter of faith-plus-works or of faith alone?</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I decided to look at
this matter to clarify for my own mind – and for anyone else who is
interested – what the New Testament teaches about it. Also, I
wanted to understand what, if anything, we need to do for our
salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Because I was trying
to understand this from the human point of view, in other words, to
know what <i>I</i> need to do, I did not consider the various
passages that refer to predestination, because it seemed to me that
predestination is looking at salvation from God’s perspective. If
you are interested in verses about predestination, I’ve listed some
of them at the bottom of this article.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The two viewpoints,
as I understand them, are that, 1) Salvation is purely a matter of
faith in Christ; there are no works we can do to earn it, and 2)
Salvation is a matter of faith in Christ <i>and</i> doing good
things.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As I began studying
I discovered points at which disagreement could result purely from
misunderstanding. Now, I don’t mind disagreeing with people, but it
seems a good first step to make sure we are not simply
misunderstanding, and I began to wonder if a lot of the disagreement
is, in fact, just misunderstanding. So, let me outline a few points
at which confusion may result in disagreement.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1) What Do We
Mean by the Concept of “Works” as it Relates to Salvation</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If by “works” we
mean <i>any</i> action whatsoever that we need to take to have
salvation, then, yes, salvation is by faith <i>and</i> works. For
example, the Lord tells us to “repent and believe.” If we
consider the acts of repenting and believing to be “works,” then,
yes, salvation is by faith <i>and</i> works.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, that is not
what I mean by “works.” What I mean is: “Any action on our part
that <i>earns us merit</i> towards salvation.” So while repenting
of my sins is critical, it doesn’t <i>earn</i> me any merit towards
salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2) What Do We
Mean by the Term “Faith” as it Relates to Salvation</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If by “faith” or
“belief” we mean simply acknowledging that God exists, then
clearly salvation is not by faith alone. After all, the demons
believe in God and they tremble.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But in this
discussion when I refer to “faith” I mean a repentant trust in
and loving surrender of our lives to God for forgiveness of our sins
through the merit of Jesus’ sacrifice. We can intellectually
believe everything right about Jesus but not be saved if we do not
submit to it. “I believe” includes, “I submit to.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>3) Are Good Works
Necessary for Salvation? </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To this question a
person who says salvation is by faith-plus-works would say yes, but
the person who says salvation is by faith alone may say yes or no,
which is confusing, so let me try to clarify.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He may say “no”
because he means that salvation is not attained in any way by our
works.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Or, he may say
“yes,” because salvation <i>will</i><i> result</i> in works, and
if there are no works there has been no salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is kind of like
asking if sunshine is necessary when the sun rises. Well... sunlight
does not cause the sun to rise, so you might answer “no,” but on
the other hand if there is no sunlight then the sun hasn’t risen,
so you might answer “yes.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, for this
discussion I want to define “works” as “any actions on our part
that earn us merit towards salvation,” and I want to define saving
“faith” or “belief” as “trust in and loving surrender of
our lives to God for forgiveness of our sins through the merit of
Jesus’ sacrifice.” If you define these terms differently, you
may, of course, reach a different conclusion.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Okay, with
definitions out of the way, I now want to defend the assertion that,
“Salvation is by faith alone.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My first point is
the thief on the cross next to Jesus. The thief expressed his faith
in Jesus and Jesus told him he would be with Him in Paradise (Luke
23:40-42). The thief did nothing but believe. He couldn’t do
anything else because he was nailed to a cross.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But, someone might
say, the thief <i>would</i> have done good things if he had been let
down from the cross. He would have been baptized. He would have been
kind to the poor. He would have been honest.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Absolutely!
Salvation comes through faith and works come as a result of
salvation. The thief believed – we know this by Jesus’ response –
and he would have lived a better life if he had been let down from
that cross. So, if I am capable of performing good works (unlike the
thief on the cross) but do nothing, then I have not been saved. If I
say I believe but am not trying to live a good life, then in fact I
don’t believe and I need to go back to step one and believe!
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I recall a quote I
read ages ago that says: A man acts in accordance with what he
believes, not with what he merely pretends to believe. That is
exactly what I am saying.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Faith precedes
action. In fact, this almost <i>must</i> be, for there is no reason
to even attempt to remain faithful to God if we don’t believe in
Him, much less in the face of trials and temptations. You don’t
serve or love someone you do not believe exists.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My suspicion is that
in many cases people who say you cannot be saved without works simply
mean: “You cannot say you are saved and live an evil life. You must
do good!”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To which I would
reply, “Amen!”</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Below I’ve listed
New Testament passages that seem to speak to the issue of salvation,
and some passages that simply speak generally to the importance of
faith, and I have tried to explain why some difficult passages do not
contradict that.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
My basic answers to
these difficult passages are that ...
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Works are what
happen when we believe in Jesus. When the sun comes up we get
sunshine; when we believe in Jesus we do good things. In John 14:23
Jesus says, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching.” And
in Matthew 12:33-35 He says: “Make a tree good and its fruit will
be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is
recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are
evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full
of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him,
and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in
him.”</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Real believers
in Jesus will, despite stumbles, despite even <i>denying</i> Jesus
at times (see Peter) remain in their hearts faithful to Jesus. 1
Corinthians 1:8 says God <i>will</i> keep us strong to the end and 1
John 5:5 says that we <i>will</i> overcome the world if we believe
in Jesus.
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In those
instances in which it appears a verse is saying that people may lose
their salvation, they may in fact only be losing what they <i>think</i>
they have. So, in Luke 8:18 Jesus says that “whoever does not
have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”
</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some passages
are addressed to particular <i>groups</i> of people, and groups may
indeed lose their part in the kingdom of God. So, suppose a church
begins teaching that Jesus was merely a good man. At some point that
church has stopped – as a group – being part of the kingdom of
God, though the few members left who still believe in Jesus are
still very much saved.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some warnings
of punishment refer not to hell but to life on earth. God does
promise to discipline His children (Hebrews 12:4-11) for their
benefit. Discipline is not hell.</div>
</li>
<li><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Some passages
that tell us to work for eternal life can be understood as meaning
that we should believe. So, in John 6:27 Jesus says, “Do not work
for food that spoils but food that endures to eternal life, which
the Son of Man will give you.” Then He goes on in John 6:29 to
explain what that work is: “The work of God is this: to believe in
the one he has sent.”
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>The
Verses</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 1:21</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
An angel tells
Joseph the Child that Mary conceived is from the Holy Spirit, and the
Child will will be named Jesus [“Jesus” means, “the Lord
saves”] because “He will save his people from their sins.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Salvation is through
Jesus; we need to believe in Him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 3:2</b>
and <b>Matthew 4:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
First John, and then
Jesus, calls for people to repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Repentance implies
faith. We can’t seriously say we are sorry to a God we do not
believe in. Also, repentance is part of saving faith; for we are
believing in God to forgive us for our sins. Repentance does not earn
us merit; it just says to God that we want to receive it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 3:7-10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John the Baptist is
unimpressed with the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to him for
baptism; tells them to bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance,
and not to lean on their ancestry. Trees that don’t bring forth
fruit will be thrown into the fire.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John says fruit is
in keeping with repentance – fruit is the necessary result of
repentance because repenting means saying that we regret being bad
and that we want to be good. Therefore, real repentance must lead to
positive change in our lives.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 4:17</b>
– See entry for Matthew 3:2
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:3,10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Heaven belongs to
the poor in spirit and those who have been persecuted for
righteousness.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The poor in spirit
are those who humble themselves in faith before God. God grants them
heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:10</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The kingdom of
heaven belongs to those who are persecuted.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus holds forth a
comforting promise to those who are persecuted for their
righteousness; they have a place in heaven. The meaning of Matthew
5:10 is further revealed by comparing it to Luke 6:23, a parallel
passage, which says of the persecuted that: “great is your reward
in heaven.” So, when Jesus promises heaven for the persecuted He
does not mean that those who are <i>not</i> persecuted are excluded
from heaven, but rather that the persecuted will receive a great
reward when they get to heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says God’s
people – and it seems relevant that he is speaking primarily to
Jews here – are like salt and that if they lose their saltiness,
they are only worth being thrown out and trampled by men.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I doubt that being
thrown out means being banished to hell because the analogy of being
“thrown out” seems less emphatic than that; it seems to be more
about being discarded than being punished. Further, if it referred to
hell then who are these men doing the trampling? Not devils, surely,
as in hell the devils themselves will be suffering, not handing out
suffering.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I believe this
passage means that if we – in this case particularly the Jewish
nation of Jesus’ time, or, more generally, we as individuals or as
churches – are not influencing the world for Christ by being
faithful to Him, then we are of no use and will be discarded as tools
for God’s work in the world. In<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">1
Corinthians 9:27 </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Paul
expresses this concern </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">and
says</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> he discipline</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">s
himself</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> so he may not be set
aside from service for God.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, I think this
passage describes the earthly consequence of losing our saltiness,
our godly savor. This view is supported by a corresponding verse,
Luke 14:34, in which the context (Luke 14:26-27) is clearly
discipleship – if you loose your saltiness you are no good as a
disciple.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever breaks the
least of the laws and teaches others to do the same will be least in
the kingdom of heaven. Keep the laws and be great.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the Sermon on the
Mount, from which this passage is taken, Jesus is talking about the
true, inner law of love and mercy and of the Spirit. We cannot annul
this inner law except to our hurt. Also, Jesus does not say such a
person would be excluded from the kingdom of God, just that he would
be the least in the kingdom.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:20 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Your righteousness
must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees to enter heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this passage
Jesus advocates not a super-Pharisaical righteousness, but a humble
trust; a difference in type from the Pharisees, not in degree. Our
righteousness must be a humble and faithful surrender to Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:22 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Call your brother
“fool” and you risk hell.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think Jesus’
point is that all sins risk hell, even harsh language, and by using
this example he includes everyone as a sinner – for who hasn’t
used harsh language? – and shows us our need for His forgiveness.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 5:29-30,
18:1-9, Mark 9:42-48 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Better to tear off
an offending body part than for your whole body to be thrown into
hell.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is saying that
we should abandon anything that prevents us from turning to Him. But
He is also pointing out that it isn’t some outward body part that
prevents us from turning to Him, it is our hearts. So, he points
unbelievers to their hearts’ condition, to their need for
forgiveness; He is not saying amputation is a way to avoid hell. I
believe Jesus was answering people who refuse to repent and try to
avoid blame by saying something like, “Oh, well. I can’t help it.
I’ve just got sticky fingers.” To this Jesus says, if I may
paraphrase, “Really? Is that what is what is holding you back from
repentance? Then you better cut off you hand.” It is a shocking way
to make them realize both the seriousness of their sin and that it is
not their hand, but their inner being, their heart, that told their
hand what to do, and so it is their heart that is at fault and needs
to repent.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In both Matthew
18:1-7 and Mark 9:42, Jesus first warns the people of dire
consequences of sinning – particularly of causing one of his little
ones to stumble – then tells them to discard anything (hands, eyes,
feet), whatever causes them to sin and thereby prevents them from
surrendering their hearts to Jesus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 6:14-15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Forgive if you want
to be forgiven by God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we really believe
in Jesus then we will be forgiving. If we aren’t more forgiving
than before we professed Jesus, then we were never really saved in
the first place and we need to go back and surrender our lives to
Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We see this
principle in John 8:39, in which Jesus tells the people that if they
were really Abraham’s children then they would do the things
Abraham did. Also, in John 8:42, where Jesus says that “if God were
your Father, you would love me.” So the point Jesus is making is
that if we say we are Abraham’s, or God’s, then we will act in a
way that would please Abraham or God. In the same way, here, if we
really are God’s, then we will forgive as God wants us to.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, this passage,
from the Lord’s Prayer, focuses on our daily lives. God disciplines
those He loves, so if we are hard on others by refusing to forgive
them, then God may well find it necessary to be hard on us by not
forgiving us in order to teach us to forgive others. So, even those
who are saved may need to be disciplined to build a more consistent
pattern of forgiveness into their lives.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 7:1-2 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don’t judge; you
will be judged by the way you judge. As you measure, it will be
measured to you.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The comment about
Matthew 6:14-15 also applies here, but this passage may also be
understood as meaning that other people will judge us in the way we
judge them. It may even mean that those who go to heaven will be
judged and assigned greater or lesser positions based on how they
judged on earth.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 7:13-14 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Enter by the narrow
gate and narrow path.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are to enter by
faith in Jesus and walk in His path.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 7:21-23 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There are many who
prophesied for Jesus, drove out demons in his name and performed
miracles, but who never knew Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Works do not result
in salvation. It isn’t that these people didn’t do enough for
Jesus; it is that they never <i>knew</i> Jesus in the first place.
Matthew 7:21 says that only those who do the will of Jesus’ Father
in heaven will enter the kingdom, and John 6:29 explains what God’s
will is: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has
sent.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 10:14-15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whatever town does
not receive the disciples will receive a worse fate than Sodom and
Gomorrah.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The disciples bring
the good news of Jesus and if the people of a town do not receive
that good news and believe in Jesus they are lost.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 10:22 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever endures to
the end will be saved.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This does not mean
that the person who slips will be lost.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is in the
context of Jesus describing both the persecution the disciples are
about to endure and also apparently the persecution of the last days.
With that in mind I think His meaning becomes clearer if we put the
emphasis in this sentence on the word “will.” So, “Whoever
endures to the end <i>will</i> be saved.” In other words, In the
midst of your pain and the persecution you are enduring, stay strong
to the end and don’t doubt for a moment that it will be worth it!
It will! You <i>will</i> be saved. Guaranteed!
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Two more
interpretations are worth mentioning:
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Believers who
physically survive the final earthly tribulation – as war, disease
and natural disasters make the earth virtually uninhabitable – will
not, after enduring such trials for their faith in Jesus, then be
left alone in a desolate world, but will be saved from that. Christ
will return and that person will be saved – body, soul and spirit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
- Once believers are
removed from the earth during the final days – the rapture –
those who become believers after that time will live under different
rules and must endure to the end or be lost.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 10:28 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Fear God, who is
able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is preparing
to send out his disciples to face trials, and I think He wants to
bolster their courage by contrasting the insignificant power of man,
who can only kill the body, with the vast power of God, who’s power
extends far beyond this life; who can destroy both soul and body in
hell. It seems very unlikely, though, that Jesus is threatening the
disciples, for just before this verse (Matthew 10:26) is an
admonition not to be afraid of people, and just after it is an
admonition (Matthew 10:29-31) not to be afraid of God, since God even
cares for the sparrows, and “you are worth more than many
sparrows.” More likely, if there is a threat involved, it is a
threat against those who would oppose the disciples’ message and an
encouragement for the disciples to fear for the souls of those who
oppose them and so to preach their message well.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, we should fear
God in the sense that we should show a deep respect for God’s power
and majesty, but not fear Him in the sense of worrying that He means
His children any harm. Fear and fearlessness can coexist. For
example, in Luke 1:50 Mary says that God’s mercy is on those who
<i>fear Him</i>, and then just a little further on, in Luke 1:74,
Zechariah says God rescues us so we can serve him <i>without fear</i>.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 10:32-33</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that
anyone who acknowledges Him before men He will acknowledge before His
Father in heaven, but anyone who disowns Him before men, Jesus will
disown that person before His Father in heaven.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is speaking to
the disciples before He sends them out, describing the type of people
they will encounter. Those who disown Him here on Earth, in public –
“before men,” as He says – He will disown before the Father.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t believe
this means that a person who says in a public gathering that he has
nothing to do with Jesus – when he really does – is ultimately
damned, otherwise Peter would have been damned for his denial of
Jesus. Judas, however, also publicly disowned Jesus and he apparently
was lost forever. The difference appears to be that Judas fell
forever because he had never really trusted Jesus in the first place,
while Peter really had trusted, and because of that Peter bounced
back and again began living out his faith in public, “before men.”
Faith results in works.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 10:37 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you love family
more than Jesus you are not worthy of Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This warning comes
directly after Jesus says that a man’s enemies will be the members
of his own household, and apparently it means that we are not fit for
service for Jesus if we surrender our commitment to Him for the sake
of peace in our family. Putting family before Jesus, especially a
family hostile to Jesus, is essentially putting the world before
Jesus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 10:38-39</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you don’t take
your cross and follow Jesus you are not worthy of Him. Whoever finds
his life will lose it; whoever loses his life will find it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As He does
throughout Matthew 10, Jesus is instructing His disciples in how they
are to serve Him as they go out among the towns of Israel, and when
He says that they are not worthy of Him if they do not take up their
cross and follow Him, He means worthy to <i>serve</i> Him. I don’t
think he is talking about salvation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And when He speaks
of those who find their lives and those who lose their lives, I
believe He means that those who find their deep fulfillment in the
things of this life, including their own families, will lose out on
the joy of living for Jesus, and, in fact, will eventually lose all
the things they love. But those who set the things of earth aside –
at least from being at the center of their hearts – to focus on
Jesus, will find a new life of joy in following Him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 12:33-37 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A good tree bears
good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. A tree is recognized by
its fruit. The mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. We
will have to give account of every careless word on the day of
judgment.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is our hearts
that are judged. What we do outwardly – our words and actions –
are evidence of our heart. If we really believed in Jesus, it will
show.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 13:1-5</b>
and <b>Matthew 13:18-23</b> (also <b>Mark 4:4-9</b> and <b>Mark
4:14-20</b>)
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The seed sown in
shallow soil springs up but then withers.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this parable the
seed is the Word of God and the soils are the various types of people
who hear the Word.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When it says that
the plant that sprang up in people’s lives died, does that mean
those represented by the shallow soil lost their salvation?</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, the seeds
which sprouted and then withered in the heat died because “they had
no root” (Matthew 13:6,21 and Mark 4:6, 17). In other words, God’s
Word had no real connection to their lives. They had a sprout and
maybe a few little leaves that could be seen by the world, perhaps
some nice acts and happy emotions and kind words, but good as those
can be, it was all superficial, there was no root to really connect
God’s Word to their lives. So, no, they don’t lose their
salvation because then never had it; they never really gave their
lives to Jesus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 16:19</b>
and <b>Matthew 18:18-20 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus gives Peter
(and later all the disciples) the keys of the kingdom, to bind and to
loose.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Matthew 16:19
Jesus gives Peter the keys and in 18:18-20 Jesus gives the keys to
<i>all</i> the disciples. We know this because in Matthew 18:1 we are
told that all the disciples asked Jesus a question, and Jesus is
responding to them.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It seems very
unlikely that binding and loosing means directly assigning people to
heaven or expelling them from heaven. Even Jesus said (Luke 4:43)
that He “<i>must</i> preach the kingdom of God,” and if He needed
to do so to bring people into the kingdom of God, then it is hard to
believe that the apostles could simply say, “You’re in,” or
“You’re out,” regardless of whether the person believes.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It seems more likely
that the binding-and-loosing keys mean that the disciples may declare
things – including people – to be either approved or disapproved,
and when done in obedience to God, that decision is ratified in
heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, in Acts 15:10
the church council loosens the Old Testament law, and at other points
in the New Testament believers are bound (required) to act in certain
ways.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In Matthew 18:18-19,
binding and loosening is used in the context of church discipline, of
embracing people into the church – the earthly kingdom of God –
or expelling them from the church. On earth the kingdom of God should
be pure, but practically, it is a mix of real and fake, good and bad.
However, church leaders hold the keys Jesus gave them because they
have the responsibility to keep the kingdom of God as pure as
possible by including or, sadly, excluding people, as necessary. And,
of course, people being people, sometimes this authority is abused,
as in 3 John 1:9-10, which is why I say that to be valid the
authority must be exercised “in obedience to God.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Binding and loosing
may also be used in the sense of deciding to which individuals or
groups we should proclaim the gospel. So in the Book of Acts we see
Peter repeatedly using the keys to announce the good news to the Jews
(Acts 2), to the crippled beggar (Acts 3), to the Sanhedrin (Acts 4),
and to the Gentiles (Acts 10). But we can also see that it may mean
deciding <i>not</i> to proclaim salvation to people who are not ready
to appreciate it, as, for example, when Jesus tells his followers not
to throw their pearls to swine (Matthew 7:6).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 18:1-9</b>
– See entry for Matthew 5:29-30
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 18:3</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Unless we change and
become like little children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think becoming
like little children <i>is</i> believing. We must acknowledge that,
like little children, we don’t know it all and aren’t good enough
to enter heaven on our own; we must trust in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 18:18-20</b>
– See entry for Matthew 16:19
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 18:24-35 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this parable of
the unmerciful servant, God is described as a king who shows mercy to
a servant, then punishes that same servant after he refuses to be
merciful to another servant.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we believe in
Jesus, then we have surrendered our lives to Him and His leading. He
shows mercy to us and then He wants us to show mercy to others. By
accepting His mercy we are saying that we believe that the whole
concept of mercy is a godly thing that we also must practice.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The unmerciful
servant in this parable recognized that the king was merciful and
pretended to believe in mercy until he got off the hook, but then he
revealed his true unmerciful self. But the king saw through his
deception and punished him severely.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Jesus told the
people (John 8:39), if they were really Abraham’s children then
they would do the things Abraham did. In the same way, here, if we
really are God’s, then we will forgive as God wants us to. If we
don’t show mercy – though of course we may fail at times – then
it seems very unlikely that we ever surrendered to Jesus at all.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_8.html">Next</a></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-44781420690246820392015-04-08T21:59:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:35:38.130-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part II<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus.html">Previous</a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 19:16-26,
Mark 10:17-31 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A rich young man
asks how to have eternal life and Jesus tells him to give away
everything he has and follow Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t believe
Jesus is saying that people must always physically give away all they
have in order to gain eternal life, but rather that they should give
up anything that prevents them from turning to Jesus. Much like
Jesus’ admonition to cut off an offending body part, or to give up
their families and to hate their very lives, so here I think he means
that nothing should be allowed to stand between ourselves and God.
Everything we have and are should be His.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
At the end of this
passage, when Jesus says that it would be harder for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom
of heaven, the disciples were amazed and asked (Matthew 19:25), “Who
then can be saved?” Apparently they figured that if a camel can’t
make it through the eye of a needle, well, neither can a mouse, and
if that was the case, then how could <i>anybody</i> be saved? Jesus
replies that while it is impossible for the rich (and others, the
“mice,” so to speak) to enter the kingdom of heaven on their own,
God can get them in.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Further, it is
interesting that Jesus didn’t tell the rich young man to give away
enough so he would be down to a modest lifestyle; He said to give
away <i>all</i>, which would make him poorer than almost everybody,
and it seems highly unlikely that Jesus meant that people may not
have <i>any</i> possessions if they expect to have eternal life.
Again, His meaning appears to be that we should completely give away
anything and everything that prevents us from turning to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally, we see that
elsewhere that rich people – such as Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8-9) and
apparently Joseph of Arimathea – entered in without physically
giving up everything.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, it isn’t the
riches directly that are the hindrance, but the all-too-common
idolatrous attitude toward those riches that makes people feel
self-sufficient and unwilling to surrender to Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is also
interesting that he rich man asked what he should “do.” I think
Jesus wanted him to see that he couldn’t win eternal life by his
own efforts. I think he first told the man to keep the commandments
because he wanted the man to admit that he had failed to keep the
commandments, so that he would understand his need to trust Jesus for
forgiveness. But it seems the young man was rather self-confident.
Yes, he said, he had kept all those commandments, which suggests he
had a very shallow notion of the meaning of the commandments, so
Jesus takes him further down into his heart, to what gave him his
confidence, his wealth, and told him to give it all away. That hit
home – he understood his confidence and love were in something
earthly, something other than God. That misplaced confidence, Jesus
was saying, was hindering him from surrendering and following Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 20:1-16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The generous
vineyard owner gives those who worked less time the same amount as he
gave to those who worked for him during the entire day.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Matthew is
writing specifically to Jews, it appears that in this parable Jesus
was referring to the Jews as those who worked longest for God, and to
various Gentile groups – who would hear the gospel later – as
those who began working at later hours.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, if Jesus <i>is</i>
referring to individuals in this parable and if the payment given to
the workers does equate to eternal life, then – since all the
workers were equally rewarded – it seems clear that the amount of
work we do does not qualify us for eternal life. Instead, what
appears important is that we do it <i>for the </i><i>vineyard owner</i>.
If we have given our lives to the Vineyard Owner (God), then we <span style="font-style: normal;">will</span>
naturally work for him; if we don’t work for Him then we haven’t
really ever given our lives to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 21:43 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this, the parable
of the evil tenants, he Kingdom of God will be taken from Pharisees
and given to those who produce its fruit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Book of Matthew
is addressed primarily to Jews, and Jesus is warning that the kingdom
of God will be switched from being on a national basis (Israel) to
being a spiritual basis (church).</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 25:1-13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Parable of the ten
virgins: Five virgins were wise and brought enough oil to last until
the bridegroom arrived; five were foolish and did not. The foolish
virgins were excluded from the wedding feast.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again, as the Book
of Matthew is addressed primarily to Jews, it seems that the foolish
virgins represent those in Israel who had the oil of the old
covenant, which by itself was not enough, but they didn’t have the
oil of the new covenant. They never knew Jesus. The wise virgins had
both.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 25:14-30 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Parable of the
talents: The servant who did nothing with the money he was given is
thrown out.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Master in the
parable indicates that <i>anything</i> would have been enough, that
the servant could have simply given the money to a banker for
interest, but the servant did absolutely nothing. There is nothing of
the love of God in this servant’s heart. He did nothing because he
does not love the Master.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 24:45-51 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The master will
reward the faithful servant, but will cut up and cast out with the
hypocrites the unfaithful servant.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus describes one
servant as “faithful and wise” (24:45) and then describes his
actions. Next he describes the other servant as wicked (24:48), then
describes his actions. By describing their natures first, Jesus
suggests that the servants’ actions were a result of their natures.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Supporting this
view, Jesus warns that the wicked servant will be assigned a place
with the hypocrites, the reason is most likely because the wicked
servant <i>is</i> a hypocrite. He pretends to be something he isn’t
– a good servant.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we give our lives
to Jesus He will change our nature and we <i>will</i> do good. We’ll
slip up, yes, but our general inclination will be to do good. If we
just pretend, like the hypocritical wicked servant, we may do all
sorts of evil.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A question remains:
Why does Jesus describe both the good and wicked as “servants.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think it is
because Jesus – especially in the Book of Matthew – is mostly
addressing Jews, God’s chosen people on earth, His servants. So, if
Jews are the servants in this parable, Jesus may be saying that those
Jews who obey their master are faithful and wise, but those who are
wicked can expect to be rejected.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 20:28 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus came to give
his life a ransom for many.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jesus’
sacrifice on the cross we can be saved if we believe in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 23:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that
whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A humble faith in
God is what He wants; humble because we are trusting in God, not
ourselves.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 24:13</b>
– See entry for Matthew 10:22
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 1:4, Luke
3:3 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John the Baptist
preaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John’s baptism is
a public declaration of repentance and belief in Jesus (Acts 19:4).
Repentant trust in Jesus saves, not water. The water is important as
a tangible, public step of obedience in response to repentance, but
repentance is the focus. Mark 1:5 says the people were baptized <i>as
they confessed their sins</i>, and in the baptismal passage, Luke
3:7-8, John the Baptist emphasizes the need for repentance when he
tells the people to bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 2:5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus sees the faith
of the people who bring the paralytic (and the paralytic, himself, I
think) and says his sins are forgiven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They had faith and
were forgiven. It is not recorded that they specifically asked for
forgiveness, but they got it by their faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 3:28-30 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Blasphemy against
the Holy Spirit is not forgiven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think the only sin
that isn’t forgiven is the sin of not being willing to be forgiven,
and that is done by blaspheming the Holy Spirit, by rejecting the
work of the Holy Spirit who seeks to draw us to Christ, by treating
the Spirit as unclean, unholy, irrelevant, or even by just ignoring
Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 8:34-37 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You must deny
yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus. If you lose your
life for Jesus and the gospel you will save it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Faith in Jesus
involves giving our lives to Jesus, and giving our lives to Jesus
means following His leading, even through difficult times. If we are
unwilling to take up our cross then we haven’t really believed in
Jesus in the true sense of giving Him control of our lives. <span style="font-weight: normal;">See
also </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Matthew 10:38-</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">39.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 8:38, Luke
9:26 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you are ashamed
of Jesus and His words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the
Son of Man will be ashamed of you when He comes in His Father’s
glory with the holy angels.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being ashamed of
someone means being uncomfortable being associated with him. It seems
unlikely that a person who does not want to be associated with Jesus
ever really believed in Him in the first place. At the very least,
this passage must mean that such people are not living for Jesus as
they should, and that if they are believers at all then they are the
kind about whom Paul speaks in 1 Corinthians 3:12-15, where he says
everyone’s work will be tested by fire and, “If it is burned up,
the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved — even though
only as one escaping through the flames.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 9:19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus laments his
“unbelieving generation.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This verse is not
directly related to salvation, but it shows that faith is critical
and Jesus is concerned about the people’s lack of faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 9:23-24 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says
everything is possible to the one who believes, and the father of the
demon-possessed boy says he believes but needs help with his
unbelief.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Though not directly
related to salvation, in this passage Jesus shows the centrality of
faith by encouraging the worried father to believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 9:42-48</b>
– See entry for Matthew 5:29-30
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 9:42</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you cause a
little one who believes in Jesus to stumble, it would be better to
have a millstone around your neck and be cast into the sea.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is apparently
directed at nonbelievers.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 10:14-15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus rebukes the
disciples who tried to prevent people from bringing little children
to him, saying that people must receive the kingdom of God like
little children.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We must be trusting,
like little children, to receive the kingdom of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 10:17-31 –
</b>See entry for Matthew 19:16-26
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 13:13</b> –
See comme<span style="font-weight: normal;">nt on </span><span style="font-weight: normal;">Matthew
10:22.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 13:22</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
False Christs and
prophets will perform signs and miracles to deceive even the elect,
if that was possible.</div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mark
is indicating the extremely persuasive nature of these false
miracles, false miracles strong enough to deceive even those God has
chosen, if that was possible. By adding, “if that were possible,”
Mark seems to be indicating that it is <i>not</i> possible, probably
because while the fake miracles are strong enough to deceive the
elect, God will protect his chosen ones.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 14:24 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus’ blood is
poured out for many.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By Jesus’
sacrifice on the cross we can be saved if we believe in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Mark 16:16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Believe and be
baptized and you will be saved. Do not believe and be condemned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does this mean if
you are not baptized in water that you will not be saved?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No. The thief on the
cross whom Jesus said would be with him in paradise was not baptized,
yet was saved, so then, important as it is, water baptism is not a
crucial element in salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The term “baptism”
is used in various senses in the New Testament, senses that do not
all include water. For example, Jesus even seems to refer to his
crucifixion as a baptism (Luke 12:50) and suggests to his disciples
that they will be baptized with the baptism he is baptized with (Mark
10:39), apparently a reference to the martyrdom of several of them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
While Mark 16:16 is
a debated passage, if we accept it as written I think we should
understand the first part of this verse – the part that says we
should believe and be baptized – as meaning that if we really
believe, not just believe in an intellectual sense that Jesus existed
or is the Son of God, but believe in the sense of surrendering our
lives to Jesus, then Jesus will baptize us in the Holy Spirit
(Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:8, Luke 3:16, John 1:33) and we will be saved.
And of course, if we really believe, we should follow Jesus’
example and be baptized in water as well.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But does this
baptism of Jesus’ <i>require</i> physical water?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again, the thief on
the cross was not baptized in water, but certainly a baptism in the
Holy Spirit may coincide with a baptism by water, just as the Holy
Spirit came upon Jesus when he was baptized with water. But, as we
have seen, baptism does not necessarily refer to water, and in
Matthew 3:11 John the Baptist intentionally contrasts his baptizing
with water to Jesus’ baptizing with the Holy Spirit and fire, again
suggesting the baptism Jesus provides does not require water.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 1:50 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mary says God’s
mercy is on those who fear Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who surrender
their lives to God will fear Him in the sense that they will show a
deep respect for His power and majesty, but not fear Him in the sense
of worrying that He means His children any harm. This kind of fear
and fearlessness can coexist. So, in this passage we see Mary praise
this respectful type of fear, and then just a little further on, in
Luke 1:74, Zechariah says God rescues us so we can serve him <i>without
fear</i>.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 1:69, 74-75 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Zechariah prophesied
in song, saying that God has “raised up a horn of salvation”
(1:69) to rescue the people from their enemies and enable them to
serve Him in righteousness (1:74-75).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The horn of
salvation is “in the house of His servant David” (1:69), making
it clear that the salvation Zechariah refers to is Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: normal;">1:77</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zechariah
says Jesus will give his people the knowledge of salvation through
the forgiveness of sins.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: normal;">2:11</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christ
is Savior and Lord.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: normal;">2:29-31</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Simon
holds the child Jesus and says of Him that his (Simon’s) eyes have
seen God’s salvation.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 2:30 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Simon identifies
Jesus as God’s salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Simon, who had been
told by the Holy Spirit that he would live to see the Christ, takes
baby Jesus in his arms and says Jesus is God’s salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 2:38 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The prophetess Anna
speaks of Jesus to those looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 3:3</b> –
See entry for Mark 1:4
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 3:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Luke, quoting Isaiah
referring to Jesus, says all flesh will see the salvation of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is the
salvation of God! All flesh will not necessarily be saved – people
must believe to be saved – but all will see.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 3:7-14 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John the Baptist
warns that repentance must be accompanied by fruit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John says the people
should produce fruit “in keeping with repentance.” If you really
repent then your life will change. If your life does not change then
that should be a warning to you; perhaps you simply need to know the
kind of fruit you should be producing, or perhaps you have not really
repented and given your life to God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 3:16-17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John the Baptist
says that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire and gather
His wheat into His barn and burn up the chaff.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus will one day
separate the wheat from the chaff. If you believe, you are wheat; if
you don’t, you are chaff.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: normal;">5:20</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
Jesus sees the faith of the sick man and his friends who lowered him
on a pallet through the roof, Jesus forgives the man’s sins.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: normal;">5:24</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
tells the Pharisees that he has authority on earth to forgive sins.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
<span style="font-variant: normal;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-style: normal;">5:32</span></span></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
came to call sinners to repentance.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 6:23</b> –
See entry for Matthew 5:3,10
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 6:35 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Love and do good to
your enemies and expect nothing in return. Then you will receive a
great reward and you will be sons of the Most High.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think this means
that if you do this you will be acting out what you really are –
sons of the Most High, and you will receive a “great reward”
rather than, perhaps, a lesser reward. It is as if a proud father
were to say after his son did something commendable, “Now, that’s
my son!” Not that he wasn’t his son before, but rather that he
has just shown it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Thought experiment:
Suppose you live in a small town where everyone gets along and you
don’t have any enemies, are you <i>not</i> a son of God because you
don’t have any enemies to do good to? Clearly not. This, again,
refers to our willingness to love and do good. If we really believe
in Jesus, we will do good, even to our enemies. If we don’t believe
in Jesus, we won’t.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 6:37-38 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do not judge and you
will not be judged. Do not condemn and you won’t be condemned.
Forgive and be forgiven. Give and you will be given to.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we trust in Jesus
we will do what God wants us to do and not judge, not condemn; we
will forgive and give. Luke 6:35 says that loving our enemies is
being a son of the Most High, and 6:36 says showing mercy is
imitating our Father. So, doing these things is what children of God
do. If they do not exhibit these attributes in any way, are they
really children of God at all? Did they ever really believe? Most
likely not.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 6:43-45 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A good tree bears
good fruit and a bad tree bears bad fruit. Figs do not grow on thorn
bushes.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Good actions are the
<i>results</i> of salvation, not a precondition. Good works are a
result of who you are.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 6:46</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus asks why
people call him Lord but don’t do as he says.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is saying the
natural outflow of trusting in Him as Lord is to obey.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Luke
7:50</b></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
tells the woman who poured perfume on His feet that her faith had
saved her.</span></span></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 8:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Word sown in the
heart leads to believing and being saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 9:24-25 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you lose your
life you will gain it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Losing our lives
means giving our lives to Jesus, believing and trusting in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 9:26</b> –
See entry for Mark 8:38
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 9:48 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever receives a
child in Jesus’ name receives Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In order to receive
a child <i>in Jesus’ name</i>, you have to believe in Jesus and be
motivated by Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 9:62 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No one who puts hand
to plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God (or fit for
service in the kingdom of God).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus wants his
servants to be single-minded in service to Him, not distracted from
plowing a clean furrow by looking back at the world. While this does
not indicate that someone who is <i>not</i> single-minded in his
service to Jesus will be excluded from heaven, it does suggest that
such a person may not be used by God – or not used much – to
advance his kingdom in this world.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 10:20 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus tells his
disciples to rejoice that their names are written in heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus seems to be
indicating that the disciples have heaven guaranteed; it is not
something that they will have to strive for throughout the rest of
their lives to earn. If there was a chance their names could be
erased from the book of life for their missteps, it wouldn’t make
much sense to rejoice.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 10:25-28 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When a lawyer asks
how to have eternal life, Jesus asks him what is written in the law.
The lawyer answers 1) Love God, 2) Love your neighbor. Jesus commends
him on his correct answer.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Loving our neighbor
is a natural outflow of our love of God. If we love God we will love
others.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 10:38-42 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says to the
busily-working Martha, who complained that Mary was not working, that
Mary’s way is best – to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think Jesus is
saying that if we trustingly and attentively wait on Him, everything
else flows from that – the life He wants us to live and the work He
wants us to do.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 11:41 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Give what is within
as charity and “all things are clean for you.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t think this
refers to eternal life, but means we should give with love. Jesus
wants us to give not out of compulsion or habit – outwardly, that
is – but from the heart – “give what is within.” I believe
this is supported by the following verse, Luke 11:42, in which Jesus
says the Pharisees were neglecting justice and the <i>love</i> of
God. So, if we are acting out of godly love, God counts what we do as
clean.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 12:4-5 –
See entry for </b> Matthew 10:28.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 12:42-46 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that the
faithful servant will be rewarded for doing his duty; the unfaithful
servant will be cut in pieces and assigned a place with unbelievers.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The reason that the
unfaithful servant is “assigned a place with unbelievers” is
because he <i>is</i> an unbeliever, like Judas, who appeared to be a
believer, but was not.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 12:47-48 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The servant who
knows his duty and fails to do it receives many blows; the servant
who didn’t know and sinned receives few blows. To whom much is
given, much is required.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is at the end
of a parable about a master returning home and finding his servants
either ready, or not. It comes right after Luke 12:46, which says the
calculating, cruel, drunken servant is cut into pieces and assigned a
place with the unbelievers, apparently because he was, in fact, an
unbeliever. This seems to refer to hell.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But in verses 47 and
48, Jesus turns from the intentionally rebellious servant to the
neglectful servant; the servant who really does believe but is either
lazy or ignorant. In this case it appears the punishment is
temporary, “many blows” for the one who knew what to do and
didn’t do it, and “few blows” for the one who didn’t know.
This does not seem to indicate hell because the number of blows is
limited. So, the blows may be similar in concept to the fire in 1
Corinthians 3:12-15, where Paul says everyone’s work will be tested
by fire and, “If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but
yet will be saved — even though only as one escaping through the
flames.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 13:6-8 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The parable of the
fig tree keeper: Fertilize the tree first, if it still fails to
produce, cut it down.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since Jesus is
speaking to Jews, it appears that the fig tree being cut down may be
a warning of the earthly destruction that would soon come upon the
Jewish nation.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 13:23-28 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says to strive
to enter by the narrow gate, and that at some point the Master will
lock the gate and ignore the entreaties of those outside. The people
will say that they ate and drank with Him and He taught among them,
but the Master of the house will say, “Depart from me, I don’t
know you or where you come from.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is responding
to a man who asks if only a few people will be saved, and judging
from Jesus’ comments in verses 28-30, it appears more specifically
that the man was wondering if only Jews will be saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus responds by
telling him to <i>strive</i> to enter through the narrow gate. He
seems to be saying that, yes, the gate to heaven is narrow and not
everybody will enter and be saved, however, if he is counting on
coasting to heaven on the basis of his birth as a Jew, he is
mistaken.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Just as is true for
Gentiles, he needs to surrender his life to Jesus. He needs to force
himself out of the thoughtless crowd, to overcome any lethargy, any
reluctance, all distractions, and make sure he knows Jesus. Notice
that when the Master of the house finally turns people away, it is
because He does not <i>know</i> them. We need to make sure Jesus
knows us by giving our lives to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 14:26 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You must hate your
own family – and your own self – to be a disciple of Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is using
hyperbole to make a point. To actually hate your family would violate
Jesus’ commands to love others. I believe He means that we are to
value Him far above all things, including ourselves, if we want to be
one of his disciples. Also, this may simply address the question of
who is suited to serve as disciples to Jesus and not particularly who
goes to heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 14:33 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You must give up all
your possessions to be Jesus’ disciple. Jesus says we must count
the cost and make a good choice, as the king with a 10,000-man army
does when faced with a king with 20,000-man army.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is addressing
a large crowd (Luke 14:25), so he is speaking to all kinds of people,
some of whom are not suited to be among his core disciples, and He
wants these people to consider the difficulties these core disciples
face. So, the opposing king with 20,000 men represents those
difficulties.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Perhaps some of
these people in the crowd are more suited to supporting the core
disciples than actually being one. Perhaps, then, Jesus is paring
down the number of close disciples to only the most suited, much as
Gideon pared down his army to a mere 300. But just as that paring
down did not mean that the rest of Gideon’s army was punished in
any way, so I do not believe those who decide not to be part of the
core group of disciples are punished in any way or excluded from
heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 18:28-30 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The disciples tell
Jesus they have left all to follow Him, and Jesus tells them they
will receive back much more in this life, and eternal life as well.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is promising
an earthly reward to those who have given up family for the sake of
God, and is assuring them they will not miss out on eternal life
either.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_70.html">Next</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-27261138105722776742015-04-08T21:58:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:39:53.882-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part III<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_8.html">Previous</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Luke 19:7-10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Zaccheus is eager to
see Jesus, and when Jesus says He must stay at his house, Zaccheus is
excited and repents and offers to give half his wealth to the poor
and repay four times as much to anyone he defrauded. Jesus says
salvation has come to this house because he too is a son of Abraham
and that He came to seek and save the lost.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Zaccheus believed in
Jesus – he “welcomed him gladly” – and that belief resulted
in his generosity and his salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says one of
the reasons for his salvation is that Zaccheus is “a son of
Abraham.” I think Jesus is saying that Zaccheus is showing exactly
the kind of faith Abraham showed; he is a true son of his father
Abraham.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 19:12-27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The servant who does
nothing with the mina is rebuked and has what little he had taken
from him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The master had told
the man to do business with the money and he didn’t.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It seems doubtful
that this passage refers to salvation, but if it does, a rebuke is
not necessarily the same as hell. However, if this passage does refer
to salvation, it appears the servant did not have faith since he did
not act on it even though he had opportunity.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Luke 23:34 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On the cross Jesus
asks the Father to forgive those who were crucifying Him because they
don’t know what they are doing.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus prayed for
those who were to some degree ignorant in crucifying Him, perhaps
because they had been told and believed it to be the righteous thing
to do. It was a prayer meant to be heard by both the Father and those
around the cross, asking the Father to forgive them, and encouraging
those around the cross to believe. Perhaps this prayer was answered
during Peter’s sermon shortly thereafter in Jerusalem, when so many
– perhaps even of those who crucified Him – believed in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 1:7 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John the Baptist
came to testify about the light, so that “all men might believe.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In John 1 Jesus is
identified as the light, and John’s whole mission in life was to
encourage people to believe in Jesus. How critical it is to believe!
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 1:12-13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To all who received
Jesus He gave the right to become children of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 1:29 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is the Lamb of
God who takes away the sin of the world.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 3:3-6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You must be born
again, of water and of the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh; the
Spirit gives birth to spirit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are born again of
the spirit when we believe in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 3:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Everyone who
believes in Jesus may have eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 3:16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever believes in
the Son shall have eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 3:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God sent Jesus to
save the world through Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 3:18 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever believes in
Jesus is not condemned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 4:14 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says the water
He gives will become “a spring of water welling up to eternal
life.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 4:39, 41 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many Samaritans
believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony and by hearing
His words.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 4:42 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many of the
Samaritans believe that Jesus is the “Savior of the world.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 4:48 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus laments that
unless the people see miraculous signs, they will not believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the middle of
hearing a request to heal a sick boy, Jesus takes time to say how
important it is to believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 5:24 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who hear
Jesus’ word and believe in God who sent Him has eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 5:25 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that a
time is coming, and has already come, when the dead will hear the
voice of the Son of God and live.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This may refer in
part to the final resurrection from the dead, but since it also says
that the time has <i>already</i> come, it mainly seems to mean that
if we respond to Jesus’ voice calling us we will live.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 5:29-30 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is a
resurrection of those who did good and of those who did evil, a
resurrection to life or to judgment.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The good are those
who believe in Jesus (and, because of that, live out their faith) and
the evil are those who do not believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 5:32-34 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says John the
Baptist testified about Him, and Jesus mentions this, “that you may
be saved.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 5:38-40 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They study the
scriptures that testify of Jesus, yet refuse to come to Jesus and
have life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:27, 29 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Do not work for food
that spoils but food that endures to eternal life, which Jesus will
give you. The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What we need to do,
our “work” in this passage, is to believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John
6:29 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
tells the people that the work that God requires is “to believe in
the One He has sent.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:32-35 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is the bread
of life who comes from heaven so those who come to Him will never be
hungry and those who believe in Him will never thirst.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:35 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is the bread
of life. The one who comes to Jesus will never go hungry and the one
who believes in Him will never be thirsty.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:40 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Father’s will
is that everyone who looks at the Son and believes in him shall have
eternal life, and Jesus will raise him on the last day.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:47 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He who believes [in
Jesus, from the context] has everlasting life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John
6:48, 50-51 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
is the bread of life. The one who eats this bread will never die but
live forever.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
equates believing in Him – following on the previous verse, John
6:47 – to eating His flesh. We need to take Jesus into our lives
by believing in Him. In John 6:63 Jesus explains that He is speaking
spiritually, not physically.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:51 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is the bread
that comes down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live
forever.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:53-58 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus said he is the
bread of life and anyone who eats His flesh and drinks His blood will
have have eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus uses graphic,
dramatic and unforgettable language to say we need to take Him into
our lives. When the disciples are bothered by His words He explains
(John 6:63) that He is speaking spiritually, not physically.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:64 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says,
referring to Judas, that there are some do not believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus makes clear
that Judas did not so much fall away as simply not believe in the
first place.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:68-69 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Peter says that
Jesus has the words of eternal life and that they [the disciples]
believe in him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus’ does not
contradict that He has the words of eternal life, but denies that all
of them (thinking of Judas) really believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 7:31 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many in the crowd
put their faith in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 7:38-39 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that
whoever believes in Him will receive the Spirit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It seems likely that
those who believe and receive the Spirit that Jesus gives will be
included in heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever follows
Jesus will have the light of life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
To know Jesus is to
know His Father.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:24 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus warns that the
Pharisees will die in their sins if they do not believe Jesus is the
one He claims to be.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:30 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
As Jesus spoke many
put their faith in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:31 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus tells those
who “believed” in Him that if they hold to his teaching they are
really his disciples.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this passage
Jesus does not seem to be addressing those who really believed in Him
in the sense that they have given their lives to Him, so it is not
saying that if you slip up that you are lost.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking at John
8:37-49, these people did not believe in a trusting way because Jesus
said they have “no room for my word” and they were doing “what
you have heard from your father” (the devil), and they were
“determined to kill” Jesus. God, He said, is not their Father
because they do not love Jesus, and “You belong to your father, the
devil,” and they “do not believe me” and “The reason you do
not hear is that you do not belong to God,” and they answered Jesus
and accused him of being a Samaritan and demon possessed, and Jesus
said they “dishonor” Him. So, their belief was apparently just an
acknowledgement of Jesus in some minimal fashion, not a giving their
hearts to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:36 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that if
the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:47 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who belong to
God hear what God says; those who don’t hear don’t know God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 8:51 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyone who keeps
Jesus’ word will never see death.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What Jesus wants us
to do is believe in Him. If we do that we will never see eternal
death and we will live the kind of lives He wants us to live. In
verse 8:39, Jesus says that if the people he was talking to were
Abraham’s children, then they would act like Abraham, and in 8:42
He says that if they were God’s children, then they would love Him
(Jesus). In 8:44 He says they act the way they do because they belong
to their father, the devil; and in 8:47 He says they do not hear what
He says because they do not belong to God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, we need to be
God’s children, and if we <i>are</i> children of God by believing
in Jesus, then we <i>will</i> do what our Father wants, just as those
whose father is the devil do what the devil wants.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 9:41 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says if you
are blind you have no sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus had just
healed a physically blind man, who then believed in Him, so the man
was given both physical and spiritual sight. Then, in John 9:39 Jesus
says that he came into the world so the blind will see and those who
see become blind (the Pharisees immediately recognized that he was
speaking of them). I think when Jesus refers to making those who see
become blind, He means that his message will be offensive to many
(such as the Pharisees) and they will close their eyes to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In John 9:41 I think
Jesus means that those things we do that we do not understand to be
wrong will not be counted against us, but this does not let us off
the hook because there are so many things we do that are wrong that
we <i>do</i> understand to be wrong.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 10:3-5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is the true
shepherd. His sheep follow him and will never follow a stranger.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who love
Jesus, who belong to Him, will hear His voice and follow Him. It is
not that the<span style="font-style: normal;">y will someday be H</span>is
sheep; they already <i>are</i> His sheep and because they are His
sheep they <i>will</i> follow Him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 10:26-28 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
They do not believe
because they are not Jesus’ sheep. His sheep hear his voice, follow
Him, and he gives them eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 11:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says He is
glad He was not there when Lazarus died, so that His disciples may
believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Teaching His
disciples to believe was so important that Jesus delayed going to
heal sick Lazarus and actually let him die so that his disciples
would believe when Jesus raised him from the dead (John 11:43-44).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 11:25-26 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says He is the
resurrection and the life and the person who believes in Him will
live even if he dies, and whoever lives and believes in Him will
never die.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 11:42 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is about to
resurrect Lazurus and prays aloud, saying he is praying this way for
the benefit of the people, that they may believe that the Father sent
Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 11:45 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many believed in
Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 11:49-53 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Caiaphas prophesies
that it is better for one man, Jesus, to die than for the whole
nation to perish. John says this is a prophesy that Jesus died for
all the scattered children of God to make them one.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
On account of
Lazarus many Jews were putting their faith in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:25 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He who loves this
life will loose it but he who hates his life in this world will keep
it for eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Love your life and
lose it; hate this life and keep it for eternity. The Father will
honor any who serve Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I believe Jesus
means this in the same way as when he says we must hate our families
(Luke 14:26). In other words, that our love for family and our love
for this life should be so overshadowed by our love for Jesus that it
is like hate by comparison.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He says if we do
love this life first of all then we will eventually lose it and have
nothing to replace it with. If we love the world first, then we never
really surrendered our lives to Jesus; we surrendered to the world.
But if we hate it (in comparison to our love for Jesus and spending
eternity with Him) then we have a God-life that we will keep forever.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:36 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus tells the
people to put their trust in the light while they have it so they may
become sons of light.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:37 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John laments that
despite Jesus’ miracles the people would not believe in him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:39-40 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John says the people
could not believe in him because their eyes had been blinded and
their hearts had been deadened.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:42-43 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Many leaders
believed in Jesus, but kept quiet because they loved men’s praise
more than God’s.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is unclear
whether these leaders’ faith was real and weak, or false, but
either way, John points out the critical importance of faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:44-45 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that
believing in Him is also believing in the Father.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:46-48 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that
those who believe in Him will not remain in darkness (12:46) and adds
in 12:47-48 that those who do not keep His words, but reject Him,
will be condemned on the last day.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 12:50 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says the
Father’s command leads to eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the Father’s
will is that we look to the Son and believe in him. (John 6:40).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 13:8, 10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus tells Peter
that if He does not wash him, he has no part with Him. He adds in
13:10 that if a person has bathed he only needs to wash his feet.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus does not mean
that people are alienated from him unless He physically washes their
feet. After all, He was about to leave them and wouldn’t be
physically present to wash feet. Rather, Jesus means that He must
cleanse them spiritually.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, in verse 10
Jesus tells the disciples that there are two kinds of cleansing – a
“whole body” cleansing, for heaven I would assume, and feet
washing, for – I believe – serving Jesus on earth. Jesus seems to
mean that when we believe in Him we are essentially clean, but we
need to come to Him regularly to remove the dust of sin we gather as
we walk through the world. So I believe Jesus is saying that we can
have no part in His ministry to the world if we don’t keep coming
to Him to be cleansed from the little daily sins that we commit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 13:19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says he is
telling the disciples that someone will betray him, so that when it
happens, they will believe “that I am He.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 13:20 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whoever accepts one
whom Jesus sends, accepts Jesus, and whoever accepts Jesus accepts
the one who sent Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus sends His
disciples to testify about Him. If we accept these messengers –
which includes accepting their message about Jesus – we accept
Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 14:1 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says to trust
in God and trust in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 14:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says He is the
way, truth and life. He is the only way to the Father.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Works are not an
alternate way. Jesus is the only way.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 14:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that if
people love Him they will keep His commandments.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we love Jesus it
will be natural to obey Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 14:21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The one who keeps
Jesus’ commands is the one who loves Him, and that one will be
loved by the Father.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Keeping Jesus’
commands is not a precondition to loving Jesus and being loved by the
Father, but rather, love is the precondition to obeying Jesus. We
naturally obey Jesus if we love Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 14:23 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you love Jesus
you’ll keep His word and the Father will love you.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Loving Jesus is the
motivation to keeping His word.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 15:3,4-5</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this passage
about fruitfulness Jesus says his followers are already clean because
of “the word I have spoken to you.” He tells them to remain in
Him and He will remain in them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we believe in
Jesus we are already clean, and if we walk with Jesus we will be
fruitful for Him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 15:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If anyone does not
abide in Jesus, he is thrown away as a branch and burned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This passage is in
the context of bearing fruit. As Jesus prepares for being arrested
and for His final days on earth, He is teaching his disciples how to
live. If we do not abide in Jesus we will bear no fruit and will –
like dry branches – be discarded from participating in His work on
earth. If we do bear fruit (John 15:8) we show ourselves to be Jesus’
disciples – it is the evidence of our faith. So, I don’t think
Jesus is warning his disciples that they may go to hell (especially
since he reassures them in 15:3 that they “are already clean”),
but rather He is telling then how to live so He can use them on earth
when he returns to heaven, and is telling them that if they do not
abide in Him then they will be of no earthly use, and will be
discarded from His great work.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, while I doubt
that the discarding and burning refers to hell, if it does mean that
then we may understand that the one who does not “abide” (trust
in) Jesus lacks faith and, according to John 14:24, does not love
Jesus. If he did love Jesus he would have obeyed Him. If so, then
perhaps Jesus means that there are those (the discarded branches) who
appear to be part of the body (like Judas) but really are not; they
are just dead wood attached to the body.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 15:10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we obey his
commands, we will remain in Jesus’ love.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are we then
condemned if we do not always obey His commands?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No. This passage is
in the context of daily life, not in the context of eternal
salvation. It is part of a section of instructions about how we can
be productive, how, if we, like the branch of the vine, remain
attached to the vine, we will bear much fruit (John 15:1-8). Jesus
emphasizes this here-and-now aspect by saying that he is telling us
this so that we may experience full joy in Him (John 15:11). So, I
would say that this passage means that if we obey Jesus’ commands,
we are living in the flow of His love.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 15:14 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Jesus friends
if we do what He commands.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Doing what Jesus
commands is evidence that we are his friends.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 15:22, 24 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If the people had
not seen Jesus perform miracles among them, they would not be guilty
of sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The sin Jesus seems
to be referring to here is the sin of rejecting Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Understanding that
we have sinned makes us responsible for that sin. When Jesus made
himself clear by speaking and by doing miracles, those who heard and
saw had no further excuse. They needed to repent and believe. We may
not be guilt of a particular sin if we are ignorant that it is
sinful, but there are so many things we all do that we <i>do</i>
understand to be sinful, that we are hardly off the hook.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 16:9 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus said the
Counselor, the Holy Spirit, will come and will convict the world of
sin because the world does not believe in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 16:27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says the
Father loves the disciples because they loved Jesus and believed the
Father sent Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 16:30-31 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
After the disciples
tell Jesus that they believe in Him, Jesus rejoices and says that
they “believe at last!”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:3 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says eternal
life is knowing the only true God, and Jesus, whom He has sent.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:8 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus’ followers
believed the Father sent Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this prayer of
Jesus, as He comes to the close of His earthly ministry, He rejoices
that He has accomplished what the Father wanted – the disciples
believe!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_91.html">Next</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-9316141306556206422015-04-08T21:56:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:40:57.261-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part IV<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_70.html">Previous</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>John 17:14,16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus said His
followers are not of the world any more than He is of the world.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus didn’t say
His followers <i>will not</i> be part of the world; He said they <i>are
not</i> part of the world. The salvation of those who believe has
already happened.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:20 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus prays for the
disciples and for those “who will believe in me through their
message.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:21,23 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that it
is important that the world believe that the Father sent Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 19:35 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The testimony of
Jesus crucifixion is given “so that you also may believe.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus’ crucifixion
is <i>real</i>, and the one who saw it (likely John himself) is
telling the truth about it, and he is testifying to its truth so
people will believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 20:21-23 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that as
He was sent by God, so he sends the disciples. Then he breathes on
the disciples, tells them to “receive the Holy Spirit,” and says
that if they forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven, if not, they
aren’t forgiven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think Jesus is
saying: Just as I was sent by the Father to represent Him, now I send
you to represent God, and I am giving you the Holy Spirit so you will
be in tune with God, so that if you say someone is forgiven, then it
is true because you are in tune with the Spirit of God so that what
you say about someone’s forgiveness and what God says about that
person’s forgiveness are identical.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It would be absurd
to think the disciples’ pronouncements of forgiveness are the <i>cause</i>
of forgiveness. Even Jesus, when he pronounced forgiveness for
someone, looked for faith on the part of that person, so to assume
the disciples could unilaterally forgive seems impossible. If this
passage meant that the disciples could simply forgive everybody
without any evidence of repentance or faith, then they might have
simply issued a worldwide “Proclamation of Forgiveness for All”
and be done for all time with all teaching, preaching, evangelism and
missions.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think this is
something like the marriage ceremony, in which a pastor asks the man
and woman if they want to marry, and when they say they do, he says
something like, “On the basis of your commitment to one another and
by the authority vested in me as a minister of the gospel of Jesus
Christ, I now pronounce you man and wife.” In a similar fashion, I
suspect the disciples would question a person regarding his faith and
upon receiving a positive answer and having that positive answer
confirmed by the Spirit of God within them, they would say something
like: “On the basis of your faith and by the cleansing power of
Jesus Christ, I pronounce you forgiven.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does that mean if
there is no verbal statement acknowledging a person’s forgiveness
that the person is not saved? No. I think the value of a verbal
statement by a respected leader of the church is that it gives such
great assurance to the person over whom forgiveness is proclaimed,
and gives the one who does not receive that affirmation of
forgiveness a strong reason to go back and consider whether he really
believes.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 20:27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The resurrected
Jesus tells Thomas not to be unbelieving.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Was Thomas unsaved
before? No, John 17:12 says Jesus guarded and kept all of them except
Judas, so Thomas was saved despite his doubts. Faith does not need to
be flawless to result in salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 20:29 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says to Thomas
that those who have not seen and believe are blessed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t think
Thomas was un-blessed, but there is apparently a special blessing for
those who believe in Jesus without the special proof Thomas demanded.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 20:30-31 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The miracles
recorded in the book of John were written so people may believe Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and by believing have life in his
name.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
2:21</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 2:47 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Lord added to
the number of those being saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have been saved
from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin,
and we will be saved from the very presence of sin. So, “being
saved” does not mean that they are not yet fully forgiven for their
sins. They have been saved from the penalty of sin, and now they are
being saved from the power of sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 4:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is salvation
in no one but Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is no
salvation in ourselves and our own efforts.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 4:32 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The believers shared
everything they had.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Here “the
believers” are the local church. The central thing that makes the
church the church is that the people are believers.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
8:12</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
people believed Philip when he preached the good news of the kingdom
of God and the name of Jesus Christ and they were baptized.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 8:22 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Peter tells Simon
the magician to repent to be forgiven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Simon had already
(Acts 8:13) believed and been baptized, but either his belief was not
real (perhaps he decided to join the Christians because as a magician
he was impressed with the miracles he saw, as it mentions in Acts
8:13) or perhaps he was a real believer but, as Peter said (Acts
8:21), his heart was “not right before God.” So, if Simon never
really believed, then Peter’s warning would mean Simon would miss
out on heaven, or if Simon had really believed, then apparently Peter
was warning Simon of earthly consequences, most particularly being
excluded from ministry (Acts 8:20), if he did not repent.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 8:35-37 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Philip preached
Jesus, and perhaps also baptism, to an Ethiopian. [Acts 8:36 –
which appears in some later manuscripts – says that Philip told the
Ethiopian that if he believes with all his heart then he can be
baptized.]
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Even if 8:36 is
doubtful, Philip preached about Jesus, so his intent was clearly to
convince the Ethiopian to believe in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 14:27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul reports God
“had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is a matter for
rejoicing because the “door of faith” is what the Gentiles need
to walk through for their salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 9:40-42 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The people of Joppa
heard how Tabitha had been raised from the dead, so many of them
believed in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
10:34-35 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peter
says he knows that God accepts men from all nations who fear Him and
do what is right.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
this passage about the God-fearing Gentile, Cornelius, the salvation
of Cornelius and his household was through Peter’s proclamation of
Jesus; it was sudden and occurred as Peter was preaching, directly
after Peter said that everyone who believes in Jesus receives
forgiveness of sins. So Cornelius’ salvation was not as a result of
him doing a list of right things; the right thing referred to in this
passage is that Cornelius and his household believed in Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
10:43 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peter
preaches that the prophets testify that everyone who believes in
Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
11:18 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
granted the Gentiles repentance unto life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
13:12 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
proconsul believed because he was amazed at the teaching about the
Lord.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
13:46 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rejecting
the word of God is rejecting eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
14:1 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many
Jews and Gentiles believed at the teaching of Paul and Barnabas.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
14:15 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Barnabas
and Paul tell the people to turn from worthless things to the living
God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 14:22 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul and Barnabas
encourage the people to “continue in the faith” and they say that
“through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think they mean
that as a practical matter in this life we should continue to trust
Jesus, and that, in the process of following Jesus – as we are on
our way to heaven – we will encounter tribulations, not that
troubles are a means of entering heaven.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
15:7 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peter
says that that God made the choice that the Gentiles might hear the
message of the gospel and believe.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
15:9 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peter
says God purified the hearts of the Gentiles by faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
15:11</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Peter
says it is by “the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
16:30-31 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
jailer asks Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved and they tell
him to believe in the Lord Jesus and he and his household will be
saved.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
17:30 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
says that in the past God overlooked sin but now he commands people
everywhere to repent.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
17:34</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
people believed Paul’s message.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
18:8 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crispus,
the synagogue leader, his household, and many Corinthians, believed
and were baptized.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
18:27 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There
were those in Achaia “who by grace had believed.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
19:9 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
people refused to believe.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
20:21 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
says that Jews and Greeks “must turn to God in repentance and have
faith in our Lord Jesus.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
26:17-18 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
appoints Paul to turn people to God “so that they may receive
forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by
faith in Me.”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
26:20 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
preaches that people should turn to God and prove their repentance
by their deeds.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 28:27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul quotes Isaiah –
If people would see, hear, understand with their hearts, and return –
God will heal them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 1:5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul says his call
was to bring about “obedience of faith” among the Gentiles. Or,
“obedience to the faith” Amplified Version, or “the obedience
that comes from faith,” NIV.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This seems to be
saying if we have faith we will have obedience. And by aiming to
bring about obedience we must aim at faith as its necessary
prerequisite.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 1:16-17</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The gospel is the
power of God for salvation to all who believe. In it a righteousness
from God is revealed that is by faith from first to last.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
2:3 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
you pass judgment on someone else yet do the same things yourself,
“do you think you will escape God’s judgment?”</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
seems to be referring to those who have not repented of their sins.
In 2:4 he indicates that God is trying to draw them to repentance,
which would not have been necessary if they had already repented, and
in 2:5 he speaks of their stubbornness and unrepentant hearts.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 2:6-7</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God will render to
each according to his deeds. For those who persevere in doing good in
order to seek glory, honor and immortality, He will give eternal
life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When Paul says that,
“God will give to each person according to what he has done,” he
appears to be quoting Psalm 62:12, and Psalm 62 repeatedly proclaims
that salvation is from God alone and that we should “trust in him
at all times.” This would be an odd passage to quote if Paul meant
to suggest that salvation was by works.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, earlier in
Romans Paul says that he is talking about “the obedience <i>that
comes from faith”</i> (Romans 1:5), and that he is talking about “a
righteousness <i>from God</i>,” and “a righteousness that is <i>by
faith from first to last”</i> (Romans 1:17). So when Paul speaks of
persevering in good works he means the perseverance that comes
naturally from having a real faith.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, bracketing
Romans 2:6-7 are Romans 2:5 and 2:8, which condemn those who refuse
to repent, and those who are self-seeking and reject the truth. Paul
is emphasizing our need to repent and believe the truth. So, when
Paul speaks in Romans 2:6-7 of those who persevere, he is talking
about those who have really repented and put their faith in Jesus,
for their true faith <i>will</i> result in persevering obedience.
False faith won’t.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 2:10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There will be glory,
honor and peace for those who do good.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
See discussion of
Romans 2:6-7.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 2:13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who obey the
law are justified, not those who just hear.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we have
surrendered our lives to God we <i>will</i> do our best to keep the
deep inner law of love, though not necessarily the outer ceremonial
law.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
See discussion of
Romans 2:6-7.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 3:21-22 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is a
righteousness from God apart from the law that comes through faith in
Jesus Christ to all who believe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul (Romans 3:20)
says the law gives us a consciousness of sin, but we have a
righteousness from God and that righteousness is through faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
3:26 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
justifies those who have faith in Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
4:5 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
man who does not work but trusts God; his faith is credited as
righteousness.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
4:23-25 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
will credit righteousness to those of us who have believed in Him who
raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
5:1-2</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been justified by faith, and through Jesus have gained access by
faith into grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
5:9-10 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been justified by His (Jesus’) blood and saved from God’s
wrath. We were reconciled to the Father through Jesus and will be
saved through His life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
5:11 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Through
Jesus we have received reconciliation.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
5:15-16 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God’s
grace overflows to many people by Jesus’ gift to us.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 5:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who receive an
abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness will reign in life
through Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 5:18 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One act of
righteousness by Jesus resulted in justification that brings life to
all men.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The one act of
righteousness Paul appears to be referring to is Jesus sacrifice of
Himself on the cross.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 5:19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Through the
obedience of the One [Jesus] many are made righteous.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
5:21 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Grace
reigns through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
6:8 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
we died with Christ we believe we will also live with Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
6:18 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Romans have been set free from sin to become slaves to righteousness.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
6:22 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Romans have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God. The
benefit they reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being
set free from sin results in a holy life, and eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
6:23 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 7:4 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We were made to die
to the law through Christ so we might be joined to Him to bear fruit
for God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are first joined
to Christ and <i>then</i> we bear fruit.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 8:2 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The law of the
Spirit of life in Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and
death.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 8:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The mind set on the
flesh (or, “the mind of sinful man”) is death; the mind set on
the Spirit (or, “the mind controlled by the Spirit”) is life and
peace.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This seems to be
referring to our daily walk with Christ. We should not descend to
living through our old sinful self, as unbelievers do naturally, but
live with minds controlled by the Holy Spirit. The mind set on the
flesh <i>is</i> death, not <i>will be</i> death. It describes the
dead day-to-day existence we will experience if we slip into living
without reference to God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 8:13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If by the Spirit you
put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few verses
earlier, in Romans 8:9, Paul says we are controlled by the Spirit if
we have the Spirit of Christ living in us, so here, in 8:13, I think
Paul is saying that if we are unsaved and living life according to
our sinful nature, we will die. But if we are alive in Christ by His
Spirit living in us, controlling us, then the result will be –
through the Spirit – that we are putting to death the misdeeds of
the body, and we will live.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 8:14 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you are led by
God you are a son of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Being led by God is
evidence that we belong to God. See comment on Romans 8:13 as well.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
9:30</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Gentiles obtained a righteousness by faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
10:3-4 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Righteousness
comes from God. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be
righteousness for everyone who believes.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 10:9-10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you confess with
your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead,
you will be saved. For with the heart a person believes, resulting in
righteousness, and with the mouth confesses, resulting in salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul says a couple
verses later (Romans 10:12), that, “Everyone who calls on the name
of the Lord will be saved,” so I think that when Paul says here
that if you “confess with your mouth,” he is saying that we need
to call out to God and say that, “Jesus is my Lord!” In other
words, we need to submit to Jesus as our Lord; that is real faith and
that kind of faith saves us. Merely acknowledging that Jesus is whom
He claims to be without submitting to Him is not salvation. The
demons have that kind of faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
10:13 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone
who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 10:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Faith comes by
hearing the word of Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
11:5-6 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">A
remnant (of Israel) has been chosen by grace, not by works.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
11:2</b><b>0</b><b>-2</b><b>3</b><b> </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Israel
was broken off because of unbelief, and we can be broken off by
unbelief. God will be kind to us provided we continue in his
kindness; otherwise we will be cut off. Israel can be grafted back in
if they believe.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
does not seem to be talking here to individuals, but to groups;
groups of Jewish people and groups of Gentile people. So, if the Jews
– as a group – believe, they will be grafted back into the vine –
saved, in other words. And if the Gentiles – as a group – stop
believing, they will be broken off the vine and be lost. So, for
example, if a church slowly stops believing in Christ, the
faithfulness of the previous generation will not keep the unbelieving
current generation from being lost.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 13:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is time to awake.
Salvation is nearer than when we believed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This apparently
refers to our future salvation, when we shall be saved not just from
the penalty of our sins, not just in the midst of our current battles
with sin, but from the very presence of sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
1:4-8 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul thanks God for
His grace given to the Corinthians in Jesus. Jesus will confirm them
blameless in the day of Jesus Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
6:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 150%;">Paul says the
Corinthians were washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of
Jesus and by the Spirit of God.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
6:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
One who joins
himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
7:14,16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
An unbelieving
spouse is sanctified through a believing spouse, and the children are
holy.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This does not mean
the unbelieving spouse is saved for heaven by the believing spouse
because in verse 7:16 Paul asks, How do you know if you will save
your spouse? It says the unbelieving spouse will be “sanctified,”
apparently meaning this in its “set apart” sense. So, through
marriage the man and wife are “set apart” from others in the
world.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
9:24-25 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We run to receive an
imperishable prize, a crown.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul uses the
picture of a foot race as an analogy. Like a racer, we should train
and discipline ourselves to live Christian lives. In saying that in a
race only one person wins the prize he clearly does not mean just one
person will enter heaven or one person will receive God’s approval.
He simply wants us to run with the dedication of that racer, who
wants to excel all others in his attempt to win the prize, but our
motivation should be even greater because unlike the foot racer who
races for a temporary prize, our prize is eternal.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is no
suggestion that the prize in this passage is salvation. It seems,
rather, to be a reward in heaven, not heaven itself. See comment on 1
Corinthians 9:27 as well.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_37.html">Next</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-59342851597511343822015-04-08T21:55:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:41:56.259-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part V<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_91.html">Previous</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1 Corinthians
9:27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul makes his body
his slave so that he may not be disqualified.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Not disqualified
from heaven, but disqualified from the joy of serving God as a
preacher and the joy of seeing myriads of people in heaven because of
his preaching.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is talking in
this passage about being a successful preacher, about winning many
people to Christ. He compares this effort to a race, or to a boxing
match. So, Paul seems to be talking about being disqualified from
this race, from the honor of preaching the gospel and the honor of
receiving the victor’s crown (1 Corinthians 9:25). If he does not
keep in good spiritual shape he will disqualify himself.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So what is that
reward, or “crown?”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When Paul refers to
a crown it seems likely he is referring to the people he has won to
Christ and those he hopes to win to Christ. We see in Philippians 4:1
that Paul calls the people “my joy and crown,” and in 1
Thessalonians 2:19 he writes: “For what is our hope, our joy, or
the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus
when he comes? Is it not you?”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, when Paul speaks
of being disqualified, he means that he does not want to be
disqualified from preaching and from winning even <i>more</i> people
to Christ. He looks forward to the largest possible crowd of people
in heaven as a result of his ministry – that is his heavenly crown.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, in the
here-and-now, he does not want to lose the reward of preaching the
gospel. He loves the ministry God has given him. In 9:18 he says his
reward is in offering the gospel for free and declining to use his
rights to charge for it, and in 9:23 he says he preaches so he can
partake in the gospel’s blessings. In 9:17 Paul says it is “woe”
to him if he does not preach the gospel. I think he loves preaching
God’s gospel so much that it would be agony not to preach it. How
sad he would be to give that up by refusing to be disciplined so that
he would be a fit tool for God to use.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Corinthians 10:12 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
you think you are standing firm be careful that you don’t fall.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
our daily walk with God we can become self-confident and fall. This
falling does not mean we are permanently condemned, but simply that
we have stumbled.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Corinthians 11:29-32 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
one who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats
and drinks judgment on himself.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
should prepare our hearts to receive the bread and the cup, but if we
don’t and we take part in this holy activity thoughtlessly then we
may face judgment. Paul says this judgment may include weakness,
sickness, or even death. Paul says such judgment is a discipline from
God so that we will not be condemned along with the world.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Corinthians
13:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be complete,
comforted, like minded, live in peace and God will be with You.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God will be with us
in our interactions with each other and in our daily life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
15:1-2 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
People are saved if
they hold fast to the word, unless they believed in vain.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Are you holding fast
to the word? Yes, of course, you slip at times, but if holding on to
God’s word is your general tendency, then that is strong evidence
that you really believed and did not believe in vain, or “without
effect,” as the Amplified Version puts it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A few verses further
on, in 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul illustrates this “holding fast.”
He says that he worked harder than all the other apostles, but then
he amends that to say, “yet not I, but the grace of God that was
with me.” So, Paul worked harder than any of the other apostles,
but more technically, it was God’s grace working through him. We
may say the same about ourselves: We hold fast to the word, yet not
ourselves, but the grace of God that is with us. If we don’t hold
fast it is because the grace of God is not with us, and if it is not
with us that is because we never really believed in the first place.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Corinthians 15:10 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
says he is what he is by the grace of God and that he worked harder
than all the others, but not him, but the grace of God within him.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When
Paul says he worked harder than all the others he is speaking in a
common manner, but notice that he then clarifies his meaning by
saying that actually – down deep – it is not him who worked
harder, but the grace of God at work in him.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Corinthians
15:14,17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If Christ was not
raised your faith is in vain. If Christ was not raised you are still
in your sins.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is not
questioning whether Christ was raised, but answering those who say
there is no resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:12). If there was no
resurrection, he argues, then Christ wouldn’t have been resurrected
and these people’s faith would be in vain. But if Christ <i>was</i>
raised from the dead, which is Paul’s point, then if we have faith
in Him we are cleansed from our sins.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
Corinthians 1:21-22 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
makes us stand firm in Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
Corinthians 2:15 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
are the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those
who are perishing.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Corinthians
5:10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We must appear
before the judgment seat of Christ to be recompensed for deeds in the
body – good or bad.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This seems to be
addressed mostly to believers. It is preceded by discussion of how we
long to be clothed with our heavenly home and how the Spirit has been
given to us as “a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor.
5:5). But we will still appear before the judgment seat of Christ to
receive a reward for the good we’ve done, or to have such special
rewards withheld, or even, as in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15, to have any
evil works burned away, though we ourselves will be saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
Corinthians 5:20-21 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
implores the Corinthians on Christ’s behalf to be reconciled to
God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Corinthians 6:1
</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Don’t receive the
grace of God in vain.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is telling
people not to listen to (“receive”) the grace of God without
responding to it, since that would be “in vain”.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Corinthians
5:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If in Christ you are
a new creature, the old has passed away and the new has come.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Corinthians
5:21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God made Christ sin
for us that we might be the righteousness of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Corinthians
13:5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Test if you are in
the faith – Is Jesus in you?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We need to be in the
faith; it is critical and so we should examine ourselves to make sure
that we are.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Galatians 1:4 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus gave himself
for our sins to rescue us from this present age.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
2:15-16 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Man
is not justified by observing the law but by faith in Jesus Christ.
The law justifies no-one.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
2:1</b><b>7</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
seek to be justified in Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
the previous verse Paul has just emphasized that our justification is
by faith in Christ alone, so why do we need to “seek” to be
justified? Since he goes on to discuss (2:20) the “life I live in
the body,” I believe he is speaking about our daily walk, of
seeking to live righteously in Christ day by day.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
2:1</b><b>9</b><b>-2</b><b>0</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
says he has died to the law that he might live for God. He has been
crucified with Christ, and it is no longer he who lives but Christ
lives in him. He lives his bodily life in Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
2:21</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for
nothing.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:2-5</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
reminds the Galatians that they began their spiritual lives through
faith but admonishes them for now trying to live their lives out by
their own efforts.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:6-9 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
cites Abraham as an example of one who believed, and he adds that
those who believe are children of Abraham, and he says that the
scriptures foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:11 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">No
one is justified before God by the law.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:13-14 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Christ
redeemed us from the curse of the law so the blessing given to
Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Jesus so that we might
receive the promise of the spirit.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:22 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">What
was promised in scripture is given through faith in Jesus Christ to
those who believe.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:24-25 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
law was put in place to lead us to Christ that we might be justified
by faith. Now that we have faith we no longer need the supervision of
the law.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
3:26-29</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
says the Galatians are sons of God through faith in Jesus. All who
have been baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ.
If you belong to Christ you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according
to the promise.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Being
baptized into Christ is a spiritual event resulting from faith. It
may or may not involve physical water. See notes on Mark 16:16.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Galatians 5:2 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you receive
circumcision Christ is of no benefit to you.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This immediately
follows a reminder that “Christ has set us free,” and that we
should not again take on “a yoke of slavery.” So Paul means that
if you try to obey the ceremonial law – particularly circumcision –
and rely upon it to live a righteous life, then you are not trusting
in Christ and so “Christ will be of no value to you at all” in
living righteously. This does not seem to refer to salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Galatians 5:4</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you seek to be
justified by the law then you are alienated from Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When Paul talks of
believers who have “fallen from grace,” he means that they are
not appropriating the grace Christ can give them to live out their
faith in their daily lives, not that they lose eternal life. If you
try to obey the ceremonial law, relying upon it to live a righteous
life, you are not trusting in Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Galatians 5:19-21
</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who practice
these sins will not inherit the kingdom of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is saying that
people who practice the sins he lists here – and he seems to mean
that they constantly indulge in them – are showing that they have
not trusted Christ. He says in Galatians 5:24 that “those who
belong to Christ” have crucified the sinful nature, suggesting that
the ones who <i>do</i> practice these sins have <i>not</i> crucified
the sinful nature and <i>do not</i> belong to Christ; in other words,
that they have not believed in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
By the way, when
Paul speaks of crucifying the sinful nature, he does not seem to mean
that it no longer has power, but rather that we should be completely
separated from it and treat it as if it were dead. We see that the
sinful nature is not powerless because he warns in Galatians 5:13 not
to indulge the sinful nature, and in 5:16 not to gratify the sinful
nature, and in 5:17 he says that the sinful nature and the Spirit are
in conflict.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Galatians 6:4 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Through the cross
I’ve been crucified to the world and the world to me.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus did the work,
being crucified for us and setting us apart from the world. It is not
by our efforts.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Galatians
6:8 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
one who sows to please his sinful nature will from that nature reap
destruction. The one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal
life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In
Galatians 5:19-21 Paul lists the kind of things we can expect if we
sow to the sinful nature (sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery,
idolatry, witchcraft, etc.), and warns that such people will not
inherit eternal life. But, just a few verses later, in 5:24, Paul
says that “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the
sinful nature with its passions and desires.” So, those who sow to
their sinful nature are those who do not belong to Christ, and those
who do belong to Christ have sown – and do sow – to please the
Spirit, and they will reap eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Galatians 6:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What counts is a new
creation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
What counts is
Christ making us into a new creation, not our old self trying to obey
the law.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Ephesians 1:6-7 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God bestowed grace
on us in the Beloved [Jesus]. We have redemption through His blood,
the forgiveness of sins.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians
1:13 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
says the Ephesians were included in Christ when they heard the word
of truth, the gospel. They believed and were marked in Him with a
seal, the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians
2:6 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly
realms in Christ Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians
2:8-9</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves. It
is the gift of God and not by works.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians
2:15-17 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
abolished the law to reconcile both Jews and Gentiles, making them
one and reconciling them to God through the cross.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Ephesians 3:16-17
</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul prays that the
Ephesians would be strengthened by the Spirit so that Christ may
dwell in your hearts by faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is not saying
Christ does <i>not</i> live in their hearts. We can see that he
recognizes the Ephesians are saved in Ephesians 3:16, where he prays
that God would strengthen them (not save them, as they’ve already
been saved), and in 3:18 that they might recognize “together with
all the saints” (suggesting that they are among the saints) the
depth and width of Christ’s love, and in 3:19 that they would “be
filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, Paul intends
this as an intensifier. His meaning is that the Ephesians need to
trust Jesus even more so they will <i>fully</i> appreciate Him, that
they would allow Jesus to “dwell” in their hearts, that they
would experience “all the fullness of God,” in other words, that
they would allow Christ to settle down and really make Himself at
home in their hearts. The Living Bible puts it this way: “I pray
that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Ephesians 4:1 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We should live up to
the calling we have received.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God does not take
away our choice when we become believers. We need to live up to our
calling by giving our lives daily to Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Ephesians 5:5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No person who is
immoral, impure, or covetous has an inheritance in the kingdom of
Christ and God. Such people are idolaters.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is referring to
non-believers. He is warning the Ephesian believers not to be
partners with these immoral, impure, and covetous people, idolaters
who will not inherit the kingdom of God (Ephesians 5:7). We should
not help these people advance the cause of unrighteousness.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Philippians 2:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Work out your
salvation with fear and trembling.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Work out what is in
you very carefully, with fear and trembling, because it is God at
work within you (Philippians 2:13). We have salvation within us, now
let us express it outwardly, carefully and in deep reverence for God.
We should work out our salvation as if we were handling a rare and
valuable vase.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Philippians
3:8-9 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
considers all things rubbish that he may gain Christ and be found in
Him, not having a righteousness of his own, but that which is through
faith in Christ, from God and by faith.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
righteousness Paul wants to gain here is the righteousness of living
daily for Jesus. We know this because in the next verse, <span style="font-weight: normal;">Philippians</span><b>
</b>3:10, Paul says he want to share in Jesus’ sufferings and to
become like Him in his death, things that are only a part of this
life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Philippians
3:10-11 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
wants to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the
fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, and to be like Him in death,
and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
is not here hoping that “somehow” he will be able to earn his way
to being resurrected. He is, I think, expressing wonder that
“somehow” – in some manner he does not fully understand –
Christ will do that for him. In the very next verse, Philippians
3:12, he says that he presses on “to take hold of that for which
Christ Jesus took hold of me.” So, Christ has already taken hold of
him; Paul simply wants to conform his life as best he can to what
Jesus wants.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Colossians
1:20 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Through
Christ God reconciled to Himself all things in heaven and in earth by
making peace with his blood shed on the cross.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Colossians
1:21-23 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have been
reconciled to God and are without blemish and without accusation if
we continue in the faith and are not moved from the hope of the
gospel.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul has just
finished saying that God <i>has</i> brought the Colossians into the
kingdom of the Son (1:13) and that He <i>has</i> reconciled them to
God (1:22), but then he adds an “if” – <i>if</i> they continue
firm in their faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Since Paul has just
finished saying that God <i>has</i> reconciled the Colossians to God,
it would be very odd for the “if” to mean that what has already
happened depends upon our future behavior.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But I don’t think
Paul means that. I think he means what he says in 2 Corinthians 13:5,
that we should examine ourselves to see whether we are in the faith.
We should ask ourselves <i>if</i> we are continuing in the faith, and
<i>if</i> we are not, then we should ask ourselves <i>if</i> we ever
really believed in Jesus in the first place?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, to paraphrase:
We can know we are reconciled to God and are without blemish or
accusation if we see faith at work in our lives.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Colossians
2:11-13 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
sinful nature was </span></span><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">circumcised,
</span></span><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">put
off, by Christ, </span></span><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">and
w</span></span><span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">e
have been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through our
faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Just
as it is a spiritual circumcision Paul is speaking of here, so it is
also a spiritual baptism. Our old self has been buried with Christ –
as is symbolized in physical baptism when we are dunked under water –
and then we are raised to life through our faith, as is symbolized
when we come up out of the water in physical baptism. But the
spiritual baptism does not <i>require</i> water, as we can see in
Acts 11:16, where Peter is surprised to see God baptizing Gentiles in
the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Colossians
3:3-4 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We have died with
Christ and our life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ appears
we will appear with Him in glory.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Thessalonians
1:7,8</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Thessalonians
were a model to all the believers. Their faith in God had become
known everywhere.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Thessalonians 1:10 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
rescues us from the coming wrath.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Thessalonians
1:8 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God will punish
“those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In context this
appears to be directed at those who reject the gospel.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
Thessalonians 2:13 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
saved the Thessalonians through the sanctifying work of the Spirit
and through their belief in the truth.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Timothy 1:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus came into the
world to save sinners.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Timothy 1:16 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those
who believe on Jesus receive eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Timothy 2:4-6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God wants all to be
saved and come to know the truth. Christ is the one mediator between
God and man. He gave himself a ransom for all.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Timothy 2:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Women will be saved
through childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness
with propriety.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This refers to being
saved from the power of sin in our daily lives. It appears Paul is
saying that we should keep busy with the good tasks of life to
prevent our minds from wandering into evil.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Timothy 4:10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God is the savior of
all men, and especially of those who believe.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God being the savior
of all people does not mean everyone will accept His salvation. Only
those who believe enjoy the benefit of God being their savior.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Timothy 4:15-16
</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be diligent,
persevere and “you will assure salvation for yourself and those who
hear you.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The context is that
of Paul instructing Timothy on his church leadership duties, so the
salvation referred to here seems to be to the daily salvation from
sin. I think Paul is saying that by his devotion to his duty Timothy
will save himself from slipping, from falling into sin, from failing
to be what God wants him to be. And in the same way, he will save his
congregation from the same failings.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Timothy 6:12 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
urges Timothy to fight the good fight of faith and to take hold of
the eternal life to which he was called when he made his confession
before many witnesses.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
is encouraging Timothy here to live a godly life; I don’t think he
at all means that eternal life might slip out of Timothy’s hands if
he doesn’t hold on to it, but rather that for Timothy – and us –
to live for Christ in this life we need to take hold of eternal life
in our minds, to focus on eternity, so we are not led astray by the
glittering distractions of the world. </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Timothy 6:18-19 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those
who are rich should do good and be rich in good deeds, thereby laying
up treasure for themselves in the coming age, so they may take hold
of the life that is truly life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Their
good deeds do not get them to heaven, but they will result in a
treasure for them in heaven and true life here on earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Timothy 2:11-12
</b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we died with Him,
we will live with Him. If we endure we will reign with Him. If we
deny Him, He will deny us.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul is quoting a
common saying that appears to be directed at people in general. Those
who deny Jesus are those who never became believers. It is similar to
Matthew 10:23, “Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him
before my Father in heaven,” or Mark 8:38, where Jesus says if
anyone is ashamed of Him in this adulterous and sinful generation, He
will be ashamed of him when he comes in His Father’s glory. In the
same way, when this passage refers to those who deny Him, it seems to
mean those who refuse to accept Jesus in the first place, not
believers.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also note that those
who died with him (by surrendering their lives to Him in faith) <i>will</i>
live with Him. Reigning with Him is a special reward in heaven for
endurance.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Titus 2:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The grace of God
brings salvation to all.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Will we accept that
salvation He brings us? That is a different question.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Titus
2:14 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
gave Himself to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify us.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Titus
3:</b><b>4-</b><b>5 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
God and Savior saved us, not because of righteous things we had done,
but because of his mercy. Through the washing of rebirth and renewal
by the Holy Spirit.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Titus
3:7 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been justified by Jesus’ grace that we might become heirs,
having the hope of eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
1:3 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
provided purification for sins.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
2:9 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
tasted death for everyone.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 2:14-15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus took on flesh
and blood to go through death to free us who were enslaved by the
fear of death.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
2:17</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
made atonement for the sins of the people.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 3:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We are Christ’s
house if we hold on to our courage and hope.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We, <i>the church</i>,
are Christ’s house here on earth, and the church will remain
Christ’s house on earth while it holds on to its courage and hope.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We need to
understand the “we” in this verse as, “we the church” because
earlier the author makes clear that he is referring to groups of
people, not individuals. In verse 3:2,6 the author says that Moses
was faithful in God’s house (the people of Israel), and in 3:6 he
says that Jesus was faithful over God’s house (the church).
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 3:14 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We share in Christ
[or, we share “all He has for us” Amplified Version] if we hold
fast the beginning of our assurance until the end.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We share with Christ
while we remain confident in Him, trust in Him. If we maintain our
confident assurance until the end of our lives, with no gaps, then we
<i>fully</i> share with Him and all He has for us in this life, and,
of course, in the next life. The use of the present tense – “share”
rather than “will share” – seems to indicate that this is
talking primarily about life in the here-and-now, though, obviously,
if we have never given our lives to Christ in the here-and-now, then
we will never share with Christ in eternity.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 3:18-19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who were
disobedient didn’t enter God’s rest because of their unbelief.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this passage,
disobedience is equated with unbelief. If we believe, we are being
and will be obedient, and if we do not believe we are being and will
be disobedient. We tend to act in accordance with what we really
believe – not perfectly, not always, but generally. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_40.html">Next</a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-840510507800714212015-04-08T21:54:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:43:00.222-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part VI<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_37.html">Previous</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Hebrews 4:1-7 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be careful lest any
of us may seem to fall short of entering His rest. Some who had the
gospel preached to them did not combine it with faith and so will
never enter God’s rest. The disobedient will not enter God’s
rest, so, do not harden your hearts.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Rest” seems to
indicate resting in Christ from our works. In other words, having
faith, or believing. Those who are disobedient are those who heard
the message about Jesus but did not receive it with faith.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 4:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Be diligent to enter
God’s rest.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The author is
referring to the “People of God” (4:9), the Jewish people. Then
here in 4:11 he indicates that that they, too, need to enter God’s
rest – need to overcome any reluctance they may have and trust in
Christ.
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 5:9 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Having been made
perfect Jesus became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey
Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who obey Jesus
are those who have faith in Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 6:4-8 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If someone falls
away after having been enlightened, having tasted the heavenly gift,
shared the Holy Spirit, tasted the goodness of the Word of God and
the powers of the age to come, it is impossible to renew that person
to repentance because he is crucifying the Son of God again and
holding Him up to public disgrace. Ground that drinks God’s
blessings but produces thorns is close to being cursed and ends by
being burned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Does this mean that
if someone who really believes in Jesus falls away that this person
is permanently cursed and unable to repent?
</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No. First of all,
I’m doubtful that this even refers to people who really believe in
Jesus. The author of the Book of Hebrews is talking specifically to
Jews and I believe he is saying to them that Jesus is the full
expression of the Jewish faith, and he is urging his Jewish readers
not to turn away from their own faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Jews had to a
great degree been enlightened; they had tasted of the heavenly gift
(1 Cor. 10:1-5), shared in the Holy Spirit (Genesis 41:38, 1 Samuel
10:6-7, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 16:13-14, 1 Chronicles 28:12, Psalm
51:11, Psalm 139:7, Haggai 2:4-5, etc.), tasted the goodness of the
Word of God and the powers of the coming age. Also – like David and
many other Jews in the past – many had repented of sins. But if
they fell away now – that is, if they rejected the Christ who is
central to their faith – it would be impossible to bring them back
(More on the “impossible” part in a moment).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Notice that the
passage says these people “tasted” spiritual blessings; they
merely touched their tongues to them, they didn’t really surrender
their lives to Jesus. The passage (Hebrews 6:7-8) describes good and
bad land, suggesting that this is not a falling away from Christ, but
rather that the land which experiences God’s blessing is either
good or bad to start with, much like Judas Iscariot, who (Matthew
10:4) certainly “tasted.” In fact he tasted much more than many
of his contemporaries. He was even sent out by Jesus with the other
eleven disciples to preach, heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
leprosy and drive out demons. Yet he was still condemned. He had
merely tasted and had not truly let Jesus rule in his heart.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But why would it be
impossible for them to repent?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
When the author says
it is impossible to renew those who publicly <i>are </i><i>crucifying</i>
the Son of God again, this suggests something these people are
continuing to do, and it truly is impossible to oppose God and repent
to God at the same time. You have to stop opposing in order to
repent. Further, they are making it extremely difficult for
themselves to repent because they are proclaiming their opposition in
public, which adds the threat of public embarrassment if they want to
change their minds and repent.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
But it is not
<i>absolutely</i> impossible for such people to repent. Notice that
the ground that produces thorns is <i>close to being cursed</i>,
which suggests there is a possibility of repentance, though the
passage then says that this ground ends by being burned, suggesting
either that the likelihood of repentance is extremely low or that
such land will, as in 1 Cor. 3:12-15, go through fire in which the
person’s worthless works will be burned up, though the person
himself be saved. So, any impossibility in repenting would seem to be
much like the impossibility of a rich man entering the kingdom of
heaven. Jesus said it is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than
for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Then, when his
followers asked Him who could be saved, He said that what is
impossible for men is possible for God (Matthew 19:25-26).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 6:11</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The author of
Hebrews wants the people to be diligent to the very end, “to make
your hope sure.”</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our obedience will
give us great confidence that God is at work in our lives and that we
are, indeed, saved.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 7:25 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is able to
save forever those who draw near to God through Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
9:26 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
did away with sin by the sacrifice of Himself.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 9:28 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Christ was offered
once to bear the sins of many and he will appear a second time to
bring salvation to those who await Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In addition to the
salvation of Christ taking away our sins, there is also a future
salvation in which the very presence of sin will be banished.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
10:14 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
one sacrifice Jesus made perfect forever those who are being made
holy.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 10:18 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Where sins have been
forgiven there is no longer any sacrifice for sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus made the one
sacrifice (Hebrews 10:4), and any other sacrifices, such as the Old
Testament sacrifices, are of no value.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 10:26 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we sin willfully
after receiving the truth, no sacrifice remains.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we know the truth
of Jesus yet willfully go on sinning and do not trust in Him, that
truth we have heard is of no benefit to us. And if we do not trust in
Jesus, there is nowhere else to turn – there is no other sacrifice
for sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 10:29 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
There is severe
punishment for the one who tramples underfoot the Son of God, who
regards the blood that sanctified him as unclean, who insults the
Spirit of grace.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The preceding
verses, Hebrews 10:26-28, indicate that the author is addressing
people who receive the knowledge of the truth but deliberately keep
on sinning. They are compared to those who rejected Moses’ law and
died. Apparently they heard about Jesus but refused to accept Him.
Also, a bit earlier, in 10:14, the author says Jesus’ sacrifice
“made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” “Perfect
forever” certainly suggests these people are permanently saved.
Then, in 10:39, the author says that “we are not of those who
shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are
saved.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, with those
apparent assurances of salvation for believers surrounding it, why
does this passage say that a person who rejects the truth had been
“sanctified?” It sounds as if the person had been saved and then
was lost.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Well, first of all,
sanctification does not necessarily mean salvation. In 1 Corinthians
7:14-16 an unsaved husband or wife is “sanctified” by being
joined with a believing spouse. Sanctification means being set aside
for God’s purposes, whether a person is a believer or not. Nor does
punishment always imply hell; God frequently disciplines us right
here on earth.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, the book of
Hebrews is written particularly to Jews, and at the beginning of
Hebrews 10 the author makes the point that the animal sacrifices of
the Old Testament were “a shadow,” the reality of which is the
sacrifice of Jesus. (We see that sense of shadow and reality again in
1 Corinthians 10:4, which says that when the Jewish people left Egypt
they “drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that
rock was Christ.”)</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, in that shadow
sense, the Jewish people <i>were</i> sanctified – set aside – by
Jesus’ blood. But now that Jesus has appeared, the author wants his
readers’ faith in the shadow to become faith in the reality and he
urges them not to reject Jesus’ blood as unholy, and not to insult
the Spirit of grace that draws us to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
10:39 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">we
are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed but of those who
believe and are saved.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
11:1-40 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Throughout
this entire chapter the author of Hebrews recalls heroes of faith
from the past.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Hebrews 11:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Without faith it is
impossible to please God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God will be happy
with our works, but only if they proceed from faith.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
12:14 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Make
every effort to live in peace with others and to be holy, because
without holiness no one will see the Lord.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our
holy desire and holy efforts to live in peace with others is evidence
of the holiness we have received from God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Hebrews
12:25 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Do
not refuse Him who speaks. If those He warned on earth did not
escape, how much less if we turn away from Him who warns us from
heaven.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Book of Hebrews is written primarily to Jews, and the author is
warning his fellow Jews not to reject Jesus and turn away from Him.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 1:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Blessed is the one
who perseveres under trial. When he has stood the test he will win
the crown of life promised to those who love the Lord.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The crown of life is
for those who love the Lord, and it will be given “when” those
who love the Lord persevere, not “if” they persevere. As James
says in 1:2, trials build perseverance in our lives, so trials are
God’s way of shaping us, and He will put us through various
difficulties until we withstand the tests and He has made us into the
people He wants us to be.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 1:21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In humility receive
the Word implanted in you which is able to save you.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This appears to
refer to God’s Word saving us from the power of sin in our daily
lives. James urges us to get rid of all moral filth and evil and to
do what the Word commands.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 1:26 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Religion that does
not bridle the tongue is worthless.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
A religion that has
no affect on our lives is nonexistent. Real faith allows God to
change us from the inside out, and the first outward evidence is
likely to be in our language, so if we really have faith, it should
have its most immediate effect on our tongue.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>James
2:10 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Whoever
breaks just one point of the law is guilty of breaking it all.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
law is like a chain; if we break one link we have broken the chain.
And since we have all broken the law, James is pointing out our need
for mercy. We can see this explicitly a few verses later, in James
2:13, where James tells us that we need mercy from God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 2:12-13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Act as those who
will be judged by the law of liberty. Judgment will be merciless to
the one who has shown no mercy – mercy triumphs over judgment.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We will all by
judged by God. If we believe in Christ there will be evidence of it
in the mercy we show, and we are accepted. If we do not show mercy
then that shows we never believed in Christ, and we are rejected.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 2:14-20</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Faith without works
cannot save. Works show faith. Faith without works is useless.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
James says that
faith without works is useless (James 2:14, 20), that it is “dead”
(James 2:17, 2:26). Works are the evidence of faith (James 2:18). In
other words, if there are no works then there was never any real
faith. Such “faith” is dead; not that it was ever living, but it
is dead like a rock is dead – it was just never alive, or, as we
sometimes say, “dead as a door nail,” never intending to suggest
that a door nail was ever alive.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 2:21-22</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abraham was
justified, or, “shown to be justified” in the Amplified Version,
by works. His faith was working with his actions and his faith was
completed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Abraham’s faith in
God led him to be obedient to God. His works were a powerful evidence
of his great faith. If our faith does not result in works then our
faith is not complete; we haven’t really believed in Jesus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>James 2:24-26</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Man is justified by
works and not faith alone. Rahab was justified by what she did. As
the body without the spirit, so faith without works is dead.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again, there need to
be works if we have faith! If there are no works, then likely there
never was any faith; it was a false faith, dead as a door nail.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>James
5:12 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Let
your “Yes” be “yes and your “No” be no, “or you will be
condemned” (NIV), or “fall under judgment” (NASB). </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
are not to be weaselly in our speech. Say it straight and honestly.
If we don’t, we may be condemned right here on earth, by both our
peers – who don’t appreciate being misled – and by God, who may
need to discipline us for being weasels. I do not believe this is
refers to eternal condemnation, but rather earthly judgment and
discipline.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Peter 1:3-5 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
has given us new birth through Jesus’ resurrection into an
inheritance that can never perish. We are shielded by God’s power
until the coming of the salvation to be revealed at the last time.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Peter 1:9 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">You
are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been saved for heaven if we believe in Jesus, but this passage
seems to refer to our being saved from the power of sin<span style="font-style: normal;">
right now </span>in our daily lives.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Peter 1:18-19 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
were redeemed by the blood of Christ.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Peter 1:23 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been born of imperishable seed through the living word of God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Peter 2:2 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">As
newborn babes we should long for spiritual milk, that we may grow up
in our salvation.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
Peter 2:24 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
bore our sins on the tree that we might die to sin and live for
righteousness. By his wounds we have been healed.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Peter 3:21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Baptism saves you by
being the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Body and spirit walk
together. Being baptized parallels and demonstrates the inward,
spiritual act of believing. But it is a “good conscience,” a
trusting surrender, toward God through the resurrection of Jesus that
saves us.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Peter 4:17 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Judgment starts with
the household of God. What will be the outcome for those who do not
obey the gospel of God?
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t believe
this means believers are subjected to a judgment that weighs their
good and bad deeds and decides whether they go to heaven or hell, but
rather it is speaking of the here-and-now.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Peter 4:12 says not
to be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come upon you. So, this
judgment upon believers is happening at that moment. Peter is saying
that non-believers are being used by God, apparently to test and
refine the believers, but that while the believers are being judged
first, the non-believers will get their turn, either on earth, or in
heaven, or both, and the outcome for them will not be good.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Peter 4:18 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is with
difficulty that the righteous are saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
It is indeed
difficult to be saved. The difficulties are that Jesus had to give
his life for it to happen and we have to surrender our lives in faith
to Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Peter 1:1 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Peter says he is
writing to people, who, like himself, have received a faith by the
righteousness of our God and savior Jesus Christ.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Peter 1:3-4 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus has granted us
everything we need. He has given us His precious and magnificent
promises so we can be partakers of the divine nature.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Peter 1:10-11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Make sure of Jesus’
calling and choosing you. If you do these things [the things listed
in verses 1:5-7] you will never fall and will receive a rich welcome
into His eternal kingdom.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We should check that
our lives show evidence of God at work in us. If we don’t see any
evidence, do we really believe in Jesus? If we are doing the things
outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7 then we can be confident we are being
effective in God’s kingdom (2 Peter 1:8), that we won’t trip or
fall, and that we have been saved. Also, if we do these things we
will receive a “rich welcome” (2 Peter 1:11) into Christ’s
eternal kingdom, perhaps suggesting that otherwise we may receive a
more ordinary welcome, or that we will be as the one whose work burns
but who himself is saved (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 Peter 2:20-21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If they are ensnared
by defilements they had begun to escape by the knowledge of Jesus,
their state is worse off than at first. It would have been better for
them not to have known the way than to turn from it.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I don’t believe
this means that a real believer caught up in sin is damned.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Peter is speaking of
false prophets and there are several suggestions that these false
prophets never trusted in Jesus in the first place. 2 Peter 2:12 says
they slander things they do not understand, suggesting that they
never had any real spiritual understanding. It also says that they
were born only to be caught and destroyed, suggesting their original
nature never changed – it was bad in the first place and remained
bad. 2 Peter 2:22 makes their unchanged nature explicit when it says
that a washed pig – clean on the outside but with its piggy nature
unchanged – is still a pig and goes right back to the mud. These
false prophets were clean on the outside but their sinful nature was
unchanged.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
These false prophets
appeared to have had knowledge <i>of</i> Jesus because they
associated with Christians (2 Peter 2:13). Further, they knew
something of Jesus’ power because He had begun to cleanse them (2
Peter 2:20), but this cleansing appears to be like the cleansing
referred to in Matthew 12:43-45 and Luke 11:24-26, in which Jesus
says that when an evil spirit is cast out of a man, it wanders around
in dry places, then returns and finds its former house tidy and
empty, then it brings even more evil spirits to live with it in the
cleaned-up man’s life. This parallel appears quite intentional as
Peter mentions that the false prophets’ last state is worse than
their first state, which is essentially the same phrasing that Jesus
used to refer to the man cleansed of demons.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, there is a
cleansing that may be accompanied by some knowledge of Jesus, but is
not accompanied by trust in Jesus, and even though that cleansing may
have been accomplished by Jesus, that in itself is not salvation;
salvation is by trusting in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Finally, these false
prophets’ final state is worse than their original state because –
like the man who had the demons cast out and his life swept clean of
rubbish – all that the cleansing accomplished was to make room for
more demons! Also, having had a superficial connection with Christ
and thinking that they “know all about that stuff,” then when
they overtly turned away they were, in a manner of speaking,
“inoculated” against Christ and therefore worse off than they
were at first.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 1:5-6 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
is light and in Him is no darkness. If we say we have fellowship with
God but walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">If
we believe in Jesus we <i>will</i> tend to walk with God; not
perfectly and not sinlessly, but as a general rule. We know that John
does not mean we must walk absolutely sinlessly because in the next
verse, 1 John 1:7, he says that if we walk in the light then Jesus’
blood cleanses us from all sin. So, we can have sin even when we are
walking in the light, otherwise, what sin is Jesus forgiving us for?</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 1:7 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we walk in the
light then the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“Walk” and
“cleanses” are in the present tense, so this seems to refer to
our daily walk. It is about the power of Jesus to cleanse our daily
lives.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 2:3-4 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We know we know Him
if we keep His commandments. If someone says he knows Him but does
not keep his commands, he is a liar.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Keeping God’s
commands is evidence we know Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 2:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Your sins have been
forgiven for His name’s sake.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 2:15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Anyone who loves the
world does not have the love of the Father.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“The world,” in
this case, appears to be used as we would say, “the way of the
world.” In other words, a path that takes no consideration of God,
for which God is irrelevant, for which only those things we see
around us are relevant. You do not love God if you prefer the way of
the world to God. You are not connected with God if you love things
that oppose God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 2:24,25 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
“See that what you
have heard from the beginning remains in you. If you do, you also
will remain in the Son and in the Father. And this is what he
promised us – even eternal life.”
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John is encouraging
the believers to resist teaching from false prophets.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Looking back a few
verses to 1 John 2:19, John says these false prophets were never
members of the Christian family because they abandoned the family,
which they would not have done if they were real believers. Then in 1
John 2:22 he explicitly says they deny the Father and the Son.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Instead of listening
to false prophets, John wants them to remain true to what they
learned from the beginning. If they do this they will be walking with
God, they will remain in communion with the Son and the Father in
their daily walk. And John wants to assure them that what they
believed from the beginning <i>will</i> result in eternal life –
God promised! – so they should not be fooled by some false prophet
who says they need something extra or different for salvation.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 3:5-10 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He appeared to take
away sin. No one abiding in Him keeps on sinning. The one who
practices righteousness is righteous. Practice sin and you’re of
the devil. No one born of God practices sin – he cannot sin. If you
are not righteous or if you don’t love your brother, you’re not
of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If we are born again
to God by trusting in Jesus we will not continue in sin – we <i>cannot</i>
continue in sin. We <i>will</i> love our brother. When John says we
cannot sin he does not mean that we will never, ever, sin; in fact he
says in 1 John 1:8, 10 that we are lying if we say we are without
sin. Instead, I believe he is saying that the willing, constant
practice of sin means we never knew God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 3:14-15 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you love the
brethren, you have life. If you hate your brother you don’t have
eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John says we “have
passed from death to life” if we love our Christian brothers. The
loving is evidence of our faith. If we reflect God’s love, we have
life. If not, we don’t.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 3:23-24 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John says God’s
command is to love Jesus and one another. If we keep His commands we
know we abide in Him and He in us.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 4:14-15 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone
acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in
God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 4:20 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you hate your
brother, but say you love God, you are a liar and you don’t love
God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The evidence of our
love for God is that we love others.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 5:1 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Everyone
who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 5:4</b> </span></span>
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Everyone
born of God overcomes the world. The victory that overcomes the world
is our faith.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_45.html">Next</a></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-81598906485307277912015-04-08T21:53:00.000-07:002015-04-08T22:44:05.041-07:00Salvation, Faith Alone or Faith Plus Works - Part VII<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/salvation-by-faith-alone-or-faith-plus_40.html">Previous</a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>1 John 5:5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The one who believes
Jesus is the Son of God overcomes the world.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 5:11-12 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has
the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have
life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 5:13 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John
says he is writing to those who believe in the name of the Son of God
so they may know that they have eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 5:16</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John says he is not
saying to pray for the sin that leads to death.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think John when
John speaks of a sin that leads to death, he means suicide, not
eternal death or hell. There is no point in praying for someone who
has died. That person is in no position to lead a better life here on
earth.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 John 5:18 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
No one born of God
continues to sin; Jesus keeps him safe.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The new creation in
us does not sin. John does not mean we will never sin, but that it is
no longer our true self, and sin is no longer a regular practice.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>1
John 5:20 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
know and are in Him who is true – even His Son Jesus Christ, who is
the true God and eternal life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
John 1:2</b></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
truth lives in us and will be with us forever.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 John 1:8-9</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
You can lose what
you have worked for and miss a full reward. Whoever runs ahead and
does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If people are drawn
off track, running ahead by themselves and following their own ideas
and plans without continuing in the teaching of Christ, then they
will not receive as great a reward in heaven.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>2 John 1:9 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If someone does not
abide in Christ’s teaching, he does not have God; the one who does
abide has the Father and the Son.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
If you go on ahead
of God in your daily life, you don’t have God going with you. I
don’t think this refers to eternal life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3
John 1:11 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anyone
who does what is good is from God.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
John is not saying
that any random person who appears – from a human perspective –
to be good is a messenger from God (and therefore saved), but rather
he appears to be describing how to recognize godly and ungodly people
within the church. So, just before this verse he describes
Diotrephes, a church-member who is acting badly, and just after this
verse he describes Demetrius, who is an example of a good
church-member.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 1:8 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus has the keys
to death and Hades.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 2:5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus threatens to
remove the Church of Ephesus’ lampstand because it had forsaken its
first love.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is a warning to
a church, a fellowship of believers, not to individuals, though, of
course, that includes a warning to individuals. The point of a
lampstand is to shine light on the world, so removing a lampstand
seems to imply removing a church’s (or person’s) place in
Christ’s service in the world; it is not necessarily a threat to
exclude people from heaven.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 2:7 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus will give
those who overcome the right to eat from the tree of life in the
paradise of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is warning the
Ephesian church that even though it had done good works and endured,
even though it couldn’t tolerate the wicked, and even though had
not grown weary, the church was failing because it had forsaken its
first love. Apparently many people in this church just went along
with the program and didn’t have a loving faith in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Clearly, when John
speaks of overcomers here, he is not speaking of those who are
diligent in good works, since the Ephesians were <i>loaded</i> with
good works and were still rebuked. But if we understand John’s use
of the word “overcome” here as being the same as his use of the
word in 1 John 5:4-5, then the ones who overcome are those who
believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Because John is addressing an
entire church, of which some members may be believers and some may be
pretenders, John emphasizes that this reward is for those who <i>believe</i>
in Jesus.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation
2:10-11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus promises the
Smyrnans who overcome that they will not be hurt by the second death.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This letter is to an
entire church, containing believers and pretenders (See note on
Revelation 2:7). Jesus notes that the Smyrnan believers had endured
persecution, and will endure more, but says they need fear nothing
from the second death – unlike those who are persecuting them, who
have much to fear. If we understand John’s use of the word
“overcome” here as being the same as his use of the word in 1
John 5:4-5, then the ones who overcome are those who believe that
Jesus is the Son of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 3:4-5 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who have not
soiled their clothes will walk with Jesus, be dressed in white, and
Jesus will not erase their names from the Book of Life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
I think the Book of
Life is <i>initially</i> a book of those who have been <i>called</i>
to spiritual life, whether they truly received it or not. So, Israel
was called to life under God in the Old Testament and Christians are
those who are called to life under God in the New Testament. But, as
Jesus said, many are <i>called</i> but few are <i>chosen</i> (Matthew
22:14). So, for instance, Jesus called Judas, but Judas did not
believe and was ultimately removed. So, similarly, the Israelites
were called out of Egypt by Moses but then the unbelieving Jews were
removed during their time in the desert. In the same way those who
merely call themselves believers in Christ will be weeded out of the
Book of Life until the only people listed in the Book are those who
are saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 3:11 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hold fast to what
you have so no one will take your crown.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
In this case the
word “crown” refers to a reward that Jesus will bestow, either a
reward when He comes back ultimately, or perhaps a reward on earth if
He meant that he would visit the Philadelphian church sometime before
the end.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 3:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those who overcome,
Jesus will make pillars in God’s temple.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This seems to be a
special reward, not necessarily related to whether one goes to
heaven. It may be a reward in heaven, or, if the temple referred to
here is the Body of Christ on earth, then the reward could be an
earthly reward. It hearkens back to Paul’s mention (Galatians 2:9)
of visiting with those who seemed to be pillars of the church
(meaning the apostles).
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 3:16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says to the
lukewarm church of Laodicea that He will spit it out of his mouth.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Again, this is a
warning to a church, not to individuals. Apparently the town of
Laodicea brought its water from two sources: hot water from
Heiropolis and cold water from Colosae. Hot for healing, cold for
refreshing. But by the time the water was piped to Laodicea, it was
lukewarm; the hot water was no longer hot and the cold water was no
longer cold. The tepid waters were not really good for what they were
originally intended. So, Jesus appears to be telling the church that
because of its lukewarmness, it may be discarded as part of His work
in this world.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 3:21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The reward for
overcoming is to sit with Jesus on His throne.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This promise is
directed to the lukewarm Church of Laodicea, home to many who in
their prosperity had drifted in their faith, and perhaps home to many
hangers-on who never believed in the first place.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus tells them to
turn to Him to be purified (Revelation 3:18), that he will discipline
them because He loves them (Revelation 3:19) and that if they will
open the door to Him He will come in and eat with them (Revelation
3:20). Overcoming, as John also writes in 1 John 5:4-5, means
believing in Jesus, and to those overcomers – those who believe –
he promises a special reward in heaven, to sit with Him on His
throne.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Our path through
life may involve rebukes, advice, disciplining, encouragement, and
promises for heaven, as we can see in this passage. But, if we were
His in the first place we can rest assured that while God may
discipline us (Revelation 3:19), we are His forever.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Revelation
5:9</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">By
His blood Christ purchased men for God from every tribe, language,
people and nation.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Revelation
20:12-13 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the
books.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
critical thing to do, and that we will be judged on, is whether we
believed in Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 21:7</b></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
He who overcomes
will inherit these things and “I will be his God and he will be my
son”.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Revelation 21:8
contrasts overcomers with those who face the second death, who are
cowardly, unbelieving, vile, murderers, sexually immoral, idolaters,
and liars. In other words, those who are excluded show no evidence of
faith. They are, as it says, “unbelieving.” If we understand
John’s use of the word “overcome” here as being the same as his
use of the word in 1 John 5:4-5, then the ones who overcome are those
who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 21:27 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Nobody who does what
is shameful or deceitful will ever enter the New Jerusalem, only
those written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Assuming my
interpretation of Revelation 3:4-5 is correct, this means that the
Book of Life, with all false believers now erased from its pages,
contains only real believers, and these believers enter the New
Jerusalem. Those who believe have been cleansed and do not lead
shameful or deceitful lives.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation 22:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus is coming to
render to every man according to what he has done.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
And the critical
thing for us to do is to believe in Jesus. If we have believed in
Jesus we will be blessed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Revelation
22:14 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those
who wash their robes are blessed. They have the right to the tree of
life.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
We wash our robes by
believing in Jesus.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Revelation
22:18-19 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The one who takes
away from this book of prophecy, God will take away his part in the
Tree of Life and the Holy City.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Everyone has a share
in the Tree of Life and in the Holy City; to receive it he just needs
to believe in Jesus. And if he does believe in Jesus, then he will
not add to or take away from the book of Revelation, or any part of
the Bible.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
This is much like
Romans 5:18, where Paul says that “one act of righteousness
resulted in justification that brings life to <i>all men</i>.” This
does not mean that “all men” are saved, but rather that everyone
has life available to him, and in the same way Revelation 22:19 does
not mean that a person is already in possession of his part in the
Tree of Life and the Holy City, but rather that it is available to
him.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Also, when John
speaks of adding to or taking away from Revelation, he is not talking
about a preacher focusing on just one section of the book, or a
writer quoting one verse of Revelation and not quoting the rest of
it, or a commentator using words not in Revelation to expound upon
it. I believe this refers to someone modifying the book of Revelation
and pretending that the modified creation is the original. The sin is
significant; it involves no momentary weakness in the face of
temptation, but rather a cold plan, and a difficult plan at that –
to rewrite the book of Revelation in order to mislead people and
steal a blessing of God from them (Revelation 1:3). It puts that
person solidly in the camp of those who practice deceit, as mentioned
in Revelation 22:15. And because this is such a coldly calculated
sin, perhaps it suggests that this person has made his heart so hard
that he has made the ultimate decision to turn from God. If so, then
God takes away the part of the Tree of Life and the Holy City that He
had – until then – set aside for him had he believed.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Election
– Being Chosen by God</b></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
These verses are
related but are rather an aside. I have not really examined this
topic in this Bible study. This sampling of verses tell us that God
has selected those who are saved, so in some mysterious way God is in
charge of our salvation even though we also have a real choice in
being saved, as we can see from the other verses in this study. I
accept these two truths but don’t understand how they fit together.
I just thank God that He understands.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Matthew 15:13 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Any plant not
planted by God will be pulled up by the roots.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 15:16 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The people did not
choose Jesus; He chose them.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 5:21 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
Son gives life to whom He pleases.</span><b> </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>John
6:37 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jesus
says that all those the Father gives to Him will come to Him and He
will never drive them away.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:39 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Father’s will
is that Jesus lose none of those He has given to Him, but raise them
on the last day.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:44 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Only those the
Father draws to Jesus can come to him, and Jesus will raise them on
the last day.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 6:65 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says that no
one can come to Him unless the Father has enabled him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 10:29 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Father has given
Jesus his sheep and no one can take them from the Father’s hand.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:2 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says the
Father granted Him authority over all people to give eternal life to
those the Father has given Him.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus revealed the
Father to those who were the Father’s, and they obeyed Father’s
word.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>John 17:12 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Jesus says He
protected His followers and none was lost except Judas, so the
Scripture would be fulfilled.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 9:3-18 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
God says He has
chosen Saul (Acts 9:15).</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Acts 2:47 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
The Lord added to
the number of those being saved.
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Acts
13:48 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Those
appointed to eternal life believed.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Romans 1:6 </b>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul says the Romans
were called to belong to Jesus Christ.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in; page-break-before: always;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Romans
8:29-30 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
predestined those he foreknew to be conformed to the likeness of his
Son. He also called them, justified them, and glorified them.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians
1:4-5 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">God
chose us in Him to be blameless and holy in His sight.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Ephesians
1:11 </b></span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
have been predestined according to God’s plan.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Philippians
1:6</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He
who began a good work in us will carry it to completion in the day of
Christ Jesus.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
Thessalonians 2:13-14 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Paul says God chose
the Thessalonians to be saved.</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2
Timothy 1:9 </b> </span></span>
</div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Liberation Serif, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul
tells Timothy that God has saved them and called them to a holy life
not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose
and grace.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>1 Peter 1:5 </b>
</div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Those chosen are
protected for a salvation to be revealed in the last time. </div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-84686816430423548212014-10-02T20:47:00.001-07:002014-10-02T20:47:26.528-07:00ABC SolitaireIn trying to find a very simple card game to keep an elderly friend's mind occupied, I remembered a game that a friend taught me decades ago that he called "Reno Solitaire." However, I can find nothing online about Reno Solitaire and none of the solitaire rules I did find seemed to match it. So, I sent him an email and while I was waiting for his reply I started playing and started remembering the rules. But when he replied, the rules he sent me didn't match what I was doing.<br />
<br />
Hmm. I think what happened is that when he taught me decades ago, I forgot the rules, then later tried to remember and instead came up with my own method, then forgot that as well, so when I remembered the game the other day I think I was actually remembering my misunderstanding of it.<br />
<br />
However, I <i>LIKE</i> my misunderstanding. It is easy and quick and requires no setup. I think I'll call it ABC Solitaire because it is as easy as ABC, and because my friend's name is <b>A</b>ddison, my name is <b>B</b>rad, and I'm still a bit <b>C</b>onfused.<br />
<br />
Advantages of ABC Solitaire:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>There is almost no preparation. You just start dealing from a shuffled deck of 52 cards.</li>
<li>The rules are very simple. (Great for children or elderly people.)</li>
<li>It takes very little space and can be played in cramped quarters.</li>
<li>Play is quick. One pass through the deck and you're done.</li>
<li>There is just enough skill involved to keep it interesting.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div>
The object is go get the four Aces on the bottom and no other cards above them.<br />
<br />
To start, the player lays down four cards in a row.<br />
<br />
Wherever there are two or more cards of the same suit, the lower cards of the same suit are discarded. (Cards rank from Two low to Ace high.) So, in this case ...<br />
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</div>
<br />
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</div>
<br />
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</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50Q1dmQu4ERQZrgeSKCUiAODJ0g52JyBn2wcc9wcCYiKk8Ih6tqP5HyTIOaWciK6iCb9LKMAR4pE3_rHRla-Xafe4pHwGiHDjiRV57r6ODq9C3MWWqpRLfHIRBoUkQ0HfdY7-/s1600/card_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi50Q1dmQu4ERQZrgeSKCUiAODJ0g52JyBn2wcc9wcCYiKk8Ih6tqP5HyTIOaWciK6iCb9LKMAR4pE3_rHRla-Xafe4pHwGiHDjiRV57r6ODq9C3MWWqpRLfHIRBoUkQ0HfdY7-/s1600/card_1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
... the player can discard the Two of Spades since the Queen of Spades is a higher card of the same suit.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhwok6VVPsbNApoEGjA1Sj7w4kVfie-DLz17NPV38_kjstOLrF2oyS0e4CViTdN4r8fM5YOn7iMF-S889REdIWcczJF5_w7-OVPvPhq-PD7JJ2-7pevWFlgoMMLrr8_3WWd1H/s1600/card_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhhwok6VVPsbNApoEGjA1Sj7w4kVfie-DLz17NPV38_kjstOLrF2oyS0e4CViTdN4r8fM5YOn7iMF-S889REdIWcczJF5_w7-OVPvPhq-PD7JJ2-7pevWFlgoMMLrr8_3WWd1H/s1600/card_2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In the following rounds of play another four cards are laid down on top of the previous set and again any card or cards on top which are lower than any other top card of the same suit are discarded. So, in this case, the Six of Diamonds can be discarded because it is lower than the Ace of Diamonds.<br />
<br />
Also, if a column of cards becomes empty, as happened when we removed the Six of Diamonds, then the player may move a top card from another column to the open position.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesliVa6-s17tDb0RwczrPHl9h7Jjn84roD8oJX2IbRejEqaqRDdRNjIsX1KR8Ldra0aaOVxyNoUZGV3Gw_0fex56LhrO66ZSrzoESGK-xDrgCzJd0LMy9G6LADSjTHABJzf3i/s1600/card_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesliVa6-s17tDb0RwczrPHl9h7Jjn84roD8oJX2IbRejEqaqRDdRNjIsX1KR8Ldra0aaOVxyNoUZGV3Gw_0fex56LhrO66ZSrzoESGK-xDrgCzJd0LMy9G6LADSjTHABJzf3i/s1600/card_3.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
Notice that this move exposes the Three of Hearts on the left to the higher Four of Hearts on the right ...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRpIgFKgJZHAH1NDhhTrraDiSQSFhvuEu-iIlVMilH0jXmYFwB8qcGGJ-iDWfJO_tuiNvy-VTjfYW0INXgwFhM9pzH2nYgEoW881xRIS5X1Z8tkMj9D0D-w-K3fqdIAbR4Wo-/s1600/card_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRpIgFKgJZHAH1NDhhTrraDiSQSFhvuEu-iIlVMilH0jXmYFwB8qcGGJ-iDWfJO_tuiNvy-VTjfYW0INXgwFhM9pzH2nYgEoW881xRIS5X1Z8tkMj9D0D-w-K3fqdIAbR4Wo-/s1600/card_4.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
... so the Three of Hearts can be discarded. And when the Three of Hearts is removed the Four of Hearts can be moved to the left column, like this ...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxElsemXAuzEko_6HsDPEQFKc7dop6JDvSGkMNGh_llizwYvNj0UT1w1eePehZDOX0nVxCLZ05RZdwaH2qNjtSywEhiJH4k845yTOgXjDIlnJVGwIIhCbVRcUI9hAy6ZJ1S3Z/s1600/card_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxElsemXAuzEko_6HsDPEQFKc7dop6JDvSGkMNGh_llizwYvNj0UT1w1eePehZDOX0nVxCLZ05RZdwaH2qNjtSywEhiJH4k845yTOgXjDIlnJVGwIIhCbVRcUI9hAy6ZJ1S3Z/s1600/card_5.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
... and when it is moved, the Queen of spades is exposed, which means that ...<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4g_aBpjdckN0waLXv2QEXPT3ikrBwlKpIUppyMYzV_7iahNaXciq9kvKTIfUxodegQ3g-eGIhr9MxAz6tv82nz7TbolRXHNFbkpo8LD072EaRdc2Jc9F_JklGhl6MfCxVzdw/s1600/card_6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis4g_aBpjdckN0waLXv2QEXPT3ikrBwlKpIUppyMYzV_7iahNaXciq9kvKTIfUxodegQ3g-eGIhr9MxAz6tv82nz7TbolRXHNFbkpo8LD072EaRdc2Jc9F_JklGhl6MfCxVzdw/s1600/card_6.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
... the Eight of Spades can be removed because it is exposed to the higher Queen of Spades.<br />
<br />
When all possible cards have been moved or removed, then the player lays down another row of four cards, and the game continues in this fashion until all cards in the deck have been played.<br />
<br />
If, at the end, the four Aces are on the table with no cards on top, the player wins.<br />
<br />
<br />
Now, I want to confess again that I'm still not sure how I came up with this game. I may be subconsciously remembering a game someone else invented, and if so, please point me to the information about the game in the comments below and I'll edit this post.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-17077090703195575052014-04-08T08:50:00.001-07:002014-04-08T08:50:22.191-07:00Praying Aloud and Praying SilentlyUsually I pray silently, even in private. After all, I've always figured God knows what goes on in my head, and I still believe that.<br />
<br />
However...<br />
<br />
Today, for some unaccountable reason, I had the house to myself and I prayed aloud, in a normal voice, not a whisper, and my prayer time seemed so much more alive. I felt more as if I was talking to God and less as if I was talking to myself. It was also broader and more specific. I prayed about things I'd normally forget and I prayed in greater depth.<br />
<br />
And now I find myself wondering why.<br />
<br />
Maybe it has to do with the way God built us. Perhaps when we speak with others the part of our brain that engages with our mouths comes into play, and that part of our brain is necessary for us to sense we are really communicating, and since it is made for communication, the communication is more natural and deeper. I don't know; that's pure speculation.<br />
<br />
However, I do know that I had a mighty good time, and felt I'd connected to God in a fresh, invigorating way, and I'd like to recommend you give it a try.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-41789585449697694502013-03-13T08:42:00.000-07:002013-03-13T08:44:26.559-07:00Don't Worry About TomorrowIn studying Matthew 6 recently I was struck by Jesus' advice to not worry about tomorrow since each day has enough trouble of its own (v. 34).<br />
<br />
Even though Jesus planned (sending disciples to prepare the Passover meal) I guess I subconsciously had the silly notion that he meant we shouldn't plan. When I realized he didn't say that it fell into place and now I'm trying to practice it. Works well. I am more relaxed.<br />
<br />
So, each day I try - approximately - to follow this formula:<br />
<br />
Am I worrying about anything?<br />
If "no," I relax.<br />
If "yes," I ask:<br />
Can I do anything about it today?<br />
If "yes," I do it, then I relax.<br />
If "no," I ask: When can I do something about it?<br />
If "never," then I relax.<br />
If a specific day, I mark my calendar or make a mental note to do it at that time, then I relax.<br />
If I don't know, I guesstimate and mark my calendar or make a mental note to reconsider it at that time, then I relax.<br />
<br />
Note: When I ask if there is something I can do about it today, that includes planning. Maybe on that day all I need to do is create a plan for how I will approach the problem.<br />
<br />
So, am I doing it perfectly? Are you kidding?!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-63549295724853623142013-02-11T09:40:00.001-08:002013-02-11T09:40:22.937-08:00Liberty and Morality<br />
Imagine that you are a good politician (don't laugh) in a country filled with good people.<br />
<br />
These good people cover their noses when they sneeze so they don't give their neighbors their colds.<br />
<br />
Are you tempted to pass a law requiring that people cover their noses when they sneeze?<br />
<br />
Why bother? They're already covering their noses.<br />
<br />
Now suppose you are a good politician in a country filled with bad people, who regularly sneeze in other people's faces.<br />
<br />
Are you tempted to pass a law requiring that people cover their noses when they sneeze?<br />
<br />
Hmm. Maybe so.<br />
<br />
But now, what if you are a bad politician in a country filled with bad people? Are you tempted to pass a law requiring that people cover their noses when they sneeze?<br />
<br />
Oh yeah! And you'll make sure the major hanky manufacturers know what you are doing. They will certainly want to make suggestions about the type of hanky that is required - a higher-end hanky, of course, with germ-killing properties that their expensive new machines can manufacture but which (sadly) their smaller competitors can't afford to buy. And, of course, in recognition of your noble campaign against the common cold they will want to contribute substantially to your campaign fund. And, of course, you will send out a press release letting people know what a champion of good health you are. Oh yes! You'll vote for that law!<br />
<br />
Parable over.<br />
<br />
I suspect good, moral citizens can safely live with more liberty than bad citizens, who will get more laws and more restrictions, either because good politicians reluctantly feel the need to impose them or because bad politicians gladly seize the opportunity. There is a connection between personal morality and political liberty.<br />
<br />
As someone smarter than me said, People get the government they deserve.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-56228107207025835072013-01-03T10:02:00.001-08:002013-01-03T13:03:17.754-08:00An Overview of the Sermon on the Mount<br />
This as an overview of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew, Chapters 5-7), not a verse-by-verse analysis. There is a lot of critical detail in this sermon that I am not touching upon. Also, parts of this article may be unclear unless you are following along in your Bible.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>A Condensed Outline of the Sermon on the Mount</b><br />
- A description of the Godly life (5:1-10).<br />
- Living it out is hard but you will influence the world (5:10-16).<br />
- In living it out aim for perfection (5:17-48), ...<br />
- with your focus on God, not to show off for people, and God will provide (chapter 6).<br />
- But you do need to reach out to people; do it humbly (7:1-12).<br />
- Finally, don't just hear this, obey it! and watch out for those who would lead you astray (7:13-27).<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>The Godly Life ("The Beatitudes," Matthew 5:1-12)</b><br />
<br />
Jesus starts his sermon with a summary of the Godly life, in a form easy to memorize, which suggests that this is exactly what we should do. In it He describes how to live and how to grow, a sequence of "blessing" steps with each step built upon the previous step, and each step a facet of the Godly life. In proceeding from step to step we do not abandon the previous steps, but build upon them. For example, we do not give up hungering and thirsting for righteousness when we begin to practice mercy.<br />
<br />
The "Blessed are" format not only clearly sets the Beatitudes aside from the rest of the sermon, but also the format appears to echo that of the curses and blessings set forth in Deuteronomy 27 and 28, except instead of blessings and curses the Beatitudes are just blessings. Also, just as Deuteronomy 27:9 introduces its blessings and curses with, "...You have now become the people of the Lord your God," as if to suggest an initiation, perhaps in parallel fashion, the Beatitudes are an initiation into the Godly life.<br />
<br />
So, let's examine the Beatitudes as steps:<br />
<br />
1. The poor in spirit are those who know they are sinful, spiritually poor, who have no hope of reaching heaven on their own. They know they cannot make themselves pure. These are the people to whom heaven belongs! (5:3).<br />
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2. Having faced their sins, they mourn over their sins, but God does not let them mourn for long, and comforts them with forgiveness (5:4).<br />
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3. They become meek, humbled in contemplating their sins. They do not claim they are better than others. They know they have sinned. And just as heaven belongs to the poor in spirit, so earth belongs to the meek, to those who are humble before their fellow humans (5:5). Earth does not belong to the meek in the sense that the world caters to them (that is the opposite of meekness or humility), but it belongs to them in the sense that their influence will change the world (See verses 5:8-16), an influence in which their humble attitude will play such a large role.<br />
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4. They hunger and thirst for righteousness. They turn from sins and desire to be righteous, and if we look ahead to verses 5:10-11, we see that Jesus equates Himself with righteousness, so we may also understand this as meaning that they hunger and thirst for Jesus. (Compare 5:11 with the related passage in Luke 6:22.) And as they yearn for Jesus/righteousness, they are satisfied (5:6).<br />
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5. As they progress in righteousness - in walking with Jesus - they are merciful. They know their own weakness so they are not harsh toward the sins of other people. (5:7).<br />
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6. They increasingly desire God's purity, inwardly and outwardly, for themselves and for others. In purity they see God more clearly, for He is pure (5:8).<br />
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7. As they see God more clearly, they become peacemakers. They more clearly understand God's desire to bring peace between Himself and humanity. They imitate God, acting as His children, by reaching out to others to bring reconciliation, just as they were reconciled to God (5:9).<br />
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8. But often they are persecuted. Peacemaking is others-oriented. It is outward, somewhat public, and often different. Therefore opposition may arise. But whatever persecution may arise, they have a place in heaven (5:10).<br />
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The first seven of these beatitudes - seven often being the number of completeness - focus on the believer's character. The eighth focuses on the world's response, and it echoes - as if to contain all the Beatitudes in the same overarching blessing - the blessing of the very first beatitude, that heaven is their reward.<br />
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<b>Live it Out to the World (5:10-16)</b><br />
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I include verses 5:10-12 In this section, though I also included them in the previous section, because they appear to be transition verses, belonging both to the Beatitudes and to the theme of this section, which is to live out before the world the life we have in Christ.<br />
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Notice, again, that in verse 5:11 Jesus equates himself with righteousness, echoing Luke 6:22. So, if we live for Jesus we will often face trouble, but what if we don't live for Him? What if we are salt that, instead of seasoning the world, loses its saltiness (vs. 5:13)? Well, then we are good for nothing but to be thrown out to be trampled underfoot.<br />
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Jesus gives us a choice, suffer or suffer. Suffer for Him with the joy of knowing we have a great reward in heaven (5:10-12) or suffer the degradation of being trampled underfoot by men without the joy of knowing we have done anything for Jesus and without the joy of knowing we have have gained any reward in heaven.<br />
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Those who persecute people generally pay attention to the people they persecute, but those who trample worthless salt underfoot probably don't give it a moment's thought. So, as worthless salt we lose even the dignity of being noticed. We are just thoughtlessly ground into the dust by people going about their business.<br />
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Immediately, Jesus repeats this message in a different way. Just as salt should season, so light should enlighten. Just as people see the light of a lamp, so they should see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.<br />
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So, as followers of Christ we should be involved in the world, reaching out quietly, like salt, or more obviously, like the rays of a lamp, to show our good deeds.<br />
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However, a problem arises when we jump ahead to chapter 6, verse 1, which tells us to "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them."<br />
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So, should we make sure the world sees our good deeds, or make sure the world does not see our good deeds?<br />
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Well, both. The difference between these passages is motivation. In this passage Jesus tells us to glorify God through our good deeds. In 6:1 he warns us not to do good deeds to be personally noticed and honored. We should point to God, not to ourselves.<br />
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Okay, but how does that work out practically? Here are a couple thoughts:<br />
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There is a lot to be said for giving through your church or through a Christian organization. If I give a dollar to my church or a Christian group and that dollar is spent in good deeds, I do not get any personal glory, but the church or organization is noticed. And when people notice a good deed by a church or Christian group, they probably understand that the deed is motivated by God and they may glorify our Father in heaven. But if the gift is in my name, people may simply think, 'Isn't he a nice guy!' and give no glory to God.<br />
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Of course, in some cases it is almost impossible to remain in the background. For example, a public person known for his generosity should perhaps say on occasion that his motivation is to love as Jesus loved him, thereby attempting to deflect personal aggrandizement and point people to the Father.<br />
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<b>Keep the Law (5:17-48)</b><br />
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At first glance this section of the Sermon on the Mount is very discouraging, but see it through.<br />
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Matthew is writing his gospel specifically to Jews, so he focuses on elements in Jesus' ministry that are particilarly relevant to Jews, therefore he makes a point to include what Jesus said about the Jewish law. So, if Jesus' mostly-Jewish audience has heard him out so far, many of them may have begun to wonder ... "He hasn't said anything about the law. Is Jesus abandoning the law?"<br />
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So, beginning with verse 5:17, Jesus addresses that concern: "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." He adds that anyone who breaks, or advocates breaking, the least of the laws "will be called least in the kingdom of heaven" (5:19). And, he says, unless your righteousness is greater than that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, "you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" (5:20).<br />
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Wow! To be more observant of the law than the Pharisees? To follow the least of the laws? It seems impossible. And then, in the verses that follow, Jesus gives examples from the law, and in each case he makes keeping the law even harder!<br />
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It is not just that we shouldn't murder, it's that we shouldn't even be angry (5:21-26). It's not just that we shouldn't commit adultery, it's that we shouldn't even think it (5:27-30). It's not that we should go about divorce according to the rules, it's that we shouldn't divorce for any reason except adultery (5:31-32). It isn't that we should be truthful when we take an oath, it's that we should always be truthful (5:33-37). It isn't that we should be kind to people who treat us well, it's that we should be kind to everyone, even those who abuse us (5:38-47).<br />
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It appears that when Jesus talked about fulfilling the law, He meant to extend it to every niche and corner of our lives.<br />
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It seems impossible! Why doesn't Jesus just say that we should be perfect!?<br />
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Well, He says that too.<br />
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Look at 5:48, at the end of Jesus' list of examples. He says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." And He doesn't mean for us to be perfect with just some people; he wants us to include everyone. In 5:45 Jesus says that we are to be as God is: "He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."<br />
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So, Jesus is telling us that every bit of the law is important and we should keep it all. HOWEVER, He wants us to keep it's true meaning, which is to be perfectly righteous in every aspect of our lives, from our deepest inner attitudes to our outermost actions.<br />
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Does Jesus actually want us to live up to such an intensely pure standard?<br />
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Yes. But does He expect it? No.<br />
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Perfect righteousness should be our goal, and we should hunger and thirst for it (5:6), but Jesus realizes we will often fail.<br />
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We know this - without even looking beyond the Sermon on the Mount - because Jesus promises mercy to the merciful (5:7), and why would we need mercy if we never sin? In 5:23-24 Jesus tells us to make amends to someone we have offended before offering a gift to God, but why would we ever need to make amends if we never do anything wrong? And at the end of the Lord's Prayer (6:12-15) Jesus tells us to forgive if we want to be forgiven by God, but if He expected us to be perfect, what need would we have to be forgiven? Further along, he tells us again that if we expect mercy we need to be merciful to others (7:1-2), and again, why would we need mercy if we never sin? And finally, in 7:11, Jesus says quite clearly that he understands our evil tendencies: "If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children..."<br />
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Okay, but just because Jesus knows that we will not succeed in keeping the law, we are still failing. What hope do we have?<br />
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Our hope is that even though we fail, God is merciful, as Jesus says in 5:7, 6:12-15, and 7:1-2. If we come to God with the humble, poor-in-spirit heart Jesus says in 5:3 is basic to the Godly life, recognizing that we need Jesus to be our righteousness (5:11), and if our life exhibits evidence of His work in our lives - particularly by being merciful to others - then we can be sure that God will be merciful to us.<br />
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This, I think, is where so many of the Pharisees went wrong. The true, deep meaning of the law is that we should be perfect in every way, but they sought to limit the law to narrow situations and define the law to avoid its intent (example: Mark 7:9-13), and, I suspect, to make it easier for them to keep. Maybe if they realized that they were not keeping the law they would have been more humble, more poor in spirit. Instead, by twisting the law into a form they could keep, they became proud, looking down on others, not seeking mercy from God for themselves and not giving it to others. This is the path AWAY from God.<br />
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When Jesus said to be more righteous than the Pharisees, He didn't mean to out-Pharisee the Pharisees, but to go the opposite direction, to understand that the law calls for perfection, which should bring us to utter humility, to seek mercy and then to give it.<br />
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So, when we fail, we should remember that God is merciful and forgiving. Ask for His forgiveness, give forgiveness to others, remember that Jesus is our righteousness, so lean on Him, let Him into every area of your life, then get up and keep going.<br />
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(Note: For a discussion of law in the New Testament, see here: <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2009/04/are-we-under-law-or-not.html">Are We Under the Law or Not?</a> )<br />
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Thoughts:<br />
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<i>Anger:</i> In verses 5:21-26, Jesus says if you are angry with your brother you are guilty before the court (or, "subject to judgement"), if you call him "Raca" (good for nothing), you are guilty before the Sanhedrin, and if you call him a "fool" you are in danger of hell. These three sins do not seem very different from one another. Is calling someone "good for nothing" really discernably different from calling him a fool? Because the difference between these sins is so hard to detect, I think Jesus is just saying: Don't try to figure out which sins are not serious enough for hell. All sins are serious!<br />
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<i>Oaths:</i> In verses 5:33-37, why does Jesus list things that we should not swear by instead of just telling us to let our yes be yes and our no be no? I suspect that when He says not to swear by heaven, earth, Jerusalem or even your own head, that He means we do not control any of these; we can't require any of them to testify for us, and perhaps He means it is foolish and presumptuous to speak as if we could. This is suggested by Jesus' comment that we cannot even successfully command our hair to turn color. Incidentally, when verse 5:35 says that Jerusalem is "The city of the great king," I believe the "great king" refers to God, not David. See Psalm 48:2,8, which appears to be quoted here.<br />
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<i>Rewards:</i> In verse 5:46 Jesus says, "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?" He suggests that we get a reward from God in going beyond the ordinary, and in doing things that will not be repaid by people (also, see 6:2, 4-6, 16).<br />
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<i>Gouge Out Your Eye:</i> In verses 5:29-30 Jesus is certainly making a dramatic point about how painfully serious He is about His followers avoiding sin, but is He really calling for people to gouge out their eye or cut off their hand? I think not, but here is my thinking, which may be a bit different from others': <a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/gouge-out-your-eye.html">Gouge Out Your Eye</a> .<br />
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<i>Don't Worry About Tomorrow: </i>Jesus didn't say in verse 6:34 not to plan for tomorrow, so I have recently been trying to ask myself, "What am I worrying about?" Then, if there is something, I ask myself if there is anything I can do about it <i>today</i>. If there is, I do it. If not, I ask myself if I might be able to do something about it later. If so, I put it on my calendar as something to do - or something to reconsider - for next Thursday (or whenever), then forget about it until then. And if I can't ever do anything about it I just try to forget it.<br />
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<b>Live for God's Kingdom and Righteousness (Chapter 6)</b><br />
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Chapter 5 ends by telling us to be perfectly righteous, and Chapter 6 picks right up with what our motivation should be in doing those righteous things that Jesus wants us to do. We should do them with God as our audience, not people. We should focus on God and His kingdom and God will take care of the rest.<br />
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In verses 6:1-18 Jesus tell us that as we give, as we pray, as we fast, in all righteous acts we do, we should try not to draw attention to ourselves. We should, as 6:1 says, "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them." If we try for people's applause, that is all the reward we will receive (6:2).<br />
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In verses 6:19-34 Jesus tells us to focus on God's kingdom and God will provide for us. Lay up treasure in heaven, not on earth; let your eye be on that treasure you are laying up in heaven; trust God to provide for food, clothing, lifespan, and for tomorrow.<br />
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Thoughts:<br />
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<i>In Secret:</i> In verses 6:3,6, and 18, Jesus emphasizes this phrase by repeating it, exactly, three times: "Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." God does not often show that He is watching our quiet acts of righteousness, but He is, and He will reward us.<br />
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<i>Prayer:</i> In verses 6:8-13 Jesus tells us that God already knows what we need, but then He tells us how to pray. Why should we pray at all if God already knows what we need? I think it is because of the relationship we build with God through prayer and because, while God knows what we need, He gives us the honor of participating with Him by having us ask.<br />
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<i>Temptation:</i> In verse 6:13, Jesus says we should ask God to not lead us into temptation, but why would God lead us into temptation? I believe Jesus is referring to His own experience (in Mt. 4:1-11) of being led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted. In that case the Father decided it was necessary for Jesus to stand up against the devil, and there may be occasions when God decides we need to withstand temptation, but as it was undoubtedly hard for Jesus, He does not want us, generally, to experience this. It is as if He is telling us to pray: "Lord, if it is possible, keep us from being tested. But not as we will, but as you will," which is essentially what Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane: "[I]f it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." This interpretation is the same as for the rest of the Lord's Prayer. In 6:9 Jesus tells us to pray that God's name would be hallowed, but it isn't always. In verse 6:10 He tells us to pray that God's will would be done, though it isn't always, and so forth. Also, when Jesus speaks of God leading us into temptation He means that God, despite our prayers, may take us to a place where we will need to stand up against sin, but God never tries to get us to sin.<br />
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<i>Good Eyes:</i> In verses 6:22-23, just <i>after</i> telling us to store up treasure in heaven, not earth, and just <i>before</i> telling us that we cannot serve God and money, is what may appear to be a digression - Jesus tells us the importance of having "good eyes" so we will be filled with light. But I don't think this is a digression at all. The context is about treasure on earth versus treasure in heaven, so, with that in mind, Jesus first tells us to store up treasure in heaven, then He tells us to keep our eyes on that heavenly treasure, then He tells us we cannot serve both God and money. So, good eyes are eyes focused on heaven and the treasure we have there; bad eyes - that fill us with darkness - are eyes focused on money.<br />
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<b>Reach Out (7:1-12) </b><br />
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Though we are to serve Christ quietly, directing credit to God and not to ourselves, as Chapter 6 describes, we do need to live it out, to reach out to others. The beginning of Chapter 7 describes how.<br />
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In verses 7:1-5 Jesus tells us not to judge, but He does not mean that we are to pretend someone's problem or sin does not exist. Not at all.<br />
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We know this because after Jesus says not to judge, he tells us to judge which people - metaphorically - are "dogs" or "pigs." Also, notice that He wants us to recognize - to "judge," if you will - that a brother has a speck in his eye. We are not supposed to pretend that the speck does not exist.<br />
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So, does Jesus mean that we should not have a condemning attitude toward those who sin? Yes, that is certainly part of it. The Amplified Version gives an expanded definition of the word "judge" for these verses, and it includes "criticize and condemn." So we should not criticize and condemn. But I think what Jesus is talking about here goes beyond that. Notice that the "helpful hypocrite" in 7:4-5 is attempting to do something kind for the person with a speck in his eye, so I don't think Jesus is only condemning a critical and condemning attitude.<br />
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I believe Jesus is telling us a) that we should have a gentle heart and not be harsh and condemning, and b) that we first check our own lives and correct any sin we find there, rather than ignoring our own sin to focus on the sin of others. We are very wrong if we try - even with good intent - to help someone with a sin when we are worse sinners, and particularly if we have a worse case of the very same sin. Not only is it hypocritical to overlook the log in our eye while attempting to extract the speck from a brother's eye, but if we haven't avoided the sin, how can we guide someone else out of that sin?<br />
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All that to say that I believe that Jesus is telling us that in reaching out to the world ...<br />
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- We should have a gentle spirit.<br />
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- We should clean up our own sin before we try to help others overcome their sin.<br />
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- We should help those who are striving to be godly. The hypocrite was not condemned for wanting to help. So, when we can see clearly, Jesus <i>does</i> want us to help that brother remove the speck from his eye.<br />
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- In reaching out, we should give the blessing that is appropriate to the person we are with. Not everyone is interested in spiritual things. Jesus uses dogs and pigs (unclean animals) to illustrate these people. Not only is it a waste of time to throw pearls to dogs or swine, but they don't like pearls. Pearls don't taste good, and if you throw pearls at a pig you just annoy the pig.<br />
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So, we need to be good judges of the people we meet. If, on Monday morning, for example, you mention to a co-worker that you went to church on Sunday, and the co-worker expresses an interest, then perhaps you can throw out a pearl, and gauge the response. But if you get no response, or you get a negative response, perhaps you don't throw out a pearl, but instead, something the co-worker will appreciate, like a doughnut or bagel or a cup of coffee, just some simple act of kindness that the person will like. Maybe someday that person will become interested in pearls.<br />
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- Finally, in reaching out we should ask God for what we need, particularly guidance, in sharing with people. In the passage I'm getting this from (7:7-11) this interpretation may not be obvious, so let me defend it.<br />
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In these verses Jesus may seem to switch to talking about how we can ask God for what we want, and I think He also intends these verses to be understood in that sense, but in context I believe He is mostly telling us to ask God for what we need - particularly for wisdom - in sharing our pearls with others, and that God will be faithful to provide ... wisdom to see our own sins (vs. 7:3), wisdom to remove logs from our own eyes (7:4), wisdom to tell what kind of people we are dealing with (7:6), and wisdom to know what to give them (7:12).<br />
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I suggest this interpretation for two reasons:<br />
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First, in a similar passage, Luke 11:9-11, Jesus says the Father will give the Holy Spirit (our counselor and guide) to those who ask, so perhaps it is fair to believe that Jesus is suggesting that one of the main good things we will receive by our asking, seeking and knocking is the Holy Spirit and the wise guidance He gives.<br />
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Second, this passage ends with the Golden Rule (7:12), which says that we should do for others as we would have them do for us, and this makes perfect sense if verses 7:7-11 are a continuation of the discussion about giving people things that are appropriate for them, but it would seem out of place if verses 7:7-11 are primarily about asking God for things in general.<br />
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In the Golden Rule, Jesus sums up his previous points, and, in fact, the whole law: that we should treat people the way we would like to be treated. He wants us to love them and consider their desires, just as we want others to consider ours; for those who are spiritually inclined, pearls, but for those who do not want pearls, maybe that doughnut would be more appropriate.<br />
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<b>Watch Out! (7:13-27)</b><br />
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In verses 7:13-27 Jesus draws the sermon to a close with warnings, like a father or mother giving a few last-minute instructions to a son about the wickedness he will encounter as he goes out into the big world.<br />
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Jesus says: Don't follow the crowd along the broad road to destruction, but enter by the narrow gate and follow the narrow path; Watch out for false prophets who talk good but act bad. And finally, the critical warning - Don't just listen to what I've been saying, but be like the wise builder and DO IT!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-22114169450581670262012-11-13T19:03:00.000-08:002012-11-13T19:04:49.395-08:00Materialism is Self-Refuting<br />
It occurs to me that materialism is self-refuting.<br />
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By "materialism" I mean the concept that everything that exists is made up just of matter and energy, or matter-energy if you prefer.<br />
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Materialism does not seem to be logically possible.<br />
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Why?<br />
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Because the very concept of materialism is <i>non-material</i>. You can touch material but you cannot touch materialism. You cannot measure the pressure of materialism against a gauge.<br />
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And it does not help one little bit to say that materialism is simply "a description of what is," because "a description of what is" is also a non-material concept.<br />
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Some may argue that you cannot have ideas without matter and energy.<br />
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Perhaps, but that answer concedes that materialism is false, because whether non-material ideas can exist without material is not the question. I cannot exist without air, but my need for air does not prove that I am air or that I do not exist.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-70603330269819881092012-10-27T21:19:00.000-07:002012-10-27T21:21:18.077-07:00A Defense of Missionaries in Tahiti<br />
I had the privilege recently to visit French Polynesia, and in preparation to go I read part of the book, <i>Blue Latitudes</i>, by Tony Horwitz, which spoke, in part, of the tragic early contact between Tahitians and the West.<br />
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Horwitz said Tahiti's population of 204,000 dwindled to 7,169 from western-introduced guns and diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). I certainly agree with him; almost 200,000 Tahitians dying was tragic.<br />
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But then a little later he complains that missionaries persuaded Polynesians to give up indescriminate sexual behavior.<br />
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Huh?<br />
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Suppose, to pick a number, that just an eighth of those who died from problems introduced by westerners died from STDs. That means STDs killed about 25,000 Tahitians.<br />
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Now suppose the missionaries had somehow managed to arrive before the sailors and persuaded the people to limit their sexual encounters to marriage. That would have severely curtailed the spread of death. Many of those 25,000 would have lived.<br />
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Or, suppose the early sailors had all been a bunch of bluenosed Puritans of a type Horwitz apparently disapproves. Same result. More Polynesians would have lived.<br />
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So, Horwitz's thesis - hopefully just a result of not thinking - appears to be that 25,000 dead Tahitians is a small price to pay for preserving "free" sex.<br />
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There are things to criticize in the Christian community and in its missionary activities, but this isn't one of them. Those missionaries deserve applause, but what they get from Horowitz is jeers.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-15649868417511107362012-08-15T08:31:00.001-07:002012-08-15T08:31:54.501-07:00Dom Museum in WurzburgVisited the Dom (Cathedral) Museum in Wurzburg, Germany, recently. It is a collection of modern Christian art with a sprinkling of old Christian art. <br />
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If a non-Christian was to walk through this collection he or she could be forgiven for coming away with the idea that Christianity is about death and death and death.<br />
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Not all the old art in the museum focuses on death, but the vast majority of the modern art does.<br />
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Well, I thought, that's okay because I'm sure that just around the corner is art about the joy of the resurrection since the resurrection follows Jesus' death. But no, just more death. And for variety, perhaps not wanting to overdo depictions of Jesus' death, there were pictures of other people's deaths as well. <br />
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No pictures of Jesus healing people, or of his teaching, or of other events of his life, or of his parables, or of his victory over death. There was (if I understood it correctly) a modern picture of the annunciation and a couple of the adoration of the magi (one in which each person had a shopping bag over his head), but mostly just death. <br />
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So, how is church attendance in Germany these days? Bursting at the seams, is it? No? Maybe institutions such as the Dom Museum presenting such a distorted and ugly view of Christianity is a contributing factor. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5773547.post-74689190083540449802012-08-05T16:36:00.003-07:002012-08-05T16:36:55.194-07:00Thoughts on What the Bible Teaches About the Poor<br />
A few thoughts from my study of physical (not spiritual) poverty in the Bible (<a href="http://justthinkingblog.blogspot.com/2012/07/references-in-bible-to-poor.html">here</a>):<br />
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<b>Who are the Poor?</b><br />
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Roughly I would say that a biblical definition of "the poor" would be those people without personal resources and without family or friends to help. I say this because, when speaking of the poor, the Bible so frequently refers to widows, orphans and aliens (or strangers or sojourners) as examples of the poor.<br />
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For example: Exodus 22:22, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 24:17, Deuteronomy 24:19-21, Deuteronomy 26:12, Deuteronomy 27:19, Ruth 1:5, 1 Kings 17:9-24, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Psalm 68:5, Psalm 94:6, Psalm 146:7,9, Proverbs 15:25, Isaiah 1:17, Isaiah 1:23, Isaiah 10:1-2, Jeremiah 5:28, Jeremiah 7:6-7, Jeremiah 22:3, Ezekiel 22:7, Ezekiel 22:29, Zechariah 7:10, Malachi 3:5, Matthew 23:14, Matthew 25:35-40, Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 12:41-44, Luke 4:25-26, Luke 20:47, Luke 21:2-4, Acts 6:1-3, 1 Timothy 5:3-5, 1 Timothy 5:9-10, 1 Timothy 5:11-14, 1 Timothy 5:8-16, James 1:27.<br />
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While it is true that there may be rich widows, orphans and aliens, the idea appears to be that we should have particular compassion upon those who, when they fall upon hard times, do not have family or friends to support them. The widow (especially in Biblical times) was without a husband to support her; the orphan was without parents to support him or her; and the alien is away from his or her town or culture, friends and family, who might otherwise be counted upon for support in time of trouble.<br />
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<b>How Do People Become Poor?</b><br />
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Those who argue that people's poverty is simply because of "oppression" or "injustice" are partly right, as are those who say that poverty is the fault of poor people because of their laziness or bad decisions. The Bible says that either of these explanations may be right, but that there is another reason as well - circumstances, which involve no guilt on anybody's part. Examples are famine, widowhood or becoming an orphan. So ...<br />
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- Loss of a natural support system. I mentioned widows and orphans above. Those very labels suggest the cause of poverty. A woman (especially in biblical times) whose husband has died, or a child without parents, is very likely to be poor.<br />
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- Not working (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, 2 Thessalonians 3:12). And, more specifically: laziness (Proverbs 6:6-11, Proverbs 12:24, Proverbs 19:15, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 21:25-26, Proverbs 24:30-34), negligence and lack of discipline (Proverbs 10:3-5, Proverbs 13:18), chasing fantasies (Proverbs 12:11, Proverbs 28:19), being all talk (Proverbs 14:23), over-sleeping (Proverbs 20:13), heavy drinking, gluttony, drowsiness (Proverbs 23:21).<br />
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- Other causes. Foresaking God/sin (Deuteronomy 28:20-44, Proverbs 13:21, Proverbs 13:25, Isaiah 30:20, Jeremiah 8:10, Jeremiah 17:5), famine (Genesis 47:13-26, Nehemiah 5:1-13), taxes (Nehemiah 5:1-13), usury (Nehemiah 5:1-13), injustice (Proverbs 13:23, Micah 2:1-2, Micah 3:2-3), a curse (Genesis 27:39 - although it is a bit unclear to me whether this is the cause of poverty, or simply a prediction of poverty), refusing to accept advice (Proverbs 10:21).<br />
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<b>Why Do People Stay Poor?</b><br />
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It appears people stay poor either because the causes for them becoming poor remain (loss of a support system, not working, etc.), or because once they become poor they are easy to bully and mistreat.<br />
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The Bible really comes down on mistreatment.<br />
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Don't oppress the poor. (Exodus 22:22, Leviticus 19:13, Proverbs 22:16, Proverbs 22:22-23, Ecclesiastes 4:1, Ecclesiastes 5:8, Jeremiah 7:6-7, Jeremiah 22:3, Ezekiel 18:7 & 16-17, Ezekiel 18:12, Ezekiel 22:7, Ezekiel 22:29, Amos 4:1, Amos 5:11-12, Amos 8:4, Zechariah 7:10, Malachi 3:5)<br />
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Do not: charge them interest (Leviticus 25:35-36, Nehemiah 5:1-13), shut your eyes to their need (Proverbs 28:27), pervert justice for the poor or deprive them of justice (Deuteronomy 24:17, Deuteronomy 27:19, Proverbs 13:23, Isaiah 10:1-2, Amos 5:11-12, Malachi 3:5), burden them with [high?] taxes (Nehemiah 5:1-13), murder them (Job 24:14, Jeremiah 2:34), mock them (Proverbs 17:5), rob them (Proverbs 22:22-23), be shocked if you see them oppressed by government officials (Ecclesiastes 5:8), ignore the widow's plea (Isaiah 1:23), plunder the poor and grind their faces (Isaiah 3:14-15), let them go hungry or thirsty (Isaiah 32:6), drive workers hard (Isaiah 58:3), hold neighbors in servitude (Jeremiah 34:15-17), deny them what you do not need (Ezekiel 34:18-21), charge them high rent (Amos 5:11-12), buy them (Amos 8:6), seize all a person's possessions (Micah 2:1-2, Micah 3:2-3), defraud the wage earner (Malachi 3:5).<br />
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<b>Should Christians Help the Poor?</b><br />
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Yes!<br />
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Help them with money and other assistance. 1 Kings 18:4, 2 Kings 4:38, Psalm 112:9, Proverbs 3:27-28, Proverbs 11:24-26, Proverbs 14:20-21, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 28:27, Isaiah 58:10, Matthew 19:21-22, Matthew 25:35-40, Mark 10:21-22, Luke 3:11, Luke 11:40-41, Luke 12:33-34, Luke 18:22-23, Luke 19:8, John 13:29, Acts 3:2-8, Acts 11:28-30, Acts 20:33-35, Romans 15:25-27, 2 Corinthians 8:13-14, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:9-10, 1 Timothy 5:8-16, 1 Timothy 6:17-18, Titus 3:14, Hebrews 13:16, 1 John 3:17, Psalm 72:4, Psalm 72:12-14.<br />
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Other help. By nightfall, return a poor man's cloak who leaves it as security for a loan (Exodus 22:26-27, Deuteronomy 24:10-15), pay a poor worker's wages daily (Leviticus 19:13, Deuteronomy 24:10-15), include the poor in your planning (Psalm 41:1, Galatians 2:10), be concerned about the rights of the poor (Proverbs 29:7, Jeremiah 22:16), Since God Himself accepts lesser-cost offerings from the poor (Leviticus 5:7,11 and Leviticus 27:8) maybe we should give them a bit of a price break, don't be too thorough in harvesting your fields, leave some for the poor (Leviticus 19:9, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:19-21), the tithe every third year is partly for the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 26:12), the poor may sell themselves into temporary servitude (Genesis 47:13-26, Leviticus 25:39-43), a relative should buy back the land of a poor person (Leviticus 25:25), a poor Israelite sold into servitude to a foreigner has the right to be bought back by one of his brothers (Leviticus 25:47-54), all debts and servitude is ended at the Jubilee every seven years (Leviticus 25:25, Deuteronomy 15:1-18), kings should look out for the poor (Psalm 72:4, Psalm 72:12-14, Proverbs 31:8-9), King Lemuel says that alcohol is for the poor whose life is bitter and need to forget (Proverbs 31:6-7), visit and associate with the poor (Romans 12:16, James 1:27), forgive debts (Matthew 18:23-34).<br />
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<b>Governmental Involvement</b><br />
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The Bible leaves a clear place for governmental involvement in helping the poor. The main way it can help is to give them fair treatment under the law. I believe the Bible talks so much about justice for the poor not because they deserve justice and the rich do not, but because the rich have the resources to make sure they have a good lawyer, and they have money to hire a burly bodyguard if they need one, while the poor do not, and thus the poor are more easily taken advantage of. King Lemuel (Proverbs 31:8-9) says kings, who are a government officials, should speak for those who can't and defend them, and the psalmist asks the king to vindicate the afflicted and save the children of the needy (Psalm 72:4) and for the king to have compassion on the poor and rescue them from oppression (Psalm 72:12-14). So clearly it is the government's duty to provide honest and fair judgements to the poor.<br />
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But is there a role for the government to provide, for example, direct physical assistance to the poor? Well, the Old Testament rules often combine governmental and religious law, and it is true that much of the Old Testament law has been superceeded, so there is room for debate, but it appears from Joseph's experience in Egypt (Genesis 47:13-26) that God did not object to Joseph saving the people from starvation by using government resources, although in that case he was not giving away government food, but selling it.<br />
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However, in Deuteronomy 14:28-29 and Deuteronomy 26:12, the law provided that every third year the tithe will go to support the priestly class, the Levites, but also to support the widow, orphan, and alien, which terms I believe - as indicated above - are used to indicate the poor.<br />
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So, if a tithe is a tenth of a person's income and this tithe occurs every third year, this was essentially a 3.33% tax per year to support the priests and the poor. This is an interesting concept because one of the concerns many people have with governmental assistance programs is that these programs so frequently grow to become unmanageable. But if governmental assistance to needy people was limited to a fixed percentage of the nation's income - as is the case with this example - this ceases to be a big problem. If income grows, the contribution grows; if income declines, the contribution declines. And, yes, if income declines the poor would be hurt most, though everybody else would also be hurt. So, I don't mean to suggest that this fixed-percentage approach is (or was) a panacea; if it was then there would have been no need in the Bible to also tell individuals - and later the Church - to help the poor.<br />
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<b>Dignity of the Poor</b><br />
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One thing that struck me about giving assistance to the poor is the lengths the Bible goes to to preserve their dignity. For example, the Bible tells farmers not to be too efficient in harvesting their crops (Leviticus 19:9, Leviticus 23:22, Deuteronomy 24:19-21), but to leave a bit here and there and around the edges and corners for the poor to gather. What strikes me about this is that the poor needed to get up and get out into the field and harvest just like the farmer's field hands. Or take the example of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17:9-16). Though poverty-stricken, Elijah asked her to do some work and make a sacrifice (use her flour to bake him a loaf of bread). She did and God responded by giving her plentiful flour and oil. Or, in 2 Kings 4:1-7, Elisha tells the poor widow to do some work, that is, to gather empty jars. She did that and God provided her with plenty of oil to sell and repay her debts. I certainly don't think that every act of kindness to the poor should only be in response to the poor doing something, but this formula appears frequently enough that I am inclined to think that an effort by the poor is generally an excellent idea. There is a dignity in labor.<br />
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Also, notice that when making a loan to a poor person who uses his cloak for security (Exodus 22:26-27, Deuteronomy 24:10-15), the Bible tells the lender to return the cloak by nightfall so the borrower can keep warm. That seems rather inefficient; why bother accepting the cloak as security if you're just going to hand it back in a few hours? Well, perhaps by accepting the cloak, the poor borrower is being given the dignity of being treated like the better-off borrower, except that the lender drops by near sundown and says, "Oh, hiya, Fred. Looks like it might get a little chilly tonight and I thought you might put this cloak to good use. Not doing me any good in my closet."<br />
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And finally, note how strongly James (James 2:2-6) insists on treating the poor who come to church the same as the wealthy. If you give the rich special treatment that you do not give to the poor, (vs,4) "have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives?"<br />
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<b>How the Church Can Help the Poor</b><br />
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The New Testament teaches that Christians, individually and as the Church, should be generous to the poor (Matthew 5:42, Matthew 18:23-34, Matthew 5:42, Matthew 15:5, Matthew 19:21-22, Matthew 25:35-40, Matthew 25:41-46, Mark 10:21-22, Luke 3:11, Luke 11:40-41, Luke 12:33-34, Luke 14:33, Luke 18:22-23, Luke 19:8, Acts 3:2-8, Acts 20:33-35, Romans 15:25-27, 2 Corinthians 8:1-4, 2 Corinthians 8:13-14, 1 Timothy 6:17-18, Titus 3:14, Hebrews 13:16, James 2:15-16, 1 John 3:17) and that they should do so without fanfare (Matthew 6:2-4), and that they should forgive their debts (Matthew 18:23-34).<br />
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Also, Christians should not intentionally become poor themselves, so as not to be a burden (Paul says if people refuse to work they shouldn't be fed. - 2 Thessalonians 3:12).<br />
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Paul urges that primarily assistance to the poor should be provided by relatives (1 Timothy 5:3-5, 1 Timothy 5:8, 1 Timothy 5:8-16) so that the church can provide assistance to those "widows who are widows indeed." It appears this widow-assistance program was poorly organized at first and the Greek widows were being overlooked (Acts 6:1-3), but was apparently straightened out when the church appointed a team to oversee the process. To be added to the list, widows apparently had to meet stringent qualifications (1 Timothy 5:9-10): They had to be at least 60 years old, have had one husband, a reputation for good works, brought up children, shown hospitality to strangers, washed the saints feet, assisted those in distress, and devoted themselves to good works.<br />
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I doubt this list exhausted the charity of the church, but I think these were the rules for a poor widow to be <i>continually</i> supported.<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2