I
think this is perhaps a very good bible-study post-- perhaps one really
good to not miss, So I really encourage this one to be read, as I think it can clear up a lot
of misunderstandings that have actually caused me a lot of grief in the
past...
Ok here is one of those very 'iffy-sounding' passages:
"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me."
Matthew 10:37
I'm still not sure if I COMPLETELY understand that passage-- BUT, here is what I think about it...
To me, people are what's "most import"-- I feel they are more important
than "anything else", So then-- I ASK, should we love God MORE than
people!? Does that sound right? I became very sad when I first thought
of that-- Or is it a misunderstanding? Or perhaps we should love God
equally to people!? BUT-- Isn't God a person too!? (Ok see, things are
starting to sound really confusing...) but here, I will try to explain
and clear things up a bit:
Isn't it that whomever gives some food to
someone in need, also does so to Jesus/God? So if being kind to a
person is like being kind to God-- CAN we love God more than a
"person"?-- or is it somehow synonymous? I THINK it is actually somehow
SOMEWHAT synonymous... --Well, I'm guessing the reason why we shouldn't
FULLY love people is simply for this reason: Because us "people"
includes our whole selves-- that is, not only our spirits but ALSO all
our sins and flaws along with the lusts of the flesh-- So that evil
being a part of "us", is THE part of "us" that shouldn't be loved, and
is probably the ONLY part of "us" that God actually hates... (God hates
sin, simply) Sound about right? Here is a passage to help back that up
about doing good to a person IN NEED being somehow somewhat synonymous
to doing so to God:
" ‘I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’
Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink?
When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You?
Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you,
inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did
it to Me.’ "
Matthew 25:36-40
"If someone says, 'I love
God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his
brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?"
1 John 4:20
Ok here is another passage that brought me a lot of grief in the past:
"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it."
Matthew 10:39
These are rather mysterious. But when reading that it makes it SEEM
like the way of Jesus is more 'difficult'. . . That is, because, in
order to "gain life" you must "lose your life for the sake of Him"-- BUT
according to THIS passage Jesus' way should be EASIER:
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28
SO-- whatever that "losing your life for the sake of Him" is, according
to that above passage, it should actually be EASIER. --I THINK that
"losing your life" means, "losing your former sinful self". That is,
your "sinful you" should "die", so you can follow the way of Jesus.
(which of course is, referred to as, "the way of life".) So why does it
sound so "weird" and "cryptic"? Well I think here's the reason why:
I
think the nature of God's word is to "sound hopeless" to those who lack
faith-- but to "sound hopeful" to those who have faith-- SO the people
who have faith should already be naturally seeking for all the hope
"hidden" in His words, because they KNOW it exists, since they believe
God is merciful (If you read that and thought it wasn't merciful, then,
obviously YOU LACKED FAITH..right?)-- Yes, God seems to really "hide"
His hopeful-aspects from the unbelieving-- to the unbelieving, it His
words tend to sound like "doom and gloom"-- BUT-- don't worry, since you
believe, and I'm explaining this to you, you now know God's mercy is
always hidden somewhere in His words, you probably just have to look for
it a bit harder... Seek for that hope-- that is all the "merciful
exceptions" in God's word, it's there. (but of course while also not
coming to false conclusions.)
"Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon.
And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to
Him, saying, 'Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is
severely demon-possessed.'
But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, 'Send her away, for she cries out after us.'
But He answered and said, 'I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.'
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, 'Lord, help me!'
But He answered and said, 'It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.'
And she said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.'
Then Jesus answered and said to her, 'O woman, great is your faith! Let
it be to you as you desire.' And her daughter was healed from that very
hour."
Matthew 15:21-28
So here's my explanation, Jesus
said, "It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the
little dogs."-- Notice it that what He said may sound like
"hopelessness" to someone who might lack faith?-- BUT to that woman of
Canaan, whom had great faith, she KNEW Jesus was merciful, so she sought
for the "hidden hope" in Jesus' words, then replied, "Yes, Lord, yet
even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’
table." She found the "hidden hope", and her daughter was healed because
of it. That's why it's important to seek the hope in God's Word. (and
of course it requires faith to initially believe it exists) That is
while still not coming to false conclusions.
So at first when I
was trying to read and understand the bible on my own... I lost a lot
of heart... because from what I was reading, it SEEMED like the right
path was very "difficult"-- But I believe that was only because I lacked
understanding... and so it caused me a lot of problems... (ie
confusion) so that's why I want to try and explain this better for other
people... When one lacks faith, Jesus words tend to sound like "doom
and gloom"... But when one has gained a good understanding with faith,
His words seem to always have an "exception" to those who believe He is
truly merciful. It's like an amazing "contraption" is always set in His
words to filter out those who lack faith. Snaring people who lack
faith-- and helping people who have faith. Remember "without faith it is
impossible to please God"
It seems like God's word is MEANT to be
very mysterious, so that we have to work to help each other understand
it... And that helps us to love one another, because we have something
that we need to help eachother with.
See, here is another
example that seems to cause people whom lack faith in God's mercy to
overlook a certain detail, thus making it SEEM like no "rich man" can
enter the kingdom of God-- But, if you examine it a little closer, at
the end, Jesus says "With men this is impossible, but with God all
things are possible." So I'm assuming that meant God CAN send a camel
through the eye of a needle, and even get a "rich man" into heaven even
though it may be more "difficult".
"And again I say to 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.
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?'
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Matthew 19:24-26
Though why it says "kingdom of God" instead of "kingdom of Heaven", I'm not quite sure what the difference is.... hm.....
"And the disciples came and said to Him, 'Why do You speak to them in parables?'
He answered and said to them, 'Because it has been given to you to know
the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been
given.
For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have
abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken
away from him.
Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
And in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
[Hearing you will hear and shall not understand,
And seeing you will see and not perceive;
For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.]
But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear; ' "
Matthew 13:10-16
If you truly believe God is merciful, and that His way is easiest, then: Seek His "merciful exception" in all His Words.
phew that was a lot of typing....
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 16, 2013
Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church
Regarding the word "church" in the bible, the original Greek word is ἐκκλησία, which actually more accurately translates as an "assembly" (of people) rather than a building. So where it reads "the church of Christ" would probably be more accurately translated as "the assembly of Christ", or a group of people who gather for fellowship in Christ's name.
Now regarding pastors and priests, there are some problems with the concept.
According to the bible, God's Son, Jesus Christ, is the head of the church.
And we believers are, spiritually speaking, all brothers and sisters, because God does not show partiality amongst us.
Jesus said,
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20
The way it was intended for the assembly of Christ, was for any man to speak when moved by the Holy Spirit, and that each of us have our own spiritual gifts to teach each other. (So I encourage any male believers to ask any questions about my posts when they are 'moved' by the spirit.) But-- women, are to remain silent in church, as it is shameful for a woman to teach a man about spiritual things. (Although other topics are ok)
(EDIT: thinking about that a bit more, I think it's probably OK for women to discuss spiritual matters more so with family members-- but probably just Not aggressively so, and probably Not specifically to a large group of men...)
"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church."
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Also the pastor is not to be called 'father'. Of course not all pastors are like this, but some are perhaps a little bit this way, more or less:
"They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:6-12
And about Mary Magdalene, she is not to be worshiped. (If you worship her, you might as well worship her mother-- then, her mother's mother, then her mother's mother's mother-- and so forth, until it comes to Eve, whom God created in the first place anyways, so you might as well worship God instead.)
Even an angel with great power told John to not worship him, but to only worship God:
"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' "
Revelation 22:8-9
So regarding the 'church' or, the 'assembly of Jesus Christ', we are all brothers and sisters. And we each have different gifts, a time to remain silent and a time to speak when moved by the Holy Spirit. To help each other with spiritual difficulties, encourage one another, explain things, correct one another's mistakes etc.
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
1 Corinthians 1:9-10
"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
1 Corinthians 10:24
Now regarding pastors and priests, there are some problems with the concept.
According to the bible, God's Son, Jesus Christ, is the head of the church.
And we believers are, spiritually speaking, all brothers and sisters, because God does not show partiality amongst us.
Jesus said,
"For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."
Matthew 18:20
The way it was intended for the assembly of Christ, was for any man to speak when moved by the Holy Spirit, and that each of us have our own spiritual gifts to teach each other. (So I encourage any male believers to ask any questions about my posts when they are 'moved' by the spirit.) But-- women, are to remain silent in church, as it is shameful for a woman to teach a man about spiritual things. (Although other topics are ok)
(EDIT: thinking about that a bit more, I think it's probably OK for women to discuss spiritual matters more so with family members-- but probably just Not aggressively so, and probably Not specifically to a large group of men...)
"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says.
And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church."
1 Corinthians 14:34-35
Also the pastor is not to be called 'father'. Of course not all pastors are like this, but some are perhaps a little bit this way, more or less:
"They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’
But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren.
Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven.
And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ.
But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant.
And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:6-12
And about Mary Magdalene, she is not to be worshiped. (If you worship her, you might as well worship her mother-- then, her mother's mother, then her mother's mother's mother-- and so forth, until it comes to Eve, whom God created in the first place anyways, so you might as well worship God instead.)
Even an angel with great power told John to not worship him, but to only worship God:
"Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things.
Then he said to me, 'See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.' "
Revelation 22:8-9
So regarding the 'church' or, the 'assembly of Jesus Christ', we are all brothers and sisters. And we each have different gifts, a time to remain silent and a time to speak when moved by the Holy Spirit. To help each other with spiritual difficulties, encourage one another, explain things, correct one another's mistakes etc.
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
1 Corinthians 1:9-10
"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
1 Corinthians 10:24
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The Struggle Within
It's good to realize that each of us has a struggle with good and evil inside of us.
We should learn to be more developed and experienced with innocent and good things, and less developed in perverse and vile things. Bad company corrupts good morals. And good company helps preserve our good morals.
frequently goofing off with the wrong people generally causes much harm. . .
"He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed."
Proverbs 13:20
Now that doesn't mean you can't pray for a person to start learning to become a much better person-- Sometimes the very thing that a person may need to become more spiritually developed is some sort of (appropriate) hardship from God Himself to help bring to their attention how extremely silly their selfish-behaviors really are. . . So you can pray for them.
BUT-- we have to remember-- it is Not the person himself that we should ever hate per say, but rather the bad attitudes and behaviors that that person has. We should not under any circumstances encourage any vile behavior.
Now here things may start sounding a little weird as I will be talking a bit about "spirits", but mind you, please bear with me and try to understand it.
Now the loving spirit we should be trying to obtain is called the "Holy Spirit."
But when we lack the "Holy Spirit", an "evil spirit" can sometimes take us over and make us do weird things that harm people for no reason, and that can be called an "unclean spirit."
We want the "unclean spirit" to stay away from us, or we will find ourselves doing lots of weird things to ourselves and to others. And the only effective way to drive away the "evil spirit" is by acquiring the "Holy Spirit", (or, the loving spirit) Which maintains kindness and goodness even during hardship and has the power to "touch a person's heart" to bring them to repentance. . . So the "Holy Spirit" is very powerful.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;"
Ephesians 6:11-17
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
"Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!'
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!'
And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him."
Mark 1:21-26
Satan is the father of all evil, his kingdom is full of "evil spirits", "demons", "unclean spirits", and "the spirit of the antichrist" and Satan's kingdom is divided against itself, meaning they fight and destroy one another.
But God's kingdom is Not divided against itself, and that is the kingdom we should be a part of. His kingdom is of the Holy Spirit, or, the loving spirit.
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.'
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 1:9-13
So-- it is good to realize that when someone all of a sudden starts acting very unloving, (perhaps even a believer acting so) it may not be entirely that person, but perhaps possibly an unclean-spirit, which should be somehow resisted until it leaves that person. And by displaying our good behavior unconditionally, that is one of the best ways to do that. And, well of course, pray for that person too. . .
ok hope that was understandable.
We should learn to be more developed and experienced with innocent and good things, and less developed in perverse and vile things. Bad company corrupts good morals. And good company helps preserve our good morals.
frequently goofing off with the wrong people generally causes much harm. . .
"He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will be destroyed."
Proverbs 13:20
Now that doesn't mean you can't pray for a person to start learning to become a much better person-- Sometimes the very thing that a person may need to become more spiritually developed is some sort of (appropriate) hardship from God Himself to help bring to their attention how extremely silly their selfish-behaviors really are. . . So you can pray for them.
BUT-- we have to remember-- it is Not the person himself that we should ever hate per say, but rather the bad attitudes and behaviors that that person has. We should not under any circumstances encourage any vile behavior.
Now here things may start sounding a little weird as I will be talking a bit about "spirits", but mind you, please bear with me and try to understand it.
Now the loving spirit we should be trying to obtain is called the "Holy Spirit."
But when we lack the "Holy Spirit", an "evil spirit" can sometimes take us over and make us do weird things that harm people for no reason, and that can be called an "unclean spirit."
We want the "unclean spirit" to stay away from us, or we will find ourselves doing lots of weird things to ourselves and to others. And the only effective way to drive away the "evil spirit" is by acquiring the "Holy Spirit", (or, the loving spirit) Which maintains kindness and goodness even during hardship and has the power to "touch a person's heart" to bring them to repentance. . . So the "Holy Spirit" is very powerful.
"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;"
Ephesians 6:11-17
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."
"Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught.
And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
saying, 'Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!'
But Jesus rebuked him, saying, 'Be quiet, and come out of him!'
And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him."
Mark 1:21-26
Satan is the father of all evil, his kingdom is full of "evil spirits", "demons", "unclean spirits", and "the spirit of the antichrist" and Satan's kingdom is divided against itself, meaning they fight and destroy one another.
But God's kingdom is Not divided against itself, and that is the kingdom we should be a part of. His kingdom is of the Holy Spirit, or, the loving spirit.
"God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
Now I say this, that each of you says, 'I am of Paul,' or 'I am of Apollos,' or 'I am of Cephas,' or 'I am of Christ.'
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?"
1 Corinthians 1:9-13
So-- it is good to realize that when someone all of a sudden starts acting very unloving, (perhaps even a believer acting so) it may not be entirely that person, but perhaps possibly an unclean-spirit, which should be somehow resisted until it leaves that person. And by displaying our good behavior unconditionally, that is one of the best ways to do that. And, well of course, pray for that person too. . .
ok hope that was understandable.
Faith without Works is Dead
Faith without works is dead.
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God.
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."
James 2:14-24
Works alone do not please God. One should have faith and works. God takes into account the heart and intentions. If you do not even believe that what you are doing is right, then why should God be pleased with your motives? If you feed a hungry person, yet don't even have any compassion while doing so, why should God count that as righteousness on your side?
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrew 11:6
So now that we have faith, we should also do good works, but in order to do good works, we should know what they are. . .
First of all I'd like to quote,
"To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Proverbs 21:3
So in other words, perhaps just destroying things you personally love, isn't necessarily going to please God much simply because you're making yourself suffer. . . The point is not suffering, it is obeying. And the point of all suffering is so that we will eventually repent and be submissive to Him and obey Him.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise:
'that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.'
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."
Ephesians 6:1-9
"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
1 Corinthians 10:24
We should learn to differentiate between lust of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit. I think that is a big key to knowing what God wants us to avoid or encourage.
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Galatians 5:17-26
Now I admit, I have some trouble myself distinguishing between some of those. I ask, I myself wish to understand this, how does one distinguish between "joy" and "passion"? Isn't there a "wrong-passion" and an "ok-passion"? How can one distinguish?
Oh and I'd like to add a little passage for someone like myself:
"Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Proverbs 29:20
See that says a lot about me.....
"What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
and one of you says to them, 'Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,' but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, 'You have faith, and I have works.' Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?
Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' And he was called the friend of God.
You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only."
James 2:14-24
Works alone do not please God. One should have faith and works. God takes into account the heart and intentions. If you do not even believe that what you are doing is right, then why should God be pleased with your motives? If you feed a hungry person, yet don't even have any compassion while doing so, why should God count that as righteousness on your side?
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrew 11:6
So now that we have faith, we should also do good works, but in order to do good works, we should know what they are. . .
First of all I'd like to quote,
"To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice."
Proverbs 21:3
So in other words, perhaps just destroying things you personally love, isn't necessarily going to please God much simply because you're making yourself suffer. . . The point is not suffering, it is obeying. And the point of all suffering is so that we will eventually repent and be submissive to Him and obey Him.
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
'Honor your father and mother,' which is the first commandment with promise:
'that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.'
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him."
Ephesians 6:1-9
"Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being."
1 Corinthians 10:24
We should learn to differentiate between lust of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit. I think that is a big key to knowing what God wants us to avoid or encourage.
"For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Galatians 5:17-26
Now I admit, I have some trouble myself distinguishing between some of those. I ask, I myself wish to understand this, how does one distinguish between "joy" and "passion"? Isn't there a "wrong-passion" and an "ok-passion"? How can one distinguish?
Oh and I'd like to add a little passage for someone like myself:
"Do you see a man hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him."
Proverbs 29:20
See that says a lot about me.....
Ask for Wisdom
"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
James 1:2-8
If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask God for it. But believe He will give it to you when you ask with faith.
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."
James 1:2-8
If anyone lacks wisdom let him ask God for it. But believe He will give it to you when you ask with faith.
God Made "Spiritual Physics"
God
has created "spiritual physics". . . so that when absolutely necessary
it will overcome any of the natural rules of our physical world. Our
spirits, which are unseen are more important than our physical selves
which are seen. Spiritual matters are of priority over physical matter.
Whenever absolutely necessary, God will override any of the physical
laws of this world to be sure that His words always remain utterly
true. God always rewards those who diligently seek Him, and His greatest
command is to love one another, and that involves knowing what real
love is. And those who obey will surely be rewarded. God, knowing
exactly what each of our hearts desires, (more than even we do) has the
power to utterly torment us or give us the fullest joy. So obey God if
you want what your heart desires.
"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 37:4-5
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.'
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” "
Mat 4:1-4
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6
"The fool says in his heart, `There is no God'"
Psalm 14:1
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,"
Romans 1:18-20
(God has supplanted in everyone the knowledge of Him, so those who disbelieve are sinning without excuse.)
"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
Hebrews 4:4
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:10-11
"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 37:4-5
"Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Psalm 1
Here is some more interesting material about God making His existence apparent to everyone, so that he who disbelieves is sinning without excuse:
http://
Again, God has made "spiritual physics" more important than the "physical physics". The righteous shall be surely rewarded, and the wicked shall eventually perish. This is the power of God. He sometimes makes it seem like there is no hope, because otherwise there would be no significance in believing in is power. But if you persistently continue to believe and obey, at the last moment He will save you.
"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 37:4-5
"Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.'
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’” "
Mat 4:1-4
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6
"The fool says in his heart, `There is no God'"
Psalm 14:1
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,"
Romans 1:18-20
(God has supplanted in everyone the knowledge of Him, so those who disbelieve are sinning without excuse.)
"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything."
Hebrews 4:4
"that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:10-11
"Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass."
Psalm 37:4-5
"Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish."
Psalm 1
Here is some more interesting material about God making His existence apparent to everyone, so that he who disbelieves is sinning without excuse:
http://
Again, God has made "spiritual physics" more important than the "physical physics". The righteous shall be surely rewarded, and the wicked shall eventually perish. This is the power of God. He sometimes makes it seem like there is no hope, because otherwise there would be no significance in believing in is power. But if you persistently continue to believe and obey, at the last moment He will save you.
Friday, November 1, 2013
Biblical Adventure
Down below are some of my favorite bible passages, I arranged them in a somewhat "adventurous order". (If you know what I mean) Hopefully the special arrangement will be useful to some people. Of course, I provide the passage number for each quote-- this way one can easily look it up for himself/herself, perhaps in case he/she wants to better understand the context-- or simply just wants to read more.
Bible quotes were copied verse-by-verse from blueletterbible.com (NKJV) with the occasional little "fn"s removed. (Took a while, but it sure made me read more as I was doing it. Lol)
I also added bold and underlining text-formatting to segments that I (personally) wanted to emphasise. And I added some titles too, to perhaps help people organize and focus their thoughts as they read. Hopefully it will work and be of some help to some people.
If anyone happens to find any technical errors with this page, (such as perhaps, an improperly transferred verse, wrong reference, or perhaps even just a mere typo) please do let me know so I can fix it! ; )
ok, Here we go,
With Every Temptation there is an Escape
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13
A Tree is Identified by its Fruits
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Therefore by their fruits you will know them."
Matthew 7:12-20
Put on the Full Armor of God
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
Ephesians 6:11-17
Ask and It Will Be Given
"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent?
If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!"
Matthew 7:7-11
“But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.
And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
Matthew 6:6-8
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
James 4:3
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:2
Riddles of Solomon
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:
To know wisdom and instruction,
To perceive the words of understanding,
To receive the instruction of wisdom,
Justice, judgment, and equity;
To give prudence to the simple,
To the young man knowledge and discretion—
A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and an enigma,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
My son, hear the instruction of your father,
And do not forsake the law of your mother;
For they will be a graceful ornament on your head,
And chains about your neck.
My son, if sinners entice you,
Do not consent.
If they say, “Come with us,
Let us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; |
And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;
We shall find all kinds of precious possessions,
We shall fill our houses with spoil;
Cast in your lot among us,
Let us all have one purse”—
My son, do not walk in the way with them,
Keep your foot from their path;
For their feet run to evil,
And they make haste to shed blood.
Surely, in vain the net is spread
In the sight of any bird;
But they lie in wait for their own blood,
They lurk secretly for their own lives.
So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain;
It takes away the life of its owners.
Wisdom calls aloud outside;
She raises her voice in the open squares.
She cries out in the chief concourses,
At the openings of the gates in the city
She speaks her words:
“How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity?
For scorners delight in their scorning,
And fools hate knowledge.
Turn at my rebuke;
Surely I will pour out my spirit on you;
I will make my words known to you.
Because I have called and you refused,
I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, |
And would have none of my rebuke,
I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when your terror comes,
When your terror comes like a storm,
And your destruction comes like a whirlwind,
When distress and anguish come upon you.
Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;
They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me.
Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke.
Therefore they shall eat the fruit of their own way,
And be filled to the full with their own fancies.
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil.” |
Get wisdom! Get understanding!
Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will preserve you;
Love her, and she will keep you.
Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom.
And in all your getting, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:5-7
He who digs a pit will fall into it,
And whoever breaks through a wall will be bitten by a serpent.
He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, And he who splits wood may be endangered by it.
Ecclesiastes 10:8-9
Do not curse the king, even in your thought;
Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom;
For a bird of the air may carry your voice,
And a bird in flight may tell the matter.
Ecclesiastes 10:20
A man who flatters his neighbor
Spreads a net for his feet.
Proverbs 29:5
Do not overwork to be rich;
Because of your own understanding, cease!
Will you set your eyes on that which is not?
For riches certainly make themselves wings;
They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.
Proverbs 23:4
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water;
He turns it wherever He wishes.
Proverbs 21:1
To do righteousness and justice Is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice.
Proverbs 21:3
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death.
Even in laughter the heart may sorrow,
And the end of mirth may be grief.
The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways,
But a good man will be satisfied from above.
The simple believes every word,
But the prudent considers well his steps.
A wise man fears and departs from evil,
But a fool rages and is self-confident.
A quick-tempered man acts foolishly,
And a man of wicked intentions is hated.
The simple inherit folly,
But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
The evil will bow before the good,
And the wicked at the gates of the righteous.
The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor,
But the rich has many friends.
He who despises his neighbor sins; But he who has mercy on the poor, happy is he.
Do they not go astray who devise evil?
But mercy and truth belong to those who devise good.
In all labor there is profit,
But idle chatter leads only to poverty.
Proverbs 14:12-23
Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest.
How long will you slumber, O sluggard?
When will you rise from your sleep? |
A little folding of the hands to sleep—
So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler,
And your need like an armed man.
Proverbs 6:6-11
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing,
But righteousness delivers from death.
The LORD will not allow the righteous soul to famish,
But He casts away the desire of the wicked.
He who has a slack hand becomes poor,
But the hand of the diligent makes rich.
He who gathers in summer is a wise son;
He who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.
Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
The memory of the righteous is blessed,
But the name of the wicked will rot.
Proverbs 10:2-7
Blessed is the Man who Delights in the Law of the Lord
Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 1
Do Not Love the World
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
James 4:1-4
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.
And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
John 2:15-17
Without Love, I am Nothing
Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
1 Corinthians 10:24
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying,
“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:35-39
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
These things I command you, that you love one another.
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.
He who hates Me hates My Father also.
If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father.
But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’
But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me.
And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning."
John 15:12-27
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,
and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them.
We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
|
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
We love Him because He first loved us.
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
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Be Obedient to Parents
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:
“that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Ephesians 6:1-9
It is Easier for a Camel to go Through the Eye of a Needle than a Rich man Enter the Kingdom of Heaven
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
And again I say to 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.”
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:13-26
"All is Vanity"
Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”:
While the sun and the light,
The moon and the stars,
Are not darkened,
And the clouds do not return after the rain;
In the day when the keepers of the house tremble,
And the strong men bow down;
When the grinders cease because they are few,
And those that look through the windows grow dim;
When the doors are shut in the streets,
And the sound of grinding is low;
When one rises up at the sound of a bird,
And all the daughters of music are brought low.
Also they are afraid of height,
And of terrors in the way;
When the almond tree blossoms,
The grasshopper is a burden,
And desire fails.
For man goes to his eternal home,
And the mourners go about the streets.
Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
“All is vanity.”And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs.
The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth.
The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.
Ecclesiastes 12
Anyone Who Believes that Jesus Christ Is Whom He Says He is Will Have Eternal Life
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”
John 11:25-27
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:13-17
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6
Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11
“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
See, I have told you beforehand.
Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it.
For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only.
But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark,
and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.
Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left.
Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.
But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into.
Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.
Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season?
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing.
Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods.
But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’
and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards,
the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of,
and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 24:23-51
More Riddles
Do not be overly righteous,
Nor be overly wise:
Why should you destroy yourself?
Do not be overly wicked,
Nor be foolish:
Why should you die before your time?
Ecclesiastes 7:16-17
The end of a thing is better than its beginning;
The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
Ecclesiastes 7:8
Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):
Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the LORD?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
Proverbs 30:5-9
Obey the Lord, and He Shall Give You what Your Heart Desires
A Psalm of David.
Do not fret because of evildoers,
Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
And wither as the green herb.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday.
Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him;
Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way,
Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath;
Do not fret—it only causes harm.
Psalms 37:3-8
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,
The leopard shall lie down with the young goat,
The calf and the young lion and the fatling together;
And a little child shall lead them.
The cow and the bear shall graze;
Their young ones shall lie down together;
And the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole,
And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.
They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse,
Who shall stand as a banner to the people;
For the Gentiles shall seek Him,
And His resting place shall be glorious.”
Isaiah 11:6-10
My Commentary
So what is "the world"?
What is the "pride of life"?
Also how is all "vanity"?
And what is the point of life?
Who is "my brother"?
What exactly is "Love"?
And what's the purpose of life?
In the end, all will be judged according to what they justly deserve, all secrets shall be revealed, I think, and everything shall be "fixed" by God.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
scatter-brained bible study!!!!
(Sorry if this post is a little bit much, seems like I was having a bit too much fun writing it Lol.)
So what is most important in life?
Hmm... where shall I start... ? Prepare for a bumpy ride~ Here I go with another scatter-brained post! ! Weeeeee~!!!
How can you say you believe in God if you deny His power?
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1-7
I emphasize this segment:
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
I'm guessing that would apply to people whom outwardly act like good people, but then deep down inside deny God has the power to reward them for it-- and then perhaps later turn around and stop doing what's right, because they actually really don't believe there is any benefit to their lives in doing such anyways. . . So I ask to such a person who might think that, how can one do right using his heart if that person's heart doesn't even believe what he's doing is the right thing, in the first place?
When we do what is right in the sight of God, we will always be rewarded.
If we do not believe this than we lack faith.
And without faith it is impossible to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrew 11:6
(Oh, and, please keep in mind that "faith" simply means "believing something is true".)
Now check this out, for those of you whom might think obeying God is perhaps "not worth it" or "too much trouble":
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4
For those who doubt that passage, I will now ask a question, might you perhaps think God will give you what your heart desires because you disobey Him!? hmm.. perhaps one who lacks faith should think about that one...
So now, how do we obey God?
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:37-39
So who is your neighbor? To make things simple-- how about just love everyone!? o_O
(sorry about making the face, my typer was itching so hard! Ha ha!)
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies ... "
Matthew 5:43-44a
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
So if perhaps someone might believe caring for one another is not important-- then I ask WHAT ELSE ON EARTH IS!?
Love is the most important thing. And true love brings forth all that is good.
The beauty of the trees, the sweet song of the birds, your happiest days in your life, that days when it felt like you were loved, the days when it felt like there was meaning to life, the people you love. . . those are all created from God's love for us.
So love.
So what is most important in life?
Hmm... where shall I start... ? Prepare for a bumpy ride~ Here I go with another scatter-brained post! ! Weeeeee~!!!
How can you say you believe in God if you deny His power?
But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1-7
I emphasize this segment:
having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
I'm guessing that would apply to people whom outwardly act like good people, but then deep down inside deny God has the power to reward them for it-- and then perhaps later turn around and stop doing what's right, because they actually really don't believe there is any benefit to their lives in doing such anyways. . . So I ask to such a person who might think that, how can one do right using his heart if that person's heart doesn't even believe what he's doing is the right thing, in the first place?
When we do what is right in the sight of God, we will always be rewarded.
If we do not believe this than we lack faith.
And without faith it is impossible to please God.
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrew 11:6
(Oh, and, please keep in mind that "faith" simply means "believing something is true".)
Now check this out, for those of you whom might think obeying God is perhaps "not worth it" or "too much trouble":
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 37:4
For those who doubt that passage, I will now ask a question, might you perhaps think God will give you what your heart desires because you disobey Him!? hmm.. perhaps one who lacks faith should think about that one...
So now, how do we obey God?
Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
Matthew 22:37-39
So who is your neighbor? To make things simple-- how about just love everyone!? o_O
(sorry about making the face, my typer was itching so hard! Ha ha!)
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, love your enemies ... "
Matthew 5:43-44a
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;
does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13
So if perhaps someone might believe caring for one another is not important-- then I ask WHAT ELSE ON EARTH IS!?
Love is the most important thing. And true love brings forth all that is good.
The beauty of the trees, the sweet song of the birds, your happiest days in your life, that days when it felt like you were loved, the days when it felt like there was meaning to life, the people you love. . . those are all created from God's love for us.
So love.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
A Hellish Mistranslation
Check this out if you thought Hell was "forever", here is a quote from tentmaker.org:
"Another pleasant change which more Bible translations of the future will make deals with the subject of the words 'everlasting,' 'eternal,' and 'for ever and ever.' These words have been used in times past to translate the Hebrew word 'olam,' and its Greek counterpart 'aion,' and its adjective, 'aionios.' These ancient words should NEVER have been translated this way. . . ."
http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Hell_is_Leaving_the_Bible_Forever.html
Hebrew:
... (...)
Greek:
αἰών (aion)
αιωνιος (aionios)
If Hell was truly-forever then God wouldn't be so infinitely-loving, now would He?
YES! I was very glad when I first learned that Hell being "forever" was actually a mistranslation-- because that never made much sense to me and seemed too cruel to be true. . .
"Another pleasant change which more Bible translations of the future will make deals with the subject of the words 'everlasting,' 'eternal,' and 'for ever and ever.' These words have been used in times past to translate the Hebrew word 'olam,' and its Greek counterpart 'aion,' and its adjective, 'aionios.' These ancient words should NEVER have been translated this way. . . ."
http://www.tentmaker.org/articles/Hell_is_Leaving_the_Bible_Forever.html
Hebrew:
... (...)
Greek:
αἰών (aion)
αιωνιος (aionios)
If Hell was truly-forever then God wouldn't be so infinitely-loving, now would He?
YES! I was very glad when I first learned that Hell being "forever" was actually a mistranslation-- because that never made much sense to me and seemed too cruel to be true. . .
Sunday, September 29, 2013
What Exactly is "Love"?
Sometimes I may not seem the best writer... but I'm posting this merely because I want some discussion with some of the ecclesia out on the net, so here it is...
Some people have difficulty loving another.
Some people love naturally.
Some people have the amazing ability to even love their enemy.
I know loving is sometimes difficult for me under certain circumstances.
Question: What exactly does love mean from a biblical perspective?
Some people have difficulty loving another.
Some people love naturally.
Some people have the amazing ability to even love their enemy.
I know loving is sometimes difficult for me under certain circumstances.
Question: What exactly does love mean from a biblical perspective?
Saturday, August 24, 2013
About
Jesus, the Son of God said,
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
Matthew 11:28-30
Believe in Jesus Christ and you shall have eternal life.
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."John 3:36
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."
Hebrews 11:6
And this is for those who believe:
"Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.
And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.
For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.
And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!
Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.
But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive."
1 Corinthians 15:11-22
"For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another."
Galations 5:13-26
"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are contentions among you.
Now I say this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or “I am of Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.”
Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1 Corinthians 1:9-13
Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 "Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control." 1 Timothy 2:11-15
About this Blog
The original Greek bible used the word "ἐκκλησία" ("ecclesia") which is more accurately translated into English as "assembly" rather than "church building." As particular modern versions of the bible might use the phrase "the Church of Christ", a more accurate translation would probably be something more like "the assembly of Christ". This blog is intended as a place for discussion between members of that assembly. |
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