"So those who are believers in Christ Jesus can no longer be condemned." Romans 8:1
Before the apostle Paul wrote the line above he allowed us to see who he was. A corrupt man sold as a slave to sin. A man that had nothing good living in him and one who continued to do evil things. But he received an insight from God that we all need to see. Evil is present even when we want to do what God wants us to do, but because of Jesus, we have been rescued from a life of sin.
Many of us still walk around as if there is no hope. We look at our lives and feel that we are just not worthy because of how we constantly do things that we know is sin. We feel that God could never allow us eternal life because of how we live this life. Meditate on the scripture above. It's not about who we are...it's about who Jesus is. It's because of His life. It's because of His faith. His obedience. It's because of His victory that we are no longer condemned. This is Good News! Change your mind and your heart and live knowing He has delivered us.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Lost Sheep
"What do you think? Suppose a man has 100 sheep and one of them strays. Won't he leave the 99 sheep in the hills to look for the one that has strayed? I can guarantee this truth: If he finds it, he is happier about it than about the 99 that have not strayed. In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost." Matthew 18:12-14
Translation of Scripture can be misleading at times. In the Scripture above, something is missing that I think is a key to understanding what Jesus was really saying about the lost. Verse 14 in the God's Word translation says: "In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost." Translated in this way makes it sound like the sheep could possibly stay lost and might not ever be found and brought back to the fold.
A more literal translation of this verse is found using the "Young's Literal Translation". In Young's verse 14 reads: "...so it is not the "will" in presence of your Father who is in the heavens, that one of these little ones may perish." The "Concordant Literal Translation" reads: "Thus it is not the "will" in front of your Father Who is in the heavens that one of these little ones should be perishing."
The original word in the Greek for "will" is the word "Thelema". It's meaning according to Strong's Lexicon is:
Most of us have been taught that our will can over ride God's will. In other words, we have the choice to be and stay lost. Is that really what Scripture teaches?
"He turned their heart to hate His people, to plot against His servants." Psalm 105:25
"All abiding on the earth are reckoned as naught. According to His will is He doing...with those abiding on the earth." Daniel 4:35
"(He) is operating all in according with the counsel of His will." Ephesians 1:11
"Consequently, then, it is not of him who is willing, nor of him who is racing, but of God, the Merciful." Romans 9:16
"Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening. Romans 9:18
"Has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor?" Romans 9:21
"Heaven must receive Jesus until the time when everything will be restored as God promised through his holy prophets long ago." Acts 3:21
"For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers." 1 Timothy 4:10
"and He Himself is the propitiation (covering) for our sins; and not only ours, but for those of the whole world." 1 John 2:2
These are just a few Scriptures that let us know what is God's will. There is a picture of mankind struggling with life throughout Scripture, and we certainly know how much we struggle today! But we are told that God has the right to make different subjects from the clay. One for honor, one for dishonor. We are told that God is doing what he wills for those abiding on the earth.
I am told that what I believe is considered heresy in the doctrines of the modern "church". It's interesting that the early church held to the doctrine that God was in control and willing that "none should perish". I hope and pray that the Scriptures above have not changed in their meaning...and there are many more that let us know God's will for mankind is that HE is willing to save those He created. I may not fully understand Scripture, or the ways of God...but I do understand the words mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love.
Translation of Scripture can be misleading at times. In the Scripture above, something is missing that I think is a key to understanding what Jesus was really saying about the lost. Verse 14 in the God's Word translation says: "In the same way, your Father in heaven does not want one of these little ones to be lost." Translated in this way makes it sound like the sheep could possibly stay lost and might not ever be found and brought back to the fold.
A more literal translation of this verse is found using the "Young's Literal Translation". In Young's verse 14 reads: "...so it is not the "will" in presence of your Father who is in the heavens, that one of these little ones may perish." The "Concordant Literal Translation" reads: "Thus it is not the "will" in front of your Father Who is in the heavens that one of these little ones should be perishing."
The original word in the Greek for "will" is the word "Thelema". It's meaning according to Strong's Lexicon is:
- what one wishes or has determined shall be done
- of the purpose of God to bless mankind through Christ
- of what God wishes to be done by us
- commands, precepts
- will, choice, inclination, desire, pleasure
Most of us have been taught that our will can over ride God's will. In other words, we have the choice to be and stay lost. Is that really what Scripture teaches?
"He turned their heart to hate His people, to plot against His servants." Psalm 105:25
"All abiding on the earth are reckoned as naught. According to His will is He doing...with those abiding on the earth." Daniel 4:35
"(He) is operating all in according with the counsel of His will." Ephesians 1:11
"Consequently, then, it is not of him who is willing, nor of him who is racing, but of God, the Merciful." Romans 9:16
"Consequently, then, to whom He will, He is merciful, yet whom He will, He is hardening. Romans 9:18
"Has not the potter the right over the clay, out of the same kneading to make one vessel, indeed, for honor, yet one for dishonor?" Romans 9:21
"Heaven must receive Jesus until the time when everything will be restored as God promised through his holy prophets long ago." Acts 3:21
"For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, especially of believers." 1 Timothy 4:10
"and He Himself is the propitiation (covering) for our sins; and not only ours, but for those of the whole world." 1 John 2:2
These are just a few Scriptures that let us know what is God's will. There is a picture of mankind struggling with life throughout Scripture, and we certainly know how much we struggle today! But we are told that God has the right to make different subjects from the clay. One for honor, one for dishonor. We are told that God is doing what he wills for those abiding on the earth.
I am told that what I believe is considered heresy in the doctrines of the modern "church". It's interesting that the early church held to the doctrine that God was in control and willing that "none should perish". I hope and pray that the Scriptures above have not changed in their meaning...and there are many more that let us know God's will for mankind is that HE is willing to save those He created. I may not fully understand Scripture, or the ways of God...but I do understand the words mercy, grace, forgiveness, and love.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Every Scripture is inspired by God
"Every Scripture passage is inspired by God. All of them are useful for teaching, pointing out errors, correcting people, and training them for a life that has God's approval. They equip God's servants so that they are completely prepared to do good things." 2 Timothy 3:16-17
If I were an auto mechanic, I would have to constantly read and study about how to repair engines. With all the new technology that go into cars, and all the different manufacturers, you would have to be prepared when someone rolls into your shop so that you could fix the problem.
If I were a businessman, I would study to make sure I was on top of things in the business world. If I were a nurse or doctor, I would certainly have to know what was going on in the world of medicine to make sure my patients were taken care of. If I were a teacher, my students would expect me to know the subject I was teaching on.
If I am a Christian, why wouldn't I do the same? Why wouldn't I be going back the the book that has all the information I need to learn and study all that God has written down to be able to help not only myself, but others who need to learn about the ways of God.
We know that many people, including those who claim to be Christians, don't believe that the Word of God, or what we call the Bible, is really the Word of God. Because of the many different doctrines that the denominations teach, most have come to the conclusion that either it's not the Word of God, or no one will be able to really understand the Word of God...so why continue to read and study.
Just like if you are studying for a test in school, if you don't read and study the text, you would never be able to even come to an opinion about the questions given. But if you were to study the text, the history, and look deep into the questions given, you would at least have an opinion on what God is telling His people.
I have to admit, the more I study I seem to have more questions. But the more I study and go to the Source, my faith and belief become stronger. I see that the Word is true...whether I understand it or not at the time, I know that God will give me the answers as I continue to seek Him. The Teacher and the Source of all that I am pursuing to know.
It's easy to let the ministers/pastors/theologians tell us what to think and believe. But just like you, they are still learning and growing in the Lord, maybe not even as fast as you are learning and growing! Stay the course. If you want to know if the Bible, the Word of God, the Scriptures are true and real...read and study. Ask the Lord to give you understanding. He promises in the Scriptures that His Spirit WILL lead you to the Truth.
May we all be diligent in seeking God and His Word.
If I were an auto mechanic, I would have to constantly read and study about how to repair engines. With all the new technology that go into cars, and all the different manufacturers, you would have to be prepared when someone rolls into your shop so that you could fix the problem.
If I were a businessman, I would study to make sure I was on top of things in the business world. If I were a nurse or doctor, I would certainly have to know what was going on in the world of medicine to make sure my patients were taken care of. If I were a teacher, my students would expect me to know the subject I was teaching on.
If I am a Christian, why wouldn't I do the same? Why wouldn't I be going back the the book that has all the information I need to learn and study all that God has written down to be able to help not only myself, but others who need to learn about the ways of God.
We know that many people, including those who claim to be Christians, don't believe that the Word of God, or what we call the Bible, is really the Word of God. Because of the many different doctrines that the denominations teach, most have come to the conclusion that either it's not the Word of God, or no one will be able to really understand the Word of God...so why continue to read and study.
Just like if you are studying for a test in school, if you don't read and study the text, you would never be able to even come to an opinion about the questions given. But if you were to study the text, the history, and look deep into the questions given, you would at least have an opinion on what God is telling His people.
I have to admit, the more I study I seem to have more questions. But the more I study and go to the Source, my faith and belief become stronger. I see that the Word is true...whether I understand it or not at the time, I know that God will give me the answers as I continue to seek Him. The Teacher and the Source of all that I am pursuing to know.
It's easy to let the ministers/pastors/theologians tell us what to think and believe. But just like you, they are still learning and growing in the Lord, maybe not even as fast as you are learning and growing! Stay the course. If you want to know if the Bible, the Word of God, the Scriptures are true and real...read and study. Ask the Lord to give you understanding. He promises in the Scriptures that His Spirit WILL lead you to the Truth.
May we all be diligent in seeking God and His Word.
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