Fourteen days until Christmas Day - and my goal to finish this reading of God's Word - the Bible - before Christmas Day is 11 pages from completion! Happy day!
I started the book of Revelation just yesterday, and today, James shared a video with me, which gave wonderful insights on the Last Supper Jesus celebrated with His disciples, just before going to the cross. These insights shed significant light on the return of the Lord Jesus. They were so special to me (some of them new insights; some not, but wonderful reminders) that I wanted to record them.
During the last Passover supper before the cross, Jesus is sitting at the table with His disciples and picks up what scholars believe was known as the Third Cup, called the Cup of Salvation. Traditionally, Jews would not actually drink of that Cup; they would pour it, but would then just set it aside - because they believed their Salvation had not yet come. But Jesus did something that would have been considered outrageous by most Jews of that day. Jesus offers it to them, saying, "Take and drink it." It was outrageous because 1) Jesus was declaring that the Messiah is, indeed, here, and 2) because of the marriage customs of that day, it was as if Jesus was saying to those disciples, "Will you marry me?!"
In that day and time, when a Jewish guy wanted to marry a particular girl, he told his father of his interest and desire, and his father would offer her father a bride-price. At first glance, coming from our own culture, we don't see the romance. But it's there! Basically, the young man was purchasing - NOT the woman - but he was buying an opportunity to ASK the girl to marry him. He could not even ASK her without this arrangement being made. When the bride-price is arranged and agreed upon, the families are called together, and before the families, the proposed groom pours a cup of wine and gives it to his chosen bride, saying, "This is my covenent with you; take it and drink." She has a choice, at that point - to drink, or not to drink.
If she drinks from the cup, she is accepting him as her groom - the equivalent of saying, "I do!" The groom then leaves her, and does not see her for several months, up to a year. During this time, they do not actually see one another at all, but the groom's "best man" delivers messages back and forth. She goes back home to prepare herself and to expectantly wait for her groom. Her intended, however, has work to do, a mission to accomplish!
The groom now goes back to his Father's house, to prepare a dwelling place for his bride. This word, "mansions" found in the KJV, is better translated as "rooms..." as we think of an apartment. It is not a separate house, but is within the Father's house (an add-on, as it were). The groom would build it, but it was the Father who pronounced it complete. When the father gave the word that the dwelling place was finished and ready for occupancy, he told his son, the groom, and the son would gather his groomsmen. They would blow the shofars, announcing their coming, and, together, go get the bride. The bride would hear the sound of the horn, and come out to meet her groom. What an exciting day!
All of those Jewish traditions and customs were in the mind of those Jewish men as they heard Jesus say, "Drink!" Once you have those insights, it's easy to see the parralel. Once we, as a Believer, say "I do" to the Lord Jesus, we become His Bride. He says to us, "In My Father's house are many mansions (rooms)... I go to prepare a place for you! And if I go...I will come again to receive you unto Myself, that where I am, there you may be also!" We're also told that no man knows the day nor the hour of His return - not even Jesus, the groom! Only the Father knows! And when the preparations are complete, the Father will tell the Son to go get His Bride! In the interim, the Holy Spirit is the messenger, through Whom we have intimate communication and fellowship with the Lord - Jesus Christ - until one day the trumpet will sound and the dead in Christ will rise first, and those Believers on earth will then rise to go meet Him in the air - and so shall we ever be with the Lord! Even so, come Lord Jesus!
All of these wonderful, Bible truths are what made it possible for me to place a wreath on my parent's graves just last weekend - a wreath that said, "JOY!" Truly, there is deep down, heart joy for the Believer, even at the grave site of another Believer ... because they know that one sure day that trumpet will sound, that grave will open, that loved one will rise, and we'll all be together with the Lord Jesus for all of eternity. What a day that will be!
"There is coming a day,
When no heart aches shall come,
No more clouds in the sky,
No more tears to dim the eye,
All is peace forever more,
On that happy golden shore,
What a day, glorious day that will be!
"There'll be no sorrow there,
No more burdens to bear,
No more sickness, no pain,
No more parting over there;
And forever I will be,
With the One who died for me,
What a day, glorious day that will be.
"What a day that will be,
When my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face,
The One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand,
And leads me through the Promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be!"
"I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:
“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?
"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain!"
(1 Corinthians 15:50-58 ESV)
This ought to add significantly to your cup of JOY as you celebrate the birthday of our King!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
FOLLOWING JESUS - ONE STEP AT A TIME - UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL / This blog is meant to point us all to Jesus Christ-the One, true, and living God. "For in Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28) Without Him, there is no lasting source of love, joy, or purpose in life. If you do not know Him personally today, search for Him! "Seek the LORD while He may be found...while He is near."(Is 55:6) His love never ceases; His compassion never fails; Great is His faithfulness! (Lam 3:22-23)
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
Election Reflections from a Christian Republican
Reflections on the day after...
I was asked today whether or not I believed that Obama's election is a sign of the tribulation. I guess my answer would be simply that I believe Obama's election is a sign of God's righteous judgement falling on America - deserved, without a doubt. Looking at His dealings with men and nations in the past, the question would be "How could He NOT judge us?" As I look at the Word of God and at where America is today, I believe He is, indeed, bringing judgement to bear against us. At one and the same time, I also know that even when He moves in judgement, He moves only out of love, when dealing with His own. It is still true that all things work together for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose...all things.
I never try to second-guess the time of His return, and, to be honest, pay no attention to those predictions. Yes, those who know/believe the Word are able to see definite "signs of His coming," but the day and the hour, no man knows. What we can most assuredly do, though - even as mere men - is to make sure we're ready - whenever He comes. :o)
As recently as last night, I was with other Christians who were pleading with God, begging Him, to give us a man who would allow a return in our land to Biblical principles. Some would say He did not answer. God ALWAYS hears and answers His children! But just as a loving, wise earthly father will do, God does not always say yes; sometimes He says no. Last night, He said no. I don't know all of the "Why?" but I know He has a plan in mind - and that plan is for the good of His children. Psalm 119:28 best describes the cry of my heart today: "My soul melts from heaviness; Strengthen me according to Your word." I've no doubt but that He'll do just that - in His own time and way. That is enough.
I'm currently re-memorizing Romans 8. In talking with James today about verse 36, we talked about how while Americans don't identify too well with that verse, God's children in places like China, Egypt, Libya, India, and other places with severe persecution of Christians, understand it quite well ... and are easily able to personally identify with it. I believe Obama's election adds somber reason to believe that American believers, too, will come to understand. That's not a prediction, just where my thoughts are. God knows. However, far better it would be to prepare for it - and end up not actually "going there" - than to find ourselves "there" without having prepared.
May we be found faithful!
This is STILL the day that the Lord has made; I will determinedly rejoice and be glad in it.
Sherri
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
As a Christian, should I vote for a Mormon?
I was recently asked by a dear friend to read an article about Romney, his involvement with the Mormon church, and some radical, unbiblical teachings of Mormonism related specifically to America.
While certainly no expert on Mormonism, I have been previously exposed to some of its bizarre and emphatically UNbiblical teaching. But this information was new to me; frankly, it was disturbing.
The bottom line is that I neither know enough to determine whether or not this article was truly presenting the official stance of the Mormon church, nor exactly how much "into" this plan Romney is ... or isn't. There are worlds of things that I simply do not know. When I find myself in that kind of position, I turn to the things I DO know - most especially the "DO know" things that seem to specifically relate to the issue at hand.
Here's what I do know - that relates to the upcoming election, and to the choice that must be made between two very different candidates:
The article stated that the Mormon church has a "plan," involving Romney, that relates to the second coming of Christ to this earth. Well, I simply don't know for a fact whether they have that plan or not. But I DO know that just because a group of people have "a plan," does not mean their plan will "pan out." Scripture plainly states that "no man knows the day nor the hour" that Christ will return to this earth. "NO man" includes the Mormon church - and any other church, for that matter. (Mk 13:32)
A couple other powerful verses read, "The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He will." (Pr 21:1) and "No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD." (Pr 21:30) These hold true regardless of whether we have Romney or Obama, and - since neither candidate knows the Lord Jesus as Lord and Savior, and both of them potentially present some ominous possibilities - I find those verses especially reassuring!
Regardless of what impact a Mormon president may or may not have, two things are still true about him:
1) Romney stands for life - protecting the unborn from slaughter, opposing the murdering of infants - clearly an "abomination" to the Lord - and 2) Romney stands for marriage being defined Biblically, as between a man and a woman, and against the homosexual agenda - another abomination to God.
Just as surely as Romney stands against abortion and same-sex marriage, Obama stands for them. That makes it a pretty cut & dried decision ... in spite of the Mormon church plan.
Another consideration is that Matthew 5:45 says that God "makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." Even a lost man, when he obeys Biblical commandments and orders his steps according to Biblical truth, will reap the blessings that come from walking in that right path. Certainly, our eternal security lies solely in the answer to the simple question, "What will you do with Jesus, the Christ?" But an individual's earthly experience can involve many temporal blessings that come as a direct result of adhering to truths from God's Word. And so it is for a nation. "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Ps 33:12)
The opposite is another truth to take into account. Antonyms of "bless" are listed as "condemn, curse, damn." So ... what is a nation whose God is NOT the Lord? That's certainly a sobering thought, is it not? If our nation votes in Obama as President again - especially now that Biblical issues have come out into the spotlight; we know exactly where the man stands, and the lines are now clearly and unmistakably drawn - we would have no ground on which to stand in making the claim that our God is the Lord -- not as a nation. We would have made a clear choice for that which God says is abominable to Him. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man (or nation) sows, that shall he (they) also reap!" (Gal 6:7)
On the other hand, if the American people vote for Romney, that's a clear choice for a leader that upholds at least two key Biblical mandates. I believe it would be the choice of a nation indicating a desire to remain "one nation under God." I believe it would be a choice pleasing to the Lord, one that would honor Him, and one that would put America in a position to be blessed.
So ... the question is not really "Should a Christian vote for a Mormon?" The question is, rather, "Should a Christian vote for a man who unapologetically and vehemently stands FOR the slaughter of unborn babies and FOR same-sex marriage?" NO! A CHRISTIAN MOST ASSUREDLY SHOULD NOT!
Beyond that, I believe a Christian is under obligation to cast his vote for the man representing the greatest possibility of defeating such abominable wickedness, being made the law of our land through the winning of this presidential election. That man is Mitt Romney.
A Christian need go no further in deliberating between the options. When you take into consideration the things that are important to Jehovah God, it all becomes very clear. Very simple.
As I said to my sweet friend, "That's my two cents worth."
Blessings! And vote Romney!
Thursday, October 18, 2012
What's the BIG DEAL about ISRAEL?
The copied article below is from a 2010 blog of an Irish man. I found his view as an Irish European, looking at America, to be intriguing. Some additional comments are added below his thoughts ... because there's more. Much more...
Why does America support Israel so strongly. Why does Washington block every UN resolution aimed at Israel and why does it provide the Jewish state with countless billions in military aid every year. The anti Semites among us would have us believe that it is because the Jews control American Foreign policy. Others might argue more reasonably that the pro Israel lobby is the most powerful lobby group in DC. Some might also say that America wants the strongest nation in the region to be an American ally and that US support of Israel is based on a global military strategy. I don't buy into any of these view personally. I believe that American Exceptionalism best explains it.
American Exceptionalism.
What on earth is "American Exceptionalism?" It sounds arrogant, and I suppose it is, particularly when combined with the notion of the Jews as the chosen people but I do believe that this concept explains the unwavering support that the US has offered Israel for many decades. Proponents of American Exceptionalism believe that the USA occupies a unique role in world history. They believe that its capitalist system and its intolerance of government intervention in the economy has resulted in the largest most powerful economy the world has ever seen. This individualistic system has also led to the most powerful military in all of history. It is not just the capitalist system that is supposed to have brought America to this point. It was the first country that was created not out of ethnicity but because its constitutional republicanism meant that sovereignty belonged to the people, not to a hereditary ruling class. And the American experience of westward expansion throughout the 19th century has apparently helped create a national character which fits into this self help ethos. The result of all this is that the USA is the only nation willing and capable of confronting the threats facing the world. This was certainly true during the cold War. America was the only nation willing to do whatever it took to stop Soviet expansion. They eventually succeed in wrestling the USSR to the ground. Proponents of American Exceptionalism believe that a similar situation exists today as regards the clash that we are seeing between East and West.
Let's look at the war on terror. The dominant thinking in Europe appears to be that if our Foreign Policies are kinder to the Arab World then they will stop disliking us. Perhaps ? But the Americans don't see it that way. They have examined the nature of the threat and are not willing to hide from it. So goes the theory anyway. Just to clarify I have not quite bought into American Exceptionalism. I'm not quite sure whether America does in fact have a unique history and destiny in the world or is this just right wing America engaging in hard core nationalist rhetoric. Truthfully, I haven't quite decided yet. But the belief does exist and I do think it explains US support of Israel.
American Exceptionalism and Israel.
Believers in American Exceptionalism are of the opinion that America is in a unique position to confront International Terrorism and proponents of the Islamic way who favour expansion. They believe that political Islam is fundamentally undemocratic (a theory which I do endorse wholeheartedly) and therefor those who wish to expand it should be confronted and ultimately prevented from doing so. Just like the Cold War, America is stepping up to this task. Israel is the ultimate symbol of the clash that exists between the democratic west and the Islamic East. Others describe it as the front line in the war on terror. Many Americans believe that if Israel were to fall it would only be the beginning. Spain would be next to succumb to the green wave followed by much of Europe. Its sound crazy I know but when you read the contents of Jihadist websites such as Liam Egan's MPAC.ie you become aware that this is the objective more than you might think. This I believe is the principal reason America continues to weigh in behind Israel. It is not out of obligation, alliance or lobby. It is because America believes in Israel.
This Irishman sees things pretty well, I think! But there's more:
Without looking at what the Bible says about Israel, you can't see the entire picture. Remember? Regardless of the loudest among us, the vast majority of Americans still believe in the Bible - and in the fact that this nation was originally founded on Biblical principle. It still matters...
So... Exactly what IS the big deal about Israel? Biblically?
**We must remember that Israel, the nation, is very special to God. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 tells us: 6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
God's eternal purpose is to bless the world through Israel. He has most assuredly done so already in the sending of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. John 4:22 reads, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews." In spite of the fact that today Israel is a secular, unbelieving nation, the only thing we have today - that's even worth having - has come to us through the Jewish nation of Israel! We are certainly in debt to Israel on that account. But there's more to come. Isaiah 27:6 promises: "In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit."
A further reason Christians must support the nation of Israel is because of the Abrahamic Covenant. Genesis 12:2-3 , "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (also Genesis 27:29; Numbers 24:9).
Take special note of the underlined words in the above Bible quote. In part, America is what she is today - enjoys the blessings she has today - because of her consistent support for the nation of Israel! It has been said that "No nation in the history of the world has a better record of treating individual Jews with respect than does America. The same can be said for our befriending Israel as a nation. America has committed many sins for which we may well deserve judgment, but as a nation, we have been a consistent friend of the Jews and the nation of Israel, as well as a benefactor." Examples of this: 1948 - President Harry Truman helped persuade the UN to recognize Israel as a nation. Since then, the United States has contributed billions of dollars in aid to Israel.
When we see the "big picture” with a biblical worldview, it becomes clear that America's support of Israel is crucial. While we cannot support everything Israel does as a nation, we must - at the very least - assuredly, and consistently, support Israel’s right to exist.
God ALWAYS honors His Word. He ALWAYS does what He says He will do. His promises and covenants with Israel will be carried out. "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) God's plan for Israel is still in place. It has not been revoked! Woe to the man or the nation who sets himself against that plan!
"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse."
THIS is the Word of GOD.
And that, folks, settles it! As my daddy used to say, "You can take THAT to the bank! The Bible says it, and that settles it ... whether we choose to believe it or not!"
Just a pilgrim on the journey...tryin' to keep smack-dab in the middle of the road!
... praying you'll know HIS blessing on YOUR journey this day!
* gubu-world.blogspot.com/2010/06/american-exceptionalism-and-israel
** gotquestions.org
*American Exceptionalism and Israel
Why does America support Israel so strongly. Why does Washington block every UN resolution aimed at Israel and why does it provide the Jewish state with countless billions in military aid every year. The anti Semites among us would have us believe that it is because the Jews control American Foreign policy. Others might argue more reasonably that the pro Israel lobby is the most powerful lobby group in DC. Some might also say that America wants the strongest nation in the region to be an American ally and that US support of Israel is based on a global military strategy. I don't buy into any of these view personally. I believe that American Exceptionalism best explains it. American Exceptionalism.
What on earth is "American Exceptionalism?" It sounds arrogant, and I suppose it is, particularly when combined with the notion of the Jews as the chosen people but I do believe that this concept explains the unwavering support that the US has offered Israel for many decades. Proponents of American Exceptionalism believe that the USA occupies a unique role in world history. They believe that its capitalist system and its intolerance of government intervention in the economy has resulted in the largest most powerful economy the world has ever seen. This individualistic system has also led to the most powerful military in all of history. It is not just the capitalist system that is supposed to have brought America to this point. It was the first country that was created not out of ethnicity but because its constitutional republicanism meant that sovereignty belonged to the people, not to a hereditary ruling class. And the American experience of westward expansion throughout the 19th century has apparently helped create a national character which fits into this self help ethos. The result of all this is that the USA is the only nation willing and capable of confronting the threats facing the world. This was certainly true during the cold War. America was the only nation willing to do whatever it took to stop Soviet expansion. They eventually succeed in wrestling the USSR to the ground. Proponents of American Exceptionalism believe that a similar situation exists today as regards the clash that we are seeing between East and West.
Let's look at the war on terror. The dominant thinking in Europe appears to be that if our Foreign Policies are kinder to the Arab World then they will stop disliking us. Perhaps ? But the Americans don't see it that way. They have examined the nature of the threat and are not willing to hide from it. So goes the theory anyway. Just to clarify I have not quite bought into American Exceptionalism. I'm not quite sure whether America does in fact have a unique history and destiny in the world or is this just right wing America engaging in hard core nationalist rhetoric. Truthfully, I haven't quite decided yet. But the belief does exist and I do think it explains US support of Israel.
American Exceptionalism and Israel.
Believers in American Exceptionalism are of the opinion that America is in a unique position to confront International Terrorism and proponents of the Islamic way who favour expansion. They believe that political Islam is fundamentally undemocratic (a theory which I do endorse wholeheartedly) and therefor those who wish to expand it should be confronted and ultimately prevented from doing so. Just like the Cold War, America is stepping up to this task. Israel is the ultimate symbol of the clash that exists between the democratic west and the Islamic East. Others describe it as the front line in the war on terror. Many Americans believe that if Israel were to fall it would only be the beginning. Spain would be next to succumb to the green wave followed by much of Europe. Its sound crazy I know but when you read the contents of Jihadist websites such as Liam Egan's MPAC.ie you become aware that this is the objective more than you might think. This I believe is the principal reason America continues to weigh in behind Israel. It is not out of obligation, alliance or lobby. It is because America believes in Israel.
This Irishman sees things pretty well, I think! But there's more:
Without looking at what the Bible says about Israel, you can't see the entire picture. Remember? Regardless of the loudest among us, the vast majority of Americans still believe in the Bible - and in the fact that this nation was originally founded on Biblical principle. It still matters...
So... Exactly what IS the big deal about Israel? Biblically?
**We must remember that Israel, the nation, is very special to God. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 tells us: 6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the Lord set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples, 8 but it is because the Lord loves you and is keeping the oath that he swore to your fathers, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt."
God's eternal purpose is to bless the world through Israel. He has most assuredly done so already in the sending of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. John 4:22 reads, "You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews." In spite of the fact that today Israel is a secular, unbelieving nation, the only thing we have today - that's even worth having - has come to us through the Jewish nation of Israel! We are certainly in debt to Israel on that account. But there's more to come. Isaiah 27:6 promises: "In days to come Jacob will take root, Israel will bud and blossom and fill all the world with fruit."
A further reason Christians must support the nation of Israel is because of the Abrahamic Covenant. Genesis 12:2-3 , "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (also Genesis 27:29; Numbers 24:9).
Take special note of the underlined words in the above Bible quote. In part, America is what she is today - enjoys the blessings she has today - because of her consistent support for the nation of Israel! It has been said that "No nation in the history of the world has a better record of treating individual Jews with respect than does America. The same can be said for our befriending Israel as a nation. America has committed many sins for which we may well deserve judgment, but as a nation, we have been a consistent friend of the Jews and the nation of Israel, as well as a benefactor." Examples of this: 1948 - President Harry Truman helped persuade the UN to recognize Israel as a nation. Since then, the United States has contributed billions of dollars in aid to Israel.
When we see the "big picture” with a biblical worldview, it becomes clear that America's support of Israel is crucial. While we cannot support everything Israel does as a nation, we must - at the very least - assuredly, and consistently, support Israel’s right to exist.
God ALWAYS honors His Word. He ALWAYS does what He says He will do. His promises and covenants with Israel will be carried out. "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." (Galatians 6:7) God's plan for Israel is still in place. It has not been revoked! Woe to the man or the nation who sets himself against that plan!
"I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse."
THIS is the Word of GOD.
And that, folks, settles it! As my daddy used to say, "You can take THAT to the bank! The Bible says it, and that settles it ... whether we choose to believe it or not!"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Just a pilgrim on the journey...tryin' to keep smack-dab in the middle of the road!
... praying you'll know HIS blessing on YOUR journey this day!
* gubu-world.blogspot.com/2010/06/american-exceptionalism-and-israel
** gotquestions.org
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
MIXED marriages?
You just never know when you're going to be asked the most unexpected questions, you know? Sometimes they come right out of the blue! I was asked by someone today to explain Ezra 9:1-5.
I'm so glad I was listening and learning during our recent Bible Study on Sunday mornings! And I'm grateful to the one who asked the question today; I was blessed in being reminded of the answer!
Here's the passage:
Ezra Chapter 9:
Here's the passage:
Ezra Chapter 9:
1 After these things had been done, the officials approached me and said, “The people of Israel and the priests and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands with their abominations, from the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters to be wives for themselves and for their sons, so that the holy race has mixed itself with the peoples of the lands. And in this faithlessness the hand of the officials and chief men has been foremost.” 3 As soon as I heard this, I tore my garment and my cloak and pulled hair from my head and beard and sat appalled. 4 Then all who trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the faithlessness of the returned exiles, gathered around me while I sat appalled until the evening sacrifice. 5 And at the evening sacrifice I rose from my fasting, with my garment and my cloak torn, and fell upon my knees and spread out my hands to the Lord my God.
(Some newer translations read "So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages." NLT)
The man of God here is clearly distraught, appalled. What is it, exactly, that has brought such distress? Unlike the conclusion that many jump to after a cursory reading, the issue does not appear to be racially mixed marriages. This Scripture passage from Acts clarifies that:
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,... Acts 17:26 (KJV)And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, ... Acts 17:26 (ESV)
Here are a couple helpful Bible commentaries (from http://bible.cc/acts/17-
(Some newer translations read "So the holy race has become polluted by these mixed marriages." NLT)
The man of God here is clearly distraught, appalled. What is it, exactly, that has brought such distress? Unlike the conclusion that many jump to after a cursory reading, the issue does not appear to be racially mixed marriages. This Scripture passage from Acts clarifies that:
And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth,... Acts 17:26 (KJV)And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, ... Acts 17:26 (ESV)
Here are a couple helpful Bible commentaries (from http://bible.cc/acts/17-
"And hath made of one blood all nations of men to dwell on all the face of the earth-Holding with the Old Testament teaching, that in the blood is the life (Ge 9:4; Le 17:11; De 12:23), the apostle sees this life stream of the whole human race to be one, flowing from one source."
"And hath made of one blood - All the families of mankind are descended from one origin or stock. However different their complexion, features, or language, yet they are derived from a common parent. The word blood is often used to denote "race, stock, kindred." This passage affirms that all the human family are descended from the same ancestor; and that, consequently, all the variety of complexion, etc., is to be traced to some other cause than that they were originally different races created."I believe there is ample Scriptural evidence that the issue here was NOT of race. So ... what IS the issue? The crux of the matter is not the color of your skin, but of spiritual kinship, spiritual oneness, sameness, commonality. Here are some applicable verses to study on marriage between Christians and non-Christians, Believers and unbelievers. This is the type "mixed-marriage" that the Word of God does not sanction.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you." 2 Cor 6:14-17
"If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." 1 John 1:6
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor 2:14
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
"And hath made of one blood - All the families of mankind are descended from one origin or stock. However different their complexion, features, or language, yet they are derived from a common parent. The word blood is often used to denote "race, stock, kindred." This passage affirms that all the human family are descended from the same ancestor; and that, consequently, all the variety of complexion, etc., is to be traced to some other cause than that they were originally different races created."I believe there is ample Scriptural evidence that the issue here was NOT of race. So ... what IS the issue? The crux of the matter is not the color of your skin, but of spiritual kinship, spiritual oneness, sameness, commonality. Here are some applicable verses to study on marriage between Christians and non-Christians, Believers and unbelievers. This is the type "mixed-marriage" that the Word of God does not sanction.
"Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you." 2 Cor 6:14-17
"If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth." 1 John 1:6
"The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Cor 2:14
"For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
(Peter is speaking here to Christian people, the Body of Christ, not to a group of people with the same color of skin!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(When a husband or wife confesses Jesus as Lord after the marriage, the Scripture plainly says to stay married; do not divorce. See such verses as 1 Cor 7:12-13 - "To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.")
Our family has used resources from Answers in Genesis for years now, in both our homeschooling and in Bible study. Here's one of their articles that we found especially helpful on this subject: http://www.answersingenesis.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(When a husband or wife confesses Jesus as Lord after the marriage, the Scripture plainly says to stay married; do not divorce. See such verses as 1 Cor 7:12-13 - "To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.")
Our family has used resources from Answers in Genesis for years now, in both our homeschooling and in Bible study. Here's one of their articles that we found especially helpful on this subject: http://www.answersingenesis.
“Once upon a time they was two girls," I say. "one girl had black skin, one girl had white."
Mae Mobley look up at me. She listening.
Mae Mobley look up at me. She listening.
"Little colored girl say to little white girl, 'How come your skin be so pale?' White girl say, 'I don't know. How come your skin be so black? What you think that mean?'
"But neither one a them little girls knew. So little white girl say, 'Well, let's see. You got hair, I got hair.'"I gives Mae Mobley a little tousle on her head.
"Little colored girl say 'I got a nose, you got a nose.'"I gives her little snout a tweak. She got to reach up and do the same to me.
"Little white girl say, 'I got toes, you got toes.' And I do the little thing with her toes, but she can't get to mine cause I got my white work shoes on.
"'So we's the same. Just a different color', say that little colored girl. The little white girl she agreed and they was friends. The End."
Baby Girl just look at me. Law, that was a sorry story if I ever heard one. Wasn't even no plot to it. But Mae Mobley, she smile and say, "Tell it again.”
Now some people would say that story came from a book/movie called The Help. But truth in that story came from a much older Source.
Fanny Crosby, blind from infancy, knew of that Source when she wrote:
Tell me the story of Jesus,
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Write on my heart every word;
Tell me the story most precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Red and yellow, black and white, we are ONE in His sight!
One blood, one race, from one man .... the race of mankind ... made in the very image of God.
And THAT is the WORD of God.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Insights as I head for the finish line - & into Christmas
Christmas of 2009, I was given a chronological Bible by Ben and Hannah. I eagerly began reading, intending to finish it in one year. Well, I've not finished it yet. I'm now hoping to have it completed before this Christmas ... 2012. My post today illustrates the reason!
Today, my reading was in Acts - Stephen's address to the Jewish Council when he was accused of blasphemy. In answering the accusation, Stephen recounted the history of Israel, including a quote from the Old Testament book of Amos.
"Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, images which you made to worship; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon." (Acts 7:42b-43, NJKV)
I've taken the occasion before to do some research on some of Israel's false gods, but chose to do so again this morning. I was familiar with the god Moloch from past studies, but saw again today that the worship of Moloch was marked by infant sacrifice.
"The ancients would heat this idol up with fire until it was glowing, then they would take their newborn babies, place them on the arms of the idol, and watch them burn to death. I can't help but compare today's abortion massacre to the sacrifice of children by these ancient pagans. In both, innocent life is destroyed for the gain of the parent." (http://carm.org/christianity/miscellaneous-topics/moloch-ancient-pagan-god-child-sacrifice)
Wow ..... Sobering, is it not? A mental picture of the above pagan practice is truly gruesome! Most Americans would shudder at the very thought of such a horror. But it seems many Americans have simply shut their eyes, and put on blinders, when it comes to abortion.
Way back in 1987, we were blessed to be members of First Baptist Kenner (just outside New Orleans). That group of Believers were wise enough to put into action a group they called the "Good Government" action group. They were charged with the responsibility of putting before the church membership political issues on which the Bible had a specific impact - abortion being one of them. As such, they scheduled a showing of a video explaining the process of an abortion, and showing the sonar of an actual abortion. I will never forget the 2-3 seconds of that video that I actually forced myself to watch. I sat there with my eyes squeezed tightly closed for the rest of it; I found it too gruesome to watch any more. It was, indeed, a horror - every bit as gruesome, terrifying, shocking, and repulsive as the picture of sacrificing infants to Moloch ... if not more-so!
I, then, went on to research the false god of Remphan. I discovered Remphan was a name for the "star god, Saturn, whose symbol is a six pointed star formed by two triangles. Does that shape of star remind you of something? Yes ... what we call the Star of David! I was amazed at what I went on to learn. I'd somehow missed this in past studies! Take a look at this article: http://www.moresureword.com/starof.htm.
In a nutshell, what is widely known as "The Star of David" has nothing whatsoever to do with David - the man after God's own heart. It has much to do with his son, Solomon, who in his later years, turned to the worship of false, pagan gods - incorporating the use of a six-sided, hexagon-shaped star. I quote: "It became known as the Seal of Solomon in Egyptian magic and witchcraft. David had absolutely nothing to do with the hexagram and that star most certainly did not, in any way, represent God's people. Solomon gave himself up to satanic worship and built altars" to the pagan gods.
There is much more information presented in the above-mentioned online article, and is well worth your time. After taking it all in, I fully concur with this additional quote:
"What should God’s people do about these things? The prophet Jeremiah states, “Do not learn the way of the nations . . . For the customs of the peoples are FALSE” (Jer.10:1-3, NRSV).
Moses wrote: “You must demolish completely all the places where the nations whom you are about to dispossess served their gods [and their symbols] . . . Break down their altars, smash their pillars, burn their sacred poles with fire, and hew down the idols of their gods, and thus blot out their name from their places. You shall not worship the LORD your God in such ways” (Deuteronomy 12:2-4).
The apostle Paul wrote: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and TOUCH NOTHING UNCLEAN; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’” (II Cor.6:14-18, NRSV).
As God’s people, we should have NO PART in the use of these perverted and demonic symbols which have been the trademark of pagans, witches, and practitioners of the occult. That includes both the falsely portrayed “Star of David,” which has nothing to do with David..."
Today, my reading was in Acts - Stephen's address to the Jewish Council when he was accused of blasphemy. In answering the accusation, Stephen recounted the history of Israel, including a quote from the Old Testament book of Amos.
"Did you offer Me slaughtered animals and sacrifices during forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? You also took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, images which you made to worship; and I will carry you away beyond Babylon." (Acts 7:42b-43, NJKV)
I've taken the occasion before to do some research on some of Israel's false gods, but chose to do so again this morning. I was familiar with the god Moloch from past studies, but saw again today that the worship of Moloch was marked by infant sacrifice.
"The ancients would heat this idol up with fire until it was glowing, then they would take their newborn babies, place them on the arms of the idol, and watch them burn to death. I can't help but compare today's abortion massacre to the sacrifice of children by these ancient pagans. In both, innocent life is destroyed for the gain of the parent." (http://carm.org/christianity/miscellaneous-topics/moloch-ancient-pagan-god-child-sacrifice)
Wow ..... Sobering, is it not? A mental picture of the above pagan practice is truly gruesome! Most Americans would shudder at the very thought of such a horror. But it seems many Americans have simply shut their eyes, and put on blinders, when it comes to abortion.
Way back in 1987, we were blessed to be members of First Baptist Kenner (just outside New Orleans). That group of Believers were wise enough to put into action a group they called the "Good Government" action group. They were charged with the responsibility of putting before the church membership political issues on which the Bible had a specific impact - abortion being one of them. As such, they scheduled a showing of a video explaining the process of an abortion, and showing the sonar of an actual abortion. I will never forget the 2-3 seconds of that video that I actually forced myself to watch. I sat there with my eyes squeezed tightly closed for the rest of it; I found it too gruesome to watch any more. It was, indeed, a horror - every bit as gruesome, terrifying, shocking, and repulsive as the picture of sacrificing infants to Moloch ... if not more-so!
I, then, went on to research the false god of Remphan. I discovered Remphan was a name for the "star god, Saturn, whose symbol is a six pointed star formed by two triangles. Does that shape of star remind you of something? Yes ... what we call the Star of David! I was amazed at what I went on to learn. I'd somehow missed this in past studies! Take a look at this article: http://www.moresureword.com/starof.htm.
In a nutshell, what is widely known as "The Star of David" has nothing whatsoever to do with David - the man after God's own heart. It has much to do with his son, Solomon, who in his later years, turned to the worship of false, pagan gods - incorporating the use of a six-sided, hexagon-shaped star. I quote: "It became known as the Seal of Solomon in Egyptian magic and witchcraft. David had absolutely nothing to do with the hexagram and that star most certainly did not, in any way, represent God's people. Solomon gave himself up to satanic worship and built altars" to the pagan gods.
There is much more information presented in the above-mentioned online article, and is well worth your time. After taking it all in, I fully concur with this additional quote:
"What should God’s people do about these things? The prophet Jeremiah states, “Do not learn the way of the nations . . . For the customs of the peoples are FALSE” (Jer.10:1-3, NRSV).
Moses wrote: “You must demolish completely all the places where the nations whom you are about to dispossess served their gods [and their symbols] . . . Break down their altars, smash their pillars, burn their sacred poles with fire, and hew down the idols of their gods, and thus blot out their name from their places. You shall not worship the LORD your God in such ways” (Deuteronomy 12:2-4).
The apostle Paul wrote: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship is there between light and darkness? What agreement does Christ have with Belial? Or what does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, ‘I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and TOUCH NOTHING UNCLEAN; then I will welcome you, and I will be your father, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty’” (II Cor.6:14-18, NRSV).
As God’s people, we should have NO PART in the use of these perverted and demonic symbols which have been the trademark of pagans, witches, and practitioners of the occult. That includes both the falsely portrayed “Star of David,” which has nothing to do with David..."
As a result of this study, I plan to do some clearing out when I get my Christmas ornaments down. I know of several that use that six-pointed hexagon star... A five-point star will do just fine!
Now ... I've only got 104 days left to complete reading this Bible in 3 years - 3,942 more verses. Monday-Friday are the main days I can depend on for having longer chunks of time, so if I figure on 73 days, I need to read 54 verses a day. With the way I'm prone to take lots of detours, I'd better stop typing and start reading! ;o)
Saturday, March 31, 2012
An "Examine Yourself" Project on America - Marriage and Parenting
Greetings!
While checking out something else, I ran across this on snopes today:
The text that caused all the "hullabaloo" was a list of things supposedly published in a 1950's Home Ec textbook on how to be a good wife. What caught my attention was not the issue of whether or not it was actually published in the textbook, but, rather, the reaction to the text itself.
Very interesting that these tips for being a good wife fit in perfectly with Scriptural principles on marriage, love, deference, putting others' needs first, seeking the good of the other, etc. Also very interesting that in 1950, those things were already beginning to erode, but were still widely accepted, in both "church and non-church" circles. Today, those things receive a strong reaction from women/men both inside and outside the Church.
This has caused me to do an "Examine yourself" project (1 Cor 11:28, 2 Cor 13:5, Gal 6:4) on our nation today. Have all this in mind as you view these statistics...
In this chart, I particular compared the statistics of 1950 and 1990 - virtually doubling, rising from 29.1 to 57.5 (a rise of 28.4). This is in contrast to the previous 40-year period of 1910 to 1950, where we see it rising from 24.8 to 29.1 (a rise of 4.3). Quite a contrast, and not without consequences.
This next chart is similar. However, it only covers 1970 to 2008, and gives the added information of the children affected.
Women's Liberation Movement Timeline
1848 The world's first women's rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, NY, July 19-20. A Declaration of Sentiments and Resolutions is debated and signed by 68 women and 32 men, setting the agenda for the women's rights movement that followed. 1855 Lucy Stone becomes first woman on record to keep her own name after marriage, setting a trend among women who are consequently known as "Lucy Stoners." 1859 The birth rate continues its downward spiral as reliable condoms become available. By the late 1900s, women will raise an average of only two or three children. 1945 Women industrial workers begin to lose their jobs in large numbers to returning service men, although surveys show 80% want to continue working. (A very interesting fact. I believe the "Why?" of this is very important.) 1957 The number of women and men voting is approximately equal for the first time. (The only date given for the 1950s.) On this chart of significant womens liberation movement dates, a total of only 5 "movement" dates were given for the 40 year period of 1920 to 1960. The time period beginning with 1960, including the next 36 years, (1960-1996), in contrast, shows 27 dates. Lining up the "accomplishments" highlighted on this chart, you quickly see that the two top winners of issues having the most "progress" are connected with either abortion or employment. What were virtual non-issues before 1950 bacame major off-the-chart issues over the next few years. 1960 The Food and Drug Administration approves birth control pills. 1973 In Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court establishes a woman's right to abortion, effectively canceling the anti-abortion laws of 46 states. 1981 Sandra Day O'Connor is the first woman ever appointed to the US Supreme Court. In 1993, she is joined by Ruth Bader Ginsberg (A tragic day for those upholding Biblical principles). 1993 Take Our Daughters to Work Day debuts, designed to build girls self-esteem and open their eyes to a variety of careers. (Go back and review the Divorce Statistics chart. Check out what happens during this same time period, 1960s through 1990s. Now add in the information on the following charts. Pay attention to the dates.)    Add in these facts: Living Together Without Marriage (These facts explain the decline of divorce shown in the Divorce chart above in the 1980s and 90s. Partners living together outside marriage, who go their separate ways, do not show up on a divorce chart. The effect is that the statistics indicate an improvement in the stability of marriages ... a misleading, false indication.) Over 12 million unmarried partners live together in 6,008,007 households. - U.S. Census Bureau. “American Community Survey: 2005-2007.” The number of cohabiting unmarried partners increased tenfold between 1960 and 2000. - U.S. Census Bureau. “America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2000.” The number of cohabiting unmarried partners increased by 88% between 1990 and 2007. - U.S. Census Bureau. “America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2007.” Now subject these statistics to God's Word - the many commands and principles that are to govern a Believer's personal home life (marriage and parenting). These are easy to find with a good concordance. Be sure to at least study many of them (if not all), in order to perceive the whole counsel of God's Word ... His opinion. A recent poll conducted by George Barna shows only a 1 percent difference between divorce rates of Born-Again Believers and Non Born-Again Believers. Reflections on Marriage and Divorce by George Barna George Barna, who directed the study, noted that Americans have grown comfortable with divorce as a natural part of life. "There no longer seems to be much of a stigma attached to divorce; it is now seen as an unavoidable rite of passage," the researcher indicated. "Interviews with young adults suggest that they want their initial marriage to last, but are not particularly optimistic about that possibility. There is also evidence that many young people are moving toward embracing the idea of serial marriage, in which a person gets married two or three times, seeking a different partner for each phase of their adult life." |
If anyone actually looks at all this, plus the Scripture, it is extremely sobering. When Christians (speaking specifically of Christians here in America) virtually live their lives - especially the parts of their lives that can be seen and observed by the world - just the way their lost friends and neighbors live theirs ... is it any wonder that fewer and fewer people are being drawn to the Lord as Savior? What do we actually show them that Christ offers? If they read our lives, He doesn't appear to offer anything that will help keep families from falling apart, does He? And in that, we are living lies and presenting to a lost world a God of our own making, rather than the God of the Bible ... a God Who does, INDEED, offer something that will keep our families together!
Conclusion: The ONLY solution....
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
(2 Chron 7:14, emphasis mine)
My prayer today is that we, as God's people, will study His Word diligently - to show ourselves approved unto Him, without need to be ashamed, and able to handle Scripture rightly and teach it correctly. (2Tim 2:15) May we then humble ourselves and pray and turn from our wicked ways. Then, and only then, can we experience God's forgiveness and healing in these vital areas of our lives - and begin to show a desperate world that God's ways DO work! May it be so. Amen and Amen.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Does God "categorize" sin?
Greetings! Here are a few of my searchings today.
I'm sitting here wondering exactly what BIBLE Jimmy Carter was studying????????????!!!!!!!!!!
Even Joel Olsteen - who has made a name for himself as a positive and uplifting minister who focuses in on life’s pleasantries - acknowledges that the Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin!
In family discussions, we have often talked about this question. Does God "categorize" sin? Is all sin equal in God's eyes? For me to understand the WHOLE counsel of God's Word (rather than just a portion of it), I often must look at an issue from more than one vantage point - studying as much Scripture as I can find on any particular issue, looking not only at verses that use a specific word, but also Scripture that gives a principle to be applied. (For example, I find several verses that use the actual word, "hospitality," but I also find Scripture that gives a principle to be applied to hospitality - such as Ephesians 6:7 or Colossians 3:23.)
When I search through the Word, I find that God's opinion on sin could accurately be interpreted as: Whenever we do what WE want to do, rather than what God tells us to do ... that is sin. (Isaiah 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. In 1 John 3:4, “sin is the transgression of the law." Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.)
One of the main Greek words translated as "sin" in our English Bibles is defined as, "missing the mark, doing wrong, wandering from the law of God" (http://www.blueletterbible.
However (and this is a BIG however), this same Word of God does, indeed, "categorize" (for lack of a better word) sin. God, Himself, out of ALL the ways that mankind chooses to go our own way, has given us a list of sins that He says are an "abomination." For His own reasons, in His sovereignty, omniscience, and justice, He highlights these sins, using this word, "abomination." Strong's concordance tells us this Hebrew word translated as "abomination" means: a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable. A look at Webster's Dictionary shows us this English word means: worthy of or causing disgust or hatred : detestable. That helps me to see that when I want to know what is "abominable" to God, I can expand my search to those things that He says He "hates," as well as those things He says are "abominable." Doing a blueletterbible.org search for those two words yields quite a list of sins that God highlights in some way - above all other sin.
Other places where God seems to focus on certain sins, more so than others, would included such Scripture as 1 Cor 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:28-32; and 1 Timothy 3:2-5. Why does God not include other sins (examples we could all think of) in these lists? I do not know. I believe His reasons might include the type of consequences these particular sins cause, and the numbers of other people affected by them.
So how do I apply this whole study to my own life? As I thought and prayed my way through all of this today, three things came to my heart and mind.
1) God hates sin, of all kinds, because sin made the cross necessary. As such, I must hate sin, also. To the extent that I do, indeed, hate sin (evil), I will stay away from it! No one has to force me to stay away from caviar. I hate the very THOUGHT of it. (I googled "the most disgusting foods" and caviar didn't even make the list! Really?!) Eating caviar - or any of those disgusting things that did make the list - would be, to me, quite gross and disgusting. It takes no great show of willpower for me to stay away from them. Why? Because I hate them. I hate even the thought of them. This truth, applied to my spiritual life, is helpful in examining myself (which is commanded). When I have the integrity and courage of heart to look at it honestly, it is quite sobering and compelling.
2) Because of application #1, I must run in the opposite direction from anything I know to be sin. If I do not, I will suffer the consequences. As I pondered this, a familiar saying came to mind. Sin will always take me farther than I want to go, cost me more than I want to pay, and keep me longer than I want to stay.
3) There are certain sins that should have an even greater "electric fence" about them than "all sin, in general - " because of what GOD'S WORD says about them. Those sins, discussed above, must be especially loathsome to me - whether or not I understand the reasons God has highlighted them. (Notice the above reads, "Those sins...must be loathsome to me," not the sinner committing the sin.)
The sin of disobedience to parents - a sin often considered as rather minor in comparison - appears in one of God's "lists." Again, perhaps it's because of the continuing consequences of that sin, as it then carries over into other major areas of life - our relationship with our Heavenly Father, employment, marriage, etc - and wreaks havoc, destruction, and pain.
If there is a sin, or sins, that I honestly can't claim to hate, then I must cry out with David (Psalm 51:10), "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me!" In and of myself, I can't even WANT the right things! And with Paul, "Oh, wretched man that I am!" But then comes the precious chapter of Romans 8!
The sin of disobedience to parents - a sin often considered as rather minor in comparison - appears in one of God's "lists." Again, perhaps it's because of the continuing consequences of that sin, as it then carries over into other major areas of life - our relationship with our Heavenly Father, employment, marriage, etc - and wreaks havoc, destruction, and pain.
If there is a sin, or sins, that I honestly can't claim to hate, then I must cry out with David (Psalm 51:10), "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me!" In and of myself, I can't even WANT the right things! And with Paul, "Oh, wretched man that I am!" But then comes the precious chapter of Romans 8!
Well, I'm out of time and energy.
With you in the journey,
just a pilgrim
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