“For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” (Romans 11:36)
It seems to me that the various religions of the world, including Christianity, have missed this simple truth. Maybe because it is so simple and profound – “from Him and through Him and for Him are ALL THINGS”. However, if the Bible is the inerrant word of God, and I have chosen to believe it is, then the above is TRUE.
So what does God think about our enemies…meaning those who oppose God’s Word? When the Jewish religious leaders opposed Christians Paul tells us…
“From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all..” (Romans 11:28-33)
Israel, Gods chosen nation, became His enemies – for the sake of all other ethnic peoples (Gentiles) – but they are still His because He chose them and the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. ALL people, including those chosen by God in this life, become disobedient so that God, who is LOVE, can show MERCY to ALL…and He wants us to pray for our enemies because it is God’s WILL to save them …
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who WILLS all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL…I am telling the truth, I am not lying as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” (1 Timothy 2:1-8)
Good luck with that Paul! Nevertheless, God loves His enemies and Jesus forgave his from the cross!
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the LORD, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:34-36)
It seems to me that the various religions of the world, including Christianity, have missed this simple truth. Maybe because it is so simple and profound – “from Him and through Him and for Him are ALL THINGS”. However, if the Bible is the inerrant word of God, and I have chosen to believe it is, then the above is TRUE.
So what does God think about our enemies…meaning those who oppose God’s Word? When the Jewish religious leaders opposed Christians Paul tells us…
“From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. For just as you once were disobedient to God, but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all..” (Romans 11:28-33)
Israel, Gods chosen nation, became His enemies – for the sake of all other ethnic peoples (Gentiles) – but they are still His because He chose them and the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. ALL people, including those chosen by God in this life, become disobedient so that God, who is LOVE, can show MERCY to ALL…and He wants us to pray for our enemies because it is God’s WILL to save them …
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men…This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who WILLS all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for ALL…I am telling the truth, I am not lying as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.” (1 Timothy 2:1-8)
Good luck with that Paul! Nevertheless, God loves His enemies and Jesus forgave his from the cross!
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the LORD, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen” (Romans 11:34-36)