Conviction is the first work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
Before God can use you in others lives, you have to allow Him to work in your life. If you ignore conviction, you are not allowing God to work in your life. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came He would convict of sin. And when the Holy Spirit is working in men’s lives and brings them into the presence of God, it's not his relationship with men that bothers them, but they're relationship with God. But they try to shift the blame to man.
John 16 : 7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 9 Of sin, because they believe not on me; 10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; 11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
It is no surprise that when the Spirit convicts, people who want to remain in sin will start to get uncomfortable around those that follow Christ; that we will be accused of being "judgmental", and that in general we are disliked and avoided for the sake of His name. Others will be attracted because of the same exact reason. This is sure proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the following of Christ. If this does not happen, can anyone rightly claim to have a measure of the Holy Spirit? Conviction by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, illuminates sin with a bright light. When that happens those that reject the conviction look for a place to hide.
13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth:
Most churches now are in the business of "solving the guilt symptom"--which destroys a person spiritually. We pay to have someone make us feel good without repentance; to give us an illusion of God's approval of our sin; they smooth over our guilt with smooth words. But unless the sin which caused the guilt is dealt with, any relief is only a false hope in the minds of the sinner.
1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Giving Thanks
What does the Bible have to say about the topic and importance of giving thanks?
I could sit here and copy and paste most of Psalms and half of the NT. But I will add just a few verses, knowing that I could add to them indefinetly.
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ephesians 5:18-20
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Paul wrote in many of his letters that we should give thanks, he gave thanks for the people, his situations and that God had chosen him to be His messenger. He also exalted Christ and gave thanks that He died for the sins of the world. But we sometimes overlook giving thanks for the things that afflict us. Paul writing above to give thanks in all things in Ephesians also wrote in 2 Corinthians that he would rather glory in his infirmities. He took pleasure in the beatings and the confrontations and even in the infirmities that he could know the power of Christ Jesus even more.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
And also in Romans 5, that we glory in tribulations. Who would have a better reason to walk away from a ministry than Paul. But he rejoiced even in the tribulations that were brought upon him, always looking to where it was for the betterment of the Gospel and would always bring glory to God.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Many people ask for Gods will to be made known to them. They search the scriptures and pray that God show them what He would have them to do. Many ask that for personal guidence and I have heard many say that they don't know what God has for them to do. Two of the basic things that we as Christians can do is to give thanks and pray. For everyone that reads the verse below it should be apparent that we are to give thanks, and it should be incorporated into our lives. Not just because we feel greatful at times or when it seems that things are going out way. But we are to give thanks because that is Gods will for our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As a Christian, giving thanks to God should come naturally for us. God has given more for us than we would ever give for others. No matter who you are or how many, I know I could not give my son for anyone, I'm sorry but I couldn't. God has extended blessings to each one of us that we should be able to write volumes that would rival the Psalms. Could you just imagine what David could pen if he was alive now. I only have to read the Gospels and the letters of Paul to see why we should be thankful. Knowing that Jesus loved me enough to suffer as He did so that I could have fellowship with the Father. To know the peace within through the Holy Spirit, and to know of the hope that I have received, not because of me but because of the work of someone else. What do we not have to be thankful for.
I am thankful for; My God and Savior Jesus Christ, My family, my church family (not just in the congregation I belong to, but everywhere), that God has given me a chance at life again so I can serve Him, All the good things and even all the bad things. I know that all things will work together for good in my life, so even what I see as the bad things are there for a purpose, and they will turn to bring glory to God.
I could sit here and copy and paste most of Psalms and half of the NT. But I will add just a few verses, knowing that I could add to them indefinetly.
Philippians 4:4-8
Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ephesians 5:18-20
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Paul wrote in many of his letters that we should give thanks, he gave thanks for the people, his situations and that God had chosen him to be His messenger. He also exalted Christ and gave thanks that He died for the sins of the world. But we sometimes overlook giving thanks for the things that afflict us. Paul writing above to give thanks in all things in Ephesians also wrote in 2 Corinthians that he would rather glory in his infirmities. He took pleasure in the beatings and the confrontations and even in the infirmities that he could know the power of Christ Jesus even more.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
And also in Romans 5, that we glory in tribulations. Who would have a better reason to walk away from a ministry than Paul. But he rejoiced even in the tribulations that were brought upon him, always looking to where it was for the betterment of the Gospel and would always bring glory to God.
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Many people ask for Gods will to be made known to them. They search the scriptures and pray that God show them what He would have them to do. Many ask that for personal guidence and I have heard many say that they don't know what God has for them to do. Two of the basic things that we as Christians can do is to give thanks and pray. For everyone that reads the verse below it should be apparent that we are to give thanks, and it should be incorporated into our lives. Not just because we feel greatful at times or when it seems that things are going out way. But we are to give thanks because that is Gods will for our lives.
1 Thessalonians 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
As a Christian, giving thanks to God should come naturally for us. God has given more for us than we would ever give for others. No matter who you are or how many, I know I could not give my son for anyone, I'm sorry but I couldn't. God has extended blessings to each one of us that we should be able to write volumes that would rival the Psalms. Could you just imagine what David could pen if he was alive now. I only have to read the Gospels and the letters of Paul to see why we should be thankful. Knowing that Jesus loved me enough to suffer as He did so that I could have fellowship with the Father. To know the peace within through the Holy Spirit, and to know of the hope that I have received, not because of me but because of the work of someone else. What do we not have to be thankful for.
I am thankful for; My God and Savior Jesus Christ, My family, my church family (not just in the congregation I belong to, but everywhere), that God has given me a chance at life again so I can serve Him, All the good things and even all the bad things. I know that all things will work together for good in my life, so even what I see as the bad things are there for a purpose, and they will turn to bring glory to God.
Faithfulness
Faithfulness
Faithfulness is importance coupled with commitment. A person is faithful only to what he/she feels is truly important. His commitment can only extend to what he/she sees is worthy of his/her time. Usually we are committed to something in our lives that we see as important and are faithful to it. And even though we do have to have a certain commitment towards things like our spouse or girlfriend, our job or school and our families, we have to be careful what we place in that number one position. What we place as the most important thing in our lives will show everything about us. If it is our spouse then people see us as a devoted husband or wife, if our job then we are seen as a loyal employee and if in our families then we are seen as a committed family man or woman. If we place our importance on any one of these things, then we can find other areas lacking and this can lead to trouble, as most have experienced first hand.
If you put your spouse as the most important thing in your life, then your job can suffer. If you place your job as most important, then your marriage and family can suffer. If you place sports or other outside activities, such as video games or hanging out above school work, then your grades can suffer. We can destroy areas in our lives by placing one area above another, by making it our one focus and devoting our time to it. Lives have been shattered, families left in ruins, marriages torn apart and jobs lost because of a commitment in another area.
As Christians the most important person in our lives should be Jesus Christ. If we place Him above all else, are faithful to Him and make a commitment to Him then it will effect other areas of our lives. We will be devoted, loyal and committed to our spouses, jobs and families. If we place Jesus first, then we can allow the Spirit to work in our lives; then it will change the way we think, the way we act and the way we speak. When we allow the Spirit of God to be active through us, then we will present ourselves in the manner that is pleasing unto Him in all other areas of our lives. But it has to start by being committed to Jesus Christ. It starts with faithfulness to the One that has given us life eternal. It starts with getting your priorities straight and placing Jesus first.
Faithfulness is importance coupled with commitment. A person is faithful only to what he/she feels is truly important. His commitment can only extend to what he/she sees is worthy of his/her time. Usually we are committed to something in our lives that we see as important and are faithful to it. And even though we do have to have a certain commitment towards things like our spouse or girlfriend, our job or school and our families, we have to be careful what we place in that number one position. What we place as the most important thing in our lives will show everything about us. If it is our spouse then people see us as a devoted husband or wife, if our job then we are seen as a loyal employee and if in our families then we are seen as a committed family man or woman. If we place our importance on any one of these things, then we can find other areas lacking and this can lead to trouble, as most have experienced first hand.
If you put your spouse as the most important thing in your life, then your job can suffer. If you place your job as most important, then your marriage and family can suffer. If you place sports or other outside activities, such as video games or hanging out above school work, then your grades can suffer. We can destroy areas in our lives by placing one area above another, by making it our one focus and devoting our time to it. Lives have been shattered, families left in ruins, marriages torn apart and jobs lost because of a commitment in another area.
As Christians the most important person in our lives should be Jesus Christ. If we place Him above all else, are faithful to Him and make a commitment to Him then it will effect other areas of our lives. We will be devoted, loyal and committed to our spouses, jobs and families. If we place Jesus first, then we can allow the Spirit to work in our lives; then it will change the way we think, the way we act and the way we speak. When we allow the Spirit of God to be active through us, then we will present ourselves in the manner that is pleasing unto Him in all other areas of our lives. But it has to start by being committed to Jesus Christ. It starts with faithfulness to the One that has given us life eternal. It starts with getting your priorities straight and placing Jesus first.
Compromise
Compromise
Most of us in here know about compromise. According to the dictionary one of the meanings is: a settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions. Many of us have dealt with a car dealer or some similar person to reach an agreement of some type.
Here is a good example of compromise. When we find a car we want, a process starts where we try to get the price to where both parties agree. As the buyer we want the dealer to take what we will pay, and the dealer tries to get the most he can for the vehicle. If a compromise can't be reached then there is no deal. We face compromises everyday of our lives. We settle for what someone offers, even though it isn't what we really want. But sometimes it swings our way and we get more than we wanted.
People try to compromise because we want things our way, its part of our nature. It doesn't have to be exactly what we want because we are flexible, and we expect others to be flexible also.
Probably where we compromise the most as Christians is in our relationship with God. Most of us are more committed to marriage relationships or our jobs more than we are to God.
We can learn a lesson from the scriptures found in Exodus.
Exodus 8:25-32
25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. 28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. 29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. 30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. 32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Exodus 10:8-11
8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
When Moses went to Pharaoh, He was sent by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, to a land that God had promised. God sent word through Moses of what He wanted and the demand was simple, "Let my people go". We all know of the plagues that were sent when Pharaoh refused to obey God, and we remember the Passover and what it represents. But overlooked are these few verses where Pharaoh tries to compromise with God.
1. "sacrifice to your God in the land." Pharaoh was not only the ruler to the people, but he was their god. They worshipped him as the lord of the universe. Pharaoh didn't want to let the people go, so he decided that he would allow them to worship God in the land of Goshen in front of the Egyptians. He would still have kept control of the people and even their worship of God. Many of the people that were slaves to the Egyptians still held onto their beliefs, but at the cost of remaining under control of Pharaoh. It showed that he was in control, even of their gods.
Today many Christians still worship God, but do it in the world. They want to serve God, but they let the things of this world interfere and dictate when and where they worship God. Its not as obvious as with Pharaoh, but it is still there. They want to compromise with God about their worship and their service. They want to remain in the world, and worship God while still being a part of the world. As Christians we are to be separate from the things of the world. We will still be in the world, but not a part of it. Many of the things of the world conflict with Christianity and the word of God. But a worldly Christian will compromise his belief, in the word of God, to accept the things of the world. Why? because they are still living in the world and trying to fit Christianity into it.
2. "only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me." His second compromise was that the people could go, but not go very far away. He would give them some freedom but not much. He still wanted them under his eye, and control. He wanted the people to stay within his reach.
3. “go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD;” Pharaoh tried to specify who would be able to go to serve the Lord. Moses told Pharaoh that everyone would go, taking their flocks with them. Pharaoh wanted to hold a majority of the people in the land to reassure that the others would come back. In today’s terms we call it “holding hostages”.
Pharaoh tried to compromise with God through Moses in order to remain in control of the situation that had formed in his lands. That’s what the world wants today from Christians, “You can be a Christian but…you have to conform to the world. In order to conform you must compromise.
God is not a God of compromise, and He doesn’t want us to be a people of Compromise.
Most of us in here know about compromise. According to the dictionary one of the meanings is: a settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions. Many of us have dealt with a car dealer or some similar person to reach an agreement of some type.
Here is a good example of compromise. When we find a car we want, a process starts where we try to get the price to where both parties agree. As the buyer we want the dealer to take what we will pay, and the dealer tries to get the most he can for the vehicle. If a compromise can't be reached then there is no deal. We face compromises everyday of our lives. We settle for what someone offers, even though it isn't what we really want. But sometimes it swings our way and we get more than we wanted.
People try to compromise because we want things our way, its part of our nature. It doesn't have to be exactly what we want because we are flexible, and we expect others to be flexible also.
Probably where we compromise the most as Christians is in our relationship with God. Most of us are more committed to marriage relationships or our jobs more than we are to God.
We can learn a lesson from the scriptures found in Exodus.
Exodus 8:25-32
25 And Pharaoh called for Moses and for Aaron, and said, Go ye, sacrifice to your God in the land. 26 And Moses said, It is not meet so to do; for we shall sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians to the LORD our God: lo, shall we sacrifice the abomination of the Egyptians before their eyes, and will they not stone us? 27 We will go three days' journey into the wilderness, and sacrifice to the LORD our God, as he shall command us. 28 And Pharaoh said, I will let you go, that ye may sacrifice to the LORD your God in the wilderness; only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me. 29 And Moses said, Behold, I go out from thee, and I will intreat the LORD that the swarms of flies may depart from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people, to morrow: but let not Pharaoh deal deceitfully any more in not letting the people go to sacrifice to the LORD. 30 And Moses went out from Pharaoh, and intreated the LORD. 31 And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and he removed the swarms of flies from Pharaoh, from his servants, and from his people; there remained not one. 32 And Pharaoh hardened his heart at this time also, neither would he let the people go.
Exodus 10:8-11
8 And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? 9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD. 10 And he said unto them, Let the LORD be so with you, as I will let you go, and your little ones: look to it; for evil is before you. 11 Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence.
When Moses went to Pharaoh, He was sent by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, to a land that God had promised. God sent word through Moses of what He wanted and the demand was simple, "Let my people go". We all know of the plagues that were sent when Pharaoh refused to obey God, and we remember the Passover and what it represents. But overlooked are these few verses where Pharaoh tries to compromise with God.
1. "sacrifice to your God in the land." Pharaoh was not only the ruler to the people, but he was their god. They worshipped him as the lord of the universe. Pharaoh didn't want to let the people go, so he decided that he would allow them to worship God in the land of Goshen in front of the Egyptians. He would still have kept control of the people and even their worship of God. Many of the people that were slaves to the Egyptians still held onto their beliefs, but at the cost of remaining under control of Pharaoh. It showed that he was in control, even of their gods.
Today many Christians still worship God, but do it in the world. They want to serve God, but they let the things of this world interfere and dictate when and where they worship God. Its not as obvious as with Pharaoh, but it is still there. They want to compromise with God about their worship and their service. They want to remain in the world, and worship God while still being a part of the world. As Christians we are to be separate from the things of the world. We will still be in the world, but not a part of it. Many of the things of the world conflict with Christianity and the word of God. But a worldly Christian will compromise his belief, in the word of God, to accept the things of the world. Why? because they are still living in the world and trying to fit Christianity into it.
2. "only ye shall not go very far away: intreat for me." His second compromise was that the people could go, but not go very far away. He would give them some freedom but not much. He still wanted them under his eye, and control. He wanted the people to stay within his reach.
3. “go now ye that are men, and serve the LORD;” Pharaoh tried to specify who would be able to go to serve the Lord. Moses told Pharaoh that everyone would go, taking their flocks with them. Pharaoh wanted to hold a majority of the people in the land to reassure that the others would come back. In today’s terms we call it “holding hostages”.
Pharaoh tried to compromise with God through Moses in order to remain in control of the situation that had formed in his lands. That’s what the world wants today from Christians, “You can be a Christian but…you have to conform to the world. In order to conform you must compromise.
God is not a God of compromise, and He doesn’t want us to be a people of Compromise.
A Catholic Question and comment
“Why do people have problems understanding that the Catholic Church was founded by Peter? Catholics don’t teach that the only way to understand the bible is through the church.”
Lets deal with the second statement first.
This is paragraph 100 of the Catholic Catechism;
"The task of interpreting the Word of God authentically has been entrusted solely to the Magisterium of the Church, that is, to the Pope and to the bishops in communion with him."
This is what they are taught as children and grow up believing, along with many other things that deal with the pope and the church authority. According to this the pope has the sole authority of interpreting the scriptures according to the way he see's fit. Who gave him this authority? The Pope. He had the final authority over the draft that was to become this document. Even though this document gives him the authority to interpret scripture, the bible argues otherwise. Two other religious beliefs also believe and teach that you have to have the scriptures interpreted for understanding; Mormons and Jehovah's Witnesses.
The bible says this about the word of God,
Acts 17: 10-11
And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
They searched the scripture daily, as the gospel was brought to them, to check what they heard as being the truth or not. Now keep in mind that as the brought the gospel to the Bereans the only scriptures were the OT writings. They searched the OT writings to check that the Gospel was true. Not accepting the message until it was researched. Many people today, in all churches, lack in this and believe what is told to them by the church leaders. They accept what is told to them without question because they feel that it needs to be interpreted in order to understand the scriptures. Why read or study the bible when you are told that you can only understand it through one mans interpretation?
2 Timothy 3: 16-17
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.
Paul didn't mention "as it is interpreted for you". Scripture is given to all men and is interpreted according to scripture through the Holy Spirit. And this scripture is for our benefit as to growth and being equipped for the ministry.
2 Peter 1:20
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
“When the light of the Scripture is darted into the blind mind and dark understanding, by the Holy Spirit of God, it is like the day-break that advances, and diffuses itself through the whole soul, till it makes perfect day. As the Scripture is the revelation of the mind and will of God, every man ought to search it, to understand the sense and meaning. The Christian knows that book to be the word of God, in which he tastes a sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, truly divine. And the prophecies already fulfilled in the person and salvation of Christ, and in the great concerns of the church and the world, form an unanswerable proof of the truth of Christianity. The Holy Ghost inspired holy men to speak and write. He so assisted and directed them in delivering what they had received from him, that they clearly expressed what they made known. So that the Scriptures are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost, and all the plainness and simplicity, all the power and all the propriety of the words and expressions, come from God.”
Matthew Henry
“The verse he used was in Matthew, somewhere after chapter 20... the verse where he tells Peter that he is the rock and a pillar of the church and of truth, and he gave him the "keys to heaven", and that whatever he locked would remain locked and vice versa. This shows the authority Peter had for starting the church in Rome”
This is how Peter describes himself:
1 Peter 1:1
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
Peter didn't think himself anything other than an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Not the Apostle, not the leader of the church, not the pope. He considered himself an apostle, one of many, of our Lord and Savior. If he would have been anything more his letter would have carried more credibility if it contained a leadership title.
1 Peter 5:1-3
The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Peter once again says that he is not over the elders, but considers himself as one of them. He puts himself on the same level of leadership as the elders in the churches that the letter was written. And he in these verses calls them not to be Lords over God's heritage to the flock. But to be examples. It sounds as though even Peter understood that the elders, of which he was one, was not to be Lord over God's heritage, which the pope is set up to be.
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
I have heard a lot about these verses, even more than you have asked.
Peter answered this question for not only himself but for the group. The question was directed to the group: first, who do men say that I am; second, who do you say that I am. The rock that he is talking about was that of himself and who he was, not upon Peter, but the declaration of what had been revealed not only to him but to the whole group. The foundation that Jesus was the Christ, or the messiah and promised one, and the Son of God. That was the rock that the church was built upon.
The Catholics say that they follow an apostolic succession and that the authority given to Peter is passed down through the generations unto the current Pope. This apostolic succession is not mentioned in the bible and would have been recorded if it had been so, and would have been mentioned by Paul if it was to make up the church. According to the bible you are an apostle only if you had seen the risen Savior, Paul became one on the road to Damascus when Jesus appeared to him. And would have been surely mentioned by Peter if it had been revealed to him that some power that he had was to be passed down through the ages. If we look further in the bible then we will see that while Peter was just an apostle, he was present when the Holy Spirit fell upon three different groups of people. The Israelite's who believed, the Samaritans and the Gentiles. And it is noted that when he saw that they had believed, the Spirit came upon them. I believe, as I have been taught, that this was in reference to the keys that had been given. The Catholics have taught and still teach that this power has been passed down and that the Pope has authority over heaven and who is admitted. According to the word of God the only one who has the power over who is admitted into heaven is God and entrance is gained only through Christ Jesus.
The Catholic church places Peter as the leader and the greatest over all the Apostles and use these verses in Matthew to do it, but two chapters later the apostles ask who is the greatest among them. If it would have been Peter they would have known and Jesus would have said.
All the Catholic Bishops and Bishops of other systems which have their roots based in Catholicism claim this Apostolic succession from Peter being transferred to them by the laying on of hands. Through it they claim to have the power appointed to Peter transferred to themselves. The Pope is chosen from these Bishops by the Bishops. But Peter could not have been chosen as the first Pope over the Roman Catholic Church because the bible disputes this on many fronts.
One, He was appointed a minister unto the Jews and not the Gentiles. Paul was appointed minister to the Gentiles. It was Paul’s appointment to bring the Gospel to them and to form the church among them. Gal. 2:7-8
Two, Peter didn't write the letter to the Romans, Paul did while Peter was in Jerusalem. Paul told the Romans that he had been chosen as their Apostle. Rom. 15:16-18
Three, Paul told the Romans that he was to form the church among them. Rom. 1:11
Four, There was no church already in Rome when Paul wrote his letter or got there, Paul said he wouldn't build upon another mans foundation. So Peter couldn't have had a church established there. Rom. 15:20
Five, Peter was never mentioned in Paul’s writings either in Romans or in the epistles sent from Rome. In 2 Timothy, it is written that only Luke is with him, if Pater had been there then he would have mentioned him.
Six, When Paul got to Rome he went to the leaders of the Jews there and brought and explained the Gospel to them, If Peter would have been there they would have known already. They had received word from Judea about Christianity by letter, that’s how they had heard. Not through another Apostle that had been in Rome for 14 years. Acts 28:17-22
Seven, Peter had changed and refused to be associated with the gentiles out of fear of those of the circumcision. Even Barnabas had joined in with them over this fear. Paul said they "didn't walk uprightly according to the truth of the Gospel". Galatians 2:11-20
Eight, Peter taught a Gospel that was perverted by fear of the Israelites, that the Gentiles had to become Jews in order to become Christians. One point that Paul brings up in Galatians and also Luke in Acts. When it was brought in front of the church in Jerusalem, it was found that the Gentiles didn't have to follow after the laws and customs of the Jews to be Christians as Peter taught. A false Gospel taught by Peter and corrected by Paul, and decided upon by James in Jerusalem. If Peter was who the Catholic Church claimed he was then, James wouldn't have been sitting in judgment over this. Acts 15
To follow after the bible only without the added texts and the stipulation that it can only be understood when enlightened by the thoughts and interpretation of the Pope and the Bishops in Rome, would dispute many of the teachings that the Catholic church has today. It has become a collection of rituals that is added to and taken away from at the whim of the Pope. If God spoke through the Pope only for enlightenment for the people, There would never be changes made according to what the scripture means.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sabbath
Why was the Sabbath changed? Why don't we have church on Saturdays?
The Saturday Sabbath was never replaced by a Sunday Sabbath. Sunday is considered the Lord's day and is the day that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples. The first day of the week is the day that was chosen for the services of the church, from the early church to the modern church. But everyday should be a day of worship for the God that granted us salvation through Jesus Christ. We should wake every morning with a heart set to praise Him and to bring glory to His name.
Saturday was a day set aside by God to rest from work. We are to remember the day and to keep it holy. To keep it holy would be to honor God through His commandment to keep the day of rest. The Sabbath commandment requires rest and prohibits work. The Sabbath being part of the Law was required of the Jews as a commandment and there were other laws written expounding on what was required on that day. One such law prohibited lighting a fire on the Sabbath. ( Exodus 35:3 ) Another prohibits a person to carry anything from out of a domain. More than just prohibiting work it prohibits any activity that is creative. ( Jer. 17: 21 )
Since the law was given to the Israelites through Moses, it was for them as God's people to follow and obey. The letter of the law was fulfilled and done away with through Christ. Because of that we are not required to follow that letter of the law, which with me being a Gentile was never bound by the law because the law didn't pertain to the Gentiles. Praise God for His grace that is given freely to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Colossians 2:14-16
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
All occurrences of that deal with Jesus and Christians happened on the first day:
Jesus rose on the first day of the week not the Sabbath: Mk 16:9
All 6 appearances of Jesus happen on two Sundays, none on Sabbath. Mk 16:9; Mt 28:5-9; Lk 24:34; Lk 24:13-15; Lk 24:33,36 + Jn 20:19; Jn 20:26
Christians are recorded assembling three times on Sunday after resurrection and before ascension, never on the Sabbath. Jn 20:19 Jn 20:26 Acts 2:1
The only time Christians are recorded to have assembled together was on a Sunday in Acts 20:7, never does it say the disciples assembled on the Sabbath.
The only day ever mentioned when Christians broke bread was on Sunday: Acts 20:7
Christians are commanded every Sunday to give into a common treasury of the church: 1 Cor 16:1-2
Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday: Rom 1:4
Ps 2:7 "Today I have begotten thee" was fulfilled on Sunday when he rose: Acts 13:33
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
Jesus was crowned king on a Sunday: Acts 2:33-36
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
The disciples reception of the promise of the Father on Sunday: Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit first fell upon the apostles on a Sunday: Acts 2:1-4
Salvation first preached by Peter on Sunday: Mt 16:19; Acts 2:1,38,40-41
The Keys to the Kingdom of God were first used on Sunday: Mt 16:19
The great "Triumphal entry" (also called "Palm Sunday") happened on the first day: Luke 13:32
The time between the Lord’s resurrection (sheaf waving day) and Pentecost was Sunday to Sunday counting of 50 days. The starting and stopping time was on the first day
First time Jesus worshiped after resurrection was on the first day by Thomas (Jn. 20:26).
The first time we could be born again to a living hope was on a Sunday: 1 Pet. 1:3
The first time Jesus had communion after his resurrection with His disciples, was on a Sunday: (Lk. 24:1, 13, 28-35)
Pentecost was a Sunday - Sunday duration of 50 days. The starting point and stopping point of counting the 50 days was a Sunday - Sunday.
Also I might add: That in the early church that some went forth and taught that in order to become Christians that you had to be circumcised and keep the law. It was not a commandment from the church that you had to convert to Judaism in order to be a Christian. The church in Jerusalem sent a decree to the gentile believers with a list of things required but not a burden. These are found in the verses below. It is not mentioned that we are to keep the Sabbath as gentile believers, as a matter of fact according to the verses the church said that there is no such commandment from them for the believers to follow the law. And the Sabbath is a part of the law.
Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
But I also add that the day of worship should not be set to a debate or argument. Even though I present my case, and could write more on the subject, for the reason that I worship on Sunday. If there is a time that you set aside to worship, it doesn't matter if it is on Saturday, Sunday or even on a Tuesday or Friday. I would that you worship God every day of the week and set aside a time everyday to spend with Him in study and prayer. I will place these verses.
Romans 15: 4-6
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
The Saturday Sabbath was never replaced by a Sunday Sabbath. Sunday is considered the Lord's day and is the day that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to the disciples. The first day of the week is the day that was chosen for the services of the church, from the early church to the modern church. But everyday should be a day of worship for the God that granted us salvation through Jesus Christ. We should wake every morning with a heart set to praise Him and to bring glory to His name.
Saturday was a day set aside by God to rest from work. We are to remember the day and to keep it holy. To keep it holy would be to honor God through His commandment to keep the day of rest. The Sabbath commandment requires rest and prohibits work. The Sabbath being part of the Law was required of the Jews as a commandment and there were other laws written expounding on what was required on that day. One such law prohibited lighting a fire on the Sabbath. ( Exodus 35:3 ) Another prohibits a person to carry anything from out of a domain. More than just prohibiting work it prohibits any activity that is creative. ( Jer. 17: 21 )
Since the law was given to the Israelites through Moses, it was for them as God's people to follow and obey. The letter of the law was fulfilled and done away with through Christ. Because of that we are not required to follow that letter of the law, which with me being a Gentile was never bound by the law because the law didn't pertain to the Gentiles. Praise God for His grace that is given freely to all people, Jews and Gentiles alike.
Colossians 2:14-16
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
All occurrences of that deal with Jesus and Christians happened on the first day:
Jesus rose on the first day of the week not the Sabbath: Mk 16:9
All 6 appearances of Jesus happen on two Sundays, none on Sabbath. Mk 16:9; Mt 28:5-9; Lk 24:34; Lk 24:13-15; Lk 24:33,36 + Jn 20:19; Jn 20:26
Christians are recorded assembling three times on Sunday after resurrection and before ascension, never on the Sabbath. Jn 20:19 Jn 20:26 Acts 2:1
The only time Christians are recorded to have assembled together was on a Sunday in Acts 20:7, never does it say the disciples assembled on the Sabbath.
The only day ever mentioned when Christians broke bread was on Sunday: Acts 20:7
Christians are commanded every Sunday to give into a common treasury of the church: 1 Cor 16:1-2
Jesus was declared the Son of God on Sunday: Rom 1:4
Ps 2:7 "Today I have begotten thee" was fulfilled on Sunday when he rose: Acts 13:33
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
Jesus was crowned king on a Sunday: Acts 2:33-36
The sign that Jesus was glorified was given on Sunday: Jn 7:39 + Acts 2:1,32
The church officially began on Pentecost Sunday: Acts 2:1
The disciples reception of the promise of the Father on Sunday: Acts 1:4-5; 2:1-4
The Holy Spirit first fell upon the apostles on a Sunday: Acts 2:1-4
Salvation first preached by Peter on Sunday: Mt 16:19; Acts 2:1,38,40-41
The Keys to the Kingdom of God were first used on Sunday: Mt 16:19
The great "Triumphal entry" (also called "Palm Sunday") happened on the first day: Luke 13:32
The time between the Lord’s resurrection (sheaf waving day) and Pentecost was Sunday to Sunday counting of 50 days. The starting and stopping time was on the first day
First time Jesus worshiped after resurrection was on the first day by Thomas (Jn. 20:26).
The first time we could be born again to a living hope was on a Sunday: 1 Pet. 1:3
The first time Jesus had communion after his resurrection with His disciples, was on a Sunday: (Lk. 24:1, 13, 28-35)
Pentecost was a Sunday - Sunday duration of 50 days. The starting point and stopping point of counting the 50 days was a Sunday - Sunday.
Also I might add: That in the early church that some went forth and taught that in order to become Christians that you had to be circumcised and keep the law. It was not a commandment from the church that you had to convert to Judaism in order to be a Christian. The church in Jerusalem sent a decree to the gentile believers with a list of things required but not a burden. These are found in the verses below. It is not mentioned that we are to keep the Sabbath as gentile believers, as a matter of fact according to the verses the church said that there is no such commandment from them for the believers to follow the law. And the Sabbath is a part of the law.
Acts 15:24
Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
But I also add that the day of worship should not be set to a debate or argument. Even though I present my case, and could write more on the subject, for the reason that I worship on Sunday. If there is a time that you set aside to worship, it doesn't matter if it is on Saturday, Sunday or even on a Tuesday or Friday. I would that you worship God every day of the week and set aside a time everyday to spend with Him in study and prayer. I will place these verses.
Romans 15: 4-6
Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
Judgment
Can we judge others?
Seems to me that one of the areas where we fail today as Christians, is that we are lacking in our judgment of others. And when we do judge we judge according to areas that we have no right, and call it righteous. How can we protect our families if we don't judge, and in the same measure, ourselves. Today the world has spiraled downward into chaos where people that are confessing Christians are convicted of abuse and murder, and we have entered into a new age of apostasy. We can call this lack of discernment, or ignoring the Holy Spirit; but the bottom line is still that we misinterpret the scripture to exclude judging others.
Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Very seldom do I hear verses 1 and 2 coupled together. And never verses 3-6 added to it. All that is harped on is that we are not to judge others, period. But how do we make it through life without judging others. We have to be careful in the judgment, because when we judge others we will be judged in like manner. If I judge someone as a false teacher, I will be judged according to my teachings. If I judge someone as an adulterer, I will be judged likewise. Whatever criteria and standards I set in my judging, will be the criteria and standards I will be judged. We have to be careful in our judging, but to say that we are not to judge; would be to not follow the scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
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, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I order to hold this verse to be true and useful we must judge. For every point made in this verse we must judge others according to doctrine, teachings and actions. But this holds only for judgment on the inside and not the outside. We are to be careful about judging those that are without and our dealings with them, but this judgment concerns things of God. We can't judge an unbeliever the same as we do a believer because they do not have the Holy Spirit within. Our dealing with the world should be to spread the Gospel message to a dying people.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
We know we can judge an unbeliever by world standards. But we can't always say that a Christian has no place to judge an unbeliever according to a righteous judgment. When an unbeliever moves into the realm of spirituality, they open themselves to a spiritual judgment. Today there are more "religions" that call themselves Christians and deny many of the essential doctrines of Christianity. Without naming names I believe a few have popped into your heads. They deny the deity of Christ, His death and some His resurrection. They add to the work of the Cross and the sacrifice for sins. Some have pointed to Christ being a state of being and deny his coming back. And these are here today. We have certain criteria, according to the word of God, that makes us believers and unbelievers. Even though they confess they still, according to their statements and their beliefs, are not Christians. Am I judging? yes, according to the word of God. Should we judge these unbelievers according to the standards set forth by the Bible? yes. Why? because they put themselves in that position and to protect others. And not only do we judge them but we are to expose them.
Most of the time when you hear the words "do not judge" it should be a flag that someone needs to. Many people that are involved in questionable ministries use that term repeatedly. And many of these have even concocted their own sayings and condemn anyone that try to compare their teachings to scripture. We have even seen them pray openly and through letters that the people and their families that judge them die. This is how serious people get when you judge them... About 17 miles from where I live is a small town. Inside this town is a "ministry" that seems to be following some of the most infamous cults of our time. One of the things that Tony Alamo harps on is that its not mans place to judge him. That anyone that judges him is subject to the wrath of his god. That what he teaches may not be backed up in scripture, because he has a direct line to God. Alamo says that he shouldn't be judged for the child abuse, the beatings, the imprisonment or the torture of the kids and adults in his compound. And the worse part is that many Christians have not judged him according to biblical standards and still refuse to do so because they have been convinced that judging is prideful.
We are to judge others, as mentioned above, to hold them accountable for their actions. To keep them from error, and to be sure that the word of God is preserved. But we can't judge people according to their salvation, their motives (unless voiced), their sincerity or their appearance. But we can judge according to their works, their teachings, what they confess, their actions. We shall know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
We are to judge according to what we know, what we see, not by what we have heard from others. And to judge we must, if we are to protect what we hold most dear. Before we judge others, according to their teachings, we have to know that they are teaching falsely. This involves a certain level of maturity, immature Christians must go to someone that they know is grounded in doctrine and ask, before they are judged and confronted. Many times we remember the verse (Matt. 7) and the condemnation that seems to go with it and refuse to judge them, not only does that allow them to continue but also brings us in as partakers of their wrong doing.
2 John 7-11
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
When we first heard the Gospel, we judged it. When we first looked at a bible, we judged it. When we first hear a preacher, we judge him. When we first read a text, we judge it. In our lives we judge everything every day. Judgment is good and beneficial to our lives as Christians, but we have to judge by a standard set by the scriptures and not by our own views. Then we find ourselves in sin and in danger of a harsh judgment. I would rather be judged according to God's standards instead of some of mine, but alas I know I have failed and will be judged according to some of the things I have judged others for.
We do not judge anyone unto condemnation, but for correction, rebuke and instruction. These things should be done in love, with the goal in mind for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and to bring others into maturity.
Seems to me that one of the areas where we fail today as Christians, is that we are lacking in our judgment of others. And when we do judge we judge according to areas that we have no right, and call it righteous. How can we protect our families if we don't judge, and in the same measure, ourselves. Today the world has spiraled downward into chaos where people that are confessing Christians are convicted of abuse and murder, and we have entered into a new age of apostasy. We can call this lack of discernment, or ignoring the Holy Spirit; but the bottom line is still that we misinterpret the scripture to exclude judging others.
Matthew 7:1-2
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Very seldom do I hear verses 1 and 2 coupled together. And never verses 3-6 added to it. All that is harped on is that we are not to judge others, period. But how do we make it through life without judging others. We have to be careful in the judgment, because when we judge others we will be judged in like manner. If I judge someone as a false teacher, I will be judged according to my teachings. If I judge someone as an adulterer, I will be judged likewise. Whatever criteria and standards I set in my judging, will be the criteria and standards I will be judged. We have to be careful in our judging, but to say that we are not to judge; would be to not follow the scriptures.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
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, throughly furnished unto all good works.
I order to hold this verse to be true and useful we must judge. For every point made in this verse we must judge others according to doctrine, teachings and actions. But this holds only for judgment on the inside and not the outside. We are to be careful about judging those that are without and our dealings with them, but this judgment concerns things of God. We can't judge an unbeliever the same as we do a believer because they do not have the Holy Spirit within. Our dealing with the world should be to spread the Gospel message to a dying people.
1 Corinthians 5:9-13
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
We know we can judge an unbeliever by world standards. But we can't always say that a Christian has no place to judge an unbeliever according to a righteous judgment. When an unbeliever moves into the realm of spirituality, they open themselves to a spiritual judgment. Today there are more "religions" that call themselves Christians and deny many of the essential doctrines of Christianity. Without naming names I believe a few have popped into your heads. They deny the deity of Christ, His death and some His resurrection. They add to the work of the Cross and the sacrifice for sins. Some have pointed to Christ being a state of being and deny his coming back. And these are here today. We have certain criteria, according to the word of God, that makes us believers and unbelievers. Even though they confess they still, according to their statements and their beliefs, are not Christians. Am I judging? yes, according to the word of God. Should we judge these unbelievers according to the standards set forth by the Bible? yes. Why? because they put themselves in that position and to protect others. And not only do we judge them but we are to expose them.
Most of the time when you hear the words "do not judge" it should be a flag that someone needs to. Many people that are involved in questionable ministries use that term repeatedly. And many of these have even concocted their own sayings and condemn anyone that try to compare their teachings to scripture. We have even seen them pray openly and through letters that the people and their families that judge them die. This is how serious people get when you judge them... About 17 miles from where I live is a small town. Inside this town is a "ministry" that seems to be following some of the most infamous cults of our time. One of the things that Tony Alamo harps on is that its not mans place to judge him. That anyone that judges him is subject to the wrath of his god. That what he teaches may not be backed up in scripture, because he has a direct line to God. Alamo says that he shouldn't be judged for the child abuse, the beatings, the imprisonment or the torture of the kids and adults in his compound. And the worse part is that many Christians have not judged him according to biblical standards and still refuse to do so because they have been convinced that judging is prideful.
We are to judge others, as mentioned above, to hold them accountable for their actions. To keep them from error, and to be sure that the word of God is preserved. But we can't judge people according to their salvation, their motives (unless voiced), their sincerity or their appearance. But we can judge according to their works, their teachings, what they confess, their actions. We shall know them by their fruits.
Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
We are to judge according to what we know, what we see, not by what we have heard from others. And to judge we must, if we are to protect what we hold most dear. Before we judge others, according to their teachings, we have to know that they are teaching falsely. This involves a certain level of maturity, immature Christians must go to someone that they know is grounded in doctrine and ask, before they are judged and confronted. Many times we remember the verse (Matt. 7) and the condemnation that seems to go with it and refuse to judge them, not only does that allow them to continue but also brings us in as partakers of their wrong doing.
2 John 7-11
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
When we first heard the Gospel, we judged it. When we first looked at a bible, we judged it. When we first hear a preacher, we judge him. When we first read a text, we judge it. In our lives we judge everything every day. Judgment is good and beneficial to our lives as Christians, but we have to judge by a standard set by the scriptures and not by our own views. Then we find ourselves in sin and in danger of a harsh judgment. I would rather be judged according to God's standards instead of some of mine, but alas I know I have failed and will be judged according to some of the things I have judged others for.
We do not judge anyone unto condemnation, but for correction, rebuke and instruction. These things should be done in love, with the goal in mind for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ, and to bring others into maturity.
God in a Box
We see it on t-shirts, bumper stickers, church signs and in church bulletins. We heard it preached from pulpits and heard it on TV. We read it in magazines and in papers. But what does it really mean? What started as a catch phrase for churches that wanted to move out of the realm of the written word and into a new area of worship and belief, has done just what it meant to do. It was one of the first used and is still popular today as a phrase to explain why something is out of context of scripture. Along with “move out of your comfort zone” and one of the newest, “get in the river“.
What really bothers me about the phrase is that it accuses and judges people, that stand upon scripture. "If you don't believe the way I do then you are limiting God, and don't have enough faith to believe that God can do anything". I have been accused of that when questioning things that were not scriptural. "You are putting God in a box and limiting Him from working". First I can't limit God from anything. God is all powerful, He is the creator and I believe that God can do anything. But when I am judged because I have a very hard time believing that God is doing a work outside what is written in scripture, I find that there is a problem.
I asked a preacher once after a sermon in which the message contained no instruction and was clearly not from scripture. He said he was given the message by the Holy Spirit to preach in our church, and was not to question it. He also said the I had put God in my own personal box and was limiting Him from working in my life. I thought "I have God in a box?"
God in a Box. This has become a phrase used by many as an answer when they are questioned about their teaching and beliefs. You ask a question and instead of an answer you hear, "Don't put God in a box", or "God is doing a new thing". That is red flag territory. I am not against God doing a new thing, He can do whatever He wants. I would welcome a new thing from God, as long as its scriptural. Or as others would say inside the box. But I find it impossible to accept that God is going to do anything that can't be backed by scripture, which is the only authority that can confirm or deny that any action or teaching is of God. If we, as responsible Christians, set the scriptures as the standard to judge what we see or hear then we are guilty of denying God and putting Him in a box. When are we instructed to not use the scriptures as that standard? When have we been told that God will do things that can't be backed up by scripture? Statements like these come only from the mouths of men, who in most instances tell you that what God is doing is a new revelation that isn't in scriptures. A message that they received in their spirit, which gave them the word to say that something extra-biblical is going on. Then we are told not to put God in a box but allow Him to operate in this word they received. Again red flags should fly up and we should question whether or not it is of God or if the message we are hearing is from another that would have us turn away from God and follow the ways of the world.
God in a box. this has also been misapplied so much by honest people to try to get others to understand that God is not limited in His power and majesty, and that He can do anything he wants to do. Well believe it or not, mature Christians that study their bible or sit under a good bible preacher, understand that. These people don't limit God and what He can do, they want God to be God and they want Him to work in their lives anyway He wants to, according to His will. But many others use this box terminology like a container where God is trapped by man and limited to what they will allow Him to do. Well the God I serve is not controlled or limited by man, I cannot command God to do this or that, or restrict Him from doing anything. If I thought I could do that, it would put me to where I exalt myself over the Most High. It didn't work for Satan and won't work for man.
What is a box? A box is a container that holds some sort of product. When we buy something, most times it is in a box. The box itself is not a part of the product, but is the what carries the product. Working on a production line, this I have seen in my occupation, when a box is loaded it is filled with only what is needed. Those things that weren't called for in the box were not put in the box. They were not listed in the box manifest as needed or required. When the box is received only those things that are required are inside the box.
When we go out into the world we have perimeters that we operate in, or should operate in. We have written laws that are set up to protect people and property. We can assume that they are set up for us to follow, for our safety. When we operate outside of these laws, we put ourselves and others in danger. Traffic laws are set by the authorities to keep us safe. We have to wear our seatbelts in case of a crash. We can only go a certain speed around curves. We can only pass others in certain areas.
We have laws that prevent people from going into your home and taking your belongings, or your family. We have laws that try to prevent a person from harming others, when we live within these laws. Do all obey these laws? no. But most do. And there is a penalty for disobedience and not following the law when you are caught. And there can also be consequences for not following the law.
When we do get stopped for speeding or reckless driving do we tell the officer that we are operating outside of the box, or we took the chance because it was outside the comfort zone, and we didn’t feel the law applied to us, When we go before the judge do we tell them that we are not subject to the laws because you don't consider them to apply to you and that the judge needs to not put the traffic laws in a box and expect people to work within its confines. You can tell them that you always speed and nothing has ever happened. We are to act according to the confines of the law and not to operate outside of those confines.
God has given us the Word of God in the form of the Holy Bible. It contains our instructions and give perimeters that we are to live within as Christians. Within the pages of the Bible, God has put in scripture who He is and this tells us what He has done and what we are to expect from Him. When we follow the bible and see God for who He is and learn of His nature and understand His character, we learn that He has established perimeters in which He will operate in our lives. We learn what to expect from God. And example is the work done on the cross. We know and understand that it is finished and will not change, there will be no other means of salvation given to man other than what has already been done. To accept any other means not stated into the written word would be to move from the perimeter that has been set by God.
This is the confines in which God has placed Himself; the ever mentioned box. To go beyond the written word of scripture is man trying to add to what God has done or say‘s He will do. That is to move outside of the box.
Inside the box is where God operates. It isn't a place where man has forced God to be, but a place where man can know the confines that God operates within. The box contains perimeters set by God that he works within, the scriptures. So that you can know that what is happening is of Him, and not from others.
What really bothers me about the phrase is that it accuses and judges people, that stand upon scripture. "If you don't believe the way I do then you are limiting God, and don't have enough faith to believe that God can do anything". I have been accused of that when questioning things that were not scriptural. "You are putting God in a box and limiting Him from working". First I can't limit God from anything. God is all powerful, He is the creator and I believe that God can do anything. But when I am judged because I have a very hard time believing that God is doing a work outside what is written in scripture, I find that there is a problem.
I asked a preacher once after a sermon in which the message contained no instruction and was clearly not from scripture. He said he was given the message by the Holy Spirit to preach in our church, and was not to question it. He also said the I had put God in my own personal box and was limiting Him from working in my life. I thought "I have God in a box?"
God in a Box. This has become a phrase used by many as an answer when they are questioned about their teaching and beliefs. You ask a question and instead of an answer you hear, "Don't put God in a box", or "God is doing a new thing". That is red flag territory. I am not against God doing a new thing, He can do whatever He wants. I would welcome a new thing from God, as long as its scriptural. Or as others would say inside the box. But I find it impossible to accept that God is going to do anything that can't be backed by scripture, which is the only authority that can confirm or deny that any action or teaching is of God. If we, as responsible Christians, set the scriptures as the standard to judge what we see or hear then we are guilty of denying God and putting Him in a box. When are we instructed to not use the scriptures as that standard? When have we been told that God will do things that can't be backed up by scripture? Statements like these come only from the mouths of men, who in most instances tell you that what God is doing is a new revelation that isn't in scriptures. A message that they received in their spirit, which gave them the word to say that something extra-biblical is going on. Then we are told not to put God in a box but allow Him to operate in this word they received. Again red flags should fly up and we should question whether or not it is of God or if the message we are hearing is from another that would have us turn away from God and follow the ways of the world.
God in a box. this has also been misapplied so much by honest people to try to get others to understand that God is not limited in His power and majesty, and that He can do anything he wants to do. Well believe it or not, mature Christians that study their bible or sit under a good bible preacher, understand that. These people don't limit God and what He can do, they want God to be God and they want Him to work in their lives anyway He wants to, according to His will. But many others use this box terminology like a container where God is trapped by man and limited to what they will allow Him to do. Well the God I serve is not controlled or limited by man, I cannot command God to do this or that, or restrict Him from doing anything. If I thought I could do that, it would put me to where I exalt myself over the Most High. It didn't work for Satan and won't work for man.
What is a box? A box is a container that holds some sort of product. When we buy something, most times it is in a box. The box itself is not a part of the product, but is the what carries the product. Working on a production line, this I have seen in my occupation, when a box is loaded it is filled with only what is needed. Those things that weren't called for in the box were not put in the box. They were not listed in the box manifest as needed or required. When the box is received only those things that are required are inside the box.
When we go out into the world we have perimeters that we operate in, or should operate in. We have written laws that are set up to protect people and property. We can assume that they are set up for us to follow, for our safety. When we operate outside of these laws, we put ourselves and others in danger. Traffic laws are set by the authorities to keep us safe. We have to wear our seatbelts in case of a crash. We can only go a certain speed around curves. We can only pass others in certain areas.
We have laws that prevent people from going into your home and taking your belongings, or your family. We have laws that try to prevent a person from harming others, when we live within these laws. Do all obey these laws? no. But most do. And there is a penalty for disobedience and not following the law when you are caught. And there can also be consequences for not following the law.
When we do get stopped for speeding or reckless driving do we tell the officer that we are operating outside of the box, or we took the chance because it was outside the comfort zone, and we didn’t feel the law applied to us, When we go before the judge do we tell them that we are not subject to the laws because you don't consider them to apply to you and that the judge needs to not put the traffic laws in a box and expect people to work within its confines. You can tell them that you always speed and nothing has ever happened. We are to act according to the confines of the law and not to operate outside of those confines.
God has given us the Word of God in the form of the Holy Bible. It contains our instructions and give perimeters that we are to live within as Christians. Within the pages of the Bible, God has put in scripture who He is and this tells us what He has done and what we are to expect from Him. When we follow the bible and see God for who He is and learn of His nature and understand His character, we learn that He has established perimeters in which He will operate in our lives. We learn what to expect from God. And example is the work done on the cross. We know and understand that it is finished and will not change, there will be no other means of salvation given to man other than what has already been done. To accept any other means not stated into the written word would be to move from the perimeter that has been set by God.
This is the confines in which God has placed Himself; the ever mentioned box. To go beyond the written word of scripture is man trying to add to what God has done or say‘s He will do. That is to move outside of the box.
Inside the box is where God operates. It isn't a place where man has forced God to be, but a place where man can know the confines that God operates within. The box contains perimeters set by God that he works within, the scriptures. So that you can know that what is happening is of Him, and not from others.
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