I read a scary, sobering verse today. I'll post it here as a reminder to myself, lest I forget.
The English Standard Version Bible says:
1 Corinthians 6:9-10
1Co 6:9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,
1Co 6:10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
However, this is not accurate, because when comparing this to the King James bible and the original Greek bible, something is missing. Here's the King James version:
1Co 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1Co 6:10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
KJ / ESV
fornicators / sexually immoral
idolators / idolators
adulterers / adulterers
effeminate / ????
abusers of themselves with mankind / men who practice homosexuality
thieves / thieves
covetous / greedy
drunkards / drunkards
revilers / revilers
extortioners / swindlers
Let's study each one by one
fornicators / sexually immoral
- To commit lewdness, as an unmarried man or woman, or as a married man with an unmarried woman.
- I guess the same applies to a married woman with an unmarried men.
- In general, any kind of lustful act between two people who're not married to each other
idolators / idolators
- those who worship idols
adulterers / adulterers
- a married man committing a lustful act with a woman married to someone else
- a married woman committing a lustful act with a man married to someone else
effeminate / ????
- this item is missing in the ESV bible, lumped in with those who practice homosexuality
- This word occurs in Mat_11:8, and Luk_7:25, where it is applied to clothing, and translated “soft raiment;” that is, the light, thin garments worn by the rich and great.
- It occurs no where else in the New Testament except here.
- Applied to morals, as it is here, it denotes those who give themselves up to a soft, luxurious, and indolent way of living; who make self-indulgence the grand object of life; who can endure no hardship, and practice no self-denial in the cause of duty and of God.
- It is well known that this vice was common among the Greeks - and particularly prevailed at Corinth.
abusers of themselves with mankind / men who practice homosexuality
- the ESV bible is again inferior in this regard, because the Greek "ar-sen-ok-oy'-tace is gender neutral
- a Sodomite
- hence it should be translated those (instead of "men") who practice homosexuality, both men and women
thieves / thieves
- One who takes the property of another wrongfully, either secretly or by violence
- One who makes it his business to cheat and defraud
covetous / greedy
- those who practice avarice, eager for gain, desiring more
- An excessive desire of gaining and possessing wealth; greediness or insatiable desire of gain.
drunkards / drunkards
- One given to intoxication or an excessive used of strong liquor; a person who habitually or frequently is drunk.
revilers / revilers
- also called railers
- A reproachful man (or woman); a man of coarse, harsh, and bitter words; a man whose characteristic it was to abuse others; to vilify(degrade, defile) their character, and wound their feelings. It is needless to say how much this is contrary to the spirit of Christianity, and to the example of the Master, “who when he was reviled, reviled not again.”
extortioners / swindlers
- Rapacious persons; greedy of gain, and oppressing the poor, the needy, and the fatherless, to obtain money.
- Given to plunder; disposed or accustomed to seize by violence; seizing by force
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Predestination? Calvinism? Arminianism? I think God has revealed the answer
I struggled with Romans chapter 9 for some time, and with prayer and the help of several commentaries and God's revelation and gift to understand, I finally understand what Paul is trying to say. I sincerely believe now that if someone wants to know the truth of anything regarding God's word, if he has a heart to seek the truth and asks God sincerely for divine revelation, God will by no means turn away. I have studied to my best ability (which isn't much) the scriptural evidence and arguments on the Calvinistic side, and the Arminian side.
Why do I think it important to write this? Because this chapter is the stronghold of those who hold to the Calvinistic doctrine of:
Total depravity
Unconditional election
Limited Atonement
Irresistable grace
Perseverance of the Saints.
Espeically unconditional election.
What bothered me most was the concept of unconditional election. It affected my view of God, and caused me to ask, as any reasonable person would, how could a loving and just God destine someone to hell, and there was nothing he could do about it? Even we, though we be evil, sense something absolutely vile in that, how could our loving, merciful and gracious God do such a thing?
It just didn't seem right, and it doesn't sit right with the very attributes that God says of Himself. So it is with great joy and thanksgiving, that God has shown the truth about Himself, and it is a totally opposite picture of God to the Calvinist God that I see. God is slow to anger, patient, loving, holy, just and eternally gracious and merciful towards us, especially His adopted children.
In Romans 8, Paul was speaking about the requirement of choosing to live a holy, Spirit led life (opposed to a life centred on satisfying the fleshly desires - wealth, status, pleasures, etc.) in order that we might become the adopted sons of God.
Context
In the later parts of Romans 8 and now in Romans 9, the context of Paul's writings centre on the matter of God's plan to include the Gentile people into his grand plan of salvation. This probably causes much loathing, anger, revulsion and rejection by the Jews of that time, that God would consider making the Gentiles heirs to his promise. This is the purpose of Paul's writings here in this chapter.
So read this chapter in that light, in that context, and I'll do my best to add my comments.
In the first parts of this chapter, Paul is trying to tell his readers that despite all the persecution, floggings and whatever tortures the Jews might have done to him till this time, he does not preach God's plan for the salvation of the Gentiles out of a spirit of revenge because of that persecution.
He is trying here to reason and explain to his readers that God had planned from the beginning to redeem the world through his Son Jesus.
Rom 9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--
- Paul is asserting that whatever he is about to say, he says it in all sincerity without hypocrisy or falsehood.
- he does this because he wants to assure the Jews that he is totally honest, that his preaching of salvation to the Gentiles is not because of his hatred towards them for all the persecution they've done to him.
Rom 9:2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
- Paul is deeply troubled and anguished in his heart for his own Jewish brothers and nation because of God's rejection of them (because they rejected His Son) and adoption of the Gentiles as His new children
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
- Paul wished that for the sake of the nation of Israel, who are his fellow brothers by birth and by race (i.e. according to the flesh), that he could be cut off from Christ so that they instead might be saved and remain the chosen race.
- Paul wished that he could be cut off from Christ so that the nation of Israel, who are his fellow brothers by birth and by race (i.e. according to the flesh), could be saved and remain the chosen race in God's eyes.
Rom 9:4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
- He feels such anguish because from the time of Abraham, Israel had been adopted as God's own people
- God had revealed his real glory to them by talking with Moses face to face and making his glory seen by them through the pillars of cloud and fire among other things
- God has established many covenants with this people, which He has not done with any other nation
- God gave Isreal his Law, that they might be his people, and no other nation had this privelege
- God taught the Isrealites the right way to worship Him, through their buring of incense, sacrifices, etc.
- God had only, up to this point given Israel his promises
Rom 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
- the mighty men of God, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc.) came from their race
- according to the flesh, i.e. by birthline, even Christ who is God incarnate, came from the Jewish race
Next, Paul goes on to say why Israel has really no basis of complaint against God. Paul cites a number of reason.
1) God calls his children not according to bloodline.
- The Jews were very proud of the fact that they were Abraham's descendents, yet, Abraham had other descendents too, but they were not God's people.
- Paul presents the facts here to argue that a particular people were God's descendents only because God extended His promises to them.
2) God has the right to have mercy on whomever He wishes, because even Israel themselves were given the promises of God on the basis of God's mercies.
- Paul then gives proof that Israel is no more special compared to the other nations around them, and that the only reason they receieved God's promise was because of God's mercy and nothing else. (ver 15, 16)
- God could have justly wiped them out in Moses's time (ver 18, a reference to Exodus 33:19) for their idolatry and continual disobedience.
- One must bear in mind Paul's utter mastery of the Old Testament Scriptures and the contexts and meanings of what happened then, and to have a clear meaning of what Paul was trying to communicate, we too must read this with the required background knowledge from which Paul is writing.
- Paul had an utterly impressive mastery over his understanding of Old Testament texts, and his arguments are so deep in understanding and wisdom (especially how he argues against the Israelites claim to sonship by their descent), that I marvel at them. How could someone think of such arguments? It is absolutely brilliant, no doubt the Holy Spirit provided insights too.
Paul is not just quoting a Scripture here and a Scripture there, he quotes one verse of Scripture which brings with it a context and a common understanding of the context to the people he was communicating with. In order to understand his thoughts as he intended to communicate, we too must understand the contexts of the verses he quoted, namely those that refer to the Old Testament texts.
For example, if we today were to write something down that is read in posterity, and we write something like "Remember Michael Jackson", it would bring with it a picture with an entire contextual background. Talent, dancing ability, cosmetic surgery, child molestation, wierd behaviour, etc. The phrase alone may convey a lot of meaning to us, but not to someone who reads it in posterity.
Fortunately for us, the entire OT text is available for our study and we can gain the contextual understanding necessary.
Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
- But now, by rejecting Israel and bringing in the Gentile people into His new covenant, has God's previous words and promises failed? What happened to all the promises to the Jews? Have they failed because of this adoption of Gentiles? No, as Paul goes on to explain, it has not.
- Why has it not failed? Because not all the descendents of Israel (i.e. Jacob) are now considered members of the Israelite nation (at Paul's time). Jacob had many children, and they in turn fathered other children, but they were all Jacob's descendents, although they were not considered to be Isrealites at the time. They could have intermarried with other races, tribes etc. and formed other nations and peoples. The Samaritans were one good example.
Rom 9:7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."
- here Paul is trying to teach us that the children of Abraham are not called Abraham's children merely because they are his natural children, born from his seed
- but God has specifically picked only the offsprings of Isaac to be called Abraham's offspring.
- Abraham also beget Ishmael, and the descendents of Ishmael are not considered to be "Abraham's offspring" although they ARE actually his natural offspring, born from his seed. Neither are Esau's offspring considered to be "Abraham's offspring."
- why is it that natural ancestry does not qualify one to be a chosen people of God? What then is the qualification? Paul explains in the next verse
Rom 9:8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
- In God's eyes, His adoption (in the OT, the Jewish nation) is not based on just natural ancestry or birthlines, because the children of Ishmael and Esau were also descendents of Abraham, but not adopted by God as His children
- rather it is those whom God gave his promise to, that are considered His children
Rom 9:9 For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son."
- here Paul again highlights that God's promise to Abraham was only to the child of Sarah, and not to Hagar. Thus only Sarah's descendents are adopted by God.
- again stressing the point that God adopts children not just by ancestry but on the basis of His promise.
Rom 9:10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
- this case of adoption by promise is not only seen in the case of Abraham and Hagar/Sarah, but also seen even in the case of the children of Isaac and Rebekah
Rom 9:11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls--
- Paul uses Esau and Jacob for a reason, they were born of the same mother, even twins!
- What is Paul trying to tell the Jews? You have no right to boast in even your bloodline, because God chose Jacob instead of Esau (and thus other nations) not for any merit of your forefather! He didn't do anything!
- even before Jacob and Esau were born, and they have not done anything either good or bad to merit God's choosing, God had already chosen which son's line he was going to adopt as His people
- God already had his plan and purpose for his people(in order that God's purpose of election might continue)
Rom 9:12 she was told, "The older will serve the younger."
- even before Jacob was born, God had chosen him. Again, a rebuke to the Jews that it was entirely God's mercy and they have no reason to boast of their bloodline.
- that is, Rebekah was already told by God that Jacob will serve Esau. However, it is important to note at this point, that God had elected for Esau to serve Jacob, and only that, it does not mean that God predestined Esau to hell or any of that which Calvinists interpret from this text. If Esau would have chosen well in life, I believe God would still have loved him.
Rom 9:13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
- it is important to note that this Scripture is referring to nations and not individuals because this Scripture says that the older shall serve the younger, yet nowhere in their lives did Esau serve Jacob, rather, Jacob had served Esau, and Jacob was sorely terrified of his older brother! It was only in David's time that "Esau served Jacob" in that David conquered the Edomites.
- So the verse is speaking of the posterity of Jacob and Esau, just as the nation of Israel is named after their forefather Israel (Jacob)
- This is quoted from Malachi 1
- What is Paul trying to say here? What is the context?
- In Malachi, God starts off by saying that he loved Jacob (the Jews) yet Esau (the Edomites) he hated.
- The Edomites (offspring of Esau) practiced idolatry and disobedience towards God, and God laid waste their hill country and left their inheritance to the desert jackals.
- What Paul is saying is this, DID ISRAEL DO ANY BETTER IN GOD'S EYES, compared to the Edomites?
- NO! They were equally deserving of God's hatred and judgement!
- In Malachi, God rebukes Israel for a great sin they have committed before Him. They despised the Lord, and esteemed Him not, and sacrificed blind, lame and sick animals to the Lord God! Not only that, they brought sacrifices to Him that were taken by violence! (Mal 1:13)
- Not only that, they show utter contempt in the worship of God, and say "What a weariness this is" and they snort at it! (Mal 1:13). Continue reading the rest of Malachi for other terrible things they did against the Lord.
- But what is God's response to Israel (Jacob)? He shows them mercy!
- Why did God then not show mercy to the children of Esau, the Edomites?
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
- Is God unjust to show mercy to the children of Jacob, while not showing mercy to the children of Esau, although both were equally deserving of his wrath?
- By his argument, he is saying, is God unjust to show mercy to the Gentiles now, considering that he has shown mercy to the children of Jacob despite all that they have done which merited only His wrath?
Rom 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
- God is not unjust! He is free to show mercy and compassion to whomever He wills and no one can lay a blame on Him! He is entirely just because both Jews, Edomites and Gentiles deserve condemnation and wrath, yet God chooses to be merciful to whom he will be merciful to.
- Not only that, Paul brings up another charge against the Jews with this verse.
- let's understand the entire context this verse brings with it. During the time of Moses, the Hebrew people were rebellious and stiff necked against God and God said that he will not go up to the promised land with them less they provoke Him to anger with their stubborness and in His just anger, He wipe them out!
- So Paul is saying to the Jews, you had no claim to any special rights over anyone! You're just as sinful and disobedient as anyone else, and the fact God chose you over others was solely his compassion and mercy!
- Because we are all God's creation, and He will have mercy on whomever he has mercy. This time, He has chosen to be merciful towards the Gentiles, and adopt them as children.
- So on what grounds then does the Jew have, to charge that God is unjust over this matter?
Rom 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
- Paul is saying, Jews, you have nothing to boast about for God choosing you int he past, it wasn't your will or exertion, but God chose to have mercy on you!
- so who are you now to question God's choice to have mercy on the Gentiles!
Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
- In order to have an accurate picture of what Paul was trying to say, let's look at the context of this verse
13 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, 14 or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. 16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 17 You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go. 18 Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. 19 Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die.' "
- God raised up Pharoah, who was evil and arrogant even towards God (Pharoah said "Who is the Lord that I should obey him?), in order to show his power throughout the earth and His power is magnified!
- God raised Pharoah up to make him powerful, but Pharoah was evil on his own accord
- in the same way, God used the wicked Jews and raised those that were evil up to high position, that they might crucify His Son and through it God shows himself powerful and magnifies His own name by Jesus's ressurection. The Jews cannot blame God for their own wickedness!
- To totally understand this, let's again look at the context of the verse quoted.
- God, at this point in Exodus, had already sent plague after plague after plague on Egypt yet Pharoah will not release the people. God says to him that if God had wanted to, He could have just stretched out His hand and struck Pharoah and his nation with a plague and wiped them totally off the earth, BUT YET HE HAS NOT!
- WHY has God not struck Pharoah and wiped out Egypt at this point? It is totally within His power to do it, and then God's people would be free to go! (Question: Ask yourself, what is the nature of God that is revealed here? Hint: Merciful, longsuffering?)
- God gives the explaination Himself in verse 16! God did not wipe Egypt out because he intended for Pharoah to resist God, so that God might send the many plauges and show His power to all the people of the earth! Then there would be absolutely no doubt and not by a fluke of chance that what Moses had said had come to pass, and people will fear and glorify the Holy Name of God!
- God is absolutely just to kill Pharoah at this point, because Pharoah had ordered the killing of the Hebrew babies on the sly and committed a great evil against God. Yet God had mercy and spared him!
- similarly, God was just to wipe out the entire Jewish race for their prior wickedness, but he did not, and raised them up in order that even through their wickedness, His purposes might be fulfilled.
- to all the diehard Calvinists, read verse 19 carefully. What did God command? That every man and animal be brought in so that none might perish? Is this the same God who would predestine someone to hell? I see a very different God here, an infinitely loving, merciful and longsuffering God, that even cares for the welfare and pocessions (animals) of the Egyptian people! The same thing he says of Himself!
Rom 9:18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
- It is CRITICAL to understand that when God hardened Pharoah, he was entirely just to do it! Why? Because Pharoah had at that point sinned so greviously against God by ordering the Hebrew male children to be killed, and as a just penalty God could have killed him. Yet God spared him and hardened his heart, for what reason?
- "that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth"
- and it is for God's own purposes and glory (along with his grace, mercy and love) that he has now chosen to include the Gentiles into his plan of salvation!
Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"
- This is the same argument Paul tackled in Romans 3, whereby one says, if in my sin, God's grace can be seen every more clearly, then why condemn me for my sin?
- The similar argument the Jews might give to God's choosing of the Gentiles is, why find fault with us, if by the Jews rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles be included into salvation, God's name is glorified, why then judge the Jews?
- Anyone can understand the absurdity of such an argument. God does not tamper with the will of men, they chose to do evil, and God used it to fulfill His purposes, but it does not mean the men who sinned are not guilty. They chose sin of their own free will, and God worked His plan despite of man's sinfulness.
Rom 9:20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?"
- who are we, mere sinful men (referring to the Jews in particular) to question God and ask Him, why have you given this salvation plan to the Gentiles also?
Rom 9:21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
- a lot has been misconstrued into this verse by Calvin's teachings. If we look carefully at the verse it was quoted from, it will show a very different context and character of God, one diametrically opposed to predestination or the Calvinist's view of God.
Jeremiah 18
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.
11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'
- Versus 7 and 9 show a very different kind of character of God then prescribed by John Calvin!
- God will change His mind depending on how man chooses to act!
- This verse must be read in context and not too literally because it distorts the meaning. Here Paul is asking, does not the Potter have a right to do what he wills of his clay? If one he makes for an esteemed important usage, and another he uses for a more mundane usage, or even filthy usage, is not God's choice soverign?
- If God made us to be born a prince or a pauper, who are we to ask God why did you make me this way? This is essentially what Paul is communicating.
Rom 9:22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
- Here Paul makes a very clear argument that God is never unjust, even if he destroys unjust people in order to demonstrate his wrath and power.
- Why is God not unjust? Because firstly God is not responsible for a people or nation's wickedness.
- They have already stored up, by their wickedness, their just punishment. "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction." Their time for judgement and destruction has already come!
- Yet God is patient with them, and endures the wickedness of this evil people, that He might destroy them at a time of His choosing to demonstrate His wrath.
- So these evil vessels were already condemned because of their wickedness, but God waits and bides His time for their fair judgement.
- Paul is referring to the Jewish people. They had been utterly wicked, even the priests made God's temple into a den of thieves, practiced hypocrisy, devoured widows' houses and oppressed orphans, and God's wrath was already burning against them, but He held off till the fulfillment of the death and ressurection of the Messiah
Rom 9:23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory--
- Why is God patient and endure the wickedness of the Jews, the vessels for destruction? In order that he might make known His glory, towards those whom he shows mercy to, the Gentiles. In the context of this entire chapter, those he shows mercy to are his adopted children.
- prepared beforehand for glory: This refers to the Gentile people. God already had already devised a salvation plan for them beforehand to prepare them for glory, through His Son Jesus Christ.
Rom 9:24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
- and here Paul concludes the central argument of this whole text, that the vessels for mercy do not just come from the Jews, but the Gentiles also
Rom 9:25 As indeed he says in Hosea, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'"
- and thus the fulfillment of the prophecy that God will call the Gentiles His people also, and He will love them.
- again to fully understand the full richness of Paul's argument, one must understand the context of Hosea saying this.
Rom 9:26 "And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
- taken from Hosea 1:10. God is greatly grieved by the adulterous nation of Israel.
- His promise that at the same place where He, in anger, declared that Israel is no longer going to be called His people, it is the very same place where they'll be called the sons of the living God.
- That prophecy is now fulfilled.
Rom 9:27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,
Rom 9:28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay."
Rom 9:29 And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah."
- Althought the nation of Israel be populous and their numbers many, if God did not spare Israel and leave them a remnant, wicked thought they were, they'd have been utterly destroyed from the face of this earth by the just wrath of God.
- Israel had sinned as no nation on earth had sinned before; they killed God's only begotten Son and rejected Him! Still, God in his infinite mercy and grace, spares Israel from total obliteration from the face of the earth, and left them a remnant!
- I think this also possibly points to God's judgement in AD70 where Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, yet a number escaped and remain till this day.
Rom 9:30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
Rom 9:31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
- Paul anticipates another angle of argument from the Jews, that the Gentiles did not pursue righteousness, yet have attained it through faith in Jesus Christ? Why is it so easy for them, they did not have to work hard to observe the Law
- yet the Jews, trying to pursue righteousness by obeying the Law, failed.
- Isn't this unfair, Paul anticipates the Jews asking
- This was a fair question I guess, considering the ardousness of observing all the aspects of the Law, which the Jews have tried so hard to adhere to.
Rom 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
- And here Paul gives the reply, it is because they were keeping the Law in arrogance of their rigtheousness, and not keeping it in obedience and in humility and faith, depending on God to have mercy on them.
- One will ask, how will they know then that one is justified by faith?
- It is revealed in several places even in the OT. Hab 2:4, Ps 32:1-11, Ps 130:1-8, Job 9:2
Rom 9:33 as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
- Here Paul concludes by referring to Jesus, the Messiah, as the stumbling stone. He did not fit into the people's understanding of the prophecies about Him, thinking that he will establish his earthly kindom on earth.
- Instead the King came as a poor humble servant, and stumbled the religious minds of the time.
- He's a rock of offense, he caused great offense to the Pharisees, and turned their system upside down. He did not see any righteousness in their outward keeping of ceremonial laws while inwardly wicked, arrogant and self-seeking. Instead he chose for himself poor vessels, fishermen, tax collectors and even prostitutes as disciples, confounding all their wisdom and causing great offense, yet this is the mercy and wisdom of God.
- whoever then, puts his trust in this rock of offense, Jesus, the Messiah, will not be put to shame.
Why do I think it important to write this? Because this chapter is the stronghold of those who hold to the Calvinistic doctrine of:
Total depravity
Unconditional election
Limited Atonement
Irresistable grace
Perseverance of the Saints.
Espeically unconditional election.
What bothered me most was the concept of unconditional election. It affected my view of God, and caused me to ask, as any reasonable person would, how could a loving and just God destine someone to hell, and there was nothing he could do about it? Even we, though we be evil, sense something absolutely vile in that, how could our loving, merciful and gracious God do such a thing?
It just didn't seem right, and it doesn't sit right with the very attributes that God says of Himself. So it is with great joy and thanksgiving, that God has shown the truth about Himself, and it is a totally opposite picture of God to the Calvinist God that I see. God is slow to anger, patient, loving, holy, just and eternally gracious and merciful towards us, especially His adopted children.
In Romans 8, Paul was speaking about the requirement of choosing to live a holy, Spirit led life (opposed to a life centred on satisfying the fleshly desires - wealth, status, pleasures, etc.) in order that we might become the adopted sons of God.
Context
In the later parts of Romans 8 and now in Romans 9, the context of Paul's writings centre on the matter of God's plan to include the Gentile people into his grand plan of salvation. This probably causes much loathing, anger, revulsion and rejection by the Jews of that time, that God would consider making the Gentiles heirs to his promise. This is the purpose of Paul's writings here in this chapter.
So read this chapter in that light, in that context, and I'll do my best to add my comments.
In the first parts of this chapter, Paul is trying to tell his readers that despite all the persecution, floggings and whatever tortures the Jews might have done to him till this time, he does not preach God's plan for the salvation of the Gentiles out of a spirit of revenge because of that persecution.
He is trying here to reason and explain to his readers that God had planned from the beginning to redeem the world through his Son Jesus.
Rom 9:1 I am speaking the truth in Christ--I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit--
- Paul is asserting that whatever he is about to say, he says it in all sincerity without hypocrisy or falsehood.
- he does this because he wants to assure the Jews that he is totally honest, that his preaching of salvation to the Gentiles is not because of his hatred towards them for all the persecution they've done to him.
Rom 9:2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.
- Paul is deeply troubled and anguished in his heart for his own Jewish brothers and nation because of God's rejection of them (because they rejected His Son) and adoption of the Gentiles as His new children
Rom 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.
- Paul wished that for the sake of the nation of Israel, who are his fellow brothers by birth and by race (i.e. according to the flesh), that he could be cut off from Christ so that they instead might be saved and remain the chosen race.
- Paul wished that he could be cut off from Christ so that the nation of Israel, who are his fellow brothers by birth and by race (i.e. according to the flesh), could be saved and remain the chosen race in God's eyes.
Rom 9:4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.
- He feels such anguish because from the time of Abraham, Israel had been adopted as God's own people
- God had revealed his real glory to them by talking with Moses face to face and making his glory seen by them through the pillars of cloud and fire among other things
- God has established many covenants with this people, which He has not done with any other nation
- God gave Isreal his Law, that they might be his people, and no other nation had this privelege
- God taught the Isrealites the right way to worship Him, through their buring of incense, sacrifices, etc.
- God had only, up to this point given Israel his promises
Rom 9:5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
- the mighty men of God, the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, etc.) came from their race
- according to the flesh, i.e. by birthline, even Christ who is God incarnate, came from the Jewish race
Next, Paul goes on to say why Israel has really no basis of complaint against God. Paul cites a number of reason.
1) God calls his children not according to bloodline.
- The Jews were very proud of the fact that they were Abraham's descendents, yet, Abraham had other descendents too, but they were not God's people.
- Paul presents the facts here to argue that a particular people were God's descendents only because God extended His promises to them.
2) God has the right to have mercy on whomever He wishes, because even Israel themselves were given the promises of God on the basis of God's mercies.
- Paul then gives proof that Israel is no more special compared to the other nations around them, and that the only reason they receieved God's promise was because of God's mercy and nothing else. (ver 15, 16)
- God could have justly wiped them out in Moses's time (ver 18, a reference to Exodus 33:19) for their idolatry and continual disobedience.
- One must bear in mind Paul's utter mastery of the Old Testament Scriptures and the contexts and meanings of what happened then, and to have a clear meaning of what Paul was trying to communicate, we too must read this with the required background knowledge from which Paul is writing.
- Paul had an utterly impressive mastery over his understanding of Old Testament texts, and his arguments are so deep in understanding and wisdom (especially how he argues against the Israelites claim to sonship by their descent), that I marvel at them. How could someone think of such arguments? It is absolutely brilliant, no doubt the Holy Spirit provided insights too.
Paul is not just quoting a Scripture here and a Scripture there, he quotes one verse of Scripture which brings with it a context and a common understanding of the context to the people he was communicating with. In order to understand his thoughts as he intended to communicate, we too must understand the contexts of the verses he quoted, namely those that refer to the Old Testament texts.
For example, if we today were to write something down that is read in posterity, and we write something like "Remember Michael Jackson", it would bring with it a picture with an entire contextual background. Talent, dancing ability, cosmetic surgery, child molestation, wierd behaviour, etc. The phrase alone may convey a lot of meaning to us, but not to someone who reads it in posterity.
Fortunately for us, the entire OT text is available for our study and we can gain the contextual understanding necessary.
Rom 9:6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel,
- But now, by rejecting Israel and bringing in the Gentile people into His new covenant, has God's previous words and promises failed? What happened to all the promises to the Jews? Have they failed because of this adoption of Gentiles? No, as Paul goes on to explain, it has not.
- Why has it not failed? Because not all the descendents of Israel (i.e. Jacob) are now considered members of the Israelite nation (at Paul's time). Jacob had many children, and they in turn fathered other children, but they were all Jacob's descendents, although they were not considered to be Isrealites at the time. They could have intermarried with other races, tribes etc. and formed other nations and peoples. The Samaritans were one good example.
Rom 9:7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named."
- here Paul is trying to teach us that the children of Abraham are not called Abraham's children merely because they are his natural children, born from his seed
- but God has specifically picked only the offsprings of Isaac to be called Abraham's offspring.
- Abraham also beget Ishmael, and the descendents of Ishmael are not considered to be "Abraham's offspring" although they ARE actually his natural offspring, born from his seed. Neither are Esau's offspring considered to be "Abraham's offspring."
- why is it that natural ancestry does not qualify one to be a chosen people of God? What then is the qualification? Paul explains in the next verse
Rom 9:8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.
- In God's eyes, His adoption (in the OT, the Jewish nation) is not based on just natural ancestry or birthlines, because the children of Ishmael and Esau were also descendents of Abraham, but not adopted by God as His children
- rather it is those whom God gave his promise to, that are considered His children
Rom 9:9 For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son."
- here Paul again highlights that God's promise to Abraham was only to the child of Sarah, and not to Hagar. Thus only Sarah's descendents are adopted by God.
- again stressing the point that God adopts children not just by ancestry but on the basis of His promise.
Rom 9:10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac,
- this case of adoption by promise is not only seen in the case of Abraham and Hagar/Sarah, but also seen even in the case of the children of Isaac and Rebekah
Rom 9:11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls--
- Paul uses Esau and Jacob for a reason, they were born of the same mother, even twins!
- What is Paul trying to tell the Jews? You have no right to boast in even your bloodline, because God chose Jacob instead of Esau (and thus other nations) not for any merit of your forefather! He didn't do anything!
- even before Jacob and Esau were born, and they have not done anything either good or bad to merit God's choosing, God had already chosen which son's line he was going to adopt as His people
- God already had his plan and purpose for his people(in order that God's purpose of election might continue)
Rom 9:12 she was told, "The older will serve the younger."
- even before Jacob was born, God had chosen him. Again, a rebuke to the Jews that it was entirely God's mercy and they have no reason to boast of their bloodline.
- that is, Rebekah was already told by God that Jacob will serve Esau. However, it is important to note at this point, that God had elected for Esau to serve Jacob, and only that, it does not mean that God predestined Esau to hell or any of that which Calvinists interpret from this text. If Esau would have chosen well in life, I believe God would still have loved him.
Rom 9:13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
- it is important to note that this Scripture is referring to nations and not individuals because this Scripture says that the older shall serve the younger, yet nowhere in their lives did Esau serve Jacob, rather, Jacob had served Esau, and Jacob was sorely terrified of his older brother! It was only in David's time that "Esau served Jacob" in that David conquered the Edomites.
- So the verse is speaking of the posterity of Jacob and Esau, just as the nation of Israel is named after their forefather Israel (Jacob)
- This is quoted from Malachi 1
- What is Paul trying to say here? What is the context?
- In Malachi, God starts off by saying that he loved Jacob (the Jews) yet Esau (the Edomites) he hated.
- The Edomites (offspring of Esau) practiced idolatry and disobedience towards God, and God laid waste their hill country and left their inheritance to the desert jackals.
- What Paul is saying is this, DID ISRAEL DO ANY BETTER IN GOD'S EYES, compared to the Edomites?
- NO! They were equally deserving of God's hatred and judgement!
- In Malachi, God rebukes Israel for a great sin they have committed before Him. They despised the Lord, and esteemed Him not, and sacrificed blind, lame and sick animals to the Lord God! Not only that, they brought sacrifices to Him that were taken by violence! (Mal 1:13)
- Not only that, they show utter contempt in the worship of God, and say "What a weariness this is" and they snort at it! (Mal 1:13). Continue reading the rest of Malachi for other terrible things they did against the Lord.
- But what is God's response to Israel (Jacob)? He shows them mercy!
- Why did God then not show mercy to the children of Esau, the Edomites?
Rom 9:14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means!
- Is God unjust to show mercy to the children of Jacob, while not showing mercy to the children of Esau, although both were equally deserving of his wrath?
- By his argument, he is saying, is God unjust to show mercy to the Gentiles now, considering that he has shown mercy to the children of Jacob despite all that they have done which merited only His wrath?
Rom 9:15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."
- God is not unjust! He is free to show mercy and compassion to whomever He wills and no one can lay a blame on Him! He is entirely just because both Jews, Edomites and Gentiles deserve condemnation and wrath, yet God chooses to be merciful to whom he will be merciful to.
- Not only that, Paul brings up another charge against the Jews with this verse.
- let's understand the entire context this verse brings with it. During the time of Moses, the Hebrew people were rebellious and stiff necked against God and God said that he will not go up to the promised land with them less they provoke Him to anger with their stubborness and in His just anger, He wipe them out!
- So Paul is saying to the Jews, you had no claim to any special rights over anyone! You're just as sinful and disobedient as anyone else, and the fact God chose you over others was solely his compassion and mercy!
- Because we are all God's creation, and He will have mercy on whomever he has mercy. This time, He has chosen to be merciful towards the Gentiles, and adopt them as children.
- So on what grounds then does the Jew have, to charge that God is unjust over this matter?
Rom 9:16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy.
- Paul is saying, Jews, you have nothing to boast about for God choosing you int he past, it wasn't your will or exertion, but God chose to have mercy on you!
- so who are you now to question God's choice to have mercy on the Gentiles!
Rom 9:17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."
- In order to have an accurate picture of what Paul was trying to say, let's look at the context of this verse
13 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Get up early in the morning, confront Pharaoh and say to him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so that they may worship me, 14 or this time I will send the full force of my plagues against you and against your officials and your people, so you may know that there is no one like me in all the earth. 15 For by now I could have stretched out my hand and struck you and your people with a plague that would have wiped you off the earth. 16 But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth. 17 You still set yourself against my people and will not let them go. 18 Therefore, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded till now. 19 Give an order now to bring your livestock and everything you have in the field to a place of shelter, because the hail will fall on every man and animal that has not been brought in and is still out in the field, and they will die.' "
- God raised up Pharoah, who was evil and arrogant even towards God (Pharoah said "Who is the Lord that I should obey him?), in order to show his power throughout the earth and His power is magnified!
- God raised Pharoah up to make him powerful, but Pharoah was evil on his own accord
- in the same way, God used the wicked Jews and raised those that were evil up to high position, that they might crucify His Son and through it God shows himself powerful and magnifies His own name by Jesus's ressurection. The Jews cannot blame God for their own wickedness!
- To totally understand this, let's again look at the context of the verse quoted.
- God, at this point in Exodus, had already sent plague after plague after plague on Egypt yet Pharoah will not release the people. God says to him that if God had wanted to, He could have just stretched out His hand and struck Pharoah and his nation with a plague and wiped them totally off the earth, BUT YET HE HAS NOT!
- WHY has God not struck Pharoah and wiped out Egypt at this point? It is totally within His power to do it, and then God's people would be free to go! (Question: Ask yourself, what is the nature of God that is revealed here? Hint: Merciful, longsuffering?)
- God gives the explaination Himself in verse 16! God did not wipe Egypt out because he intended for Pharoah to resist God, so that God might send the many plauges and show His power to all the people of the earth! Then there would be absolutely no doubt and not by a fluke of chance that what Moses had said had come to pass, and people will fear and glorify the Holy Name of God!
- God is absolutely just to kill Pharoah at this point, because Pharoah had ordered the killing of the Hebrew babies on the sly and committed a great evil against God. Yet God had mercy and spared him!
- similarly, God was just to wipe out the entire Jewish race for their prior wickedness, but he did not, and raised them up in order that even through their wickedness, His purposes might be fulfilled.
- to all the diehard Calvinists, read verse 19 carefully. What did God command? That every man and animal be brought in so that none might perish? Is this the same God who would predestine someone to hell? I see a very different God here, an infinitely loving, merciful and longsuffering God, that even cares for the welfare and pocessions (animals) of the Egyptian people! The same thing he says of Himself!
Rom 9:18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
- It is CRITICAL to understand that when God hardened Pharoah, he was entirely just to do it! Why? Because Pharoah had at that point sinned so greviously against God by ordering the Hebrew male children to be killed, and as a just penalty God could have killed him. Yet God spared him and hardened his heart, for what reason?
- "that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth"
- and it is for God's own purposes and glory (along with his grace, mercy and love) that he has now chosen to include the Gentiles into his plan of salvation!
Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?"
- This is the same argument Paul tackled in Romans 3, whereby one says, if in my sin, God's grace can be seen every more clearly, then why condemn me for my sin?
- The similar argument the Jews might give to God's choosing of the Gentiles is, why find fault with us, if by the Jews rejection of Jesus and the Gentiles be included into salvation, God's name is glorified, why then judge the Jews?
- Anyone can understand the absurdity of such an argument. God does not tamper with the will of men, they chose to do evil, and God used it to fulfill His purposes, but it does not mean the men who sinned are not guilty. They chose sin of their own free will, and God worked His plan despite of man's sinfulness.
Rom 9:20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, "Why have you made me like this?"
- who are we, mere sinful men (referring to the Jews in particular) to question God and ask Him, why have you given this salvation plan to the Gentiles also?
Rom 9:21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?
- a lot has been misconstrued into this verse by Calvin's teachings. If we look carefully at the verse it was quoted from, it will show a very different context and character of God, one diametrically opposed to predestination or the Calvinist's view of God.
Jeremiah 18
1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD : 2 "Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message." 3 So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. 4 But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me: 6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. 7 If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, 8 and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. 9 And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, 10 and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.
11 "Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'
- Versus 7 and 9 show a very different kind of character of God then prescribed by John Calvin!
- God will change His mind depending on how man chooses to act!
- This verse must be read in context and not too literally because it distorts the meaning. Here Paul is asking, does not the Potter have a right to do what he wills of his clay? If one he makes for an esteemed important usage, and another he uses for a more mundane usage, or even filthy usage, is not God's choice soverign?
- If God made us to be born a prince or a pauper, who are we to ask God why did you make me this way? This is essentially what Paul is communicating.
Rom 9:22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
- Here Paul makes a very clear argument that God is never unjust, even if he destroys unjust people in order to demonstrate his wrath and power.
- Why is God not unjust? Because firstly God is not responsible for a people or nation's wickedness.
- They have already stored up, by their wickedness, their just punishment. "vessels of wrath prepared for destruction." Their time for judgement and destruction has already come!
- Yet God is patient with them, and endures the wickedness of this evil people, that He might destroy them at a time of His choosing to demonstrate His wrath.
- So these evil vessels were already condemned because of their wickedness, but God waits and bides His time for their fair judgement.
- Paul is referring to the Jewish people. They had been utterly wicked, even the priests made God's temple into a den of thieves, practiced hypocrisy, devoured widows' houses and oppressed orphans, and God's wrath was already burning against them, but He held off till the fulfillment of the death and ressurection of the Messiah
Rom 9:23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory--
- Why is God patient and endure the wickedness of the Jews, the vessels for destruction? In order that he might make known His glory, towards those whom he shows mercy to, the Gentiles. In the context of this entire chapter, those he shows mercy to are his adopted children.
- prepared beforehand for glory: This refers to the Gentile people. God already had already devised a salvation plan for them beforehand to prepare them for glory, through His Son Jesus Christ.
Rom 9:24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?
- and here Paul concludes the central argument of this whole text, that the vessels for mercy do not just come from the Jews, but the Gentiles also
Rom 9:25 As indeed he says in Hosea, "Those who were not my people I will call 'my people,' and her who was not beloved I will call 'beloved.'"
- and thus the fulfillment of the prophecy that God will call the Gentiles His people also, and He will love them.
- again to fully understand the full richness of Paul's argument, one must understand the context of Hosea saying this.
Rom 9:26 "And in the very place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' there they will be called 'sons of the living God.'"
- taken from Hosea 1:10. God is greatly grieved by the adulterous nation of Israel.
- His promise that at the same place where He, in anger, declared that Israel is no longer going to be called His people, it is the very same place where they'll be called the sons of the living God.
- That prophecy is now fulfilled.
Rom 9:27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: "Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved,
Rom 9:28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay."
Rom 9:29 And as Isaiah predicted, "If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah."
- Althought the nation of Israel be populous and their numbers many, if God did not spare Israel and leave them a remnant, wicked thought they were, they'd have been utterly destroyed from the face of this earth by the just wrath of God.
- Israel had sinned as no nation on earth had sinned before; they killed God's only begotten Son and rejected Him! Still, God in his infinite mercy and grace, spares Israel from total obliteration from the face of the earth, and left them a remnant!
- I think this also possibly points to God's judgement in AD70 where Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans, yet a number escaped and remain till this day.
Rom 9:30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith;
Rom 9:31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law.
- Paul anticipates another angle of argument from the Jews, that the Gentiles did not pursue righteousness, yet have attained it through faith in Jesus Christ? Why is it so easy for them, they did not have to work hard to observe the Law
- yet the Jews, trying to pursue righteousness by obeying the Law, failed.
- Isn't this unfair, Paul anticipates the Jews asking
- This was a fair question I guess, considering the ardousness of observing all the aspects of the Law, which the Jews have tried so hard to adhere to.
Rom 9:32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone,
- And here Paul gives the reply, it is because they were keeping the Law in arrogance of their rigtheousness, and not keeping it in obedience and in humility and faith, depending on God to have mercy on them.
- One will ask, how will they know then that one is justified by faith?
- It is revealed in several places even in the OT. Hab 2:4, Ps 32:1-11, Ps 130:1-8, Job 9:2
Rom 9:33 as it is written, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."
- Here Paul concludes by referring to Jesus, the Messiah, as the stumbling stone. He did not fit into the people's understanding of the prophecies about Him, thinking that he will establish his earthly kindom on earth.
- Instead the King came as a poor humble servant, and stumbled the religious minds of the time.
- He's a rock of offense, he caused great offense to the Pharisees, and turned their system upside down. He did not see any righteousness in their outward keeping of ceremonial laws while inwardly wicked, arrogant and self-seeking. Instead he chose for himself poor vessels, fishermen, tax collectors and even prostitutes as disciples, confounding all their wisdom and causing great offense, yet this is the mercy and wisdom of God.
- whoever then, puts his trust in this rock of offense, Jesus, the Messiah, will not be put to shame.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Why did Paul say that the Law arouses sinful passions?
Paul talks about the Law arousing sinful passions several times in the book of Romans. What did he mean by this?
Romans 7:5
For when we were controlled by the sinful nature,the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
Romans 7:8
But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.
Romans 7:9
Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
I had a hard time understanding this. Then the Lord brought to my mind the scene in the Garden of Eden. If God had not commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the fruit of that tree would not have had any particular appeal. It would just be an ordinary tree, just like all the other trees in the garden, and Adam and Even would not have had any particular desire to eat from it. I was thus surprised that when I referred to several bible commentaries one of them pointed to the same scene! The Lord works in mysterious and wonderful ways.
Here're more facts gleaned from the commentaries.
However, because a command was given not to eat from it, there immediately springs a desire to disobey, the forbidden fruit now seems appealing and sin sparng to life, and the covetous desire is born and it rages within us.
It's a psychological fact and our carnal nature that whatever is forbidden seems especially desirable. Our sinful nature wars against any limitations put on our freedoms. We spring into rebellion, with a zeal to disobey and to do the very thing we were told not to do.
Romans 7:5
For when we were controlled by the sinful nature,the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.
Romans 7:8
But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire.
Romans 7:9
Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.
I had a hard time understanding this. Then the Lord brought to my mind the scene in the Garden of Eden. If God had not commanded Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the fruit of that tree would not have had any particular appeal. It would just be an ordinary tree, just like all the other trees in the garden, and Adam and Even would not have had any particular desire to eat from it. I was thus surprised that when I referred to several bible commentaries one of them pointed to the same scene! The Lord works in mysterious and wonderful ways.
Here're more facts gleaned from the commentaries.
However, because a command was given not to eat from it, there immediately springs a desire to disobey, the forbidden fruit now seems appealing and sin sparng to life, and the covetous desire is born and it rages within us.
It's a psychological fact and our carnal nature that whatever is forbidden seems especially desirable. Our sinful nature wars against any limitations put on our freedoms. We spring into rebellion, with a zeal to disobey and to do the very thing we were told not to do.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Rejecting knowledge = God rejecting us
Sobering.
Hosea 4:6
6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
"Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children.
God's people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge. In today's context, the same malady continues.
God's people suffer from a lack of knowledge of
- the laws and commnandments of God. Jesus said that to love him is to obey his commandments. How do we obey when we don't even know what the laws are?
- God Himself. Do we have an accurate image of who God really is? Do we only know that God is love? That seems to be all I hear that's preached about God. God is much more than that. One aspect we don't hear very much about in our churches is that God is Holy. And God is greatly to be feared and revered.
- the teachings God gave us regarding the family. How should a husband treat his wife? Do we know the details? How should a wife treat her husband? Do we know the details? Do we care?
- the teachings God gave us regarding bringing up children. There's more than just not sparing the rod. Do we know what God's teaching is? Do we care?
- the teachings God gave us regarding the church. Are the doctrines correct? Are our practices biblical? Do they follow the laws and commandments that God has set forth concerning the church? Do we care?
A lack of knowledge leads to the people of God perishing. Furthermore, this is what the Lord says,
"Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children."
Let us study the word dilligently, and obey it!
Hosea 4:6
6 my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.
"Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also reject you as my priests;
because you have ignored the law of your God,
I also will ignore your children.
God's people are destroyed by a lack of knowledge. In today's context, the same malady continues.
God's people suffer from a lack of knowledge of
- the laws and commnandments of God. Jesus said that to love him is to obey his commandments. How do we obey when we don't even know what the laws are?
- God Himself. Do we have an accurate image of who God really is? Do we only know that God is love? That seems to be all I hear that's preached about God. God is much more than that. One aspect we don't hear very much about in our churches is that God is Holy. And God is greatly to be feared and revered.
- the teachings God gave us regarding the family. How should a husband treat his wife? Do we know the details? How should a wife treat her husband? Do we know the details? Do we care?
- the teachings God gave us regarding bringing up children. There's more than just not sparing the rod. Do we know what God's teaching is? Do we care?
- the teachings God gave us regarding the church. Are the doctrines correct? Are our practices biblical? Do they follow the laws and commandments that God has set forth concerning the church? Do we care?
A lack of knowledge leads to the people of God perishing. Furthermore, this is what the Lord says,
"Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children."
Let us study the word dilligently, and obey it!
What is the truth?
A very simple sharing, but of great importance. We must, as believers, always have a spirit and desire to seek and know the truth.
Try to answer this question honestly, and do a self-examination of our mindset.
Q: What is the truth?
A: What I believe.
B: The Word of God (i.e. the Bible)
C: What my church/pastor/elder teaches
(Hint: B is the only correct answer)
Here I'll share the testimony I read on the web of someone who left a particular "denomination" (if I can call it that even). I'll not name it for the sake of peace. I'll substitute it with "ZZZZ"
****************************************************************
The First Reason I Left Is Because The ZZZZZZZZZs Do Not Have The Right Attitude Toward The Truth.
Those with the right attitude toward the truth are always willing to test what they teach with others. They invite those of opposite views to work together for truth and unity. They appreciate when those who differ with them point out where they think they are wrong. They have everything thoroughly tested, studying arguments both for and against, looking at both sides of the question.
Those with the wrong attitude toward the truth are not willing to test what they teach in fair and open discussion, privately or publicly. They do not invite others to point out where they think they are wrong, and do not appreciate when others try to do so. They won't allow their members to hear both sides of an issue, and especially they don't want them to examine opposing arguments.
Hopefully, one can now understand what I mean when I said the ZZZZZs do not have the right attitude toward the truth. ZZZZZs are not allowed, and especially are not encouraged to hear both sides regarding truth and error. They are not to read books which differ from their doctrine. Thus, they are encouraged by the clergy to be closed minded to anything which differs from ZZZZZZZ. We ask, "Why don't ZZZZZZZ officials encourage their members to examine opposing Scriptural teaching?" False teachers have learned that when truth and error are examined side by side, some begin to see the truth. False teachers are afraid of being exposed and of losing their members.
Try to answer this question honestly, and do a self-examination of our mindset.
Q: What is the truth?
A: What I believe.
B: The Word of God (i.e. the Bible)
C: What my church/pastor/elder teaches
(Hint: B is the only correct answer)
Here I'll share the testimony I read on the web of someone who left a particular "denomination" (if I can call it that even). I'll not name it for the sake of peace. I'll substitute it with "ZZZZ"
****************************************************************
The First Reason I Left Is Because The ZZZZZZZZZs Do Not Have The Right Attitude Toward The Truth.
Those with the right attitude toward the truth are always willing to test what they teach with others. They invite those of opposite views to work together for truth and unity. They appreciate when those who differ with them point out where they think they are wrong. They have everything thoroughly tested, studying arguments both for and against, looking at both sides of the question.
Those with the wrong attitude toward the truth are not willing to test what they teach in fair and open discussion, privately or publicly. They do not invite others to point out where they think they are wrong, and do not appreciate when others try to do so. They won't allow their members to hear both sides of an issue, and especially they don't want them to examine opposing arguments.
Hopefully, one can now understand what I mean when I said the ZZZZZs do not have the right attitude toward the truth. ZZZZZs are not allowed, and especially are not encouraged to hear both sides regarding truth and error. They are not to read books which differ from their doctrine. Thus, they are encouraged by the clergy to be closed minded to anything which differs from ZZZZZZZ. We ask, "Why don't ZZZZZZZ officials encourage their members to examine opposing Scriptural teaching?" False teachers have learned that when truth and error are examined side by side, some begin to see the truth. False teachers are afraid of being exposed and of losing their members.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
What does Romans 5:20 mean?
A strange verse!
Romans 5:20
The law was added so that the trespass might increase.
I think this is what it means.
God gave us the Law so that we might begin to see the extent of our sinfulness and fallen nature. Without the Law, we won't even know what sin is, and what kind of standards God expects of a perfect man.
If God had not given us the Law, we will not understand the extent of his grace towards us. We won't think as much of Jesus's sacrifice, or God's love for us when we were yet heinous sinners who offended Him greatly.
So the Law was added, so that we might see our great failure, and utter sinfulness. It's as if God took out our cataracts and enabled us to see ourselves more clearly, according to His standards.
So that the glory of God will be more revealed through his grace towards us, when He gives us the gift of eternal life through the death of Jesus.
Romans 5:20
The law was added so that the trespass might increase.
I think this is what it means.
God gave us the Law so that we might begin to see the extent of our sinfulness and fallen nature. Without the Law, we won't even know what sin is, and what kind of standards God expects of a perfect man.
If God had not given us the Law, we will not understand the extent of his grace towards us. We won't think as much of Jesus's sacrifice, or God's love for us when we were yet heinous sinners who offended Him greatly.
So the Law was added, so that we might see our great failure, and utter sinfulness. It's as if God took out our cataracts and enabled us to see ourselves more clearly, according to His standards.
So that the glory of God will be more revealed through his grace towards us, when He gives us the gift of eternal life through the death of Jesus.
God's gift to us is greater than Adam's trespass!
Another challenging passage, but a gem of knowledge is within these versus when understood! Document here in case I forget.
Romans 15:17
15But the gift is not like the trespass.
- the gift refers to the gift of God, specifically the gift of righteousness ascribed to all of us believers on account of Jesus
- the trespass is Adam's original sin of disobeying God in the Garden of Eden.
- Here Paul explains that God's gift is "greater" than Adam's sin.
For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
- because of the ONE sin from ONE man (Adam), death came to all his descendants, the entire human race.
- In response, firstly God gave us grace by sending Jesus to die for us when we were yet sinners. We did nothing to deserve this grace.
- Second, God gave us the gift of righteousness.
- because of one man, Jesus, this grace and gift extended to all men.
- the reason that God's gift is greater than Adam's trespass is not yet revealed clearly for now
16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
- this verse makes it clear why the gift of God is greater than Adam's trespass.
- Imagine drawing a line down the centre of a piece of paper.
- On the left, write down:
1) One man, Adam
2) One sin, disobedience
3) Result, death came to all men
- On the right, write down:
1) One man, Jesus.
2) Righteous perfect life before the Law, died on the cross for all
3) Result, MANY sins of MANY men forgiven, eternal life
When we compare the two, we can see that Adam brought death through only ONE sin. Yet Christ, by his sacrifice, justified the MANY sins of MANY men. Thus the gift is greater than the trespass.
If the gift had not been greater than the trespass, then Christ's death would only have justified ALL men of ONE sin. Thank God this is not so!
17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
- again we see the gift is greater than the trespass
- death reigned (had mastery and dominion) over all men through Adam's sin
- God's gift of grace, and righteousness (gift because we did not earn it) caused us to REIGN in (eternal) life!
- so in this third way, Paul shows that the gift is greater than the trespass!
Praise and thank God for his generosity and grace towards us!
Romans 15:17
15But the gift is not like the trespass.
- the gift refers to the gift of God, specifically the gift of righteousness ascribed to all of us believers on account of Jesus
- the trespass is Adam's original sin of disobeying God in the Garden of Eden.
- Here Paul explains that God's gift is "greater" than Adam's sin.
For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!
- because of the ONE sin from ONE man (Adam), death came to all his descendants, the entire human race.
- In response, firstly God gave us grace by sending Jesus to die for us when we were yet sinners. We did nothing to deserve this grace.
- Second, God gave us the gift of righteousness.
- because of one man, Jesus, this grace and gift extended to all men.
- the reason that God's gift is greater than Adam's trespass is not yet revealed clearly for now
16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
- this verse makes it clear why the gift of God is greater than Adam's trespass.
- Imagine drawing a line down the centre of a piece of paper.
- On the left, write down:
1) One man, Adam
2) One sin, disobedience
3) Result, death came to all men
- On the right, write down:
1) One man, Jesus.
2) Righteous perfect life before the Law, died on the cross for all
3) Result, MANY sins of MANY men forgiven, eternal life
When we compare the two, we can see that Adam brought death through only ONE sin. Yet Christ, by his sacrifice, justified the MANY sins of MANY men. Thus the gift is greater than the trespass.
If the gift had not been greater than the trespass, then Christ's death would only have justified ALL men of ONE sin. Thank God this is not so!
17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
- again we see the gift is greater than the trespass
- death reigned (had mastery and dominion) over all men through Adam's sin
- God's gift of grace, and righteousness (gift because we did not earn it) caused us to REIGN in (eternal) life!
- so in this third way, Paul shows that the gift is greater than the trespass!
Praise and thank God for his generosity and grace towards us!
Secret revealed: Why can believers rejoice amid suffering?
I had some difficulty understanding these few versus, and spent time researching it and understanding it. Document here so I won't forget.
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- in civil law, a person is considered justified and proclaimed guiltless if he has been defended well in a court of Law and has produced sufficient proof to prove his innocence.
- likewise, we have been justified before God and proclaimed guiltless, through our faith in Jesus Christ, who bore the punishment for all our sins.
- because we're now proclaimed guiltless before God, through Christ, we can now have peace with God.
2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
- We are presently standing in a state of grace before God, i.e., we stand in God's good graces, because of Jesus Christ.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
- Because we're now in God's good graces, we rejoice in the hope of enjoying God's glory in heaven.
- This teaches us several things. Firstly, the reason Christians can rejoice here on earth, is because of our hope, of enjoying God's glory in heaven.
- Secondly, the reason heaven is heaven, and the reason we long to go to heaven, is not because of the things in heaven, nor the streets of gold nor the gates of pearl nor any other thing that heaven affords, but because of the glory of God.
- The glory of God is what makes heaven, heaven. It is the infinite nature of the glory of God alone (i.e. we would never get to understand or fully enjoy it even after an eternity of eternities), whichs allows us to enjoy heaven for eternity.
- Extrapolating from this (my thoughts only), we would go mad and insane if we had to spend an eternity pursuing "things" in heaven. We'd go mad with boredom because we'd soon tire of it!
3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.
- Here lies the secret to a Christian's ability to rejoice in the midst of suffering and persecution! What a great secret!
- We are able to rejoice when we suffer, because when we suffer, it produces perseverance (or patience).
- Perseverance (or patience) develops our character.
- And character gives us hope. Hope in what? Hope in the promise that we'll get to enjoy the glory of God for eternity soon! Hope in our reward in heaven!
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
- Our hope does not dissapoint us. Why? The answer comes in the next verse.
- It does not dissapoint because God has, through the Holy Spirit, shown that He loves us, by pouring His love into our hearts.
- Thus God gives us assurance that He loves us, by filling our hearts with His love by the Holy Spirit, and because of His love, we can be assured that our hope of spending eternity enjoying His glory, is never in vain!
1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
- in civil law, a person is considered justified and proclaimed guiltless if he has been defended well in a court of Law and has produced sufficient proof to prove his innocence.
- likewise, we have been justified before God and proclaimed guiltless, through our faith in Jesus Christ, who bore the punishment for all our sins.
- because we're now proclaimed guiltless before God, through Christ, we can now have peace with God.
2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.
- We are presently standing in a state of grace before God, i.e., we stand in God's good graces, because of Jesus Christ.
And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
- Because we're now in God's good graces, we rejoice in the hope of enjoying God's glory in heaven.
- This teaches us several things. Firstly, the reason Christians can rejoice here on earth, is because of our hope, of enjoying God's glory in heaven.
- Secondly, the reason heaven is heaven, and the reason we long to go to heaven, is not because of the things in heaven, nor the streets of gold nor the gates of pearl nor any other thing that heaven affords, but because of the glory of God.
- The glory of God is what makes heaven, heaven. It is the infinite nature of the glory of God alone (i.e. we would never get to understand or fully enjoy it even after an eternity of eternities), whichs allows us to enjoy heaven for eternity.
- Extrapolating from this (my thoughts only), we would go mad and insane if we had to spend an eternity pursuing "things" in heaven. We'd go mad with boredom because we'd soon tire of it!
3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.
- Here lies the secret to a Christian's ability to rejoice in the midst of suffering and persecution! What a great secret!
- We are able to rejoice when we suffer, because when we suffer, it produces perseverance (or patience).
- Perseverance (or patience) develops our character.
- And character gives us hope. Hope in what? Hope in the promise that we'll get to enjoy the glory of God for eternity soon! Hope in our reward in heaven!
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
- Our hope does not dissapoint us. Why? The answer comes in the next verse.
- It does not dissapoint because God has, through the Holy Spirit, shown that He loves us, by pouring His love into our hearts.
- Thus God gives us assurance that He loves us, by filling our hearts with His love by the Holy Spirit, and because of His love, we can be assured that our hope of spending eternity enjoying His glory, is never in vain!
Run - Carter Conlon
I was so moved by this sermon by Pastor Carter Conlon (Times Square Church) that I've transcribed it here. He preached this message following the 9/11 tragedy in 2001.
Run! By Carter Conlon
Listen to me like you've never listened to me, ever, in your life.
We have GOT to lay our lives down for the purposes of God!
This is not a Sunday school picnic, the church of Jesus Christ, this is not an invitation to have continuous good times!This is a WAR for the souls of men!
Come out from among them! Run for your life! Because this is about your life!
This is not just about an opposing theology or a conflicting viewpoint on Jesus; this is about your life!
My mind is forever branded with the story that I heard of police officers from the city of New York. As people were fleeing from a crumbling building, there were police officers and firemen and others that were running towards the buildings saying, "Run for your life!" At their own peril!
And in some cases I believed that they KNEW that they were going to DIE, but there was a SENSE OF DUTY!
I was crying out to God and I said, "God! Oh Jesus! Don't let my sense of duty be LESS for your kingdom, then these beloved firemen and policemen were for those that were perishing in a falling tower!
We're living in a generation where truth is falling into the streets! I want to be among those who're not running away from the conflict but running INTO the conflict saying, "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
RUN! From gospels that focus ONLY on SUCCESS and PROSPERITY, RUN!
RUN from those that use the name of Christ only for personal gain, run from those that're picking your pockets in the name of Jesus, RUN!
RUN from gospels that only focus on self-improvement, RUN!
RUN from churches where men and not Christ are glorified, RUN! Run, body of Christ, RUN! GET OUT! Don't touch the unclean thing!
RUN from churches where there is no Bible! There is no cause in their theology, there's no soul-searching Word, there's no repentance from sin, there's no mention of the blood of Jesus, RUN! It's unclean, RUN!
RUN from churches where you're comfortable in your sins! When you come into the house of God and you've got sin in your life and you're not convicted of it, you're at a table of devils!
RUN from pulpits that're filled with political men who're using the pulpit of God for a personal, political agenda! RUN!
RUN from those that preach division between races and cultures, RUN! Run! Get out! Turn it off, get away from it! They know NOTHING of God!
RUN from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless, empty prophesying, BELOVED CHURCH, RUN for your LIFE!
RUN from preachers that stand and tell stories and jokes, run like you've NEVER run before!
RUN!
RUN!!
RUN!!!
Run! By Carter Conlon
Listen to me like you've never listened to me, ever, in your life.
We have GOT to lay our lives down for the purposes of God!
This is not a Sunday school picnic, the church of Jesus Christ, this is not an invitation to have continuous good times!This is a WAR for the souls of men!
Come out from among them! Run for your life! Because this is about your life!
This is not just about an opposing theology or a conflicting viewpoint on Jesus; this is about your life!
My mind is forever branded with the story that I heard of police officers from the city of New York. As people were fleeing from a crumbling building, there were police officers and firemen and others that were running towards the buildings saying, "Run for your life!" At their own peril!
And in some cases I believed that they KNEW that they were going to DIE, but there was a SENSE OF DUTY!
I was crying out to God and I said, "God! Oh Jesus! Don't let my sense of duty be LESS for your kingdom, then these beloved firemen and policemen were for those that were perishing in a falling tower!
We're living in a generation where truth is falling into the streets! I want to be among those who're not running away from the conflict but running INTO the conflict saying, "RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!"
RUN! From gospels that focus ONLY on SUCCESS and PROSPERITY, RUN!
RUN from those that use the name of Christ only for personal gain, run from those that're picking your pockets in the name of Jesus, RUN!
RUN from gospels that only focus on self-improvement, RUN!
RUN from churches where men and not Christ are glorified, RUN! Run, body of Christ, RUN! GET OUT! Don't touch the unclean thing!
RUN from churches where there is no Bible! There is no cause in their theology, there's no soul-searching Word, there's no repentance from sin, there's no mention of the blood of Jesus, RUN! It's unclean, RUN!
RUN from churches where you're comfortable in your sins! When you come into the house of God and you've got sin in your life and you're not convicted of it, you're at a table of devils!
RUN from pulpits that're filled with political men who're using the pulpit of God for a personal, political agenda! RUN!
RUN from those that preach division between races and cultures, RUN! Run! Get out! Turn it off, get away from it! They know NOTHING of God!
RUN from ungodly, spasmodic movements and endless, empty prophesying, BELOVED CHURCH, RUN for your LIFE!
RUN from preachers that stand and tell stories and jokes, run like you've NEVER run before!
RUN!
RUN!!
RUN!!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
What should our attitude be when reading Scripture?
Every time we open the Bible to read, we should check our attitudes.
We should approach the Scriptures with a hunger to seek the truth. We should have only one goal, and that is to know the truth in the way God intended to communicate to us.
Our prayer should be, "Father, I hunger to know the truth of your Word. I do not bring my own prejudices, my denominational traditions, the teachings of men or my own doctrinal leanings with me when I read your Word. I bring a humble heart, and a teachable spirit, so that You might teach me Your Word as it is intended to be understood. If you show me something that does not fit in with the doctrine I've been taught, I will examine Your Word carefully and seek to know your truth. Amen."
It's that simple. Our desire should only be to know God's truth as God intends! Not for our own convenience or liking.
Here're some things to watch out for, and not do when we read the Scriptures.
We must not read the Scriptures with the intention to find proof to justify our own previously held views. We should be humble and teachable, and be willing to change our views if the Bible shows us that we're wrong.
The danger of looking into Scripture just to justify our views, with no desire for correction or giving room that we may be wrong, will in the worst cases, lead to apostasy and heresy.
In this way, homosexuals can even justify themselves with Scripture, and believe themselves saved! The Ku Klux Klan can also justify themselves with Scripture and believe that their racism is Biblical! This is taking it to the extreme, but it just shows us what kind of dangers lie ahead when we're not careful with this.
On a lesser note, some denominations refuse to read "wine" in the New Testament as wine but insist that wine is grape juice. I think if Jesus turned water into grape juice, the Bible would have told us so. History proves them wrong (the practice of watering down wine with water was not a Hebrew tradition but a Roman one) but will they change their views? This is a minor point that I feel isn't really very important in the big scheme of things, but it shows what can come about when we put on our prejudices when reading Scripture.
We must never take a verse out of context, and then claim it as a promise from God.
In all things, we have to know what the entire Bible says about a particular issue, in order to have a complete picture.
I'm sure everyone knows about the story of the blind men and the elephant. Each blind man touched a different part of the elepant and formed their own conclusions about what an elephant looks like. One touched the tail and said an elepant is like a snake. Another touched his legs and said an elepant is like a tree trunk. Another touched his trunk and said it was thick like a python but very dextrous. Or something like that, you get the picture.
They were all right in a small way but totally and competely wrong in the big picture.
Let's take prayer for example.
Matthew 7:7-8 says:
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Some people claim this verse alone, and believe that they could do anything they pleased, lived a sinful life, asked out of the will of God and still claim this promise that as long as they ask, God will answer. Then blame God for not answering.
Now what's wrong with the picture? It's the same thing the blind men were doing with the elephant. We're not seeing the whole picture.
What does the rest of the Bible say about prayer?
1 Kings 8:35
35 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.
It is clear that God will not hear our prayers when we sin, and are unrepentant.
Psalm 66:18
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
Again, God will not hear us if we regard iniquity in our hearts.
1 Chronicles 5:20
20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.
We must trust fully in the Lord when we pray. These men trusted the Lord with their lives.
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- humble themselves
- turn from their wicked ways
Job 16:17
17 yet my hands have been free of violence
and my prayer is pure.
Proverbs 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 28:9
If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.
Isaiah 1:13-17
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts
my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
16 wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
17 learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
1 Peter 3:7
7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
If we husbands do not treat our wives with respect, God will also not hear us when we pray.
If we look at how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's prayer, we see something else. The priority in prayer is firstly the glory of God, not our needs be met. (I'll write more on this another time). The order and priority given in the Lord's prayer is clear.
1. God's glory and name
2. God's kingdom
3. God's will
4. Our requests
In that order.
If we understand this, we will not pray for something for ourselves that will cause unbelievers to profane or blaspheme God's name, or hinder the advance of his kingdom, or go against His will. God won't hear us anyway.
Third and last point. We must know the entire context under which certain verses are quoted. We should ask ourselves, who is the speaker speaking to? Is he addressing a particular group of people only (e.g. the apostles) or is the speaker addressing all believers?
Take for example this verse in Revelations 3:20 -
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
I guess this is where "Would you like to invite Jesus into your heart?" comes from. However, what is the context under which this verse was spoken? If we were to ask believers, I believe many of them would say the context is Jesus's invitation to salvation.
However if we were to read the entire chapter carefully, we would find that Jesus was actually addressing this to the church in Laodicea, and he was rebuking them for being lukewarm.
Thus the entire meaning is taken out of context if we do not read the verse in context, and many misunderstandings come out of this.
We should approach the Scriptures with a hunger to seek the truth. We should have only one goal, and that is to know the truth in the way God intended to communicate to us.
Our prayer should be, "Father, I hunger to know the truth of your Word. I do not bring my own prejudices, my denominational traditions, the teachings of men or my own doctrinal leanings with me when I read your Word. I bring a humble heart, and a teachable spirit, so that You might teach me Your Word as it is intended to be understood. If you show me something that does not fit in with the doctrine I've been taught, I will examine Your Word carefully and seek to know your truth. Amen."
It's that simple. Our desire should only be to know God's truth as God intends! Not for our own convenience or liking.
Here're some things to watch out for, and not do when we read the Scriptures.
We must not read the Scriptures with the intention to find proof to justify our own previously held views. We should be humble and teachable, and be willing to change our views if the Bible shows us that we're wrong.
The danger of looking into Scripture just to justify our views, with no desire for correction or giving room that we may be wrong, will in the worst cases, lead to apostasy and heresy.
In this way, homosexuals can even justify themselves with Scripture, and believe themselves saved! The Ku Klux Klan can also justify themselves with Scripture and believe that their racism is Biblical! This is taking it to the extreme, but it just shows us what kind of dangers lie ahead when we're not careful with this.
On a lesser note, some denominations refuse to read "wine" in the New Testament as wine but insist that wine is grape juice. I think if Jesus turned water into grape juice, the Bible would have told us so. History proves them wrong (the practice of watering down wine with water was not a Hebrew tradition but a Roman one) but will they change their views? This is a minor point that I feel isn't really very important in the big scheme of things, but it shows what can come about when we put on our prejudices when reading Scripture.
We must never take a verse out of context, and then claim it as a promise from God.
In all things, we have to know what the entire Bible says about a particular issue, in order to have a complete picture.
I'm sure everyone knows about the story of the blind men and the elephant. Each blind man touched a different part of the elepant and formed their own conclusions about what an elephant looks like. One touched the tail and said an elepant is like a snake. Another touched his legs and said an elepant is like a tree trunk. Another touched his trunk and said it was thick like a python but very dextrous. Or something like that, you get the picture.
They were all right in a small way but totally and competely wrong in the big picture.
Let's take prayer for example.
Matthew 7:7-8 says:
7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Some people claim this verse alone, and believe that they could do anything they pleased, lived a sinful life, asked out of the will of God and still claim this promise that as long as they ask, God will answer. Then blame God for not answering.
Now what's wrong with the picture? It's the same thing the blind men were doing with the elephant. We're not seeing the whole picture.
What does the rest of the Bible say about prayer?
1 Kings 8:35
35 "When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray toward this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, 36 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.
It is clear that God will not hear our prayers when we sin, and are unrepentant.
Psalm 66:18
18 If I had cherished sin in my heart,
the Lord would not have listened;
Again, God will not hear us if we regard iniquity in our hearts.
1 Chronicles 5:20
20 They were helped in fighting them, and God handed the Hagrites and all their allies over to them, because they cried out to him during the battle. He answered their prayers, because they trusted in him.
We must trust fully in the Lord when we pray. These men trusted the Lord with their lives.
2 Chronicles 7:14
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
- humble themselves
- turn from their wicked ways
Job 16:17
17 yet my hands have been free of violence
and my prayer is pure.
Proverbs 15:8
The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him.
Proverbs 15:29
The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 28:9
If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.
Isaiah 1:13-17
13 Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations—
I cannot bear your evil assemblies.
14 Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts
my soul hates.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
15 When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I will hide my eyes from you;
even if you offer many prayers,
I will not listen.
Your hands are full of blood;
16 wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds
out of my sight!
Stop doing wrong,
17 learn to do right!
Seek justice,
encourage the oppressed.
Defend the cause of the fatherless,
plead the case of the widow.
1 Peter 3:7
7Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.
If we husbands do not treat our wives with respect, God will also not hear us when we pray.
If we look at how Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord's prayer, we see something else. The priority in prayer is firstly the glory of God, not our needs be met. (I'll write more on this another time). The order and priority given in the Lord's prayer is clear.
1. God's glory and name
2. God's kingdom
3. God's will
4. Our requests
In that order.
If we understand this, we will not pray for something for ourselves that will cause unbelievers to profane or blaspheme God's name, or hinder the advance of his kingdom, or go against His will. God won't hear us anyway.
Third and last point. We must know the entire context under which certain verses are quoted. We should ask ourselves, who is the speaker speaking to? Is he addressing a particular group of people only (e.g. the apostles) or is the speaker addressing all believers?
Take for example this verse in Revelations 3:20 -
20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
I guess this is where "Would you like to invite Jesus into your heart?" comes from. However, what is the context under which this verse was spoken? If we were to ask believers, I believe many of them would say the context is Jesus's invitation to salvation.
However if we were to read the entire chapter carefully, we would find that Jesus was actually addressing this to the church in Laodicea, and he was rebuking them for being lukewarm.
Thus the entire meaning is taken out of context if we do not read the verse in context, and many misunderstandings come out of this.
What does it mean to "recieve" Jesus?
"Would you like to receive Jesus into your heart?" We hear this so often that we don't even think about it anymore. However, looking into Scripture, what does "recieving Christ" mean?
First, let's understand WHO it is that we are "recieving."
The Word is Jesus. He is God, he has existed since the beginning of all things. He existed before everything, before the angelic beings were created, before heaven was created. This is He whom we recieve!
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
Everything in heaven, and on earth, was made through him.
All the power, thrones, dominion, principalities and authority in heaven and on earth, the most glorious, holy and powerful archangels, seraphim, cherubin and other angelic beings were made through him.
Heaven was made through him.
Earth was made through him.
All the mountains, seas, stars, planets, universe and solar systems were made through him.
Every living creature in the sky, on earth, and below earth was made through him.
All the plants and living things were made through him.
Nothing in this Universe would have life if not FOR Him, because life comes FROM Him.
This is HIM whom we recieve!
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
We, the world, did not recognize the One through whom the world was made, even when he walked among us! This is whom we recieve!
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
The Word was God, who was made flesh, and He lived and walked among men. This is whom we recieve!
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
He came to his own people, but they did not recieve Him.
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
For all that did recieve him, he gave the right to become children of God.
For all that believed in His name, which is above every other name in heaven and on earth, he gave the right to become children of God.
12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
This word "recieve", what does it mean?
If the President of the most powerful country were to come to our homes today and stay with us, how would we recieve him?
Would we just talk to him for 5 mins and give him honour, then spend the rest of our time ignoring him, giving no thought to him, or going about our lives as if he never came and stayed with us? Will we, after 5 mins of talking to him, go watch TV, go on with our lives with our family, go shopping, etc. and leave him sitting on our sofa by himself?
No, of course not! We would devote our entire attention to him! We would want to get to know him. We want to know who he is, why he came, what he demands of us, we spend our day and night honouring him and serving him and being with him. We do everything for him. We put our own lives aside just to serve his needs, because he is the President, the most important man on the face of the earth and he comes and lives with us for awhile.
Now when, when we are talking about Jesus, whom are we talking about? He is Lord of the Universe, God of the angels, who bow down and cover their faces in light of His Glory and cry out in worship "Holy Holy Holy!" We would fall down and violently tremble in fear, paralyzed, if even one of the least of these angels were to appear to us in their own form, and yet, when the King of Glory comes we "recieve" him as an accessory to our life, as a cherry topping on top of our ice cream to make our lives better?
No! We recieve the King of Glory by bowing low, by serving Him with all of our lives, by living on his every command, and seeking his pleasure and approval! We will not be concerned for our own comfort, well-being and lives even, but seek to do whatever He wills! We will give up everything in our lives to serve him!
That, I think, is what it means to recieve Jesus.
First, let's understand WHO it is that we are "recieving."
The Word is Jesus. He is God, he has existed since the beginning of all things. He existed before everything, before the angelic beings were created, before heaven was created. This is He whom we recieve!
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
Everything in heaven, and on earth, was made through him.
All the power, thrones, dominion, principalities and authority in heaven and on earth, the most glorious, holy and powerful archangels, seraphim, cherubin and other angelic beings were made through him.
Heaven was made through him.
Earth was made through him.
All the mountains, seas, stars, planets, universe and solar systems were made through him.
Every living creature in the sky, on earth, and below earth was made through him.
All the plants and living things were made through him.
Nothing in this Universe would have life if not FOR Him, because life comes FROM Him.
This is HIM whom we recieve!
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
We, the world, did not recognize the One through whom the world was made, even when he walked among us! This is whom we recieve!
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
The Word was God, who was made flesh, and He lived and walked among men. This is whom we recieve!
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
He came to his own people, but they did not recieve Him.
11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
For all that did recieve him, he gave the right to become children of God.
For all that believed in His name, which is above every other name in heaven and on earth, he gave the right to become children of God.
12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent,[c] nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
This word "recieve", what does it mean?
If the President of the most powerful country were to come to our homes today and stay with us, how would we recieve him?
Would we just talk to him for 5 mins and give him honour, then spend the rest of our time ignoring him, giving no thought to him, or going about our lives as if he never came and stayed with us? Will we, after 5 mins of talking to him, go watch TV, go on with our lives with our family, go shopping, etc. and leave him sitting on our sofa by himself?
No, of course not! We would devote our entire attention to him! We would want to get to know him. We want to know who he is, why he came, what he demands of us, we spend our day and night honouring him and serving him and being with him. We do everything for him. We put our own lives aside just to serve his needs, because he is the President, the most important man on the face of the earth and he comes and lives with us for awhile.
Now when, when we are talking about Jesus, whom are we talking about? He is Lord of the Universe, God of the angels, who bow down and cover their faces in light of His Glory and cry out in worship "Holy Holy Holy!" We would fall down and violently tremble in fear, paralyzed, if even one of the least of these angels were to appear to us in their own form, and yet, when the King of Glory comes we "recieve" him as an accessory to our life, as a cherry topping on top of our ice cream to make our lives better?
No! We recieve the King of Glory by bowing low, by serving Him with all of our lives, by living on his every command, and seeking his pleasure and approval! We will not be concerned for our own comfort, well-being and lives even, but seek to do whatever He wills! We will give up everything in our lives to serve him!
That, I think, is what it means to recieve Jesus.
Let's examine ourselves
I was doing my daily devotion and came across this verse, and I stopped in fear and apprehension to examine myself. Thought it'll be good to share it with others too.
This is taken from Romans 2:17 - 34. Paul was talking to the Jews, but it is equally applicable to us Christians today. Change "Jew" and read "Christian" and it's a sobering and frightening verse indeed!
Do we, by our behaviour, cause the unbelievers to profane the name of our Father in heaven? Do we brag about our relationship with Christ and that we know God, yet have no love for others?
Do we teach ourselves and examine ourselves in light of the commandments of Jesus?
Are we dishonest in business, or in the office? Do we bend laws or even break them to get more profit for ourselves? Or does our integrity shine like a bright light to others, so that they may praise our Father in heaven?
Do we condemn those who fall into sin and commit adultery, yet look at members of the opposite sex lustfully ourselves?
Do we tell others how much we abhor idols, yet steal from the house of God in tithes and offerings?
Do we break the commandments of God?
God is zealous for the glory of His own name.
Malachi 1:14 says "For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations." Let us not be the cause of the unbelievers profaning the great and holy name of the Lord our God.
Let's examine ourselves.
Romans 2:17 - 34
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
From Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary
2:17-24 The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.
In plain modern-day English, Matthew Henry's explaination will read something like this:
The apostle Paul talks plainly about the sins of the Jews. (We modern day Christians are no different I think). They were quick to profess their God, but their religion is mostly self-glorifying pretending.
True religion is this: We believe in God humbly, and are thankful to Him and glorify him more with our love, lives and behaviour, than with our words.
Proud and vain boasting in God (even to unbelievers), and the quick outward profession of his name, without the life to back it up, is pure hypocrisy. Even if our lives back us up, we should still not be vain and boastful, but loving, humble and lowly in heart even towards unbelievers.
The great evil that these proud boasters do, is they dishonour God because they do not live according to what they profess. Their lives do not match their lips.
They look down upon the unbelievers and ridicule their dead religion, yet they themselves trust in a form of knowledge that's equally lacking in life and power. Others glory in the gospel but they live unholy lives, which cause unbelievers to blaspheme the name of God.
Reading this put great fear into my heart, as I can see myself in that description in some ways. Let's all examine ourselves.
This is taken from Romans 2:17 - 34. Paul was talking to the Jews, but it is equally applicable to us Christians today. Change "Jew" and read "Christian" and it's a sobering and frightening verse indeed!
Do we, by our behaviour, cause the unbelievers to profane the name of our Father in heaven? Do we brag about our relationship with Christ and that we know God, yet have no love for others?
Do we teach ourselves and examine ourselves in light of the commandments of Jesus?
Are we dishonest in business, or in the office? Do we bend laws or even break them to get more profit for ourselves? Or does our integrity shine like a bright light to others, so that they may praise our Father in heaven?
Do we condemn those who fall into sin and commit adultery, yet look at members of the opposite sex lustfully ourselves?
Do we tell others how much we abhor idols, yet steal from the house of God in tithes and offerings?
Do we break the commandments of God?
God is zealous for the glory of His own name.
Malachi 1:14 says "For I am a great king," says the LORD Almighty, "and my name is to be feared among the nations." Let us not be the cause of the unbelievers profaning the great and holy name of the Lord our God.
Let's examine ourselves.
Romans 2:17 - 34
17Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and brag about your relationship to God; 18if you know his will and approve of what is superior because you are instructed by the law; 19if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light for those who are in the dark, 20an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of infants, because you have in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21you, then, who teach others, do you not teach yourself? You who preach against stealing, do you steal? 22You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23You who brag about the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24As it is written: "God's name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you."
From Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary
2:17-24 The apostle directs his discourse to the Jews, and shows of what sins they were guilty, notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and sum of all religion. But proud, vain-glorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of his name, is the root and sum of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is the most dangerous of all kinds of pride. A great evil of the sins professors is, the dishonour done to God and religion, by their not living according to their profession. Many despise their more ignorant neighbours who rest in a dead form of godliness; yet themselves trust in a form of knowledge, equally void of life and power, while some glory in the gospel, whose unholy lives dishonour God, and cause his name to be blasphemed.
In plain modern-day English, Matthew Henry's explaination will read something like this:
The apostle Paul talks plainly about the sins of the Jews. (We modern day Christians are no different I think). They were quick to profess their God, but their religion is mostly self-glorifying pretending.
True religion is this: We believe in God humbly, and are thankful to Him and glorify him more with our love, lives and behaviour, than with our words.
Proud and vain boasting in God (even to unbelievers), and the quick outward profession of his name, without the life to back it up, is pure hypocrisy. Even if our lives back us up, we should still not be vain and boastful, but loving, humble and lowly in heart even towards unbelievers.
The great evil that these proud boasters do, is they dishonour God because they do not live according to what they profess. Their lives do not match their lips.
They look down upon the unbelievers and ridicule their dead religion, yet they themselves trust in a form of knowledge that's equally lacking in life and power. Others glory in the gospel but they live unholy lives, which cause unbelievers to blaspheme the name of God.
Reading this put great fear into my heart, as I can see myself in that description in some ways. Let's all examine ourselves.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
What are the evidences of a person who is saved?
I know that this article is probably going to cause controversy. People are going to scream, "Legalist!", or that "he's advocating a works based salvation!" However I'd like to ask that you read this with an open mind and an open heart and consider scripture outside of our culture for a moment. Christians in the years past did not believe what we believe today. Read the writings of the godly men of the past, and one thing is clear. Christianity today looks absolutely different from the christianity in the Bible, and in the days of men like George Muller, Charles Spurgeon and John Wesley.
I believe that no one can attain salvation through obeying the law. We've all probably already broken most of the commandments before we were ten. We lied, we stole, we looked at another person's goods and coveted them, we worshipped other gods, we dishonoured our parents etc. All it took was ONE sin for Adam and Eve to fall. Thus it is impossible for anyone to be perfect under the law, except for our sinless Master Jesus Christ of course.
I believe that salvation is given by the grace of God alone, and it comes through repentance of our sins and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now let's look at what Scripture has to say about the topic of salvation.
We must be the salt of the earth
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
But what is saltiness? We just have to look back to the previous verses to find out the answer. (Matthew 5)
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We must not hate our brother (Matthew 5)
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
We must deal harshly and decisively with our sin. (Matthew 5)
30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
We must choose to enter through the narrow gate, and walk the narrow path (i.e. the life of a true believer is not going to be easy, comfortable, etc., it is going to be hard). Our Lord Himself makes it abundantly clear that only a few will find eternal life! We must remember that not only is the gate narrow, the path is also narrow!
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
We must bear good fruit in our lives (Matthew 7)
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Our profession of faith (i.e. our claim that we are Christians or followers of Christ) is worth ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! The only ones who will be saved are those that do the will of the Father. What is His will? To obey his commandments and do all that he demands of us.(Matthew 7)
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
We must hear the words of Jesus, and put them into practice. This destruction is talking about eternal destruction and not some temporal thing, because this is confirmed in Luke (see below). (Matthew 7)
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
The version given in Luke. Recall what Jesus said about those who called him "Lord! Lord!" Not anyone who calls him Lord will be saved (i.e. the self-professing Christian) but only those that do what he commanded. Note that the destruction was complete. Not a temporal destruction.
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
We must stand firm till the end for the Faith (Matthew 10)
22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
We have to acknowledge Jesus before men, even if it means death or persecution for us.
This is especially true in the Middle East and in Africa and other parts of the world today that are controlled by Muslim Fundamentalists, where admitting to be a Christian may get you killed. (Matthew 10)
32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. (If Jesus disowns us in front of the Father, we will stand condemned because the only reason we're saved is his righteous blood that was shed for us, and we are in Him. Without Jesus, there is no salvation.)
We have to be prepared to give up everything in this world for the sake of Jesus, and love Him above everything else. We have to be willing to suffer for the kingdom of God if need be. (Matthew 10)
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
We must repent of our sins when God shows them to us
21"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
We must be careful of our words (Matthew 12)
36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
1) We must not let the worries of this life or the decietfullness of wealth choke us and make us unfruitful for God's kingdom (any tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire).
2) We must not fall away because of trouble or persecution.
3) We must produce other fruits (disclipleship, evangelism, etc.), that is win others to Christ.
19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
We must not do evil before the Lord, or cause others to sin. He is referring to believers, not unbelievers, because Jesus says he will weed out from his kingdom. (Matthew 13)
41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We will be willing to give up everything else in this world, our ambition, our dreams, our pocessions, for the sake of the kingdom of God. If we are saved, we will treasure the kingdom of God above everything else in this world.
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Again, we must give up everything we want and desire in this world, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We must even give our lives if God calls us to do so. It is worth it because the value of our soul (just one soul) is greater even than anything this world can offer us.
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
We must change and become like little children in our hearts.
3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
From Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary (one of the most, if not the most, highly regarded Bible Commentary among true men of God):
Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions (i.e. do not treat others differently because of their status, race, looks, position in society etc.), are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all.
We must forgive others (we can have no hope of salvation unless God forgives us)
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
We must seek to obey God's commandments, especially the ones Jesus listed, and we must follow Jesus. Note: The command to sell all pocessions is not a requirement for salvation but an act towards perfection.
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,and love your neighbor as yourself."
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
We must be careful of desiring wealth.
However, God (through prayer) has the power even to change the heart of a rich man so that though he's rich, he does not treasure his riches.
This is what Jesus meant when he said with God all things are possible, because we know that God does not change nor does he compromise His own standards, so the only other alternative is that the rich man does not love his riches above God.
But I feel it's still better to not be rich.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
When God's word is preached to us to repent, we must believe AND repent.
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
A warning. I think this warning is crystal clear and leaves no doubt at all whatsoever!
14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Our rigtheousness must surpass the Pharisees
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
What were the Pharisees like?
1) Their rigtheousness was done only for other men to see, they love the praise and approval of men but not of God. They love for men to greet them respectfully and address them by honorific titles.
5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' (Rabbi is a title of honour for the teachers of the law.)
2) They practice outward obedience to God, but their hearts and attitudes are wrong. Both are important to God.
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
3) They look holy on the outside but their hearts are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
We are to give our lives to looking after our Master's business, not seeking our own pleasure
45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We must use whatever God has given us (time, giftings, talents, resources, even our lives and the future of our own children) and multiply it for His kingdom, not for ourselves.
We are also not to use our time and resources to pursue our own pleasures and desires, or seek to build our own little kingdom here on earth.
If we're truly slaves to God, we will spend our time, energy and resources furthering our Master's kingdom and not our own.
Look at how the early believers lived. Did they build their own kingdoms? Did they seek to live comfortable, pleasurable lives?
Put everything to grow their wealth, businesses or financial portfolios?
NO!! They sold their fields and distributed to other believers who had need!
They laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel! Some were covered with tar, set on fire and crucified on the sides of Roman highways to light the highway at night, yet they went to their deaths with joy and victory in their hearts, to be counted worthy of suffering for God's kingdom!
I guess this is why Jesus said that many are invited, but few are chosen. And that the gate and path is narrow and few choose to walk in it.
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
We must take care of fellow believers in need, and even sacrifice ourselves for them if need be. This is a very sobering thing to consider because the punishment for not loving our fellow believers is damnation!
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in (in some places even today, Islamic fundamentalist countries for example, harboring a Christian could get you beaten up, jailed or even killed), 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' (Visiting a fellow Christian in some places could mean you will also be arrested and thrown into prison as well! Or at the very least, marked by the authorities!)
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
The love of God is not in us if we do not love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Love demands action, and truth.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
If we do not love fellow believers, it is evidence that we do not know God. If we do not know God, how can our salvation be genuine?
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
We cannot love God yet hate our fellow believer.
20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
We must walk in the light and not in darkness
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
We are in Him (Jesus) if we obey his commandments. We must even live as Jesus did. Again, it is an unambiguous, crystal clear evidence of salvation.
3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world.
Again, we must not hate anyone
9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
How do we know that we're saved? What is one of the signs?
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
We must not love the world, if we love the world it proves that we do not love the Father
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world.
We do not sin habitually. We all have sins we struggle with, but we don't keep sinning without mourning for our sins or praying for God to set us free and struggling with it.
John is not saying we'll be sinless (he makes this very clear in the start of his letter, he says that anyone who claims he does not sin is a liar) but that we will not walk in sin or have habitual sin.
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
We WILL be judged by what we do also! We are saved by grace alone, through Jesus Christ who redeemed us, and no amount of works can save us because one sin was all it took for Adam to fall into death, and we know we cannot possibly live without sin.
However that does not mean that God will not judge us according to what we do as well! This is well understood by the apostles! (this is written by Paul)
Interestingly, many people take verse 6 out of context and claim it is talking about how God will reward each man according to what he has done.
However if you read it in context, it is talking about judgement and punishment, not rewards. Of course God will judge us and reward us accordingly, but here Paul was talking about judgement.
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."
Again, here Paul clearly states that there are requirements to salvation!
7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Again Scripture says a born again believer will not be slave to sin. We struggle with it, yes, but we are not it's slave. God gives us the power to overcome sin.
5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
We must conquer sin and live in holiness, which leads to eternal life. Continued slavery to sin leads to eternal death.
Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
We must be born again. The Holy Spirit creates in us a new spirit. Someone who is born again is a new creature. He doesn't like the things he used to like, think the way he used to think, act the way he used to act.
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (water is widely understood as water baptism, and born of the Spirit means being born again by the power of the Holy Spirit).
We will be judged also for what we do. We know this applies to us also because this has not yet happened, and Jesus is speaking of the second coming.
28"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and come out—
those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
This has nothing to do with salvation, but it applies very much to us today as it did in the past too. We must be careful not to hold so dear to man-made traditions that we ignore or fail to see the truth in God's word and obey his commands.
God's word is the final say on all matters, not our traditions nor what we believe in our denomination etc.
7They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'
8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." 9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
This is very prevalent in our times today. Many will disagree with me on this, but I believe that the sinner's prayer (men's invention) is causing many people to go to Hell, because they believed that if they prayed that prayer, their souls are safe, and they then go on living the same way they've always lived, have no prayer life and do not know the word of God except for what's preached over the pulpit on Sundays.
Yet there's nowhere in the Bible where the gospel is preached that way! The sinner's prayer was made popular by tele-evangelists only 50 years ago!
If we read the Bible, when the gospels were preached, men were pierced to their hearts when they heard the undiluted, un-politically correct preaching of the gospel, and the call of the preacher was always to "Repent and believe!"
Nowadays, we slip in the invitation to say the sinner's prayer without even preaching the gospel, and men have no idea what God is like, why Jesus died for them, why they can't save themselves, their wretched and sinful nature and the need for them to repent to escape eternal damnation.
When the Holy Spirit comes to convict men of sin, we do not have to manipulate men (by the playing of music, the dimming of lights) to come to salvation! Men can do nothing, salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit! When he convicts, sinful men will weep regardless of whether there be music or dim lights or not!
Love God, and love our neighbour
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself."
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
We must repent, or we'll perish. If there is no repentance from sin, there is no salvation.
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no!
But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Again, if we do not bear fruit, we will be cut down. God gives us time to bear fruit, however there is a limit to his wooing. If we still do not bear fruit, we stand condemned.
Fruits are an evidence of salvation. No fruit = no genuine salvation.
I believe that if there are "Christians" who've been in church for many years but there is no sign of visible fruit in their lives (i.e. they look, talk, think, act just like the world), it is clear that they are not saved.
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
The cost of discipleship. Those who are not willing to give up everything to follow Jesus cannot be considered his disciple. If we are not his disciple then we don't belong to him do we?
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
1) Jesus asks us to consider the cost of following him before we call ourselves Christians. Not many people in our world today is willing to pay the price that Christ demands. Hence I believe that not many will be saved, and Jesus Himself says this.
2) To be truly considered his disciples, we must be willing to pay the price.
3) This is a far cry from the easy-listening, easy-living Christianity we have in our modern churches, and our modern world today. I think this totally explains why Jesus said that many are invited but few are chosen.
However, it was not always so in the history of the Christian church.
In the early years of the church, believers willingly layed down their lives for the sake of Christ. Even today in Africa and the Middle East, Christians, even young Christian children, are being matyred daily although we don't hear about it in the news, but this news is available through missionary websites.
One 11 year old child I read, in Rwanda, was shot 5 times in the stomach and died in a pool of his own blood because he refused to denounce Christ, although he was trembling with fear when confronted by his assasins.
If we ask ourselves honestly today, how many people in the church will sacrifice their lives for Christ? Their time? Their future? Their comfort? Their ambitions? Not many.
It is not easy to be a true Christian. This is why Jesus says we must take up our cross and follow him. No cross is easy.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
I believe that no one can attain salvation through obeying the law. We've all probably already broken most of the commandments before we were ten. We lied, we stole, we looked at another person's goods and coveted them, we worshipped other gods, we dishonoured our parents etc. All it took was ONE sin for Adam and Eve to fall. Thus it is impossible for anyone to be perfect under the law, except for our sinless Master Jesus Christ of course.
I believe that salvation is given by the grace of God alone, and it comes through repentance of our sins and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Now let's look at what Scripture has to say about the topic of salvation.
We must be the salt of the earth
13"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
But what is saltiness? We just have to look back to the previous verses to find out the answer. (Matthew 5)
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
5Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
7Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
8Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
9Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
We must not hate our brother (Matthew 5)
22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[b]will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.
We must deal harshly and decisively with our sin. (Matthew 5)
30And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.
We must choose to enter through the narrow gate, and walk the narrow path (i.e. the life of a true believer is not going to be easy, comfortable, etc., it is going to be hard). Our Lord Himself makes it abundantly clear that only a few will find eternal life! We must remember that not only is the gate narrow, the path is also narrow!
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
We must bear good fruit in our lives (Matthew 7)
Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Our profession of faith (i.e. our claim that we are Christians or followers of Christ) is worth ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! The only ones who will be saved are those that do the will of the Father. What is His will? To obey his commandments and do all that he demands of us.(Matthew 7)
21"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
We must hear the words of Jesus, and put them into practice. This destruction is talking about eternal destruction and not some temporal thing, because this is confirmed in Luke (see below). (Matthew 7)
24"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
The version given in Luke. Recall what Jesus said about those who called him "Lord! Lord!" Not anyone who calls him Lord will be saved (i.e. the self-professing Christian) but only those that do what he commanded. Note that the destruction was complete. Not a temporal destruction.
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."
We must stand firm till the end for the Faith (Matthew 10)
22All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
We have to acknowledge Jesus before men, even if it means death or persecution for us.
This is especially true in the Middle East and in Africa and other parts of the world today that are controlled by Muslim Fundamentalists, where admitting to be a Christian may get you killed. (Matthew 10)
32"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. (If Jesus disowns us in front of the Father, we will stand condemned because the only reason we're saved is his righteous blood that was shed for us, and we are in Him. Without Jesus, there is no salvation.)
We have to be prepared to give up everything in this world for the sake of Jesus, and love Him above everything else. We have to be willing to suffer for the kingdom of God if need be. (Matthew 10)
37"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
We must repent of our sins when God shows them to us
21"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.22But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
We must be careful of our words (Matthew 12)
36But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
1) We must not let the worries of this life or the decietfullness of wealth choke us and make us unfruitful for God's kingdom (any tree that does not bear fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire).
2) We must not fall away because of trouble or persecution.
3) We must produce other fruits (disclipleship, evangelism, etc.), that is win others to Christ.
19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. 22The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. 23But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown."
We must not do evil before the Lord, or cause others to sin. He is referring to believers, not unbelievers, because Jesus says he will weed out from his kingdom. (Matthew 13)
41The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We will be willing to give up everything else in this world, our ambition, our dreams, our pocessions, for the sake of the kingdom of God. If we are saved, we will treasure the kingdom of God above everything else in this world.
44"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Again, we must give up everything we want and desire in this world, and follow Jesus wholeheartedly. We must even give our lives if God calls us to do so. It is worth it because the value of our soul (just one soul) is greater even than anything this world can offer us.
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
We must change and become like little children in our hearts.
3And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
From Matthew Henry's Bible Commentary (one of the most, if not the most, highly regarded Bible Commentary among true men of God):
Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions (i.e. do not treat others differently because of their status, race, looks, position in society etc.), are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all.
We must forgive others (we can have no hope of salvation unless God forgives us)
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
We must seek to obey God's commandments, especially the ones Jesus listed, and we must follow Jesus. Note: The command to sell all pocessions is not a requirement for salvation but an act towards perfection.
16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
18"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, "Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,and love your neighbor as yourself."
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
We must be careful of desiring wealth.
However, God (through prayer) has the power even to change the heart of a rich man so that though he's rich, he does not treasure his riches.
This is what Jesus meant when he said with God all things are possible, because we know that God does not change nor does he compromise His own standards, so the only other alternative is that the rich man does not love his riches above God.
But I feel it's still better to not be rich.
23Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?"
26Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
When God's word is preached to us to repent, we must believe AND repent.
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. 32For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.
A warning. I think this warning is crystal clear and leaves no doubt at all whatsoever!
14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Our rigtheousness must surpass the Pharisees
20For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.
What were the Pharisees like?
1) Their rigtheousness was done only for other men to see, they love the praise and approval of men but not of God. They love for men to greet them respectfully and address them by honorific titles.
5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' (Rabbi is a title of honour for the teachers of the law.)
2) They practice outward obedience to God, but their hearts and attitudes are wrong. Both are important to God.
23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.
3) They look holy on the outside but their hearts are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
We are to give our lives to looking after our Master's business, not seeking our own pleasure
45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,' 49and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
We must use whatever God has given us (time, giftings, talents, resources, even our lives and the future of our own children) and multiply it for His kingdom, not for ourselves.
We are also not to use our time and resources to pursue our own pleasures and desires, or seek to build our own little kingdom here on earth.
If we're truly slaves to God, we will spend our time, energy and resources furthering our Master's kingdom and not our own.
Look at how the early believers lived. Did they build their own kingdoms? Did they seek to live comfortable, pleasurable lives?
Put everything to grow their wealth, businesses or financial portfolios?
NO!! They sold their fields and distributed to other believers who had need!
They laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel! Some were covered with tar, set on fire and crucified on the sides of Roman highways to light the highway at night, yet they went to their deaths with joy and victory in their hearts, to be counted worthy of suffering for God's kingdom!
I guess this is why Jesus said that many are invited, but few are chosen. And that the gate and path is narrow and few choose to walk in it.
24"Then the man who had received the one talent came. 'Master,' he said, 'I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'
26"His master replied, 'You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.
28" 'Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. 29For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. 30And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'
We must take care of fellow believers in need, and even sacrifice ourselves for them if need be. This is a very sobering thing to consider because the punishment for not loving our fellow believers is damnation!
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in (in some places even today, Islamic fundamentalist countries for example, harboring a Christian could get you beaten up, jailed or even killed), 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' (Visiting a fellow Christian in some places could mean you will also be arrested and thrown into prison as well! Or at the very least, marked by the authorities!)
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
The love of God is not in us if we do not love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Love demands action, and truth.
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
If we do not love fellow believers, it is evidence that we do not know God. If we do not know God, how can our salvation be genuine?
7Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
We cannot love God yet hate our fellow believer.
20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
We must walk in the light and not in darkness
5This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
We are in Him (Jesus) if we obey his commandments. We must even live as Jesus did. Again, it is an unambiguous, crystal clear evidence of salvation.
3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world.
Again, we must not hate anyone
9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 10Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. 11But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.
How do we know that we're saved? What is one of the signs?
14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
We must not love the world, if we love the world it proves that we do not love the Father
15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world.
We do not sin habitually. We all have sins we struggle with, but we don't keep sinning without mourning for our sins or praying for God to set us free and struggling with it.
John is not saying we'll be sinless (he makes this very clear in the start of his letter, he says that anyone who claims he does not sin is a liar) but that we will not walk in sin or have habitual sin.
6No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. 9No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.
We WILL be judged by what we do also! We are saved by grace alone, through Jesus Christ who redeemed us, and no amount of works can save us because one sin was all it took for Adam to fall into death, and we know we cannot possibly live without sin.
However that does not mean that God will not judge us according to what we do as well! This is well understood by the apostles! (this is written by Paul)
Interestingly, many people take verse 6 out of context and claim it is talking about how God will reward each man according to what he has done.
However if you read it in context, it is talking about judgement and punishment, not rewards. Of course God will judge us and reward us accordingly, but here Paul was talking about judgement.
5But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God's wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. 6God "will give to each person according to what he has done."
Again, here Paul clearly states that there are requirements to salvation!
7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.
Again Scripture says a born again believer will not be slave to sin. We struggle with it, yes, but we are not it's slave. God gives us the power to overcome sin.
5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
We must conquer sin and live in holiness, which leads to eternal life. Continued slavery to sin leads to eternal death.
Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
We must be born again. The Holy Spirit creates in us a new spirit. Someone who is born again is a new creature. He doesn't like the things he used to like, think the way he used to think, act the way he used to act.
3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 5Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (water is widely understood as water baptism, and born of the Spirit means being born again by the power of the Holy Spirit).
We will be judged also for what we do. We know this applies to us also because this has not yet happened, and Jesus is speaking of the second coming.
28"Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29and come out—
those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned.
This has nothing to do with salvation, but it applies very much to us today as it did in the past too. We must be careful not to hold so dear to man-made traditions that we ignore or fail to see the truth in God's word and obey his commands.
God's word is the final say on all matters, not our traditions nor what we believe in our denomination etc.
7They worship me in vain;
their teachings are but rules taught by men.'
8You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men." 9And he said to them: "You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions!
This is very prevalent in our times today. Many will disagree with me on this, but I believe that the sinner's prayer (men's invention) is causing many people to go to Hell, because they believed that if they prayed that prayer, their souls are safe, and they then go on living the same way they've always lived, have no prayer life and do not know the word of God except for what's preached over the pulpit on Sundays.
Yet there's nowhere in the Bible where the gospel is preached that way! The sinner's prayer was made popular by tele-evangelists only 50 years ago!
If we read the Bible, when the gospels were preached, men were pierced to their hearts when they heard the undiluted, un-politically correct preaching of the gospel, and the call of the preacher was always to "Repent and believe!"
Nowadays, we slip in the invitation to say the sinner's prayer without even preaching the gospel, and men have no idea what God is like, why Jesus died for them, why they can't save themselves, their wretched and sinful nature and the need for them to repent to escape eternal damnation.
When the Holy Spirit comes to convict men of sin, we do not have to manipulate men (by the playing of music, the dimming of lights) to come to salvation! Men can do nothing, salvation is the work of the Holy Spirit! When he convicts, sinful men will weep regardless of whether there be music or dim lights or not!
Love God, and love our neighbour
25On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
27He answered: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself."
28"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."
We must repent, or we'll perish. If there is no repentance from sin, there is no salvation.
1Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them—do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no!
But unless you repent, you too will all perish."
Again, if we do not bear fruit, we will be cut down. God gives us time to bear fruit, however there is a limit to his wooing. If we still do not bear fruit, we stand condemned.
Fruits are an evidence of salvation. No fruit = no genuine salvation.
I believe that if there are "Christians" who've been in church for many years but there is no sign of visible fruit in their lives (i.e. they look, talk, think, act just like the world), it is clear that they are not saved.
6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'
8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "
The cost of discipleship. Those who are not willing to give up everything to follow Jesus cannot be considered his disciple. If we are not his disciple then we don't belong to him do we?
25Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: 26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
1) Jesus asks us to consider the cost of following him before we call ourselves Christians. Not many people in our world today is willing to pay the price that Christ demands. Hence I believe that not many will be saved, and Jesus Himself says this.
2) To be truly considered his disciples, we must be willing to pay the price.
3) This is a far cry from the easy-listening, easy-living Christianity we have in our modern churches, and our modern world today. I think this totally explains why Jesus said that many are invited but few are chosen.
However, it was not always so in the history of the Christian church.
In the early years of the church, believers willingly layed down their lives for the sake of Christ. Even today in Africa and the Middle East, Christians, even young Christian children, are being matyred daily although we don't hear about it in the news, but this news is available through missionary websites.
One 11 year old child I read, in Rwanda, was shot 5 times in the stomach and died in a pool of his own blood because he refused to denounce Christ, although he was trembling with fear when confronted by his assasins.
If we ask ourselves honestly today, how many people in the church will sacrifice their lives for Christ? Their time? Their future? Their comfort? Their ambitions? Not many.
It is not easy to be a true Christian. This is why Jesus says we must take up our cross and follow him. No cross is easy.
28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? 29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, 30saying, 'This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.'
31"Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? 32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. 33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
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