Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers ?
If done deliberately with malicious intent then yes of course . I'm a member of a very large congregation and I confess that I don't speak to every member regularly and they don't all speak to me regularly . There are only so many hours in the day and it would be impossible for us all to talk to each other , every one of us , all the time .
Then there are occasions when I get the sense that someone maybe doesn't like me much and that they would rather not speak to me , on those occasions I do them a favour by not foisting myself upon them .
A brother at my church married out of our denomination and was dis-fellowshipped for a while . His wife eventually joined us and he was re-admitted . However , she was his second wife , his first wife having commited adultery against him and he divorced her . So , he was no longer allowed to hold any office in our congregation because of his second marriage .
I can't say I agree with that , if your in , your in and a member of the body . But it wasn't up to me , so I have to be quiet and concede to my elders .
We don't always like everything that goes on in our congregations but if we don't have any power to change things what can we do other than keep silent for the sake of peace ?
It appears that J.Neale's early reply that repentance is not required in the N.T. context of the Gospel has been refuted by the references quoted by B. Hilt in his second entry that followed. I agree with Mr. Hilt's conclusions.
No arguements there , God is the God of all flesh Numbers chapter 16 verse 22 and chapter 27 verse 16 and Jeremiah chapter 32 verse 27 . Every none Christian is a potential Christian and we must treat them as such .
I wouldn't argue with any of that . It is still true that we are all individual humans and will get on better with some people more than others but as long as we are still loving and respectful to those who we , love less let's put it that way , there shouldn't be a problem . I have six children and I would die for any of them but due to our differing personalities I get on better with some than others . John chapter 13 verse 23 , we can be sure that Jesus loved all his disciples but one is singled out here , chapter 21 verse 20 again one is singled out . It's human nature to be drawn more to some than others , as long as we are kind and respectful to all that's the best we can do . Love to you my Brother in Christ .
Thank you Brother for that very moving reply . To imagine those things happening at the same time as Christ himself , the Son of God was being murdered by the supposed priests and elders of the Jewish faith is very poignant indeed . It's a sad and true saying that there are none so blind as those who will not see . I have kept that reply to me and will keep it in mind when I read the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion of our Lord . Thanks again .
very true Adam. Its true all these things have to pass, once they try for one world religion and bring the beast system with the AC known to all. We will know that our Lord & Savious Yeshua will be the focus. The last 3 years of fear in a unicorn virus has shown many have had to choose and it went either way. The finacial revolution is the test, will people sell out once they can no longer buy or sell unless tey conform. the war is already been in play, but the physical war is not to fear, the spiritual war is our focus. stay strong brother
Our Lord JESUS said: Mat.13:30-> In the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.
Do ye not know that the saints shall Judge the world?and if the world shall be Judged by you,are ye unworthy to Judge the smallest matters?Know ye not that we shall Judge angels?(angels of the Churches) 1Corinthians 6:2-3.
By the way, JESUS said more: John 4:36-37:->36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true,One soweth(JESUS sowed),and another reapeth.
And Daniel prophesied:Dan.7:22&27: ->22Judgment was (will be)given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18. Take a look.). 27 And the Kingdom and dominion,and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Daniel 2:44-47
44And in the days of these kings shall the GOD of heaven set up a Kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18), which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver,and the gold;the great GOD hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter:and the dream is certain,and the interpretation thereof sure.
46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face...Of a truth it is, that your GOD is a GOD of gods( Psalms 82:1-2&6-8 and John 10:34-36 combined with Isaiah 41:22-23),and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets,seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
Scripturally, excluding a person from the church is preceded by admonition and counsel; it is only employed in cases of bona fide heresy, obdurate divisiveness, or blatant, unrepentant sin; and it is a last resort. After excommunication, the relationship between the former member and the church naturally changes, and the "shunning command"-not to eat with such a person-may come into play. However, the church still has the responsibility to pray for the one being disciplined and to extend forgiveness when repentance is evident. Shunning, as defined as a refusal to speak to someone or a total severing of all ties, goes beyond what the Bible advocates.
PARTIALITY.
This is another evil we see amongst believers.
The chapter of James 2 covers this. ( James 2:1-26)
Let's take on just a few verses.
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
So, speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
We are not joined with those outside the body of Christ so, what are we as children of light supposed to do in a lost dark world?
We are to bare light and that light is supposed to shine on Christ.
We are his ambassadors in a foreign land.
We are to display the work of Christ in our lives and the evidence of a new birth bearing fruit. By this all people will know we are his disciples, and the fruit (especially Love for the Brothern) will also Distinguish between a false teaching religion/teachers and spirit filled believers where the spirit gathers and energizes. This is the operation of God by the baptism of the Holy spirit.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES; John 13:34-35, Matthew 7:16-20. 1 1John 4:20-21, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
We are to Love the unbeliever, witness to them, and treat them with kindness and help them in a Godly way.
So, in what ways we are not to be unequally yoked with them? Many things can be mentioned but I won't get into that here.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
"The command implies that a great difference exists between a believer and an unbeliever. Generally speaking, the motivations, goals, and methods of a Christian are incompatible with those of an unbeliever.
Faith changes the character of a person. A Christian's highest ambition in life is to glorify the Lord Jesus and please Him in all things; an unbeliever is, at best, indifferent to such goals. "
Again, don't get me wrong here, we are called to minister to them in particular.
That is the Lords Commission. Luke 4:18.
It is our Great Commission to spread the Gospel; Matthew 28:16-20.
We do that with truth! We don't do it with lies and deception.
Even though there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of the world the scripture says to be kind to all men. Galatians 6:10.
However, we're not all Brothern.
John 1:11-12 says "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the "sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ephesians 2:19 states Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
So, there is a clear distinction in scripture between God's children and those who haven't received him.
1 John 3:9-10 covers this well, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
"Sons of God" emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
This separates us from Adam.
We are now joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Troubles of the World are tossing us like a storm upon the sea.
Satan and his army is at work and attacking us on every side.
He is tearing up homes and breaking up families.
We all hear and see how he is fighting, warring , against the household of faith around the world.
(Ma. 5:10)
We need to love one another.
(Eph.3:17)
Richard's article helped me to realize that we can never isolate ourselves from other human beings.
All though we carry our own burdens daily, our Lord strengthens us to reach out to others through the power that works in us.
In the beginning Satan tore out the heart of two parents who had to continue to love one child after he killed another child, his brother.
It hurts bad when we lose our love ones by any means.
Family against family
tears at the soul.
Families today are suffering for loss of children
and even babies by violence. Yet, God is our strength.
In my opinion satan has definitely targeted the household of faith to destroy and to tear down the Kingdom in which Grace and Mercy dwell: everlasting life,
that God has offered to us through the sacrifice of his Son on Calvary. The Gates of Hell
shall not prevail against it.
(Kjv Ma. 16:18)
(Online__Darvaza)
In the past were crucifixions, now Mass shootings in the church. Lord, help us.
Death and Satan teamed up for the Crucifixion of Jesus. Satan thought if he stirred the rulers to take Jesus' life, he, himself, could depend on death to hold him in the ground. Well, we know how that turned out. (Lk.24:39)
On the cross Jesus said, "They know not what they do."
We must continue to pray.
That is what Jesus did.
As we recognize the "War" let us put on the whole armour of God ( Eph. 6:13)and prepare ourselves for the battle.
The poor man cried, the Lord heard him and delivered him out of all his troubles.
( Ps. 34:6)
I am praying that I stay close enough to the Lord so that Satan can't squeeze in between us and separate us.
We think mainly of Jesus dying on the cross as the Passover Lamb. But how about all the other animal sacrifices that the law required? If we look closer, we can see what all Jesus fulfilled that day. This Passover day started when the sun went down and Jesus and His 12 gathered together for the Last Supper.
After midnight they went into the garden of Gethsemane from there Jesus was betrayed by a friend, Psalm 41:9 and more, taken to Annas and then Caiaphas, and then early that morning to Pilate to be judged where no fault was found in Him.
At the same time, a priest was selected to carry a wooden beam on his shoulders up the ramp to light the fire of the altar of sacrifice. The first Tamid lamb was brought up and tied to the altar and inspected to make sure it did not have any blemishes.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and stood up on the 3rd hour 9 AM, Mark 15:25, the first Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on the altar of sacrifice on the 3rd hour 9 AM the first hour of prayer. All the sacrifices of the people were placed on top of the first Tamid lamb. The 2nd hour of prayer is the 6th hour, noon, Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
The 3rd hour of prayer coincided with the evening sacrifice, at the 9th hour 3 PM when the last Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on top of all the sacrifices of the people done that day. This was the exact time Jesus cried out and said it was finished Mark 15:34John 19:30.
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son and just before he did, God provided a ram for Isaac, and on that day the 14th of Nisan God provided Himself another Lamb, His only begotten Son sacrificed for us. Jesus also carried the wood for his sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled all the sacrifices, not just down to the day, but to the very hour itself.
As it is written,"All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof,for correction,for instruction in righteousness:That the man of GOD may be perfect,thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
As you know,our enemy"is wiser than Daniel;there is no secret that they can hide from him".Paul Apostle warned,saying:Put on the whole armour of GOD,that ye may BE ABLE to stand AGAINST the wiles of the Devil.
Think you(and many)also know that the MAN of sin,a Jewish MAN,son of perdition,will manifest himself very soon as messiah and God( John 5:43-47and 2Thessalonians 2:3-4and9-12,and mainly Revelation 13:11 and so on),so we all MUST be careful.Get ready.
However,the prophecy of Ezekiel is very clear:Ez.28:7-10-->7 Behold,therefore I will bring strangers upon thee,the terrible of the nations:and they shall draw their Swords against the beauty of thy wisdom,and they shall defile thy brightness.
8They shall bring thee down to the pit( Revelation 20:1-3),and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.(peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues-Re.17:15)
9Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee,I am God?but thou shalt be a MAN,and no God,in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
10Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised(he's a Jewish MAN)by the hand of strangers:for I have spoken it,saith the Lord GOD.
Re.12:9-12-->9And the great dragon was cast out,that old serpent,called the Devil,and Satan,which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth,and his angels were cast out with him.
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,Now is come salvation,and strength,and the kingdom of our GOD,and the power of His Christ:for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,which accused them before our GOD day and night.11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,and by the word of their testimony;12Th
Here's below is what JESUS said to John in Patmos through His angel (in fact an Archangel- Revelation 1:12-13)
Revelation 21:3-8
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8 and Philippians 3:20-21) saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE of GOD is with MEN( Revelation 11:15-18), and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and GOD Himself shall be with them, and be their GOD.
4 And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. --> Come up hither,
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Dear Brothers and Sisters , how do wild animals treat the most vulnerable members of their herd ? The elderly , the sick , the disabled or deformed ? Those that can't function in the usual expected way ? They abandon them to their fate ,or they may even turn on them and kill them themselves , it's called survival of the fittest . Are we just animals , the cleverest evolutionary step on the ladder ? We are not , we are created in the image of our God and we are all His children , even those who don't believe are still His children . We are not to treat the most vulnerable people in the way that animals do to their own kind . This world and the people of it seek to denegrate and dehumanise the most vulnerable in society , accusing them of being worthless scroungers who should be trying much harder to be as useful and productive as everyone else when they are not like everyone else . They are weaker in some way and need our help , they are our brothers and sisters and God is watching us , seeing how we treat our weaker members . Are we like Cain ? Will we reply to God ' am I my brother's keeper ' when He asks us about our treatment of others who are weaker than us ? Would we dare say that to our God ?
Thank you Brother , I had never considered that the devil was lying when he said that to Jesus . You could say that he usurped humanity when he first lead us astray in the garden of Eden . It's now up to us as enlightened Christians to recognise his whiles and not allow him and this world to overpower us and lead us away from our Saviour . Those who are atheist are ignorant of his ways and just like Adam and Eve , seek his worldly wisdom so we can consider ourselves wise , wise enough to explain creation and everything in it in the guise of ' science ' which is the modern name for knowledge . Science and technology seek to explain away all God's awesome works and wonders , people are snared in this way , not wishing to have a benevolent God to rule over them and show them the right way to live and love . People don't want any boundaries on their behaviours , they see no reason for them as they think that humans are nothing more than the highest form of animal . They don't realise that God created us and created us in His own image , we are His children , not animals . So we shouldn't behave like animals , killing and eating each other up , physically and metaphorically . Cain's reply to God is ' am I my brother's keeper ' animals think that way , survival of the fittest , humans are brothers and sisters under our Father . We are to love and care for each other better than we do our own selves . Jesus is the perfect example of this behaviour and we should be seeking to emulate him as much as we possibly can in our behaviour towards each other .
Thank you Brother for your reply to me . I am aware of the daily sacrifice it's also in Leviticus chapter 6 verses 8-13 , I didn't know that it was called the Talmid , Im ignorant of the Jewish names for things so thanks for enlightening me on that . Any more information you have would be of great interest to me , I don't know much about Jewish names and traditions etc so would enjoy learning more , thank you .
I am praying for your son in Jesus' Mighty name! I also have a son, 20 y.o., please, pray for him too! Let us both agree and I believe, there will be an answer soon. I BELIEVE! Stay well, keep your hope alive at all times, the Lord is always faithfull! - your sister in Christ,
Concluding thoughts for now on the enemy of our souls.
I will attempt to wrap this up for now; although admittedly this is a subject which could easily call for many more postings. God in His infinite yet mysterious plans allowed for a created being to usurp 1/3 of the angels; and to deceive most of mankind throughout history. ( Matthew 7:13-14). Through the offspring mentioned in Genesis 6 he produced numerous giant beings (I can't see it being any other explanation) and therefore only Noah and his family were saved at the flood as it seems all the rest of mankind was corrupted genetically and by default morally beyond repair. (see Genesis 6:9 on Noah being "perfect in his generations"). He also later attempted the same thing on a more limited scale after the flood; resulting in Israel wiping out all the giants (with Goliath being the last one in the surrounding nations Israel had to conquer). Satan continued to attempt to wipe out all of God's people by the ordinance of Haman to wipe out all the Jews which was thwarted in Esther; the Holocaust and will almost succeed in Armageddon when half of Jerusalem is taken before Christ returns. He is the god of this world and Jesus didn't argue with him having control as a "usurper" type leader of all the Kingdoms of the world. Satan also will be given the limited short space of the last half of the Tribulation to more or less control the world but again he will fail to totally destroy the earth because God Himself makes the time short (see Matthew 24:22). Again; God is the one who allows these things; including the "strong delusion" He sends to decieve all those who didn't LOVE the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12 rough translation). Once again at the end of the Millennium he has the final stand; which ends in his judgment cast into hell; and a mass of people as the sand of the sea; amazingly perishing despite seeing Christ on earth and living a utopian existance in the millennium.
I do not believe Joseph or Jesus had anything to do with the crucifixion crosses, Jesus had been 3.5 years in His ministry. There is something else you may be interested in studying that relates to the binding of Isaac which is the Tamid. The Tamid is the morning and evening daily sacrifice of Exodus 29:38-42. It parallels the day Jesus was crucified not just the day but to the hour of that day and I feel Jesus fulfilled it. They saw the Tamid/daily sacrifice as a kind of reiteration of the sacrifice of Isaac.
You may know about the Tamid and if so let me know. If not, I will try to get back to you soon maybe tomorrow with more on it.
If done deliberately with malicious intent then yes of course . I'm a member of a very large congregation and I confess that I don't speak to every member regularly and they don't all speak to me regularly . There are only so many hours in the day and it would be impossible for us all to talk to each other , every one of us , all the time .
Then there are occasions when I get the sense that someone maybe doesn't like me much and that they would rather not speak to me , on those occasions I do them a favour by not foisting myself upon them .
A brother at my church married out of our denomination and was dis-fellowshipped for a while . His wife eventually joined us and he was re-admitted . However , she was his second wife , his first wife having commited adultery against him and he divorced her . So , he was no longer allowed to hold any office in our congregation because of his second marriage .
I can't say I agree with that , if your in , your in and a member of the body . But it wasn't up to me , so I have to be quiet and concede to my elders .
We don't always like everything that goes on in our congregations but if we don't have any power to change things what can we do other than keep silent for the sake of peace ?
Great post!
I just want to add that Jesus said this:
"Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world." ( 1Jn. 4:4; John 14: 17,20, 23)
And those who know Jesus will have peace, because He has ovecome the world Jn. 16:33)
We can have confidence in God. he will not fail us. We are united to Christ and will be in Him forever!
Do ye not know that the saints shall Judge the world?and if the world shall be Judged by you,are ye unworthy to Judge the smallest matters?Know ye not that we shall Judge angels?(angels of the Churches) 1Corinthians 6:2-3.
By the way, JESUS said more: John 4:36-37:->36 He that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. 37 And herein is that saying true,One soweth(JESUS sowed),and another reapeth.
And Daniel prophesied:Dan.7:22&27: ->22Judgment was (will be)given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18. Take a look.). 27 And the Kingdom and dominion,and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose Kingdom is an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
Daniel 2:44-47
44And in the days of these kings shall the GOD of heaven set up a Kingdom( Revelation 11:15-18), which shall never be destroyed: and the Kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
45Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver,and the gold;the great GOD hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter:and the dream is certain,and the interpretation thereof sure.
46Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face...Of a truth it is, that your GOD is a GOD of gods( Psalms 82:1-2&6-8 and John 10:34-36 combined with Isaiah 41:22-23),and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets,seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.
The Word is GOD,self-executing, understand?
Thank you brother.
God bless,
RLW
Part 4 and final.
Clarity on shunning.
Scripturally, excluding a person from the church is preceded by admonition and counsel; it is only employed in cases of bona fide heresy, obdurate divisiveness, or blatant, unrepentant sin; and it is a last resort. After excommunication, the relationship between the former member and the church naturally changes, and the "shunning command"-not to eat with such a person-may come into play. However, the church still has the responsibility to pray for the one being disciplined and to extend forgiveness when repentance is evident. Shunning, as defined as a refusal to speak to someone or a total severing of all ties, goes beyond what the Bible advocates.
PARTIALITY.
This is another evil we see amongst believers.
The chapter of James 2 covers this. ( James 2:1-26)
Let's take on just a few verses.
If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
So, speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
James 2:8-13.
That is all for now.
God bless.
Part 3.
How should Christian treat one another?
We are to be at peace with one another, forgive one another, have mercy on one another.
Just a few references.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
Ephesians 4:32
Galatians 5:26
Galatians 6:2
Matthew 7:12
1 John 4:7
However, we don't lie or deceive one another for the sake of peace. The truth hurts sometimes but it promotes spiritual growth providing that the Christ spirit is in the person.
BELEIVERS SHUNNING OTHER BELEIVERS.
To shun is to deliberately avoid something or someone. In the Bible, the word shun is applied to evil. Job 1:8, Job 28:28, Proverbs 3:7-8 Proverbs 14:16. So, shunning evil is good.
There is scripture that promotes excommunication. Matthew 18:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. but do we do it for harm or Good? What's the intent?
In any case, it would seem that extreme forms of shunning, such as considering someone "dead," utterly ignoring him, or refusing to acknowledge his existence, go beyond what Scripture commands.
After all, Jesus said that, when someone is put out of the church, he should be treated as "a pagan or a tax collector" Matthew 18:17. In other words, treat an intractable offender as an unsaved person.
How are we to treat the unsaved? With love and grace.
The "pagans and tax collectors" need to be evangelized. We are to love even our enemies ( Matthew 5:44).
The goal of excommunication and any form of shunning is restoration ( Galatians 6:1).
The purpose of any type of discipline is to prompt repentance and, ultimately, to reunite our fallen brother or sister with the church body. Being officially ostracized from the church, the sinner might be brought to repentance.
When the man in the Corinthian church later realized that he had sinned against God, he repented and came back to the church for forgiveness and reinstatement. Fellowship with the Corinthian believers was restored ( 2 Corinthians 2:6-11).
Isn't it hateful to ignore or shun other believers?
See part 4.
Part 2.
We are not joined with those outside the body of Christ so, what are we as children of light supposed to do in a lost dark world?
We are to bare light and that light is supposed to shine on Christ.
We are his ambassadors in a foreign land.
We are to display the work of Christ in our lives and the evidence of a new birth bearing fruit. By this all people will know we are his disciples, and the fruit (especially Love for the Brothern) will also Distinguish between a false teaching religion/teachers and spirit filled believers where the spirit gathers and energizes. This is the operation of God by the baptism of the Holy spirit.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES; John 13:34-35, Matthew 7:16-20. 1 1John 4:20-21, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
We are to Love the unbeliever, witness to them, and treat them with kindness and help them in a Godly way.
So, in what ways we are not to be unequally yoked with them? Many things can be mentioned but I won't get into that here.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
"The command implies that a great difference exists between a believer and an unbeliever. Generally speaking, the motivations, goals, and methods of a Christian are incompatible with those of an unbeliever.
Faith changes the character of a person. A Christian's highest ambition in life is to glorify the Lord Jesus and please Him in all things; an unbeliever is, at best, indifferent to such goals. "
Again, don't get me wrong here, we are called to minister to them in particular.
That is the Lords Commission. Luke 4:18.
It is our Great Commission to spread the Gospel; Matthew 28:16-20.
We do that with truth! We don't do it with lies and deception.
How should Christian treat one another?
See part 3.
Part 1
Even though there is a distinction between the children of God and the children of the world the scripture says to be kind to all men. Galatians 6:10.
However, we're not all Brothern.
John 1:11-12 says "He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the "sons of God, even to them that believe on his name"
Jesus also said in Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.
Ephesians 2:19 states Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.
So, there is a clear distinction in scripture between God's children and those who haven't received him.
1 John 3:9-10 covers this well, "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
"Sons of God" emphasizes a natural, internal relationship with God rather than an external adoption. Becoming God's children involves a real change and transformation, not just a change in title or position. We partake in the divine nature.
All people are not naturally God's children. We must be born again through faith in Christ to become God's children.
This separates us from Adam.
We are now joint heirs with Christ. Romans 8:14-17 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
See part 2
Troubles of the World are tossing us like a storm upon the sea.
Satan and his army is at work and attacking us on every side.
He is tearing up homes and breaking up families.
We all hear and see how he is fighting, warring , against the household of faith around the world.
(Ma. 5:10)
We need to love one another.
(Eph.3:17)
Richard's article helped me to realize that we can never isolate ourselves from other human beings.
All though we carry our own burdens daily, our Lord strengthens us to reach out to others through the power that works in us.
In the beginning Satan tore out the heart of two parents who had to continue to love one child after he killed another child, his brother.
It hurts bad when we lose our love ones by any means.
Family against family
tears at the soul.
Families today are suffering for loss of children
and even babies by violence. Yet, God is our strength.
In my opinion satan has definitely targeted the household of faith to destroy and to tear down the Kingdom in which Grace and Mercy dwell: everlasting life,
that God has offered to us through the sacrifice of his Son on Calvary. The Gates of Hell
shall not prevail against it.
(Kjv Ma. 16:18)
(Online__Darvaza)
In the past were crucifixions, now Mass shootings in the church. Lord, help us.
Death and Satan teamed up for the Crucifixion of Jesus. Satan thought if he stirred the rulers to take Jesus' life, he, himself, could depend on death to hold him in the ground. Well, we know how that turned out. (Lk.24:39)
On the cross Jesus said, "They know not what they do."
We must continue to pray.
That is what Jesus did.
As we recognize the "War" let us put on the whole armour of God ( Eph. 6:13)and prepare ourselves for the battle.
The poor man cried, the Lord heard him and delivered him out of all his troubles.
( Ps. 34:6)
I am praying that I stay close enough to the Lord so that Satan can't squeeze in between us and separate us.
Pray for me.
We think mainly of Jesus dying on the cross as the Passover Lamb. But how about all the other animal sacrifices that the law required? If we look closer, we can see what all Jesus fulfilled that day. This Passover day started when the sun went down and Jesus and His 12 gathered together for the Last Supper.
After midnight they went into the garden of Gethsemane from there Jesus was betrayed by a friend, Psalm 41:9 and more, taken to Annas and then Caiaphas, and then early that morning to Pilate to be judged where no fault was found in Him.
At the same time, a priest was selected to carry a wooden beam on his shoulders up the ramp to light the fire of the altar of sacrifice. The first Tamid lamb was brought up and tied to the altar and inspected to make sure it did not have any blemishes.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and stood up on the 3rd hour 9 AM, Mark 15:25, the first Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on the altar of sacrifice on the 3rd hour 9 AM the first hour of prayer. All the sacrifices of the people were placed on top of the first Tamid lamb. The 2nd hour of prayer is the 6th hour, noon, Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
The 3rd hour of prayer coincided with the evening sacrifice, at the 9th hour 3 PM when the last Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on top of all the sacrifices of the people done that day. This was the exact time Jesus cried out and said it was finished Mark 15:34 John 19:30.
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son and just before he did, God provided a ram for Isaac, and on that day the 14th of Nisan God provided Himself another Lamb, His only begotten Son sacrificed for us. Jesus also carried the wood for his sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled all the sacrifices, not just down to the day, but to the very hour itself.
God bless,
RLW
Greetings in Christ JESUS our Lord and Saviour
Thank you for your reply.
As it is written,"All Scripture is given by inspiration of GOD,and is profitable for doctrine,for reproof,for correction,for instruction in righteousness:That the man of GOD may be perfect,thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
As you know,our enemy"is wiser than Daniel;there is no secret that they can hide from him".Paul Apostle warned,saying:Put on the whole armour of GOD,that ye may BE ABLE to stand AGAINST the wiles of the Devil.
Think you(and many)also know that the MAN of sin,a Jewish MAN,son of perdition,will manifest himself very soon as messiah and God( John 5:43-47and 2Thessalonians 2:3-4and9-12,and mainly Revelation 13:11 and so on),so we all MUST be careful.Get ready.
However,the prophecy of Ezekiel is very clear:Ez.28:7-10-->7 Behold,therefore I will bring strangers upon thee,the terrible of the nations:and they shall draw their Swords against the beauty of thy wisdom,and they shall defile thy brightness.
8They shall bring thee down to the pit( Revelation 20:1-3),and thou shalt die the deaths of them that are slain in the midst of the seas.(peoples,and nations,and multitudes of all tongues-Re.17:15)
9Wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee,I am God?but thou shalt be a MAN,and no God,in the hand of him that slayeth thee.
10Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised(he's a Jewish MAN)by the hand of strangers:for I have spoken it,saith the Lord GOD.
Re.12:9-12-->9And the great dragon was cast out,that old serpent,called the Devil,and Satan,which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth,and his angels were cast out with him.
10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven,Now is come salvation,and strength,and the kingdom of our GOD,and the power of His Christ:for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,which accused them before our GOD day and night.11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb,and by the word of their testimony;12Th
Greetings in Christ JESUS our Lord and Saviour
Here's below is what JESUS said to John in Patmos through His angel (in fact an Archangel- Revelation 1:12-13)
Revelation 21:3-8
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8 and Philippians 3:20-21) saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE of GOD is with MEN( Revelation 11:15-18), and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and GOD Himself shall be with them, and be their GOD.
4 And GOD shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. --> Come up hither,
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his GOD, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
I will attempt to wrap this up for now; although admittedly this is a subject which could easily call for many more postings. God in His infinite yet mysterious plans allowed for a created being to usurp 1/3 of the angels; and to deceive most of mankind throughout history. ( Matthew 7:13-14). Through the offspring mentioned in Genesis 6 he produced numerous giant beings (I can't see it being any other explanation) and therefore only Noah and his family were saved at the flood as it seems all the rest of mankind was corrupted genetically and by default morally beyond repair. (see Genesis 6:9 on Noah being "perfect in his generations"). He also later attempted the same thing on a more limited scale after the flood; resulting in Israel wiping out all the giants (with Goliath being the last one in the surrounding nations Israel had to conquer). Satan continued to attempt to wipe out all of God's people by the ordinance of Haman to wipe out all the Jews which was thwarted in Esther; the Holocaust and will almost succeed in Armageddon when half of Jerusalem is taken before Christ returns. He is the god of this world and Jesus didn't argue with him having control as a "usurper" type leader of all the Kingdoms of the world. Satan also will be given the limited short space of the last half of the Tribulation to more or less control the world but again he will fail to totally destroy the earth because God Himself makes the time short (see Matthew 24:22). Again; God is the one who allows these things; including the "strong delusion" He sends to decieve all those who didn't LOVE the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12 rough translation). Once again at the end of the Millennium he has the final stand; which ends in his judgment cast into hell; and a mass of people as the sand of the sea; amazingly perishing despite seeing Christ on earth and living a utopian existance in the millennium.
I do not believe Joseph or Jesus had anything to do with the crucifixion crosses, Jesus had been 3.5 years in His ministry. There is something else you may be interested in studying that relates to the binding of Isaac which is the Tamid. The Tamid is the morning and evening daily sacrifice of Exodus 29:38-42. It parallels the day Jesus was crucified not just the day but to the hour of that day and I feel Jesus fulfilled it. They saw the Tamid/daily sacrifice as a kind of reiteration of the sacrifice of Isaac.
You may know about the Tamid and if so let me know. If not, I will try to get back to you soon maybe tomorrow with more on it.
God bless.
RLW