“Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment” (Hebrews 6:1-3)
Of all of the mistranslations of Scripture into English Satan’s crown jewel in my opinion is the translation of the Greek words "krimatos aioniou" as “eternal judgment”. However there are a few Bible translations whom Satan has not been able to influence. Here are two of the three I am familiar with…
“…of the teaching of baptisms, of laying on also of hands, of rising again also of the dead, and of judgment age-during” (Young’s Literal Translation), and
“…of the teaching of baptizings, besides the imposition of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and of judgment eonian.” (Concordant Literal Translation)
What the writer of Hebrews is talking about is moving on from basic teaching that all Christians should be aware of to the maturity of knowing all of what God has planned for mankind. These elementary teachings are…
1. Jesus is the Messiah
2. Works cannot save us
3. Our faith is to be in God alone
4. Baptism and laying on of hands has no power to save or cleanse
5. The dead will be resurrected
6. The judgment that follows will determine our role in the following ages.
Christianity for the most part has been arguing about these elementary teachings for about 1800 years and rarely moves on to MATURITY. Maturity for me is a peaceful realization that at the close of the ages ALL creation will be reconciled to God and all will joyfully give Him the glory He is due. Paul summarizes this as follows:
“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For He has put all things in subjection under His feet. But when He says, All things are put in subjection, it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)
Read this Scripture over and over until the “ALL in ALL” meaning sinks in…then you will be as close to MATURITY as you can get in this age it seems to me.
For my wife, children and grandchildren..and anyone else who may be interested!
Grace vs. Judgment
Before the great worldwide flood described in Genesis God made this statement concerning mankind…
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5)
God had told Adam and Eve what the judgment for sin would be in the 2nd Chapter of Genesis…
“…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:17)
In His destruction of mankind by the flood God simply accelerated this judgment to rid the world of evil…
"So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:7)
But God also introduced His ultimate plan for mankind in the way He dealt with Noah and his family…
"But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8)
Mankind has not changed and evil is still a part of our nature. The Bible tells us that the judgment of God on sin is still death, but His GRACE still trumps His judgment and God has determined in His GRACE to give eternal life to sinners…
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life…for the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Titus 2:11)
The ARK delivered Noah and his family from the flood but they eventually died. God is the Savior of all sinners and His Son Jesus came to tell us about it and show us how it will be done – the Resurrection. The ARK was a type of this salvation, but Jesus will deliver all mankind from death into “eternal life”. That is the promise of God, whether mankind believes it now or not.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly…it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior…desires 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…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-6; 4:9-10)
"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually" (Genesis 6:5)
God had told Adam and Eve what the judgment for sin would be in the 2nd Chapter of Genesis…
“…you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die." (Genesis 2:17)
In His destruction of mankind by the flood God simply accelerated this judgment to rid the world of evil…
"So the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:7)
But God also introduced His ultimate plan for mankind in the way He dealt with Noah and his family…
"But Noah found GRACE in the eyes of the LORD" (Genesis 6:8)
Mankind has not changed and evil is still a part of our nature. The Bible tells us that the judgment of God on sin is still death, but His GRACE still trumps His judgment and God has determined in His GRACE to give eternal life to sinners…
“…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life…for the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men” (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Titus 2:11)
The ARK delivered Noah and his family from the flood but they eventually died. God is the Savior of all sinners and His Son Jesus came to tell us about it and show us how it will be done – the Resurrection. The ARK was a type of this salvation, but Jesus will deliver all mankind from death into “eternal life”. That is the promise of God, whether mankind believes it now or not.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly…it is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…God our Savior…desires 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…It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 1:15, 2:3-6; 4:9-10)
Approaching the Throne of God
“Esther spoke…All the royal officials and the people of the royal provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner courtyard and who has not been summoned—the death penalty. Only if the king extends the gold scepter will that person live.” (Esther 4:10-11)
This is a familiar story in the Bible. Esther was asked to go to the King and request salvation for her people. She knew that if she went to the King without being summoned she would die if not received. Esther summoned the courage and went to the King to plead for her salvation and that of her people filled with fear and uncertainty about her future.
Unfortunately for mankind, many theologians of Christianity have portrayed God as such a King as this. There is fear and anxiety surrounding the uncertainty of what God will do to us if and when we approach Him, and especially if we do not approach Him at all. Yet the Bible assures us that God loves the whole world and sent His Son Jesus to save it rather than condemn it…
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world...” (John 3:16-17)
God reached out in a Father’s love to mankind. It was God who reached out and GAVE the world a Savior. Jesus came to save sinners and show us the love of the Father and to assure us of our salvation. He does not expect us to come to Him and beg for it in fear and uncertainty, but in faith, believing he has and will save us. He knows that when we understand this we will thank Him and love Him back.
This is a familiar story in the Bible. Esther was asked to go to the King and request salvation for her people. She knew that if she went to the King without being summoned she would die if not received. Esther summoned the courage and went to the King to plead for her salvation and that of her people filled with fear and uncertainty about her future.
Unfortunately for mankind, many theologians of Christianity have portrayed God as such a King as this. There is fear and anxiety surrounding the uncertainty of what God will do to us if and when we approach Him, and especially if we do not approach Him at all. Yet the Bible assures us that God loves the whole world and sent His Son Jesus to save it rather than condemn it…
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son…God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world but to save the world...” (John 3:16-17)
God reached out in a Father’s love to mankind. It was God who reached out and GAVE the world a Savior. Jesus came to save sinners and show us the love of the Father and to assure us of our salvation. He does not expect us to come to Him and beg for it in fear and uncertainty, but in faith, believing he has and will save us. He knows that when we understand this we will thank Him and love Him back.
The Bible says that God's gift of His Son Jesus will eventually draw all people to Jesus as the result of Jesus being lifted up on the cross and then lifted out of "the earth" at his resurrection...
"As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)
The result of believing God is that we can die in PEACE…
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world…The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” (John 16:33; Hebrews 1:3)
Mankind is encouraged to come to the throne of God boldly, without fear. And what do we obtain and find there? MERCY and GRACE!
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).
"As for me, if I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all people to myself." (John 12:32)
The result of believing God is that we can die in PEACE…
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world…The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact expression of His nature, sustaining all things by His powerful Word. After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high…” (John 16:33; Hebrews 1:3)
Mankind is encouraged to come to the throne of God boldly, without fear. And what do we obtain and find there? MERCY and GRACE!
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16).
The Truth About Hell
"And if your foot offend thee, cut t off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, then having two feet to be cast into hell (Gehenna), into the fire that never shall be quenched." (Mark 9:45)
Below is a paraphrase of an article I once read. I have found to be true in my own study.
"GEHENNA: This word occurs twelve times in the New Testament, and is translated "hell" in English Bibles. But since the Gospel writers repeat the same discourses, Jesus did not really use the word more than six or seven times in all His ministry. Matthew, Mark, Luke and James are the only books where the term is used.
Here is a summary of why Christians should NOT teach the doctrine of endless torment based on the use of the term "Gehenna", translated "hell" in Scripture.
1. Though Gehenna occurs twelve times, Jesus actually used it only on four or five different occasions. If the use of Gehenna by Jesus was intended to reveal the terrible doctrine of endless punishment, how is it possible that he would only mention it four times?
2. Jesus and James are the only persons in the New Testament who use the word Gehenna. John the Baptist did not use it once. Peter nor Jude use the term, and John, who wrote his gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation, never employs it in a single instance. And most astoundingly, Paul, who wrote about half of the books in our New Testament also never mentions it. Surely, if “Gehenna” (hell) really reveals the terrible fact of conscious and endless torment, why this strange silence? And remember, in all of the Old Testament there is no mention of conscious endless torment at all.
3. The Book of Acts contains the record of the first apostolic preaching, and the beginning of the Body of Christ consisting of both Jew and Gentile. It covers a period of about thirty years from the ascension of Jesus Christ. In all this history and in all the preaching in the book of Acts, there is not one use of the word Gehenna. In thirty years of missionary effort, the followers of Jesus addressed people all over the known world and never, under any circumstances, threaten them with the eternal conscious torment in Gehenna, or allude to it at all! In the face of such a fact as this, can any man believe that the word “Gehenna” signifies endless punishment, and that this is a part of divine revelation, a part of the Gospel message to the world?"
Nevertheless, Christian churches have been passing it on from generation to generation for centuries causing all sorts of guilt and heartache for mankind on top of all the other crap we suffer in this life. As a have repeatedly posted, the good news is summed up in Romans 6:23..
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".
In other posts I have addressed what Jesus meant when he used the word "Gehenna"..
Below is a paraphrase of an article I once read. I have found to be true in my own study.
"GEHENNA: This word occurs twelve times in the New Testament, and is translated "hell" in English Bibles. But since the Gospel writers repeat the same discourses, Jesus did not really use the word more than six or seven times in all His ministry. Matthew, Mark, Luke and James are the only books where the term is used.
Here is a summary of why Christians should NOT teach the doctrine of endless torment based on the use of the term "Gehenna", translated "hell" in Scripture.
1. Though Gehenna occurs twelve times, Jesus actually used it only on four or five different occasions. If the use of Gehenna by Jesus was intended to reveal the terrible doctrine of endless punishment, how is it possible that he would only mention it four times?
2. Jesus and James are the only persons in the New Testament who use the word Gehenna. John the Baptist did not use it once. Peter nor Jude use the term, and John, who wrote his gospel, three epistles, and the Book of Revelation, never employs it in a single instance. And most astoundingly, Paul, who wrote about half of the books in our New Testament also never mentions it. Surely, if “Gehenna” (hell) really reveals the terrible fact of conscious and endless torment, why this strange silence? And remember, in all of the Old Testament there is no mention of conscious endless torment at all.
3. The Book of Acts contains the record of the first apostolic preaching, and the beginning of the Body of Christ consisting of both Jew and Gentile. It covers a period of about thirty years from the ascension of Jesus Christ. In all this history and in all the preaching in the book of Acts, there is not one use of the word Gehenna. In thirty years of missionary effort, the followers of Jesus addressed people all over the known world and never, under any circumstances, threaten them with the eternal conscious torment in Gehenna, or allude to it at all! In the face of such a fact as this, can any man believe that the word “Gehenna” signifies endless punishment, and that this is a part of divine revelation, a part of the Gospel message to the world?"
Nevertheless, Christian churches have been passing it on from generation to generation for centuries causing all sorts of guilt and heartache for mankind on top of all the other crap we suffer in this life. As a have repeatedly posted, the good news is summed up in Romans 6:23..
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord".
In other posts I have addressed what Jesus meant when he used the word "Gehenna"..
Don't be "Myth-taken"
“To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord...instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, nor to pay attention to myths… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners...fight the good fight, keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.” (1 Timothy 1:1-20)
You can search all you want but you will not find a single verse in the Old Testament that even hints of a penalty for sin consistent with Christianity’s morbid concept of “hell” (eternal conscious torment). It is a myth. The penalty for sin is DEATH in the Bible.
In the New Testament the references of Jesus to Gehenna (translated "hell" in English) refers to the garbage dump outside Jerusalem where trash and some dead bodies were burned up. He was not talking about some never ending mythological torture chamber. In the garbage dump the worm does not die nor is the fire quenched until its job of consuming it contents is done.
Why Christians would make Gehenna a figure of speech for the Greek mythological hell is beyond my comprehension. The only explanation is they were deceived by the one whose job it is to deceive...Satan.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners from DEATH - the penalty for sin. But for more than 1900 years there have been an abundance of leaders in the church like “Hymenaeus and Alexander” shipwrecked in regard to their faith by strange doctrines and myths. In embracing the myth of eternal conscious torment they blaspheme God it seems to me. In effect they deny that Jesus is the Savior of the World.
You can search all you want but you will not find a single verse in the Old Testament that even hints of a penalty for sin consistent with Christianity’s morbid concept of “hell” (eternal conscious torment). It is a myth. The penalty for sin is DEATH in the Bible.
In the New Testament the references of Jesus to Gehenna (translated "hell" in English) refers to the garbage dump outside Jerusalem where trash and some dead bodies were burned up. He was not talking about some never ending mythological torture chamber. In the garbage dump the worm does not die nor is the fire quenched until its job of consuming it contents is done.
Why Christians would make Gehenna a figure of speech for the Greek mythological hell is beyond my comprehension. The only explanation is they were deceived by the one whose job it is to deceive...Satan.
Jesus came into the world to save sinners from DEATH - the penalty for sin. But for more than 1900 years there have been an abundance of leaders in the church like “Hymenaeus and Alexander” shipwrecked in regard to their faith by strange doctrines and myths. In embracing the myth of eternal conscious torment they blaspheme God it seems to me. In effect they deny that Jesus is the Savior of the World.
It is not that anyone will escape judgment or condemnation. It is just that all of God’s dealings with mankind in regard to judgment is with a view to the eventual reconciliation of ALL...even Hymenaeus and Alexander and their modern day counterparts. That is if you read and study the Bible, not some commentary or sermon of "Myth-taken" men (pun intended).
“…through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...” (Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5)
There is absolutely no thought in the minds of the writers of Scripture with regard to eternal conscious torment in hell. Such punitive retribution was introduced centuries ago by corrupt theology and is being passed on as truth by many today. Churches are full of good people doing some good things...but teaching myths and strange doctrine is not among them.
God will do what is necessary after the resurrection to set everyone right with God and changing us into His image.
I understand the frustration of Paul with these men, and why Paul simply had to hand “Hymenaeus and Alexander" over to Satan. They refused to listen to the Scripture and preferred their own religious doctrine to the truth. That is why I write this blog and quote Scripture to back up my thoughts. Too many are simply unaware of the mythological guilt trip these false teachers impose on people...
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)
“…through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven...God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself not counting their sins against them and has given us the ministry of reconciliation...” (Colossians 1:20; 2 Corinthians 5)
There is absolutely no thought in the minds of the writers of Scripture with regard to eternal conscious torment in hell. Such punitive retribution was introduced centuries ago by corrupt theology and is being passed on as truth by many today. Churches are full of good people doing some good things...but teaching myths and strange doctrine is not among them.
God will do what is necessary after the resurrection to set everyone right with God and changing us into His image.
I understand the frustration of Paul with these men, and why Paul simply had to hand “Hymenaeus and Alexander" over to Satan. They refused to listen to the Scripture and preferred their own religious doctrine to the truth. That is why I write this blog and quote Scripture to back up my thoughts. Too many are simply unaware of the mythological guilt trip these false teachers impose on people...
"For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness..." (2 Corinthians 11:13-14)
New Covenant is Second Covenant with Israel
“Behold,
the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with
the house of ISRAEL and the house of JUDAH…And I will be their God, and they
shall be my people…I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin
no more.” (Jeremiah
31:31-34)
“In speaking of a new covenant, he makes the
first one obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to
vanish away…Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who
are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has
occurred that redeems them from the transgressions committed under the first
covenant.” (Hebrews 8:13; 9:15)
I think Christians should be
careful in talking about the Old and New Covenants. Some even name their churches “New Covenant
Church”. And they generally teach that
the New Covenant is one of Grace and is the Covenant mentioned in Jeremiah and
Hebrews. They assume the New Covenant is the covenant which the Body of Christ (Church) now has with God. That is just not the case as I
read and understand the Scripture.
Both the Old and New
Covenants have to do with God’s unique dealing with Jacob and his descendants
who collectively are the nation of Israel, God's chosen people.
It is to the “house of Israel and the house of Judah” alone that the Old and New Covenants were given. That is made clear in Jeremiah chapter 31 above, and it is clear to me that the reference to “a new covenant” in the book of Hebrews is also speaking of Israel because
it says that the death of Jesus the Messiah “redeems them from the
transgressions committed UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT”.
Gentiles have never been, nor are we now, subject
to the first covenant made to Israel through Moses. Nor are Gentiles the object of the second (New) covenant
spoken of by Jeremiah the Prophet. The book of Hebrews is clearly written to Messianic Jews who had been scattered, that’s why it is called Hebrews.
When Paul, the apostle to the
Gentiles, uses the term in his letter to Corinth it is either in reference to the covenants with Israel
or as a “figure of speech” for the GRACE of God which has appeared bringing
salvation to all mankind. Paul says of the New Covenant...
“In the same way
also he took the cup, after supper, saying, this cup is the new covenant in my
blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1
Corinthians 11:25)
Paul was speaking of the words
of Jesus to the Jewish disciples at the last Passover meal he shared with them
and was reminding them that his shed blood redeems Israel “from the
transgressions committed under the first covenant”.
In speaking of his ministry to the
Gentiles Paul says that God “has made us
competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter (given to Israel
only)
but of the Spirit. For the letter kills,
but the Spirit gives life.” (2
Corinthians 3:6)
When Paul uses the term “new covenant” in 2 Corinthians 3:6 above it seems to be a
figure of speech for the “new” revelation that all men are recipients of salvation
by the Grace of God. This was a mystery
previously hidden from men and a “new” revelation first given to Paul. I do not
find in Scripture any formal “covenant of grace” with anyone. But there is the revealing that God intends
the salvation of sinners as the benefit of God’s amazing GRACE alone. Paul
writes of this mystery, grace and salvation as follows…
“…you have heard of
the stewardship of God’s GRACE which was given to me for you; that by
revelation there was made known to me the MYSTERY…which in other generations
was not made known to the sons of men… the promise in Christ Jesus through the
gospel of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace…to
preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light
what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God
who created all things…For the grace of God has appeared, bringing SALVATION to all men… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance,
that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners… we have fixed our hope
on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers” (Ephesians 3:1-9; Titus
2:11; 1 Timothy 1:15; 4:9-10)
Don't Be Judged By Religious Ritual
“For the law, having a shadow of the good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with these same sacrifices, which they offer continually
year by year, make those who approach perfect…” (Hebrews 10:1)
This was
directed at the Messianic Jews who had believed and followed Jesus as their
Messiah. They were considering returning
to the Law and its rituals as the way to righteousness.
The writer was reminding them that the Law nor the rituals surrounding
the obedience to it could make them perfect.
Gentiles who
had believed in Jesus were being encouraged by some of the Messianic Jews to observe the rituals
of the Law. So Paul tells them that they should not allow these Jews to judge them by religious rituals...
“Therefore let no one judge you in food or in drink, or
regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” (Colossians
2:16-17)
Sometimes we Christians need to remind ourselves that we will not be
judged, nor rewarded, concerning our attendance at Church, envolvement in its ministries, nor its associated
rituals. We will be judged by whether we believe "the word" of Christ Jesus that he is the SAVIOR of the world. Jesus said…
“If anyone hears my sayings and does not
keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world, but to
save the world. He who rejects me and does not receive
my sayings, has one who judges him; the word I spoke is what will judge him at
the last day.…” (John
12:47-48)
And what is the
“word” which Jesus spoke which will “judge him” who rejects it?
His word that he has come “to
save the world”. And he will SAVE it
and all those who have been part of it because that is what he came to do. He says he did not come to judge and condemn
the world.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but to save the world through him.”
(John 3:17)
Those who do
not believe that Jesus is the Savior of the world will be “judged” WRONG and be ashamed when in fact Jesus returns and saves
the world of sinners by resurrecting them from the dead. At that time all will
give account "before the judgment seat of God" as to why they did not believe that Jesus is the Savior
(among other things) and then ALL WILL CONFESS AND BELIEVE which brings "glory o God"…
“God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on
Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE
WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every
tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father… For to this end Christ died and lived again, that He might be Lord
both of the dead and of the living. But you, why do you judge your
brother? Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt? For we
will all stand before the judgment seat of God” (Philippians 2:9-11; Romans 14:8-12)
Enjoy Life
“If, then, you were roused together with Christ, be seeking that which is above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.
Be disposed to that which is above, not to that on the earth,
for you died, and your life is hid together with Christ in God.
Whenever Christ, our Life, should be manifested, then you also shall be manifested together with Him in glory."(Colossians 3:1-4)
There is a saying that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good. But that is not what the Bible says.
Christ is “that which is above”. While he was down here he spent his time on earth saving sinners…not condemning them. One day he will return to resurrect them, change them, and share his glory with them. That is what we are to be "seeking" from above.
Those who are “seeking that which is above” look forward to that change. It gives us peace in this life to be able to anticipate what awaits us above in the next. And in doing so we should live in in such a way that we make life better for those around us.
Those who gripe, complain and blame everything on others are the ones of no earthly good, whether they call themselves Christian or not. One day they will be delivered from such a negative outlook…and be ashamed of the way they were.
Make every effort to enjoy this life as best you can all the while "seeking that which is above".
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
There is a saying that a person can be so heavenly minded that he is of no earthly good. But that is not what the Bible says.
Christ is “that which is above”. While he was down here he spent his time on earth saving sinners…not condemning them. One day he will return to resurrect them, change them, and share his glory with them. That is what we are to be "seeking" from above.
Those who are “seeking that which is above” look forward to that change. It gives us peace in this life to be able to anticipate what awaits us above in the next. And in doing so we should live in in such a way that we make life better for those around us.
Those who gripe, complain and blame everything on others are the ones of no earthly good, whether they call themselves Christian or not. One day they will be delivered from such a negative outlook…and be ashamed of the way they were.
Make every effort to enjoy this life as best you can all the while "seeking that which is above".
“So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 8:15)
The Faith OF Jesus Christ
”Being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed for the demonstration, I say, of His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the justifier of the one who is of the faith of Jesus.” (Romans 3:24-26)
Our righteousness is not based on OUR faith, but the faith OF Jesus. And the only way to be “justified” (declared righteous) is to be a recipient of the “faith OF Jesus”.
“...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all...(Romans 3:22)
If your version of the Bible says "faith IN Jesus", it is wrong. Any honest translator with a Greek Interlinear will clearly see the proper translation is "faith OF Jesus". Nothing wrong with having faith IN Jesus, but that is not the context in the above verses which are talking about the faith that Jesus had, not our faith.
For it is by Grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT OF GOD...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men...Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 12:2-3)
Jesus had faith that His suffering and death on the Cross was the RIGHT thing for God to do in order to save all mankind. His death was the only sacrifice that could do so, and therefore Jesus "endured the cross" because he knew that...
"Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll - I have come to do your will, my God....and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once FOR ALL...when this priest had offered FOR ALL TIME one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool. For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy..." and God says that "their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." (Hebrews 10:5-17)
And what is it that God "wills" and therefore sent Jesus to do?
"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, the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:3-7)
Our righteousness is not based on OUR faith, but the faith OF Jesus. And the only way to be “justified” (declared righteous) is to be a recipient of the “faith OF Jesus”.
“...the righteousness of God is through the faith of Jesus Christ to all...(Romans 3:22)
If your version of the Bible says "faith IN Jesus", it is wrong. Any honest translator with a Greek Interlinear will clearly see the proper translation is "faith OF Jesus". Nothing wrong with having faith IN Jesus, but that is not the context in the above verses which are talking about the faith that Jesus had, not our faith.
For it is by Grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, it is the GIFT OF GOD...we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men...Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of FAITH, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Timothy 4:10; Hebrews 12:2-3)
Jesus had faith that His suffering and death on the Cross was the RIGHT thing for God to do in order to save all mankind. His death was the only sacrifice that could do so, and therefore Jesus "endured the cross" because he knew that...
And what is it that God "wills" and therefore sent Jesus to do?
"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, the testimony given at the proper time." (1 Timothy 2:3-7)
The Savior of the World
"Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit ... This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 3:2-6)
And what is "the promise"?
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—" (1 Timothy 1:15)
Did he get the job done?
"Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ...And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world's Savior." (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14)
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Yep, he got er done!
"He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)
And what is "the promise"?
"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—" (1 Timothy 1:15)
Did he get the job done?
"Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ...And we have seen and we testify that the Father has sent His Son as the world's Savior." (John 1:29; 1 John 4:14)
"All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
Yep, he got er done!
"He said, "It is finished!" Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)
The Ransom of All People
“For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6)
Ransom is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone from captivity”.
So what was “demanded” of Christ Jesus? Not money or any material thing. The demand for the release from captivity "for all people" was his LIFE.
But who did he give his life to? Who or what was holding "all people" captive for ransom? To what enemy was the ransom paid?
Ransom is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as “a consideration paid or demanded for the release of someone from captivity”.
So what was “demanded” of Christ Jesus? Not money or any material thing. The demand for the release from captivity "for all people" was his LIFE.
But who did he give his life to? Who or what was holding "all people" captive for ransom? To what enemy was the ransom paid?
The way I understand Scripture the ransom was paid to the last and greatest enemy of mankind - the finality of DEATH - for God had declared to Adam and Eve from the beginning that the penalty for sin is DEATH. The false doctrine of eternal conscious torment has screwed this truth up, but the Bible says that DEATH is “the last enemy”, and holds all its captives firmly in its clutches. The Bible says that ALL who die go to "hades" in the Greek language and "sheol" in the Hebrew language. Both words mean the GRAVE, not some heretical Greek Mythological inferno.
And God sent his Son, the "rock" to abolish death and the grave...
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it...As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...the last enemy that will be abolished is death (in hades-the grave).” (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:22-26)
Jesus paid his LIFE as the ransom price to DEATH to free its “captives” from its “darkness”. In so doing he made sure that mankind’s final enemy will be “abolished”. God assures us that death’s “prisoners” will have the “freedom” from death and that they will be "made alive".
And God sent his Son, the "rock" to abolish death and the grave...
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus replied, Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that...on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it...As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive...the last enemy that will be abolished is death (in hades-the grave).” (Matthew 16:16-18; 1 Corinthians 15:22-26)
Jesus paid his LIFE as the ransom price to DEATH to free its “captives” from its “darkness”. In so doing he made sure that mankind’s final enemy will be “abolished”. God assures us that death’s “prisoners” will have the “freedom” from death and that they will be "made alive".
Jesus began his public ministry by reading from the prophet Isaiah the following words…
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1)
I think Paul is thinking of this truth when he writes…
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…there is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father OF ALL who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, when he ascended on high he led captivity (death) captive and he gave gifts (eternal life)to mankind .” (Ephesians 4:1-8)
And what did God charge or what did Jesus require of mankind to be the “ransom for all people”? Nothing…this eternal life is the FREE gift of God’s GRACE!
“the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE… it is by GRACE you have been saved...Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all people…This GRACE was GIVEN us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our SAVIOR, Christ Jesus, who has DESTROYED DEATH and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:9-11)
It just doesn’t get any better than that folks. We have the assurance of LIFE after DEATH for ourselves and all those we love...in spite of all the false teaching of the various religious institutions around the globe.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1)
I think Paul is thinking of this truth when he writes…
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called…there is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father OF ALL who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore it says, when he ascended on high he led captivity (death) captive and he gave gifts (eternal life)to mankind .” (Ephesians 4:1-8)
And what did God charge or what did Jesus require of mankind to be the “ransom for all people”? Nothing…this eternal life is the FREE gift of God’s GRACE!
“the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE… it is by GRACE you have been saved...Jesus gave himself as a ransom for all people…This GRACE was GIVEN us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our SAVIOR, Christ Jesus, who has DESTROYED DEATH and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.” (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:9-11)
It just doesn’t get any better than that folks. We have the assurance of LIFE after DEATH for ourselves and all those we love...in spite of all the false teaching of the various religious institutions around the globe.
Believing God
The Reconciliation of all:
"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19)
"and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)
Faith and Justification:
“Abraham believed God (had Faith), and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6;Romans 4:3;Galatians 3:6)
"...having been justified by faith (believing God), we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1)
Rewards:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; BUT HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Either we believe God or we make up some argument that He does not really mean what He says. What He says is that ALL will be reconciled to God and we are JUSTIFIED and have PEACE when we believe God will RECONCILE all things to Himself. We will be REWARDED (or not) based on our FAITH in what God says.
"God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19)
"and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven." (Colossians 1:20)
Faith and Justification:
“Abraham believed God (had Faith), and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6;Romans 4:3;Galatians 3:6)
"...having been justified by faith (believing God), we have peace with God" (Romans 5:1)
Rewards:
“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” (Revelation 22:12)
"For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ...and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; BUT HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, yet so as through fire." (1 Corinthians 3:11-15)
Either we believe God or we make up some argument that He does not really mean what He says. What He says is that ALL will be reconciled to God and we are JUSTIFIED and have PEACE when we believe God will RECONCILE all things to Himself. We will be REWARDED (or not) based on our FAITH in what God says.
Saved By GRACE
Bad News - Sinners Condemned:
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a)
Good News - Sinners Saved by GRACE:
"...where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound" (Romans 5:20)
"For by GRACE are you saved..." (Ephesians 2:8)
"God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
Good News - Sinners Saved by GRACE:
"...where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound" (Romans 5:20)
"For by GRACE are you saved..." (Ephesians 2:8)
"God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men..." (Titus 2:11)
"And the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:14)
"We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men." (1 Timothy 4:10)
“...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)
"And the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:14)
"We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men." (1 Timothy 4:10)
“...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)
Our Image of God
“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:1-4)
“I changed when my image of God changed” is a quote from an email I received this morning. It started me thinking some random thoughts. Many of us Christians are in dire need of a change in our image of God created by the institutions we have attended over the past 1700 years or so. For many their image of God is one of a vengeful, wrathful, mad God who is going to get even with all sinners who do not measure up to His standards of righteousness.
The email also said “we may not realize that we become like the God we adore”.
Look around and observe Christians and their attitude toward those whom they feel do not measure up to their doctrine and perceived standards of righteousness. Do they ignore them, criticize them behind their backs, get mad at them, condemn them, or avoid talking with them about their differences - even biblical differences?
I think the email was right and we become like our image of God. If we view God as a vengeful, wrathful, mad, fearful God who is just in punishing infidels to an endless torment in hell, well we become fearful, vengeful, wrathful and mad at anyone who disagrees with us. And the result of course is driving most people away from God.
However, if our image of God is the biblical image then we might just find ourselves loving one another and joyfully discussing our differences. The result may be to "know God" better and actually draw sinners to Him rather than chase them away from Him…
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love… There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me…And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love…” (1 John 4:8, 18; 1 Corinthians 13:5-13)
“I changed when my image of God changed” is a quote from an email I received this morning. It started me thinking some random thoughts. Many of us Christians are in dire need of a change in our image of God created by the institutions we have attended over the past 1700 years or so. For many their image of God is one of a vengeful, wrathful, mad God who is going to get even with all sinners who do not measure up to His standards of righteousness.
The email also said “we may not realize that we become like the God we adore”.
Look around and observe Christians and their attitude toward those whom they feel do not measure up to their doctrine and perceived standards of righteousness. Do they ignore them, criticize them behind their backs, get mad at them, condemn them, or avoid talking with them about their differences - even biblical differences?
I think the email was right and we become like our image of God. If we view God as a vengeful, wrathful, mad, fearful God who is just in punishing infidels to an endless torment in hell, well we become fearful, vengeful, wrathful and mad at anyone who disagrees with us. And the result of course is driving most people away from God.
However, if our image of God is the biblical image then we might just find ourselves loving one another and joyfully discussing our differences. The result may be to "know God" better and actually draw sinners to Him rather than chase them away from Him…
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love… There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love...Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me…And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love…” (1 John 4:8, 18; 1 Corinthians 13:5-13)
Bad News Good News
Bad News - Sinners Condemned:
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)
"The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23a)
Good News - Sinners Saved by GRACE:
"...where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound" (Romans 5:20)
"For by GRACE are you saved..." (Ephesians 2:8)
"God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
Good News - Sinners Saved by GRACE:
"...where sin abounded, GRACE did much more abound" (Romans 5:20)
"For by GRACE are you saved..." (Ephesians 2:8)
"God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
"For the GRACE of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men..." (Titus 2:11)
"And the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:14)
"We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men." (1 Timothy 4:10)
“...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)
"And the GRACE of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:14)
"We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men." (1 Timothy 4:10)
“...the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23b)
The Wrath of God
“Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, and give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning…” (Psalm 30:4-6)
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.…” (Psalm 103:8-10)
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving kindness is everlasting. To Him who alone does great wonders, for His loving kindness is everlasting; To Him who made the heavens with skill, for His loving kindness is everlasting; To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His loving kindness is everlasting…” (Psalm 136)
Those of you who insist on believing God will consign anyone to a place where "their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched" to be "tormented day and night forever and ever" should meditate on the above verses for a while. Then go to these and other verses of Scripture to which the Greek Mythological hell was applied by religious men to control their followers and “study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Don't misunderstand me. The anger and wrath of God is real and it is addressed and applied to all mankind for “the wages of sin is death” and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God". However, when I study all of the places where God’s wrath is poured out in the Bible I find that it is kindled slowly, lasts but for a moment, and then His love trumps His wrath. Joy and blessing follows as the morning comes and a new day begins, or "this present evil age" ends in a new age, or when the "former things" are past and the “new heaven and a new earth" arrives. When the plan of God is finished, He will not have lost even one of those He loves...which is the whole World! So forget the past and be confident that the best is yet to come...
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” (Isaiah 43:18-21)
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, WRITE, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)
“The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.…” (Psalm 103:8-10)
“Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the God of gods, for His loving kindness is everlasting. Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His loving kindness is everlasting. To Him who alone does great wonders, for His loving kindness is everlasting; To Him who made the heavens with skill, for His loving kindness is everlasting; To Him who spread out the earth above the waters, for His loving kindness is everlasting…” (Psalm 136)
Those of you who insist on believing God will consign anyone to a place where "their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched" to be "tormented day and night forever and ever" should meditate on the above verses for a while. Then go to these and other verses of Scripture to which the Greek Mythological hell was applied by religious men to control their followers and “study to show yourselves approved unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
Don't misunderstand me. The anger and wrath of God is real and it is addressed and applied to all mankind for “the wages of sin is death” and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” and "each of us will give an account of ourselves to God". However, when I study all of the places where God’s wrath is poured out in the Bible I find that it is kindled slowly, lasts but for a moment, and then His love trumps His wrath. Joy and blessing follows as the morning comes and a new day begins, or "this present evil age" ends in a new age, or when the "former things" are past and the “new heaven and a new earth" arrives. When the plan of God is finished, He will not have lost even one of those He loves...which is the whole World! So forget the past and be confident that the best is yet to come...
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my chosen people. The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.” (Isaiah 43:18-21)
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And He who sits on the throne said, Behold, I am making all things new. And He said, WRITE, for these words are faithful and true.” (Revelation 21:1-5)
The Great Commission - Whose is it?
“But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped; but some were doubtful. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:16-20)
This was the commission of Jesus to his 11 remaining Jewish disciples. They were to go to all the Nations and tell them to observe all that Jesus had commanded. They did a poor job with regard to Gentiles so years later the Jew Saul/Paul was Commissioned by Jesus to go the the Jews and Gentiles in the Roman Empire outside of Israel. During this time Jesus began to reveal to Paul a new message of Grace for Gentiles apart from the Law ...
“...after an interval of fourteen years I (Paul) went up again to Jerusalem…and I submitted to them (Jewish disciples) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles…and recognizing the GRACE that had been given to me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Israel).” (Galatians 2:1-9)
As a result of the continued rejection of Jesus by Israel's leaders a temporary "hardening has happened to Israel" . At the close of Acts Paul tells them that from then on he would go only to the Gentiles with the gospel of Grace that Jesus had revealed to him. Paul explains this "mystery" to the Gentiles in his letter to the Romans as follows...
“I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.
This is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
From the standpoint of the gospel they (Israel) are enemies for your sake (Gentile believers) , 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 be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:25-32)
This "hardening" of Israel has now lasted for almost 2000 years.
Paul informs us that "Christ's Body" is now composed of a joint group of both individual Jew and Gentile believers and that this group is a "new" creation. Peter, James or John, nor any of the other 9 disciples, had been informed of this "new" creation. It was revealed only to Paul and those he ministered to. The "ministry" of this group Paul summarizes as follows...
“Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it…therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION” (1 Corinthians 12:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Our ministry is to declare the "reconciliation" of sinners to God as demonstrated in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Great Commission of that “ministry”, and what we should be telling the world is...
“That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation...He is head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile ALL things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Colossians 1:18-22)
"I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles (Nations)." (Romans 15:15-16)
This was the commission of Jesus to his 11 remaining Jewish disciples. They were to go to all the Nations and tell them to observe all that Jesus had commanded. They did a poor job with regard to Gentiles so years later the Jew Saul/Paul was Commissioned by Jesus to go the the Jews and Gentiles in the Roman Empire outside of Israel. During this time Jesus began to reveal to Paul a new message of Grace for Gentiles apart from the Law ...
“...after an interval of fourteen years I (Paul) went up again to Jerusalem…and I submitted to them (Jewish disciples) the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles…and recognizing the GRACE that had been given to me, James and Cephas (Peter) and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, so that we might go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised (Israel).” (Galatians 2:1-9)
As a result of the continued rejection of Jesus by Israel's leaders a temporary "hardening has happened to Israel" . At the close of Acts Paul tells them that from then on he would go only to the Gentiles with the gospel of Grace that Jesus had revealed to him. Paul explains this "mystery" to the Gentiles in his letter to the Romans as follows...
“I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery—so that you will not be wise in your own estimation—that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and so all Israel will be saved; just as it is written,
“The Deliverer will come from Zion,
He will remove ungodliness from Jacob.
This is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”
From the standpoint of the gospel they (Israel) are enemies for your sake (Gentile believers) , 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 be shown mercy. For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:25-32)
This "hardening" of Israel has now lasted for almost 2000 years.
Paul informs us that "Christ's Body" is now composed of a joint group of both individual Jew and Gentile believers and that this group is a "new" creation. Peter, James or John, nor any of the other 9 disciples, had been informed of this "new" creation. It was revealed only to Paul and those he ministered to. The "ministry" of this group Paul summarizes as follows...
“Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it…therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and GAVE US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION” (1 Corinthians 12:27; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
Our ministry is to declare the "reconciliation" of sinners to God as demonstrated in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Great Commission of that “ministry”, and what we should be telling the world is...
“That God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation...He is head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile ALL things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20; Colossians 1:18-22)
That is our message of Grace, given to Paul the apostle for all Nations...
"I have written very boldly to you on some points so as to remind you again, because of the grace that was given me from God, to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles (Nations)." (Romans 15:15-16)
Jesus will return to fulfill all the promises God has made to Israel and the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19-20 will again be preached in all the world by the Jews who then believe Jesus to be their Messiah. Today we refer to them as Messianic Jews. They were almost extinct until about 1948 but since then and they have been increasing in number each year...so the "hardening" is beginning to be lifted.
So do not be surprised if we are living in that generation who will see the return of Jesus, assuming of course that the Bible is true, and I have chosen to believe that it is.
So do not be surprised if we are living in that generation who will see the return of Jesus, assuming of course that the Bible is true, and I have chosen to believe that it is.
Receiving Christ - Not What You Think
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him” (Colossians 2:6).
So how had they "received" Christ Jesus the Lord?
Here is a good illustration that came as a result of our recent rain. Someone said "we received a good rain from the Lord last week". He was correct and that is exactly how Paul is using the word "received" above. In His Grace God "gave his one and only Son" as a free gift to ALL the "world" (John 3:16).
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men...The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life (salvation) in Jesus Christ our Lord"(Titus 2:11; Romans 6:23))
And we should walk and rejoice in the free gift that mankind has "received". But instead those of us who believe the good news are condemned for believing the truth. But all the WORLD received him whether they like it or not. And they will receive him again when he returns, whether they like it or not. GOD sent him to be the "Savior of the world" and there is no organized religious institution which can stop Him.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him….The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world…We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 3:17; 4:14; John 4:42)
Mankind has received as a free gift the "Savior of the World". God determined to save mankind because God thinks it is the right thing to do. You can argue about it if you want but God will do just as he has promised.
So how had they "received" Christ Jesus the Lord?
Here is a good illustration that came as a result of our recent rain. Someone said "we received a good rain from the Lord last week". He was correct and that is exactly how Paul is using the word "received" above. In His Grace God "gave his one and only Son" as a free gift to ALL the "world" (John 3:16).
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men...The wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life (salvation) in Jesus Christ our Lord"(Titus 2:11; Romans 6:23))
And we should walk and rejoice in the free gift that mankind has "received". But instead those of us who believe the good news are condemned for believing the truth. But all the WORLD received him whether they like it or not. And they will receive him again when he returns, whether they like it or not. GOD sent him to be the "Savior of the world" and there is no organized religious institution which can stop Him.
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him….The Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world…We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." (John 3:17; 4:14; John 4:42)
Mankind has received as a free gift the "Savior of the World". God determined to save mankind because God thinks it is the right thing to do. You can argue about it if you want but God will do just as he has promised.
We should be rejoicing and thanking God that he did not leave the sinner's salvation up to a bunch of religious sinners who can rarely agree among themselves on what color the carpet should be. After 2000 years, religious folks are still arguing over who gets saved and what it takes.
While I am at it, one other thing. Receiving Christ Jesus has nothing to do with “ACCEPTING" an offer. God has not lowered Himself to make an OFFER of his Son to sinners to see if he will be rejected or if sinners are smart enough to “accept” him. Many who think so cannot even articulate what exactly they accepted and what that acceptance has accomplished in their lives.
The following is what I think Paul meant when he said “as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”.
Sinners like me are saved from the fear and finality of death through the good news that Christ Jesus will return one day and resurrect them to life. It will be done purely as a result of the LOVE and GRACE of God as a “free gift" from our Lord Jesus Christ, and not according to any wise decision or other works that sinners must do. All a sinner can do to experience the JOY and PEACE that this good news brings is BELIEVE it (have FAITH it is true).
Personally, I “walk” in that knowledge every day of my life knowing that the best is yet to come…and I want my family and friends to do the same and not be "captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men".
The only sadness I have is that not many seem to know the truth, or care…but I’ll get over it, for my sadness lasts only for the night, and “joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5) when "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God" and understand what they have "received".
Paul expands upon this truth as follows…
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION OF MEN, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and IN HIM you have been made complete…you were dead in your transgressions...He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us ALL OUR transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:6-15)
While I am at it, one other thing. Receiving Christ Jesus has nothing to do with “ACCEPTING" an offer. God has not lowered Himself to make an OFFER of his Son to sinners to see if he will be rejected or if sinners are smart enough to “accept” him. Many who think so cannot even articulate what exactly they accepted and what that acceptance has accomplished in their lives.
The following is what I think Paul meant when he said “as ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him”.
Sinners like me are saved from the fear and finality of death through the good news that Christ Jesus will return one day and resurrect them to life. It will be done purely as a result of the LOVE and GRACE of God as a “free gift" from our Lord Jesus Christ, and not according to any wise decision or other works that sinners must do. All a sinner can do to experience the JOY and PEACE that this good news brings is BELIEVE it (have FAITH it is true).
Personally, I “walk” in that knowledge every day of my life knowing that the best is yet to come…and I want my family and friends to do the same and not be "captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men".
The only sadness I have is that not many seem to know the truth, or care…but I’ll get over it, for my sadness lasts only for the night, and “joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5) when "every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God" and understand what they have "received".
Paul expands upon this truth as follows…
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION OF MEN, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and IN HIM you have been made complete…you were dead in your transgressions...He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us ALL OUR transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Colossians 2:6-15)
God took all religions with their offers, acceptances, free will choices and other man made traditions and laws that were "against us" and "nailed" them to the cross.
And I for one rejoice that He did!
And I for one rejoice that He did!
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