Last Updated: 11 July 2020
Difficult but Beautiful Mysteries – St. Polycarp himself may have quoted that Archangel Raphael really came to earth in Tobit’s Story
Quotes:
“… STAND FAST, therefore, in these things, and FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE LORD, being firm and UNCHANGEABLE IN THE FAITH, loving the brotherhood, and being attached to one another, joined together in the truth, exhibiting the meekness of the Lord in your intercourse with one another, and despising no one. When YOU CAN DO GOOD, DEFER IT NOT, because “ALMS DELIVERS FROM DEATH.” [Tobit 12:9]” Be all of you subject one to another? having your conduct blameless among the Gentiles,” that YE MAY BOTH RECEIVE PRAISE FOR YOUR GOOD WORKS, and the Lord may not be blasphemed through you. But WOE TO HIM by whom the name of the Lord is blasphemed! Teach, therefore, sobriety to all, and manifest it also in your own conduct. …” – Blessed St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 69 AD – c. 155 AD, CHAPTER X.–EXHORTATION TO THE PRACTICE OF VIRTUE, THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/polycarp-roberts.html
“… 6 Then he said to them SECRETLY: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shewn his mercy to you. 7 For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honourable to reveal and confess the works of God. 8 PRAYER IS GOOD WITH FASTING AND ALMS MORE THAN to lay up treasures of gold: 9 For ALMS DELIVERETH from DEATH, and the same is that which PURGETH AWAY SINS, and maketh to FIND MERCY AND LIFE EVERLASTING. … 15 For I am the angel RAPHAEL, one of the seven who stand before the Lord. …” (Bible Scripture.Net Translation, Tobit 12:6 – 9, 15)
Source: https://biblescripture.net/Tobias.html
Comment: Looks very clear that St. Polycarp is quoting this Tobit Verse Spoken by Archangel Raphael himself. This could imply that the Story of Tobit especially the Archangel Raphael’s part & his words about “Prayer, Fasting and Almsgiving” especially that “Alms delivers from Death” must be true, right? How can St. Polycarp err by quoting a fable?
Perhaps that’s why Christ Said this Mystery likewise regarding “Almsgiving”, Verse:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. …” The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)
Mystery of not Outward Righteousness only but Inward Righteousness
Question
Doubtful. I don’t think alms deliver from death, much less purge away sins.
(This comment is based on the earlier post below):
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10161021855207784
Reply
Context is Sanctification. Well Christ Said it Cleans “All” from “Inside of Lawlessness” in Luke 11:41, so it doesn’t matter what we think, Verses:
“… 28Even so you also OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:28, NKJV)
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. . …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
Conclusion
Let’s not forget that “Judgment Day Verses” are “All Almsgiving” in Matthew 25:31 – 46. Example: “… When I was hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless … Etc. …”.
Here’s another rarely observed fact: The Rich Young Ruler in Matthew 19:21 – 25 kept the “Torah/Law’s Holiness Commands from his Youth without believing in Christ”. The only thing which he couldn’t do was this direction of “Almsgiving” as “Christ Himself Revealed” that this is what he “lacked”, Verses:
“… 16Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO that I MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?” 17So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But IF YOU WANT TO ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.” 18He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20The young man said to Him, “ALL THESE THINGS I HAVE KEPT [G]FROM MY YOUTH. What do I STILL LACK?” 21JESUS said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then JESUS said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:16 – 24, NKJV)
So where there’s even “full outward holiness” by “Obeying the 10 Commandments” as per this Rich Young Ruler, the “Lawlessness within” is not cleansed until “Almsgiving” (Charity Giving to the Poor) is Done and that’s the type of believing in Christ which is PERFECT according to CHRIST’S OWN DEFINITION. This is the most difficult challenge of FAITH toward PERFECTION.
Having faith in Christ saves you but having a more perfect faith in Christ gets you closer to God. So we are actually quite far away from God in Closeness due to lack of Almsgiving or the Doctrine of Renunciation for Sanctification as these Verses by CHRIST HIMSELF DIRECTLY (Highest Wisdom by His Words only Reveals) of which only about 12 of them attain to ‘this Perfection’ as these Verses continue as follows based on which their Reward is the 12 Thrones, Verses:
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Christ Clearly Points that whilst discussing this Context of the “Almsgiving type of Faith which the Torah-10-Commandment Keeping Rich Young Ruler lacked” but the “12 Apostles of the Lamb Fulfilled toward Perfection” obtains the “Hundredfold Reward” (not sixty-fold, not thirty-fold; please notice the word “HUNDREDFOLD” carefully in Matthew 19:29 above toward those who have left something significant for the Gospel such as “family” or “wealth including LANDS or HOUSES which is Almsgiving Sacrifice toward ministry too”) in that only those who do something equivalent to that obtain the “HUNDREDFOLD” Reward & that’s how “MANY” (not few) will be “last” and the “last first” by “Doing and Practicing” this “Faith + Almsgiving Doctrine for Perfection” on which Context we can Quote Christ’s other Words on this Same Topic as follows to understand it Sola Scriptura also:
“… But others fell on GOOD GROUND and yielded a crop: some a HUNDREDFOLD, some SIXTY, some THIRTY. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:8, NKJV)
“… 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:29 – 30, NKJV)
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
“… So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Or in another translation:
“… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NKJV)
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
Even if we cannot do this Perfection of Faith (I can’t), His Word is still True and let us Preach it Rightly and encourage others so that they may exceed us in this while we find our place according to the “Measure of Faith Given to us” be it “Thirty-fold faith or Sixty-fold faith” or “Hundredfold faith”. Yes, “faith is a Gift of God” and it’s not the same from one person to another but is different according to the “measure” given, Verse:
“… For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as GOD HAS DEALT TO EACH ONE A MEASURE OF FAITH. …” (Romans 12:3, NKJV)
These 12 Apostles who Fulfilled this Gospel of Renunciation and Almsgiving Faith Perfectly whilst walking Penniless following after Christ are Honoured beyond Imagination as they Loved Christ Most as it’s Described in Verses below clearly in the “City of God” from “Heaven” as follows:
“… “Come, I will show you the [g]bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the [h]great city, the [i]holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, like a jasper stone, clear as crystal. … 14Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the [j]NAMES OF THE TWELVE APOSTLES OF THE LAMB. …” (Revelation 21: 9 – 11, 14, NKJV)
Not everything Christ Said is recorded in the Gospels, Verse:
“… And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen. …” (John 21:25, NKJV)
There’s also a popular myth many Christians believe which goes something like this: ‘… All that is important is clearly Written already …’. Truth is, some of the “Greatest Commands or Secret of Rewards” in “His Kingdom of Heaven” is “Hidden” and is only revealed in Parables sometimes which causes many to not understand it and therefore miss it except to those to whom it is referred to as it is Written in Verses below:
“… And He said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that ‘Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.’ …” (Luke 8:10, NKJV)
“… And AGAIN THE LORD SAYS: Let the one who has married not be cast out, and let the one who has not married not marry. He who has confessed that he will not marry according to his decision of eunuchhood, let him remain unmarried….” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Miscellanies 3.15)
Source for ( “Agrapha ” ) Quote above:
https://web.archive.org/web/20080215124232/http://www.textexcavation.com/agrapha.html
Do you know that it’s “God’s Desire” that we should be “unmarried” in this New Covenant times? Proof Verse: ‘… 7For I WISH THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN as I MYSELF. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the UNMARRIED AND TO THE WIDOWS: IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN EVEN AS I AM …’ (1 Corinthians 7:7 – 8, NKJV). So it’s clear that God allows being married and not the other way around in this New Covenant times as it is compared and Written in Verses above.
We don’t need the “Agrapha” (outside the Bible) quote to prove the Context of this “Remain Unmarried Voluntarily” type of Following Christ which is Wished by Holy Scripture toward “all men” for this “New Covenant” times as Verses below confirm it as the “better way” than the marriage way to follow Christ (as it’s compared & contrasted in Scripture and so we must too), Verses:
“… 7For I WISH THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN as I MYSELF. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the UNMARRIED AND TO THE WIDOWS: IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN EVEN AS I AM; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. … 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have TROUBLE IN THE FLESH, but I WOULD SPARE YOU. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is UNMARRIED CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THE LORD—how he may PLEASE THE LORD. 33But HE WHO IS MARRIED CARES about the THINGS OF THE WORLD—how he may PLEASE HIS WIFE. … 38So then he who GIVES HER IN MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he WHO DOES NOT GIVE HER IN MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:7 – 9, 28, 32 – 33, 38, NKJV)
Did Christ Teach likewise that “not marrying” is better than “marrying” directly like Apostle St. Paul above (1 Corinthians 7:38)? Verses below as even His Disciples understood His Words such after understanding the “Law/Torah’s Requirements for Marriage” (in Verses earlier, not quoted here for emphasis on this part):
“… 10His disciples said to Him, “If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is BETTER NOT TO MARRY.” 11But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12For there are [c]eunuchs who were born thus from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s sake. HE WHO IS ABLE TO ACCEPT IT, LET HIM ACCEPT IT.” …” (Matthew 19:10 – 12, NKJV)
So, this “eunuch” (not married) secret for the KINGDOM OF GOD (not an earthly way) is not for all but for “those who can accept it” (those “Chosen” for it) according to Christ above and that’s why we ought to Preach it even if we don’t practice it as it might be for someone who could be called for it (Responsible Preaching).
So, did you notice that both the “Almsgiving Doctrine” and “Remain Unmarried for Christ to live a Lifestyle to Fulfill His Commands” is purely dependent upon New Testament Verses “only”? The Church Fathers’ Quotes or “Agrapha” quotes etc. are not necessary but help us understand that they too understood these “Bible Verses” in the same way and hence such Pearls of Scripture may be attained by those who are Chosen for it:
“… 6“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:6, NKJV)
Yes, whatever Christ Commanded or Exhorted Directly or through His Apostles is “Holy” and a “Pearl”. If we “Preach these New Testament Verses” and people “revile or persecute” us for it in any way be it “economic boycott from job/, opportunities or cast aside from Church or equivalent”, we may fulfill this Verse in some little way:
“… 11Blessed [Makarioi] are you WHEN THEY REVILE AND PERSECUTE YOU, and say ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY FOR MY SAKE. 12Rejoice [chairete] and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. …” (Matthew 5:11 – 12, NKJV)
The Verses below Describe this “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” as fulfilling the “Will of the Father” in our daily lives and especially with “our money” to attain to our “eternal Home” (reward level) as follows (yes, please note that this is the same Greek Word translated as “Eternal” in “Eternal Life or Eternal Punishment” in Matthew 25:46 too and so this is important if we do not want to lose our eternal rewards), Verses:
“… 9“And I say to you, MAKE FRIENDS FOR YOURSELVES by UNRIGHTEOUS [D]MAMMON, that when [e]you fail, they may receive you into an EVERLASTING HOME. 10He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11Therefore IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST THE TRUE RICHES? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 13, NKJV)
Or in another translation:
“… 9Here’s the lesson: USE YOUR WORLDLY RESOURCES to BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE FRIENDS. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an ETERNAL HOME. 10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 12, NLT)
The missing part of the Great Commission is Teaching His “Commands” (not Prophecy or other things which are secondary to His “Commands”) as the phrase “…20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; …” means below:
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
“… 46“But WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ and NOT DO THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? 47Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 48, NKJV)
Christ Centered Universalism Hope – Is it Real or a Misunderstanding of Scripture?
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161007982342784&id=651792783
I am “not” sure 100% whether Eternal Hell is True or Christ Centered Universalism. However, the main reason I still consider this Christ Centered Universalism possibility is because of the Testimony in Sadhu Sundar Singh’s Writings as Evidenced in his Visions. Even the late Dr. DGS Dhinakaran (who is the No. 1 Christian with Gift of Healing to Prophecy to also having Visions of Heaven in the Eternal Hell Camp of Indian Christianity) clearly wrote in his Vision of Heaven book that “Sadhu Sundar Singh” was in “Heaven” proving that even Christ Centered Universalism believers are Saved and/or it could be True. The Proof of this and other Quotes are in links below:
1) Sadhu Sundar Singh – a Christian Universalist Confirmed in Heaven by Dr DGS Dhinakaran
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159143902292784&id=651792783
*Dr DGS Dhinakaran calls Sadhu Sundar Singh as “the Great and Acclaimed Saint of India”.
2) Gospel Hope for the Dead?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159663526522784&id=651792783
3) Sadhu Sundar Singh – A Mysterious Christian
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159525126097784&id=651792783
4) Sheepfold2 – Good Muslims?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10158048955732784&id=651792783
5) Even the late Mr. Billy Graham the world famous evangelist affirmed some type of Universalism Hope in Christ where his organisation couldn’t deny it as it was recorded in video and so they implied that he is senile but the video shows him quite rational as discussed in link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159219503242784&id=651792783
6) UnSolved Mystery – All Men as ‘All Men’ or Figure of Speech for ‘Believers only’?
Let’s look at two Apostolic Father’s writings who were both direct disciples of Blessed Apostle St. John who also have “no” prayers to Virgin Mary/Saint or equivalent and so Protestants may consider them too:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160847757427784&id=651792783
Only God Knows as we will too when we Return to Him One Day. Scripture does not point to any of these possibilities as dangerous Doctrine. Christ Centered Universalism was only Condemned very late in Christian history (about 550 AD, Second Council of Constantinople) by a fully Mary-Idol creating and Saints Praying council. In contrast some of the earliest church fathers writings pointing to it who never had any Prayers to Virgin Mary or equivalent.
Simple thought: Is Dr. DGS Dhinakaran (affirming the Christian Universalist Sadhu Sundar Singh) and Mr. Billy Graham (claiming some relatively good non-Christian Christians to be Saved) going to Hell as their quotes respectively point so?
St. Augustine of Hippo himself affirms that we may contemplate such a possibility described above as “not Denying Holy Scripture” (and hence we are not heretics) even though he believed in Eternal Hell for the Wicked, to quote:
“… “There are very many in our day, who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments. …” — St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.)
Source: https://www.mercyuponall.org/tag/church-fathers/
That quote in full below where St. Augustine calls these “Christian Universalists” as “deceived” but “not” that “Universalism is a dangerous heresy which brings them to Hell or become unsaved” as he still calls them as “not denying Scripture and Saved”, to quote:
“…112. It is quite in vain, then, that some–indeed very many–yield to merely human feelings and deplore the notion of the eternal punishment of the damned and their interminable and perpetual misery. They do not believe that such things will be. Not that they would go counter to divine Scripture–but, yielding to their own human feelings, they soften what seems harsh and give a milder emphasis to statements they believe are meant more to terrify than to express the literal truth. “God will not forget,” they say, “to show mercy, nor in his anger will he shut up his mercy.” This is, in fact, the text of a holy psalm.237 But there is no doubt that it is to be interpreted to refer to those who are called “vessels of mercy,”238 those who are freed from misery not by their own merits but through God’s mercy. Even so, if they suppose that the text applies to all men, there is no ground for them further to suppose that there can be an end for those of whom it is said, “Thus these shall go into everlasting punishment.”239 Otherwise, it can as well be thought that there will also be an end to the happiness of those of whom the antithesis was said: “But the righteous into life eternal.” …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Point 112 – CHAPTER XXIX. “The Last Things”, Enchiridion).
Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm
Another quote below where St. Augustine calls another group of OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved) type of “Christians” as “deceived” but “not” that it is a dangerous heresy which brings them to Hell or become unsaved” as he still calls them as “not denying Scripture and Saved”, to quote:
“…67. There are some, indeed, who believe that those who do not abandon the name of Christ, and who are baptized in his laver in the Church, who are not cut off from it by schism or heresy, who may then live in sins however great, not washing them away by repentance, nor redeeming them by alms–and who obstinately persevere in them to life’s last day–even these will still be saved, “though as by fire.” They believe that such people will be punished by fire, prolonged in proportion to their sins, but still not eternal. But those who believe thus, and still are Catholics, are deceived, as it seems to me, by a kind of merely human benevolence. For the divine Scripture, when consulted, answers differently. Moreover, I have written a book about this question, entitled Faith and Works,142 in which, with God’s help, I have shown as best I could that, according to Holy Scripture, the faith that saves is the faith that the apostle Paul adequately describes when he says, “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision, but the faith which works through love.”143 But if faith works evil and not good, then without doubt, according to the apostle James “it is dead in itself.”144 He then goes on to say, “If a man says he has faith, yet has not works, can his faith be enough to save him?”14 …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Points 112 – 113, CHAPTER XVIII. 141 Faith and Works, Enchiridion).
Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm
or in the quote below, St. Augustine seems to contradict himself and consider this ‘semi-Universalism’ possibility:
“… Yet even in his wrath–his wrath resting on them–he does not “shut up his mercy.” This is not to put an end to their eternal afflictions, but rather to apply or interpose some little respite in their torments. … Now, if this wrath were all there is in man’s damnation, and even if it were present only in the slightest degree conceivable–still, to be lost out of the Kingdom of God, to be an exile from the City of God, to be estranged from the life of God, to suffer loss of the great abundance of God’s blessings which he has hidden for those who fear him and prepared for those who hope in him240 –this would be a punishment so great that, if it be eternal, no torments that we know could be compared to it, no matter how many ages they continued. …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Points 112 – 113, CHAPTER XXIX. “The Last Things”, Enchiridion).
Source: http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm
Why is St. Augustine’s opinion important? Because no single Christian after the time of the Apostles have influenced all branches of Christianity including both Roman Catholicism and Protestantism and the Greatest No.1 most influential Protestant Theologian, Blessed John Calvin himself wrote this about St. Augustine’s “opinions or writings”:
“… John Calvin wrote, “Augustine is so wholly within me, that if I wished to write a confession of my faith, I could do so with all fullness and satisfaction to myself out of his writings.“[3] “This is why one finds that every four pages written in the Institutes of the Christian Religion John Calvin quoted Augustine. Calvin, for this reason, would deem himself not a Calvinist, but an Augustinian. […] Christian Calvinist, should they be more likely deemed an Augustinian-Calvinist?”[4] Cary concurs, writing, “As a result, Calvinism in particular is sometimes referred to as Augustinianism.”[5]. The theology of Calvinism has been immortalized in the acronym TULIP, which states the five essential doctrines of Total depravity, Unconditional election, Limited atonement, Irresistible grace, and Perseverance of the saints. …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Augustinian_Calvinism
Right now, we focus on Preaching His New Testament Commands ignoring which type of sugar coating preaching has a lot of actual New Testament Bible Verses condemning it though they say it’s a small thing.
I didn’t just read the
Peace to you
Christ Healed and Did Good for Free
Verses:
“… 4But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, 5“Why was this fragrant oil not sold for [b]three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” 6This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it. …” (John 12:6, NKJV)
Comment: Notice that Christ had a “Money Bag” for the “Poor” and only “Judas” (symbolizing a betrayal type of Christianity) took from it at will.
How can Prosperity Gospel justify itself whenever it took more than the need for Luxury/Prosperity and also did NOT give that money to the “Poor” as implied by these Verses in CHRIST’S OWN MINISTRY itself?
Are we following Christ in this? In short, these Verses clearly tell us that after taking their “needs only”, the “money bag collection of Christ and His Apostles” went toward the “Poor”. Can you see it as it is Written here so clearly please?
The Bible Verse above implies this Gospel Rule for “Money Collected in His Name so clearly above” except that Judas was pretending to care for the poor of which the sign of such fake Christianity is that they “take at will like Judas” from it “beyond needs + prosperity + luxury+ equivalent at will”.
The Principle about Following Christ is to “Do Good Works” be it “Healing” (Gifts) or in other things be it Helping the Poor etc, Verse:
“… how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about DOING GOOD and HEALING all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. …” (Acts 10:38, NKJV)
Well, it is CHRIST HIMSELF who COMMANDED the CHARITY DOCTRINE as the Primary for SEEKING HIS KINGDOM in Verses below:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. 36You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING FEAST, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will [z]prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them. 38Whether he COMES IN THE [AA]SECOND WATCH, or EVEN IN THE [AB]THIRD, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 38, NASB)
Christ’s Own Words Warn the possibility of some rich Christians to be “unsaved” or the “loss of reward” to mean not getting a “Heavens level of Reward” in Verses below:
“… 9“And I say to you, MAKE FRIENDS FOR YOURSELVES by UNRIGHTEOUS [D]MAMMON, that when [e]you fail, they may receive you into an EVERLASTING HOME. 10He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11Therefore IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST THE TRUE RICHES? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 13, NKJV)
In another translation:
“… 9Here’s the lesson: USE YOUR WORLDLY RESOURCES to BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE FRIENDS. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an ETERNAL HOME. 10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 12, NLT)
That’s why Christ Warned Clearly that following Him and entering Heaven type of Salvation is Hard for a Rich Man:
“… 21Jesus said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:21 – 24, NKJV)
So why take the Risk?
Peace to you
Last Pastors of God’s Heart Mystery via Prophet Jeremiah
“… I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding …” (Jeremiah 3:14 – 15, NKJV)
Comment: The rest still could be “Pastors of God” but to be a “Pastor of God’s Heart”, we need to Preach the “same” as Prophet Jeremiah. Maybe the phrase in Verses above regarding “… one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. …” shows the rarity of among the believers who will Preach and Believe the “same” message as Prophet Jeremiah. Maybe God is Speaking about the “Hundredfold” type of Rarest Faith here (e.g. Matthew 19:29 agrees).
To understand which “Pastor” Prophet Jeremiah is referring to, such a Pastor must “Preach the same knowledge and understanding” as Prophet Jeremiah which is in Context as follows:
The above with “Bible Verses” from “Jeremiah only”:
Context: I am not saying that Hell doesn’t exist but rather that knowing about it is not going to save someone but rather that they repent to avoid it by turning to the LORD. So, it’s more important to teach the SAME ACTIONS of REPENTANCE that Prophet Jeremiah Taught to PREACH the SAME KNOWLEDGE and WISDOM a PASTOR is told to preach in these Verses which apply also in the New Testament now such as the CHARITY DOCTRINE. The Cancelled or Fulfilled all Testament Laws need not be Preached for observance but for example only. Can you see it please?
In short we cannot quote these Verses and use it for a Topic which Prophet Jeremiah himself never Preached in these WRITTEN VERSES in the Bible. That’s out of context and is a speculation.
“… 34“And as for THE PROPHET AND THE PRIEST and THE PEOPLE who say, ‘THE [J]ORACLE OF THE LORD!’ I WILL EVEN PUNISH THAT MAN and HIS HOUSE. 35Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36And the [k]ORACLE OF THE LORD YOU SHALL MENTION NO MORE. For EVERY MAN’S WORD WILL BE HIS ORACLE, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38But since you say, ‘The [l]oracle of the Lord!’ therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ ” 39therefore behold, I, even I, WILL UTTERLY FORGET YOU and FORSAKE YOU, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. 40And I WILL BRING AN EVERLASTING REPROACH UPON YOU, AND A PERPETUAL SHAME, which SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.’ ” …” (Jeremiah 23:34 – 40, NKJV)
Comment: God’s Principles does “not” Change. You can clearly see the “Hard Judgment” awaiting those who claim “… God told me …” Or equivalent (e.g. “… Oracle of the LORD …”) unless that person really heard from God 100%.
As for me I neither endorse them nor judge them and prefer the “Safe Route Scripturally” which is Commanded by God here as “… 36And the [k]ORACLE OF THE LORD YOU SHALL MENTION NO MORE. For EVERY MAN’S WORD WILL BE HIS ORACLE, …” (Jeremiah 23:36).
This verse allows us to express “out opinions” where since if we don’t claim “… God told me …”, God Seems to be “Lenient” and vice versa. Can you see it please as “it is Written”? (God may give room for error if we are wrong provided we do “not” take His Holy Name in Vain by claiming “… God told me …” In such cases).
I am “not” against Prophecy but please be careful of who you call Prophet and endorse because if they are wrong, these Verses do “not” seem to point lightly as the Principle of “Everlasting Reproach” or “Perpetual Shame” does not sound simple to me.
“… 15“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. 17“But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood, And on practicing oppression and extortion.” … And YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME when YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. …” (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, 29:13, NASB)
Charity Doctrine part in Verses above: “… DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, …” equals to KNOWING GOD as the Verse immediately continues: “… then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. …”
Charity Doctrine is not just with Material Things but also Spiritual Things. So selling Spiritual Things at a high price and merchandising the Gospel for Prosperity beyond “needs etc.” with God’s Money can be Really Dangerous as being the OPPOSITE to KNOWING HIM in Principle of these Bible Verses itself.
The Best is to do it like this as even Apostle St. Paul didn’t have any urgency to leave a secular job as a tentmaker to do Gospel Work (meaning those who claim it must do more than him in relative measure, right? as God has no partiality), Verses:
“… 14Even so the LORD HAS COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should LIVE FROM THE GOSPEL. 15But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; … 18What is MY REWARD then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the GOSPEL OF CHRIST WITHOUT CHARGE, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. …” (1 Corinthians 9:14 – 15, 18, NKJV)
Please don’t misunderstand me.
I am totally “not” fond of Christianity which merchandises the Gospel at high prices because His things are Priceless and thus must be free (as His Command in Matthew 10:8). However God in His Mercy allows Gospel things to be sold if they’re used for ministry + a “Living” (“needs” only not prosperity) for money Collected in His Name as He Said in Verses above (where the Perfect Way is still working a secular job if one can to increase one’s “reward” [please notice this word carefully above] as God Counts in Relative Measure to be Fair to all).
Can you see it as it is Written please?
Conclusion
“… ‘I will not cause My anger to fall on you.
For I am merciful,’ says the Lord;
‘I will not remain angry forever.
13Only acknowledge your iniquity,
That you have transgressed against the Lord your God, And have scattered your [b]charms
To alien deities under every green tree,
And you have not obeyed My voice,’ says the Lord.
14“Return, O backsliding children,” says the Lord; “for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. 15And I will give you shepherds [Pastors] according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding …” (Jeremiah 3:12 – 15, NKJV)
Until a Pastor Preaches the Same Doctrine and Prophet Jeremiah which includes these Verses and more, he may hardly be the Pastor referred to in these Verses as it is Written. Can you see it please?
I repeat, the rest still could be “Pastors of God” but to be a “pastor of God’s Heart”, we need to Preach the “same” as Prophet Jeremiah.
Someone Said: ‘… Charity Doctrine was at the Heart of every Missionary Work of Christ …’.
Peace to you
Poor in Spirit = Trembles at God’s Word and so Inherit the Heavens as their Reward
Verses (Where the Context here is God is “not” interested in who can build a Church/Temple for Him but rather He Wants those who can TREMBLE AT HIS WORD = OBEY HIS COMMANDMENTS):
“… 1Thus says the Lord:
“Heaven is My throne,
And earth is My footstool.
Where is the house that you will build Me?
And where is the place of My rest?
2For all those things My hand has made,
And all those things exist,”
Says the Lord.
“But ON THIS ONE WILL I LOOK:
ON HIM WHO IS POOR and of a CONTRITE SPIRIT,
And WHO TREMBLES AT MY WORD. …” (Isaiah 66:1 – 2, NKJV)
New Testament links:
“… ON HIM WHO IS POOR and of a CONTRITE SPIRIT …” (Isaiah 66:2, NKJV)= “… Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. …” (Matthew 5:3, NKJV)
“… And WHO TREMBLES AT MY WORD. …”(Isaiah 66:2, NKJV) = Do we Tremble at His New Testament Commands likewise be it the Charity Doctrine Commands (Luke 11:41, Luke 12:30 – 34, Luke 16:9 – 11, Matthew 19:25 – 29) against Lawlessness Commands (Matthew 7:20 – 24) to His Holiness Commands (Matthew 19:20 – 24) and even His Personal Conduct and Church Order Commands (e.g. 1 Corinthians 11 to 14, 1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:2)?
The Safe Route Scripturally is to “don’t go beyond what is Written” which is also the Way “PRAISED” by New Testament Scripture which can apply in this Context of “Trembling at His Word”, example Verses:
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
“… 15Therefore, brethren, STAND FAST AND HOLD THE TRADITIONS which you were taught, whether BY WORD OR OUR [H]EPISTLE. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and [i]establish you in EVERY GOOD WORD AND WORK. …” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 17, NKJV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND them of THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
The Septuagint reads the same:
“… 1Thus saith the Lord, Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: what kind of a house will ye build me? and of what kind is to be the place of my rest? 2For all these things are mine, saith the Lord: and TO WHOM WILL I HAVE RESPECT, but TO THE HUMBLE AND MEEK, and THE MAN THAT TREMBLES AT MY WORDS? …” (Isaiah 66:1 – 2, LXX, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/isaiah/66.htm
Peace to you
Mystery of the Sheep of Christ – Signified by its Obedience to His New Testament Commands
“… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:27, NKJV)
The “FOLLOW ME” part = His New Testament Commands.
How does the “PERFECT FOLLOW ME” in Christ’s Definition look like? It’s Described by Christ Himself as follows:
“… 21JESUS SAID TO HIM, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:21 – 24, NKJV
Example COMMANDS from CHRIST HIMSELF:
1) Forgiveness Commands
“… 21Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. … 33Should you not also have had COMPASSION on your fellow servant, JUST AS I HAD PITY ON YOU?’ 34And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [g]his trespasses.” …” (Matthew 18:21 – 22, 33 – 35, NKJV)
2) Church Order Commands
“… If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I WRITE to you are the COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. …” (1 Corinthians 14:37, NKJV)
3) Contentment Command
“… 6Now GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And HAVING FOOD AND CLOTHING, WITH THESE WE SHALL BE CONTENT. 9But those who DESIRE TO BE RICH FALL into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. …” (1 Timothy 6:6 – 9, NKJV)
4) Merciful Conduct Commands
“… 24BLIND GUIDES, who STRAIN OUT A GNAT and SWALLOW A CAMEL! 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and [l]self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. …” (Matthew 23:24 – 26, NKJV)
How?
“… who STRAIN OUT A GNAT …” = In principle, forcing others to live out a high level achievement or difficult work on others or equivalent
“… and SWALLOW A CAMEL! …” = In principle, very easy on themselves where they themselves never achieved the things which they force others to do in this context.
5) Charity Doctrine Commands
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. 36You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING FEAST, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will [z]prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them. 38Whether he COMES IN THE [AA]SECOND WATCH, or EVEN IN THE [AB]THIRD, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 38, NASB)
“… 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:13 – 14, NKJV).
6) Personal Finance Commands to use it to Help Others
“… 9Here’s the lesson: USE YOUR WORLDLY RESOURCES to BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE FRIENDS. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an ETERNAL HOME. 10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 12, NLT)
“… So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Or in another translation:
“… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NKJV)
7) Charity Doctrine for Inner and Outer Sanctification Command
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)
Conclusion
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
“… 46“But WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ and NOT DO THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? 47Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 48, NKJV)
“… 14Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. … 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we NOT PROPHESIED in Your name, CAST OUT DEMONS in Your name, and DONE MANY WONDERS in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’. 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:14, 21 – 23, 24, NKJV)
“… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He MIGHT [G]SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. …” (Ephesians 5:25 – 27, NKJV)
“… BLESSED are those who DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have the RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, and may ENTER THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY. …” (Revelation 22:14, NKJV)
The Greatest Gift of All which we get by Obeying more of His Commands especially His Greatest Commands is this: We live in Fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as follows:
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. … But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU. …” (John 14:23 24, 26, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
May God Help us.
Example of Context: Do the Charity Doctrine Commands apply in the New Testament? Yes as almost all these Verses quoted here are by CHRIST HIMSELF (did you notice this?) and it’s most clear in the Judgment Day Verses below:
“… 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31 – 46, NKJV)
The CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMAND becomes “PERFECT” when it’s done not just toward our family, friends, local church, within the same denomination, toward the same race etc. only which are good starters but eventually it’s Perfect if it reaches even toward our “enemies and those who use us and hate us too” as CHRIST HIMSELF COMMANDS toward THOSE SHEEP WHO WILL LISTEN to HIS VOICE in Verses below:
“… 27“But I SAY TO YOU WHO HEAR: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK THEM BACK. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and YOUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT, and YOU WILL BE SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
Yes, The Verses above by Christ Himself is Full of the CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMANDS such as GIVE, SHARE, LEND MONEY even toward OUR ENEMIES toward “those who will hear” as Christ Remarks beautifully as ‘fake Christians will be unable to hear this and will do the opposite and persecute their enemies either literally, economically or in other ways to preserve their way of life instead of obeying His Command in this’ (can you see it Written on the first line above itself?).
Peace to you
Hell and Charity Doctrine link Mystery – Moses and the Prophets
Source Post (please click on link for an easier reading):
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10161000056007784/
Question
Counting the cost” was a general non-specific reference that applies to just about anything one might be considering. You still haven’t answered the simple question: What are the afterlife consequences for those who rejected the truth and followed evil, if they do not repent before death?
Reply
1) Counting the Cost to Follow Christ
When Teaching Counting the Cost, Christ Taught about the Charity Doctrine (Luke 14). Are you teaching likewise too? Verses:
Yes, few Christians Realize that when Luke 14:33 was Spoken by Christ, He was Speaking the same Context of His ‘Charity Doctrine’ Discourses where He even mentions the ‘Special Mercy to the Poor/Maimed/Blind’ part some ‘Parabolically’ (e.g. the omitted Luke 14:26 – 30 which is the Parable explanation of this same truth, but parabolically regarding Counting the Cost to live out His Commands including this ‘Charity Doctrine Lifestyle’) as per Consecutive Verses below:
“… (12Then He also said to him who invited Him,) “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, NOR RICH NEIGHBORS, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the [First]* RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” … 21So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the STREETS and LANES of the city, and bring in here the POOR and the MAIMED and the LAME and the BLIND.’ 22And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still THERE IS ROOM.’ 23Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the HIGHWAYS and HEDGES, and COMPEL THEM to COME IN, that MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED. 24For I say to you that NONE of those men who were INVITED shall taste MY SUPPER.’ ” … … So LIKEWISE, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. …” (Luke 14:12 – 14, 21 – 24, 33, NKJV)
2) Consequence of Hell
The consequence is Hell if they don’t repent but Luke 16 makes it clear that a person is not saved or Unsaved due to believing in Hell (as most likely even Lazarus may not have known of the existence of Hell) but someone is saved based on whether they Practiced the “Charity Doctrine” or if they are the “neglected poor” (like Lazarus), such may get special Mercy as Luke 14’s Parable of the Wedding Feast also hints. Let God Decide.
Verses for these claims:
3) Hell for those who didn’t Practice the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle
“… 19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. … The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19 – 31, NKJV)
4) Possible Salvation toward the “Poor” by “Relative Measure” who are discriminated by this World and not shown Mercy
“… 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19 – 31, NKJV)
“… 21So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the STREETS and LANES of the city, and bring in here the POOR and the MAIMED and the LAME and the BLIND.’ … 24For I say to you that NONE of those men who were INVITED shall taste MY SUPPER.’ ” … … So LIKEWISE, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. …” (Luke 14:12 – 14, 21, 24, 33, NKJV)
5) Special Mercy to the Poor in the Famous Messianic Prophecy of Psalm 22
This ‘Special Mercy on the Poor’ is clearly Hinted Mysteriously as Part of the Messianic Prophecy regarding Christ as follows:
“… 1My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, … 16For dogs have surrounded Me; The congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They[f] pierced My hands and My feet; 17I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. 18They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots. … 21Save Me from the lion’s mouth And from the horns of the wild oxen! You have answered Me. … 26THE POOR SHALL EAT and BE SATISFIED; Those who seek Him will praise the Lord. Let your heart live forever! 27All the ends of the world Shall remember and turn to the Lord, And all the families of the [i]nations Shall worship before [j]You. …”(Psalm 22:1, 16 – 18, 21, 26 – 27, NKJV)
Special Mercy on the Poor part (as this Messianic Prophecy has many other aspects/mysteries too): “… 26THE POOR SHALL EAT and BE SATISFIED; …” (Psalm 22:26, NKJV) which is the same Context of the Messianic Feast of the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6) when Christ “Begins to Reign” (Revelation 11:17, NASB, NIV) for a 1000 years literally on Earth when He has Returned as Prophet Isaiah describes this Feast too as follows:
“… 6And in this mountain The Lord of hosts will make for all people A feast of [c]choice pieces, A feast of [d]wines on the lees, Of fat things full of marrow, Of well-refined wines on the lees. 7And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations. 8He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; …” (Isaiah 25:6 – 8, NKJV)
6) Idol concepts of God do not focus on Helping the Poor and Needy
In this Context of Helping the “POOR and NEEDY” with their “needs” freely (example of being ‘thirsty & in need of water’ being presented), the GOD of ISRAEL Says that He Will Give them that Signifying it with the LATTER END PROPHECIES (of His Messianic Kingdom of the First Resurrection and beyond, Context here) and contrasts that the “false idols” (including false concepts against the True God of Israel) will ‘not’ bother or focus on fulfilling these needs of the POOR and NEEDY freely, Verses:
“… 17“The POOR and NEEDY SEEK WATER, but there is none,
Their tongues fail for THIRST.
I, THE LORD, WILL HEAR THEM;
I, the GOD OF ISRAEL, WILL NOT FOSRSAKE THEM.
18I will open rivers in desolate heights,
And fountains in the midst of the valleys;
I will make the wilderness a pool of water,
And the dry land springs of water.
19I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree,
The myrtle and the oil tree;
I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine
And the box tree together,
20That they may see and know,
And consider and understand together,
That the hand of the Lord has done this,
And the Holy One of Israel has created it.
21“Present your case,” says the Lord.
“Bring forth your strong reasons,” says the King of Jacob.
22“Let them bring forth and show us what will happen;
Let them show the former things, what they were,
That we may [f]consider them,
And KNOW THE LATTER END OF THEM;
Or declare to us THINGS TO COME …” (Isaiah 41:17 – 22, NKJV)
Note: Please notice carefully that God Contrasts Himself against “idols” in this Chapter and interestingly calls Himself the “God of Israel” in the “Context” of “HELPING the POOR and NEEDY” and so the opposite ‘idol concepts of God’ would ignore this aspect and true concepts/doctrine about God will do this. Can you see it please as it is Prophesied by God Himself toward the “LATTER END” regarding the “THINGS TO COME” too as it is Written in Verses above?
In short, the Doctrine that neglects to fulfill the needs of the Poor and Needy does not belong to the God of Israel but is part of the “Idols”. So are we following the God of Israel’s Christianity or the “Idol” type of Prosperity hype & ignoring the Poor?
Also the CHARITY DOCTRINE is not about giving material things for free to the poor only but also the GOSPEL THINGS too which is discussed in detail in post in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160996201987784/?substory_index=0
7) Do we Respect God and His Covenant?
Respecting the Covenant of God is directly evidenced by Helping the POOR and NEEDY and the OPPRESED by removing CRUELTY and hence they PRAISE GOD when you do so
“… 20HAVE RESPECT to THE COVENANT; For the [f]dark places of the earth are full of the [g]haunts of [h]CRUELTY. 21Oh, do not let the OPPRESED return ashamed! Let the POOR and NEEDY praise Your name. …” (Psalm 74:20 – 21, NKJV)
It can be inferred here too that ‘the Greater the Respect for God’s Covenant one has, one might HELP the POOR, NEEDY and OPPRESED more to be relived of the CRUELTY they suffer be it materialistically, physically, spiritually, economically, financially etc. ‘.
8) Do these Old Testament Verses apply in the New Covenant Times now?
Yes, because this is part of the Context of “Moses and the Prophets” referring to the “Charity Doctrine part” which the “Rich Man” failed to do that caused him to go to Hell (punishment regions of Hades) as Christ’s only Description of a Literal Hell in Luke 16:19 – 31, Verses:
“… 27“Then he said, ‘I beg you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house, 28for I have five brothers, that he may testify to them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’ 29Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:27 – 29, NKJV)
9) Could someone say who believes in a Christ Centered Universalism or who never heard of hell but if they have heard of the “Eternal Hell” message be Saved because of that?
In the last reply in Luke 16 itself Christ Makes it clear that even if they would have heard the “Message of the Gospel / Prophets or Hell” be it from a “dead person who went there being raised to life”, they still would “not” Repent.
In contrast, it is also implied here that such a “repentant person” on the other hand would believe “Moses and the Prophets” (where not one writing of Moses nor the Old Testament Prophets speak of any afterlife Hell Description like this literally).
In other Words a “Saving Faith” that is pointed to in Context here refers to the “Doctrine Taught by Moses and the Prophets” which clearly does “not” include a vivid descriptive Hell like this & many of the Old Testament Faithful never wrote nor knew of the existence of such a place as evidenced by the Jewish Traditions too.
Some Old Testament Writings such as Daniel 12:2 seem to point to “Everlasting Shame” but no details of how or what it is proving that believing in the Judgment of God is sufficient without knowing the details.
If we take Moses (whom Christ Mentions explicitly), in his writings there is no vivid description of Hell in the afterlife either. So this proves that believing in Hell (as per the Insightful Prophet Daniel’s Wisdom in Daniel 12:2) or not knowing it exists also (as the case of Moses’ Writings) does “not” save anyone.
Conclusion – Saving Doctrine from Hell is the “Charity Doctrine” in “Christ”
Yes, then which “Doctrine” Saves them via Obedience in True Repentance?
This passage (Luke 16:19 – 31) is clear namely in that we need to teach these two things only when we “Preach Hell:”
Any part of “Moses and the Prophets” which Speak of Hell especially in the Context of Practicing the “Charity Doctrine” which the “Rich Man” failed and went to “Hell” literally (this is the ‘only Context’ which is Written in Luke 16:19 – 31 by CHRIST HIMSELF – Can you see it Written Please?)
Verse for this part in Luke 16:
“… 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. …” – The KING, Luke 16:25, NKJV)
Yes, the reason for being Saved or Unsaved is very clear in this only vivid description of Hel in Holy Scripture by Christ Himself namely whether one practiced the Charity Doctrine or not whilst being rich and the special Mercy to the poor if they were discriminated by the world and suffered literally by “Relative Measure” (God Will Decide each case Fairly). Verse for this from Luke 16:
“… 19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. … 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19 – 22, 24 – 25, NKJV)
Judgment Day Verses below (by Christ too) agrees Perfectly as it does “not” even state any of the ‘other acts of righteousness such as praying, fasting etc.’ but ALMSGIVING only because without ALMSGIVING of the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE, God is not interested in our religious works, Verses:
“… 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘LORD, WHEN DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY and FEED YOU, OR THIRSTY AND GIVE YOU DRINK? 38When did we SEE YOU A STRANGER AND TAKE YOU IN, or NAKED AND CLOTHE YOU? 39Or when did we see YOU SICK, OR IN PRISON, AND COME TO YOU?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘ASSUREDLY, I SAY TO YOU, INASMUCH AS YOU DID IT TO ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU DID IT TO ME.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME NO FOOD; I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME NO DRINK; 43I WAS A STRANGER and YOU DID NOT TAKE ME IN, NAKED and YOU DID NOT CLOTHE ME, SICK and IN PRISON AND YOU DID NOT VISIT ME.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31 – 46, NKJV)
Please allow me to repeat: Without ALMSGIVING of the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE toward the POOR and NEEDT, God is not interested in our religious works (such as Prayer + fasting etc.), and this is NOT “my opinion” or “interpretation” but literal “Bible Verses” (as God’s Principles does “not” Change), example below:
“… Why have WE FASTED,’ they say, ‘and YOU HAVE NOT SEEN? Why have WE AFFLICTED OUR SOULS, and YOU TAKE NO NOTICE?’ … 6“IS THIS NOT THE FAST THAT I HAVE CHOSEN: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the [c]heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7Is it not to SHARE YOUR BREAD with the HUNGRY, And that you bring to your house THE POOR who are cast out; When you see THE NAKED, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from YOUR OWN FLESH? 8Then YOUR LIGHT shall break forth like the MORNING, YOUR HEALING shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ …” (Isaiah 58:3, 6 – 9, NKJV)
Did you notice that the FAST that GOD HAS CHOSEN is the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE consisting of these CHARITY DOCTRINE Acts only:
Example: Help those who are bullied by evil or Strong Law Enforcement against Criminals.
Example: Help people financially with their debts or if they suffer financially. Don’t overwork your employees taking big profits & paying them tit bits in comparison though it’s legal and done by worldly people.
iii) To let the oppressed go free,
Example: Forgive people of financial debts or show mercy to foreigners who are oppressed in their homeland.
Example: Treat people fairly and pay them fairly without discrimination of trying to give low wages just because others don’t have economic power and giving special favours to those of the same race causing say this yoke of racism as a burden toward others who deserve it more.
Example: Buy food for the poor, orphans and homeless etc. not just physical food needs to be shared but spiritual food too for “free” to fulfill this Charity Doctrine aspect as discussed in detail in an earlier post below with “other Bible Verses” too:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160996201987784/?substory_index=0
Example: Allow the poor to stay with you in your house.
vii) When you see THE NAKED, that you cover him,
Example: Do Charitable Giving when you see someone needy living on the streets even if you could do nothing more due to lack of finance or lack of support.
viii) And not hide yourself from YOUR OWN FLESH?
Example: Don’t keep away from your own family. If you have invited your family to come and live with you to practice these Charity Doctrine Acts toward others but they refuse and seek their own desires of prosperity or other fantasies, then it’s not your fault as it is them who is keeping away from you.
“… 1Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, 2by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that He was seen by [a]Cephas, then by the twelve. 6After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have [b]fallen asleep. 7After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. 8Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time. 9For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. …” – Blessed St. Paul, Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles (1 Corinthians 15:1 – 11, NKJV)
“… 7But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8(for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9and when James, [c]Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10They desired only that we should REMEMBER THE POOR, the very thing which I also was eager to do. …” – Blessed St. Paul, Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:7 – 10, NKJV)
Can you see it as it is Written Please in the above?
The “only Apostolic Preaching of the Gospel” described in Verses above consists not of ‘other gits be it speaking in tongues, healing prophesying etc.’ which are “good” but “not” necessary (according to 1 Corinthians 12:27 – 30) but rather it consists only of these two “mandatory” things (which is NOT an option) namely:
Note: Please notice that they “… 0They [the PILLARS, APOSTLES, Galatians 2:9 above] … ONLY DESIRED … that we should REMEMBER THE POOR,” whenever we ‘Preach the Gospel’. The “only” part settles it as necessary and sufficient. Nothing else matters or is greater. This is the “True Preaching of the Gospel” and Blessed are the Christians and Churches which DO and TEACH this (Matthew 5:19).
Summary
So are we Teaching “True Repentance” on how to escape Hell based on this two Points only (i.e. Believe in “Christ” and do the “Charity Doctrine” as Moses and the Prophets Wrote agreeing with the Context of Points Stated in Luke 16:19 – 31 too?) This is what we need to focus on and it’s sufficient for True Repentance.
The Consequence of erring in these aspects is Hell. Yes, but the saved ones and the Prophets did not teach of this “description of Hell” for those who heard them to be saved. They Preached the Charity Doctrine without practicing which the rich man went to hell. So, are we preaching the Charity Doctrine so that people don’t go to Hell as signified in this “Rich man and Lazarus” story?
In short, you are not saved by believing a description of Hell but rather whether or not you practiced the Charity Doctrine (if you are rich) and if you are poor (like Lazarus), by “Relative Measure” you could find God’s Mercy as Christ Himself clearly Describes this in Luke 16:19 – 31’s only vivid Literal description of Hell in Scripture.
That’s why we emphasize and Preach the Charity Doctrine part of “Moses and the Prophets too” beyond “believing Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ as the Messiah” as clearly implied in these Verses for someone to have “True Repentance” to escape Hell for this Safe Route Scripturally.
In short: Please teach them how to avoid Hell by Repenting with the Charity Doctrine as you are not saved by knowing whether Hell was there are not before you die as most likely Lazarus did “not” know the existence of Hell. But what we need to know and practice to avoid Hell is the Charity Doctrine type of Repentance and that’s why the Focus on the Doctrine of Hell Preaching needs to be this and nothing else as it is Written in Luke 16:19 – 31.
Peace to you
Good Works is the Sign of Repentance
Good Works refers primarily to the Charity Doctrine according to the Judgment Verses (Matthew 25:31 – 46).
Verse (in image too), Romans 2:7 in a few Translations below:
Berean Literal Bible
to those who indeed with endurance in good work are seeking glory and honor and immortality, eternal life;
King James Bible
To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
New King James Version
eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality;
New American Standard Bible
to those who by perseverance in doing good seek glory, honor, and immortality, He will give eternal life;
Apostle St. Paul is repeating what Christ Said below:
“… 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have DONE GOOD, unto the RESURRECTION of LIFE; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, (John 5:28 – 29, KJV)
Note: nothing wrong in seeking “Glory and Immortality whilst doing Good Works” according to this same Verse too.
Peace to you
Charity Doctrine Lifestyle Gospel Commands Mystery – What Really Gives Glory to God?
Source Post (please click for an easier reading):
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160996201987784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
If I have a last Sermon or Bible Sharing, this entire post would be it.
1) A Sole Condition which Gives Glory to God is that “whatever” we do must “BENEFIT OTHERS”
The Bible is very clear that “what gives Glory to God” is only things (earthly or spiritual) which “BENEFITS OTHERS”, Verse:
“… 30But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks 31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. 32Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I also PLEASE ALL MEN IN ALL THINGS, NOT SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT, BUT THE PROFIT OF MANY, that they may be saved. …” (1 Corinthians 10:30 – 33, NKJV)
Context: So “… WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. …” (1 Corinthians 10:31) refer to “Give Glory to God” as long as you are doing it to “… PLEASE ALL MEN IN ALL THINGS, NOT SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT, BUT THE PROFIT OF MANY, that they may be saved. …” (1 Corinthians 10:33, NKJV) in Verses above?
So “pleasing men” is allowed if our intention is good which is to hope for them to be “Saved” and if it BENEFITS/PROFITS MANY.
2) Sharing Spiritual Things
This is why I like Pastors who put their Sermons or Stream their Church Gatherings on Facebook or equivalent because these are sharing their spiritual things freely for anyone to BENEFIT from and thus are truly fulfilling the condition of BENEFITING MANY by NOT SEEKING OWN PROFIT whilst doing so which can only be attained in FREE GIVING/SHARING and thus brings “Glory to God” as 1 Corinthians 10:30 – 33 above.
I don’t like Churches which are hard to reach especially for the poor where they only allow their personal church members to attend even online because such a practice is against this Verse below which clearly describes that a Church must be accessible even to the “Unbeliever” to the point that they can “Walk in” and “observe”, Verse (not opinions of men):
“… Therefore if the WHOLE CHURCH COMES TOGETHER in ONE PLACE, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or UNBELIEVERS, will they not say that you are out of your mind? …” (1 Corinthians 14:23, NKJV)
Some Churches do “not” allow non-members to attend their Sunday Gatherings which clearly contradicts 1 Corinthians 14:23 above. Also, some will claim that they’re scared if anything wrong the pastor says can be recorded or quoted by others say during preaching and so that’s why they don’t allow easy Church access to the public even when it’s online. This clearly contradicts the Verse below too because why scared if you a pastor can Preach wrong (solution: just admit it and change, simple as that or the rest no need to judge), Verses:
“… 19But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; 20for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:19 – 20, NKJV)
Christ Commanded this as follows:
“… Freely you have received, freely give. …” – God in Flesh, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:8, NKJV)
I am “not” fond of Prosperity Christianity which Gives so little when measured in “Relative Measure” (as they receive far more than what they give/share, God Counts as per the case of the Poor Widow with 2 coins, in Luke 21:1 – 4 or the early church examples in 2 Corinthians 8:1 – 7 and so big givings in amount may not be much when given out of great abundance as Christ Himself remarked as follows):
“… 1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3So He [The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ] said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in MORE THAN ALL; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of HER POVERTY put in ALL THE LIVELIHOOD THAT SHE HAD. …” (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
Since God Counts our Giving based on what we receive or in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words “… 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, …”, we ought to take note too if we truly seek to “Please Him” in “this Grace” (2 Corinthians 8:7). Being imperfect we cannot do a little bigger giving all the time but at least once would suffice at a deeper level while if other times lesser too so that we can experience true giving & also at least we know this which should humble us.
I am totally “not” fond of Christianity which merchandises the Gospel at high prices because His things are Priceless and thus must be free (as His Command in Matthew 10:8). However God in His Mercy allows Gospel things to be sold if they’re used for ministry + a “Living” (“needs” only not prosperity) for money Collected in His Name as He Said in Verses below (where the Perfect Way is still working a secular job if one can to increase one’s “reward” [please notice this word carefully in the below] as God Counts in Relative Measure to be Fair to all):
“… 14Even so the LORD HAS COMMANDED that those who preach the gospel should LIVE FROM THE GOSPEL. 15But I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; … 18What is MY REWARD then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the GOSPEL OF CHRIST WITHOUT CHARGE, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. …” (1 Corinthians 9:14 – 15, 18, NKJV)
I have heard of some Christianity which even highly prices “His things” and never gives free telling people that they must buy at high price to honour God which is “not” Written in any Bible Verse and in fact the opposite of “Giving it free” or doing “ministry or any work for lower wages of the Context of Living (“needs”) from the Gospel only” is the HIGHEST WAY to EMULATE CHRIST in these Commands too as these quoted Verses all Describe clearly as it is Written.
3) Sharing Earthly Things
Material (Earthly Things sharing) is also considered equivalent to sharing spiritual things as it’s not the things but your attitude which is revealed as “Carrying your Cross” to “lay down your life” according to what’s given to you and “BENEFITS OTHERS” as 1 Corinthians 10:30 – 33 earlier also agrees as the Sole Condition Context required to “bring Glory to God” as this is the “Law of Christ”, related, Verses:
“… Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24, NKJV)
“… So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. …” (Luke 14:33, NASB)
“… Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. …” (Galatians 6:2, NKJV)
This Verse below also explains this “NEW TESTAMENT COMMAND” clearly:
“… 17COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
“… 12Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, NOR RICH NEIGHBORS, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” …” (Luke 14:12 – 14, NKJV)
Literal Example in the Bible for this “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle”:
“… 5And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up [a]and saw him, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, [b]make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” 6So he [c]made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. 7But when they saw it, they all [d]complained, saying, “He has gone to be a guest WITH A MAN WHO IS A SINNER.” 8Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “LOOK, LORD, I GIVE HALF OF MY GOODS TO THE POOR; AND IF I HAVE TAKEN ANYTHING FROM ANYONE BY FALSE ACCUSATION, I RESTORE FOURFOLD.” 9And JESUS SAID TO HIM, “TODAY SALVATION HAS COME TO THIS HOUSE, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10for THE SON OF MAN has come TO SEEK AND TO SAVE THAT WHICH WAS LOST.” …” (Luke 19:5 – 9, NKJV)
This is how Salvation looks like to a rich man who truly believes in Christ (a Biblical example above).
“… 36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named TABITHA, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was FULL OF GOOD WORKS AND CHARITABLE DEEDS which SHE DID. 37But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. … 40But Peter put them all out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord. …” (Acts 9:36 – 37, 40 – 42, NKJV)
Please notice that Tabitha was Saved when she believed in Christ and did lived this Charity Doctrine Lifestyle except that she was raised back to life again. This itself proved that believing in Christ and after that striving to live in holiness + a Charity Doctrine Lifestyle is enough for Salvation and is PRAISED by HOLY NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE in Verses above.
iii) The Living Christian Example
Even the “Godliness” Condition for a “Widow” included this “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” in “family & beyond” as these phrases in Verses below clearly prove namely “… 10WELL REPORTED FOR GOOD WORKS: if she has BROUGHT UP CHILDREN, if SHE HAS LODGED STRANGERS, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has RELIEVED THE AFFLICTED, IF SHE HAS DILIGENTLY FOLLOWED EVERY GOOD WORK.“, to quote in full:
“… 9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10WELL REPORTED FOR GOOD WORKS: if she has BROUGHT UP CHILDREN, if SHE HAS LODGED STRANGERS, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has RELIEVED THE AFFLICTED, IF SHE HAS DILIGENTLY FOLLOWED EVERY GOOD WORK. 11But [c]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12having condemnation because they have CAST OFF THEIR FIRST [D]FAITH. …” (1 Timothy 5:9 – 12, NKJV)
4) Sola Fide (“Faith Alone”) and the “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle”
Almsgiving Lifestyle is “not” the Work of the Law which is nullified but part of the “Doctrine of Sanctification” together with Prayer + Fasting as even the Inspired Author of Sola Fide (or “Faith Alone”) Apostle St. Paul himself Practiced for “Purification” (or “Sanctification“), as described in “New Testament Verses” below:
“… 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I WORSHIP THE GOD OF MY FATHERS, BELIEVING ALL THINGS which are WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (Acts of the Apostles, 24:14 – 21, NKJV)
This “Doctrine of Inner Sanctification” from “Lawlessness within of Greed & Evil/Wickedness” by Doing Almsgiving/Charity Doctrine is Taught by CHRIST HIMSELF (so let’s “Follow Christ and not men” please in this), Verses:
“… (39Then the Lord said to him), “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP AND DISH CLEAN, but your INWARD part is full of GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the INSIDE also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS [CHARITY] of SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS are CLEAN to you. . …” – The KING, The Holiest One, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
Related Verses which may shed light on this Mystery of Sanctification in Almsgiving by fulfilling the Father’s Will in Christ’s Command above, please consider:
“… Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS, and THINE INIQUITIES BY SHEWING MERCY TO THE POOR; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. …” – Blessed Prophet Daniel (Daniel 4:27, KJV based on the Masoretic Text)
Source: https://biblehub.com/daniel/4-27.htm
Compare:
” … 27Therefore, O king, let my counsel please thee, and ATONE FOR THY SINS BY ALMS, and THINE INIQUITIES BY COMPASSION ON THE POOR: it may be God will be long-suffering to thy trespasses.” … – Blessed Prophet Daniel (Daniel 4:27, Brenton Septuagint Translation, based on the Septuagint or LXX)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/daniel/4.htm
Note: Prophet Daniel is considered one of the “wisest Prophet of God” to have ever lived, example Verse which possibly compares him to “Lucifer” too below (where even if the verse below doesn’t refer to Lucifer allegorically but just the Prince of Tyre, Prophet Daniel’s Gift of Wisdom to understand such rarely known Mysteries say on Almsgiving which is almost unique to him in Daniel 4:27 as different prophets bring in Wisdom in different Areas of emphasis which also agrees to CHRIST’S OWN POWERFUL quote on ALMSGIVING in Luke 11:41 earlier that may be understood as ‘very important’ in light of this reason too):
“… 3(Behold, you are wiser than Daniel! There is no secret that can be hidden from you! …” (Ezekiel 28:3, NKJV)
And so such a ‘Hidden Wisdom’ of the Torah regarding Almsgiving which we see in Prophet Daniel’s Words above agreeing to Christ’s may reflect such rare “Pearls” of “Wisdom” by Christ Himself (e.g. Luke 11:41) and so please don’t waste your time trying to convince those who are not interested in it, example Verses:
“… 6“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:6, NKJV)
Note: “Swine” is a “Selfish animal” which thinks of no other but itself. Dogs are loyal to food (equivalently prosperity) as the same dog can be loyal to a rapist or murderer too just because he gives him food unable to discern good from evil.
5) Charity Doctrine Lifestyle for a “Gold” Reward Level Faith in Christ
Secret: Is Almsgiving Closely related to the “Gold Level Reward” in “Heaven”?
“… 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with GOLD, SILVER, PRECIOUS STONES, wood, hay, straw, 13each one’s work will become clear; FOR THE DAY WILL DECLARE IT, because IT WILL BE REVEALED BY FIRE [Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:11 – 15]; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, YET SO AS THROUGH FIRE. …” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15, NKJV)
Example: Almsgiving is closely related to the “Reward of Gold” referred to in 1 Corinthians 3:15 above. The “Lukewarm Church” is the “Prosperity Gospel” Church which “… says, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ …” (as no other sin is mentioned of them say sexual immorality or anything else as Christ Warned the other Churches in Revelation) but yet Christ Calls them to “Repent” (meaning that they’re not necessarily Saved) in Verses below where they are exhorted to buy “spiritual gold refined in fire” to be truly “rich with Eternal Treasure in the heavens” with the “Charity Doctrine Works” (e.g. Luke 12:30 – 34, Matthew 6:1 – 5) instead of the “earthly gold” they had, Verses:
“… 14“And to the [i]angel of the church [j]of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15“I KNOW YOUR WORKS, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16So then, because YOU ARE LUKEWARM, and neither [k]cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17Because you say, ‘I AM RICH, HAVE BECOME WEALTHY, and HAVE NEED OF NOTHING’—and do not know that YOU ARE WRETCHED, MISERABLE, POOR, BLIND, AND NAKED— 18I counsel you to BUY FROM ME GOLD REFINED IN THE FIRE, that YOU MAY BE RICH; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten.[l] Therefore be [m]zealous and repent. 20Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 21To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.22“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:14 – 22, NKJV)
“… Therefore I say to you, HER SINS, which are MANY, ARE FORGIVEN, for SHE LOVED MUCH. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47, NKJV)
“… And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE will COVER a MULTITUDE OF SINS.” …”(1 Peter 4:8, NKJV)
“… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He MIGHT [G]SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. …” (Ephesians 5:25 – 27, NKJV)
Yes, Sanctified by His Word refers to DOING HIS NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS as no point in quoting ‘Cancelled Verses’. Yes, Some parts of the Torah passes away and is “not” Eternal but to that Old Testament age/Aeon/Olam only
“… In that He says, “ A NEW COVENANT,” He has MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready TO VANISH AWAY. …” (Hebrews 8:13, NKJV)
“… SANCTIFY them by Your truth. YOUR WORD is truth. …” (John 17:17, NKJV)
“… BLESSED are those who DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have the RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, and may ENTER THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY. …” (Revelation 22:14, NKJV)
In full:
“… 12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [f]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO [G]DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have the right to the TREE OF LIFE, and may ENTER THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY. 15[h]But OUTSIDE are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” …” (Revelation 22:14 – 16, NKJV)
6) Warning Others Responsibility
If you have Warned them “in words only” but they don’t listen, your work is done and you are Saved, Verses:
“… When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; BUT HIS BLOOD I WILL REQUIRE AT YOUR HAND. Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but YOU HAVE DELIVERED YOUR SOUL. …” (Ezekiel 33:8 – 9, NKJV)
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
Comment: The “First and Last” Ranking of His Kingdom links to being “Least or Greatest” in His Kingdom which is closely related to “doing and teaching” His New Testament “Commands” not Prophecy interpretation, flat earth vs spherical earth or other things (as Matthew 5:19 above Describe Clearly – can you see it?).
7) Is Charity Doctrine Lifestyle equivalent to Martyrdom?
The phrase “lay down our lives” (which signifies an equivalence to Martyrdom) is clearly Revealed in Verses below toward a Christian who Voluntarily lives out the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle.
“… 16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, AND SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …” (1 John 3:10 – 18, NKJV)
The Desire of the Apostolic Calling is Preach the Gospel while “remembering the Poor” which may also signify which type of “Gospel Preaching” is the Apostolic one namely one that “remembers the poor” by helping them via the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle by Sharing FREELY both the Spiritual things and Physical things toward them:
“… THEY (Pillars, Apostles) DESIRED only that we should REMEMBER THE POOR, the very thing which I also was eager to do. …” (Galatians 2:10, NKJV)
Example: Please give some of God’s Gift to you be it a spiritual gift or material gift toward others (Christians or non-Christians for free without selling them) to Practice this New Testament Command of Christ as so many verses quoted here prove (e.g. Matthew 10:8 for Spiritual Things and Luke 11:41 for Earthly Material things both of these quotes by CHRIST HIMSELF). Whether or not they receive it or share with others, the judgment is passed on to them as the Watchman Verses in Ezekiel 33:6, 8 prove whilst we are saved after warning them “in words only” to do likewise. As the “Relative Measure” verses Speak too (e.g. Luke 21:1 – 4), your part is done and is rewardable in His Glorious Kingdom.
Please remember that Salvation in Christ itself is a “Free Gift of God” to us which is “the Greatest Act of Charity” and thus likewise this proves the utmost importance of the Charity Doctrine in any type of True Gospel Work. Can you see it?
8) What about other Doctrinal Differences?
Here are some Verses from Ezekiel 14:
“… 9“And if the prophet is induced to speak anything, I the Lord have induced that prophet, and I will stretch out My hand against him and destroy him from among My people Israel. …” (Ezekiel 14:9, NKJV)
So, I don’t judge those who claim that or approve them necessarily but keep neutral as Christ allows us the choice to not Judge (Matthew 7:1 – 3).
This is “not” a small sin as some think but it’s described as follows more clearly in Jeremiah:
“… 34“And as for THE PROPHET AND THE PRIEST and THE PEOPLE who say, ‘THE [J]ORACLE OF THE LORD!’ I WILL EVEN PUNISH THAT MAN and HIS HOUSE. 35Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36And the [k]ORACLE OF THE LORD YOU SHALL MENTION NO MORE. For EVERY MAN’S WORD WILL BE HIS ORACLE, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38But since you say, ‘The [l]oracle of the Lord!’ therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ ” 39therefore behold, I, even I, WILL UTTERLY FORGET YOU and FORSAKE YOU, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. 40And I WILL BRING AN EVERLASTING REPROACH UPON YOU, AND A PERPETUAL SHAME, which SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.’ ” …” (Jeremiah 23:34 – 40, NKJV)
Comment: God’s Principles does “not” Change. You can clearly see the “Hard Judgment” awaiting those who claim “… God told me …” Or equivalent (e.g. “… Oracle of the LORD …”) unless that person really heard from God 100%.
As for me I neither endorse them nor judge them and prefer the “Safe Route Scripturally” which is Commanded by God here as “… 36And the [k]ORACLE OF THE LORD YOU SHALL MENTION NO MORE. For EVERY MAN’S WORD WILL BE HIS ORACLE, …” (Jeremiah 23:36).
This verse allows us to express “out opinions” where since if we don’t claim “… God told me …”, God Seems to be “Lenient” and vice versa. Can you see it please as “it is Written”? (God may give room for error if we are wrong provided we do “not” take His Holy Name in Vain by claiming “… God told me …” In such cases).
I am “not” against Prophecy but please be careful of who you call Prophet and endorse because if they are wrong, these Verses do “not” seem to point lightly as the Principle of “Everlasting Reproach” or “Perpetual Shame” does not sound simple to me.
“… 12The word of the Lord came again to me, saying: 13“Son of man, when a land sins against Me by persistent unfaithfulness, I will stretch out My hand against it; I will cut off its supply of bread, send famine on it, and cut off man and beast from it. 14Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God. …” (Ezekiel 14:12 – 14, NKJV)
God Quotes these Three only when He Spoke of Righteousness and Daniel has that deep wisdom on the Charity Doctrine Mystery as it is Written in Daniel 4:27.
9) The Good Samaritan Parable
“… 25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?” 26He said to him, “What is WRITTEN IN THE LAW? What is YOUR READING OF IT?” 27So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ ” 28And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” 29But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?” 30Then JESUS ANSWERED and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had COMPASSION. 34So he went to him and BANDAGED HIS WOUNDS, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and TOOK CARE OF HIM. 35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘TAKE CARE OF HIM; and WHATEVER MORE YOU SPEND, when I come again, I WILL REPAY YOU.’ 36So which of these three do you think was NEIGHBOR to him who fell among the thieves? 37And he said, “He who SHOWED MERCY on him.” Then JESUS SAID to him, “GO AND DO LIKEWISE.”…” (Luke 10:25 – 37, NKJV)
In another place this same command of “Love God and then your neighbor” (with Literal earthly Charity Doctrine Acts as Christ Described Parable above) where Jews and Samaritans are “enemies even” is told by Christ Himself (and not men) in Verses below as that there is NO GREATER COMMANDMENT of God which we can teach another Human Being, Verses:
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
Perhaps that’s why Christ Mysteriously Echoed the Answer to the Question above “…what SHALL I DO to INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? …” (Luke 10:25, KJV) as the “Charity Doctrine” as described in the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:26 – 27). Please take note that “Samaritans” do “not” have a Correct Concept of God according to Christ Himself in Verse below:
“… 7A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink.” 8For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9Then the woman of Samaria said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. … 19The woman said to Him, “Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship.” 21Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. 23But the HOUR IS COMING, and NOW IS, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.” 26JESUS said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” …” (John 4:7 – 8, 19 – 24, KJV)
The phrase “…22You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship …” (John 4:22) means that a “Samaritan” represents an “imperfect Christian doctrinally” and/or a “non-Christian” Symbolically. So this imperfect Christian/non-Christian (or Samaritan) described parabolically here who does not know the True God who did the “Charity Doctrine” as per the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” might attain to his reward to “inherit the Eternal Life” by Christ’s Mercy (Luke 10:25 – 27) if we combine these Verses to understand it which agrees with the Cornelius example prior to him becoming a Christian too.
“… 25Verily, verily, I say unto you, The HOUR IS COMING, and NOW IS, WHEN THE DEAD SHALL HEAR the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 26For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 28Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have DONE GOOD, unto the RESURRECTION of LIFE; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. …” (John 5:25 – 29, KJV)
10) A Possible Warning
Are we Fulfilling the Great Commission?
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
This part of the Great Commission is overlooked much “… 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; …” and may mark the difference between the thirty-fold, sixty-fold Vs Hundredfold converts.
This is “not” an Out of Context quoting of Scripture as the same Context above of ‘building the House on the Rock of Christ’ = Building a Faith by Doing His Commands without which the risk of “Lawlessness” exists is Echoed clearly in the Great Denial Verses below (where “Many” converts based on Prophesying, Casting out Demons, Miracles are Rejected in an End Time Christianity which accomplishes this as it Asks Christ when He Returns on ‘That Day’):
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
The absence of the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle may signify someone to be unsaved according to these Verses:
“… 20If someone says, “I LOVE GOD,” and HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21And this commandment we have from Him: that HE WHO LOVES GOD MUST LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO. …” (1 John 4:20 – 21, NKJV)
“… 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE in WORD or in TONGUE, but in DEED and in truth. …” (1 John 3:17 – 18, NKJV)
Alternately such ones may face possibly lesser Inheritance in the Kingdom of they hoard:
“… So is he who LAYS UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF, and is NOT RICH TOWARD GOD. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:21, NKJV)
A Warning:
“… 1Come now, YOU RICH, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your GOLD and SILVER are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will EAT YOUR FLESH LIKE FIRE. You have HEAPED up TREASURE in the LAST DAYS. … 5You have lived on the earth in PLEASURE and LUXURY; you have fattened your hearts as in a DAY of SLAUGHTER. …” – Blessed Apostle St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 5:1 – 3, 5, NKJV)
Relative Measure comes in where more is given, more is required:
“… Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. …” (James 4:17, NKJV)
Conclusion
So every “True Discipleship in Christianity” must teach and practice this, to quote:
“… So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Or in another translation:
“… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NKJV)
What is the Context for Luke 14:33 above?
Few Christians Realize that when Luke 14:33 was Spoken by Christ, He was Speaking the same Context of His ‘Charity Doctrine’ Discourses where He even mentions the ‘Special Mercy to the Poor/Maimed/Blind’ part some ‘Parabolically’ (e.g. the omitted Luke 14:26 – 30 which is the Parable explanation of this same truth, but parabolically regarding Counting the Cost to live out His Commands including this ‘Charity Doctrine Lifestyle’) as per Consecutive Verses below:
“… (12Then He also said to him who invited Him,) “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, NOR RICH NEIGHBORS, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” … 21So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the STREETS and LANES of the city, and bring in here the POOR and the MAIMED and the LAME and the BLIND.’ 22And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still THERE IS ROOM.’ 23Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the HIGHWAYS and HEDGES, and COMPEL THEM to COME IN, that MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED. 24For I say to you that NONE of those men who were INVITED shall taste MY SUPPER.’ ” … … So LIKEWISE, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. …” (Luke 14:12 – 14, 21 – 24, 33, NKJV)
It looks as though the one who did the CHARITY DOCTRINE of LITERAL FEEDING OF TANGIBLE FOOD TO THE POOR ETC. was Given a Straight Ticket into Heaven by Christ Himself in Verses above as the evidenced by the phrase: “… 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” …” (Luke 14:13 – 14, NKJV). If Christ Gives them a Straight Ticket to Heaven, who are we to say anything? This mysteriously agrees with the Judgment Day Verses too:
“… 1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I SAY TO YOU, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’ 13“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. … 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:1 – 13, 31 – 46, NKJV)
Isn’t it strange that the only other Verse by Christ Himself which mentions to “Keep our Lamps Lit” is referring to Doing the “Charity Works” that He Commanded as that’s the only Topic or Context which Christ Was Speaking when He Taught this as follows:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. 36You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING FEAST, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will [z]prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them. 38Whether he COMES IN THE [AA]SECOND WATCH, or EVEN IN THE [AB]THIRD, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 38, NASB)
Comment: His Return after the “Wedding” (First Resurrection, Revelation 20:4 – 6) during the “Second and Third Watches” could also imply His Surprise Visit to Earth during Christ’s 1000 years Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:5) where verses above points to the Context of “Doing the Charity Doctrine” when understood collectively implying its importance not just now but in the future Judgment Day too as we have seen (Matthew 25:31 – 46). Whether this can also refer hope toward non-Christians is described in post in links below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160629881647784&id=651792783
Or
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160926103007784/
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
Here’s another interesting Gem from Holy Scripture:
Context: Many people think that parenting is among the greatest thing to do in the World to fulfill God’s Will. However, in Verse below we find Christ Comparing that “OBEYING any of HIS NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS” (or ‘Keeping the Word of God’) as a Greater Act than even if you had the privilege of Raising “CHRIST Himself” as a “Parent” (Context):
“… 27And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “BLESSED is the womb that BORE YOU, and the breasts which NURSED YOU!” 28But He said, “MORE THAN THAT, BLESSED are those who HEAR the WORD OF GOD and KEEP IT!” …” (Luke 11:27 – 28, NKJV)
In short, even if you were given an opportunity to ‘raise Lord Jesus as a child by providing for him meals and taking care of him’ (i.e. “nursed him”), it is still NOT AS GREAT as OBEYING HIS COMMANDS.
So the Greatest thing to Please Christ is to OBEY HIS COMMANDS. Can you please see this rarely understood but so plain CONTEXT in these Verses “as it is Written”?
So “more New Testament Commands” we can obey, the greater the “Blessedness” & especially in the Charity Doctrine, “Givers” are “more Blessed”:
“… I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is MORE BLESSED to GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.’ ” …” (Acts 20:35, NKJV)
True abiding in “His Love” = “Keeping or Obeying Christ’s Direct New Testament Commands by Him or His Apostles” so the opposite must imply a ‘drifting away from His Love, right?’, to quote:
“… If you KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:10, NKJV)
Last but not least, the Complete or Perfect Fulfillment of the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE is when we do it beyond our “family, church, race” toward “strangers, others” till including “our enemies & those who hate us too”. So the Will of the Father is to be in Action like the Father which Christ describes like this: Yes, Matthew 5:38 identifies the context as the evil person which is not a Christian. In Matthew 5:39 – 44, same consecutive Context, Christ’s Love your enemies He Says to Emulate the Father who makes the sun or rain on the “good/just” and “evil/just” implying being kind and doing good to both the Christian and non-Christian again in verses below (‘not’ opinions of men) so directly even, Verses below:
“… 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:21 ] 39BUT I TELL YOU NOT to RESIST an EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44[o]BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be SONS OF YOUR FATHER in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, and sends rain on the JUST AND ON THE UNJUST. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 45, NKJV)
Comment: Did you notice that in these Verses CHRIST describes the CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS to be DONE toward ENEMIES in order to become the HEIRS OF THE KINGDOM as the SONS OF GOD? So are we SONS OF GOD by CHRIST’S COMMAND/DEFINITION?
Here’s a Biblical Secret: To obey a rare command especially when many don’t obey can merit a Great Pleasing of God and Great Rewards in His Kingdom. For example, Blessed Abraham was Rewarded and honoured greatly for obeying God and leaving his family into the unknown which may not be a big deal as some say but the thing is almost no one did that when he was living. Similarly, the “faith statement” below by the Centurion may not sound like a big deal but it’s a “faith greater than all in Israel” at that time itself simply because of “Relative Measure” where with almost no Scriptural Exposure, this Gentile Centurion exhibited such a “Great Faith”:
“… When JESUS HEARD THESE THINGS, He MARVELED at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have NOT FOUND SUCH GREAT FAITH, NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL!” …” (Luke 7:9, NKJV)
Here’s another Secret about this Gentile Centurion’s Faith which was Greater than all Israel’s namely is that he was doing ALMSGIVING (CHARITY DOCTRINE) toward the ISRAELITES itself such as building a synagogue (without even knowing Christ’s Love your Enemies commands of Perfection, Matthew 5:38 – 45) as Verses below describe first about him which is only seen when Quoted in “full”:
“… 4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5“for HE LOVES OUR NATION, AND HAS BUILT US A SYNAGOGUE.” 6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9WHEN JESUS HEARD THESE THINGS, HE MARVELED at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I HAVE NOT FOUND SUCH GREAT FAITH, NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL!” …” (Luke 7:4 – 9, NKJV)
If Christ MARVELLED because of this, let’s do things that impresses Him instead of impressing Humans.
Please notice also carefully that CHRIST (God in Flesh) Himself called a FAITH GREATER THAN ISRAEL not toward a faith which converted many (like the Pharisees did as per Matthew 23:15 travelling land and sea to make converts only) but toward a Faith which had ALMSGIVING and GREAT BELIEF IN RELATIVE MEASURE as “it is Written“.
The Greatest Gift of All which we get by Obeying more of His Commands especially His Greatest Commands is this: We live in Fellowship of the Father, Son and Holt Spirit as follows:
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. … But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU. …” (John 14:23 24, 26, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
May God Help us.
Peace to you
Mystery of Fearing God – Discerning between the Righteous and Wicked – What is God’s Definition?
Almost, every denomination of Christianity will Quote this Verse and claim that they “fear God” by following their own “not” in the Bible Rules mixed with selected New Testament Commands whilst ignoring some other commands:
“… The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. …” (Proverbs 9:10, NKJV)
Comments: What many modern Pentecostal Christians don’t realize that only about less than 100 years ago these New Testament Commands were challenged & disobeyed by modern Denominations while all ancient Denominations of Protestants or others never denied but obeyed say the Church Order Rules & Personal Conduct Commands of the Lord in say 1 Corinthians chapters 11 to 14 – Can you see it?
All the ancient Protestant Founders and their initial successors were Saved obeying and Preaching these Commands as it is Written. Please notify that “they” “they” (who were the earliest missionaries into unknown lands etc.) all obeyed these New Testament Commands and built the Church of Christ across various major denominations with minor variances but none denying “New Testament Commands” at least in the earliest times of “their own church history”.
So, these modern Christianity which ignores “New Testament Commands” also betrays their own Founders, right?
More Importantly, what does God Himself Define as “Fearing God”?
Conclusion
These Verses in “full”:
“… 5And I will come near you for JUDGMENT;
I will be a swift witness Against SORCERERS, Against ADULTERERS, Against PERJURERS,
Against those WHO EXPLOIT WAGE EARNERS and WIDOWS AND ORPHANS,
And against those WHO TURN AWAY AN ALIEN—
BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FEAR ME,”
SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. … 16Then THOSE WHO FEARED THE LORD spoke to one another,
And the Lord listened and heard them;
So a BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE was written before Him For THOSE WHO FEAR THE LORD
And who [e]meditate on His name.
17“They shall be Mine,” says the Lord of hosts,
“On the day that I make them My jewels.[f]
And I will spare them
As a man spares his own son who serves him.”
18Then you shall again DISCERN
BETWEEN THE RIGHTEOUS and THE WICKED,
Between one WHO SERVES GOD
And ONE WHO DOES NOT SERVE HIM. …” – Blessed Prophet Malachi (Malachi 3:5, 16 – 18, NKJV)
It’s very clear in the Consecutive Verses Context in Verses above that God Himself Defines that those who “fear Him” will have these “Doctrinal Traits”:
1) No Sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers
“… Against SORCERERS,
Against ADULTERERS,
Against PERJURERS, …” (Malachi 3:5, highlighted, NKJV)
2) Never exploiting people with low wage (though legal as many businesses do) just because they have racial, economic or other advantages to pay “market rate” like that which changes from one person to another according to racial preference or other unfairness
“… Against those WHO EXPLOIT WAGE EARNERS …” (Malachi 3:5, highlighted, NKJV)
3) Never mistreat widows and orphans
“… Against those WHO EXPLOIT … WIDOWS AND ORPHANS,, …” (Malachi 3:5, highlighted, NKJV)
Example: Sometimes the biggest mistreatment comes from so called orphanage home owners or staff themselves who often curse the children’s parents for being lousy or curse these orphan children by saying that they will become like their mom or dad, scream and psychologically or physically abuse them by the owner or staff beating/punishing them excessively or unfair beating etc. Can you see it?
The Opposite of this Verse means that those who “Fear God” will treat “Orphans or Widows” well which is part of the “Charity Doctrine”.
4) Never mistreat an “alien” which refers to a “foreigner” or immigrant workers or non-citizens
“… And against those WHO TURN AWAY AN ALIEN— …” (Malachi 3:5, highlighted, NKJV)
Example: Just because it’s legal to pay low rate that doesn’t mean it’s right in God’s Eyes. God Will Judge and so the best way is to always pay them what we think we would pay ourselves if we or our own children worked in their place (as our own conscience will judge us on that Day accordingly for this and so we will have “no” excuse if we secretly wanted more profits by paying low though legal).
Again, the opposite to treating a foreigner bad would be to Practice the “Charity Doctrine” toward them too.
5) Who does against these “COMMANDS” of God which proves whether we “FEAR HIM OR NOT”?
“… BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FEAR ME,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. …” (Malachi 3:5, highlighted, NKJV)
This means that doing the “Charity Doctrine” is implied clearly as being part of the Definition as to whether we “fear God” or not. Can you see it please as it is Written here in the Context of “Widows, Orphans and Foreigners” as per Malachi 3:5 above?
6) The Septuagint reads the same for these Verses:
“… 5And I will draw near to you in JUDGMENT; and I will be a sift witness against the witches, and against the adulteresses, and against them that SWEAR FALSELY BY MY NAME, and against them that KEEP BACK THE HIRELING’S WAGES, and them that OPPRESS THE WIDOW, AND AFFLICT ORPHANS, and that WREST THE JUDGMENT OF THE STRANGER, and FEAR NOT ME, SAITH THE LORD ALMIGHTY. …” (Malachi 3:5, LXX, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/malachi/3.htm
Note: The phrase “… against them that SWEAR FALSELY BY MY NAME …” can also refer to those who simply claim God Said this and that but He Didn’t as Discussed in an earlier post in link below (where if some claim God told them so & if He Did, they are spared but the Safe Route Scripturally will be to “not” take these risks as discussed in post below to Honour God):
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160972404642784
In short, practising any of these sins listed in Malachi 3:5 is called by God Himself (not opinions of men) as being “… BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FEAR ME,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. …” (Malachi 3:5, highlighted, NKJV).
So, these must be the ‘fastest ways to Hell’.
Please be careful and “not” do any of these Practices even if it’s legal. For example: please charge the same rate regardless of race and give the same pay regardless of race too according to what you would pay yourself if you were hired as a “desperate worker” as this is what it means to “love neighbor as yourself” in these Context too without which we are “not” Fulfilling “All Law”, Verses:
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
“… Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law (Torah) and the Prophets. …” (Matthew 7:12, NKJV)
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
Yes, we cannot say we “Love God” but don’t fulfill the “fear God” Characteristics which Malachi 3:5 clearly Defines in a nutshell as follows:
“… 5And I will come near you for JUDGMENT;
I will be a swift witness
Against SORCERERS,
Against ADULTERERS,
Against PERJURERS,
Against those WHO EXPLOIT WAGE EARNERS and WIDOWS AND ORPHANS,
And against those WHO TURN AWAY AN ALIEN—
BECAUSE THEY DO NOT FEAR ME,”
SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. … ” (Malachi 3:5, NKJV)
There’s no translation difficulty in these Verses which can be seen by say comparing the various major translations below for this Verse alone, please compare:
New International Version
“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers, adulterers and perjurers, against those who defraud laborers of their wages, who oppress the widows and the fatherless, and deprive the foreigners among you of justice, but do not fear me,” says the LORD Almighty.
New Living Translation
“At that time I will put you on trial. I am eager to witness against all sorcerers and adulterers and liars. I will speak against those who cheat employees of their wages, who oppress widows and orphans, or who deprive the foreigners living among you of justice, for these people do not fear me,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
English Standard Version
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired worker in his wages, the widow and the fatherless, against those who thrust aside the sojourner, and do not fear me, says the LORD of hosts.
Berean Study Bible
“Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts.
King James Bible
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.
New American Standard Bible
“Then I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, those who oppress the wage earner in his wages or the widow or the orphan, and those who turn away the stranger from justice and do not fear Me,” says the LORD of armies.
Source:
https://biblehub.com/malachi/3-5.htm
Did you notice that in this “fear God” definition in Malachi 3:5 (entire chapter or conversation too), God never included “prayers or fasting”, why? Because one could be “praying and fasting” but not doing any “Charity Doctrine” and the Verses below clearly depict that God is “not” interested in such prayers, to quote (not my opinion ya, a Bible Verse by God Himself):
“… Why have WE FASTED,’ they say, ‘and YOU HAVE NOT SEEN? Why have WE AFFLICTED OUR SOULS, and YOU TAKE NO NOTICE?’ … You will not fast as you do this day,
To make your voice heard on high.
5Is it a fast that I have chosen,
A day for a man to afflict his soul?
Is it to bow down his head like a bulrush,
And to spread out sackcloth and ashes?
Would you call this a fast,
And an acceptable day to the Lord?
6“Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the [c]heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke? 7Is it not to SHARE YOUR BREAD with the HUNGRY, And that you bring to your house THE POOR who are cast out; When you see THE NAKED, that you cover him, And not hide yourself from YOUR OWN FLESH? 8Then YOUR LIGHT shall break forth like the MORNING, YOUR HEALING shall spring forth speedily, And your righteousness shall go before you; The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. 9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ …” (Isaiah 58:3, 4 – 9, NKJV)
Please don’t be Deceived and let’s Focus on what God Lists down here as what He Requires as Proof in Action to “fear Him” instead of ignoring these commands of the “Charity Doctrine Acts” to be done toward “Widows, Orphans and Foreigners” too in Malachi 3:5 itself and instead doing other things which He never defined as the meaning of “fearing Him” such as religious activities whilst ignoring these “Written” commands.
Please let us focus on “His Written Commands” and not words of prophets who contradict it:
Says Who?
God Himself in Verses below:
“… 5“Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live forever?
6Yet surely MY WORDS AND MY STATUTES,
WHICH I COMMANDED My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers …” (Zechariah 1:5 – 6, NKJV)
God’s MERCY and Charity Doctrine Link via Prophet Daniel
“… Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and BREAK OFF THY SINS BY RIGHTEOUSNESS, and THINE INIQUITIES BY SHEWING MERCY TO THE POOR; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity. …” – Blessed Prophet Daniel (Daniel 4:27, KJV based on the Masoretic Text)
Source: https://biblehub.com/daniel/4-27.htm
Compare:
” … 27Therefore, O king, let my counsel please thee, and ATONE FOR THY SINS BY ALMS, and THINE INIQUITIES BY COMPASSION ON THE POOR: it may be God will be long-suffering to thy trespasses.” … – Blessed Prophet Daniel (Daniel 4:27, Brenton Septuagint Translation, based on the Septuagint or LXX)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/daniel/4.htm
Interestingly, Christ only Mentions ALSMGIVING/CHARITY DOCTRINE as the CURE for the LAWLESSNESS WITHIN in Verses below similar to the Daniel 4:27 Verse above which may explain why He Commanded the “Charity Doctrine” Acts toward the “Widow, Orphans and Foreigner” as part of the Definition of “Fearing God” in Malachi 3:5 itself. Can you see it as it is Written?
“… (39Then the Lord said to him), “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP AND DISH CLEAN, but your INWARD part is full of GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the INSIDE also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS [CHARITY] of SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS are CLEAN to you. . …” – The KING, The Holiest One, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
Can you really see it now please what God’s Will is when He Requires us to “Fear Him” and that it includes the “Charity Doctrine Acts” to be done toward “Widows, Orphans and Foreigners” too in Malachi 3:5 itself?
Peace to you
Sports and Secular Music Analogy – Freedom in Faith Mystery
1) Sports and Music Analogy
Does Secular Music bring Glory to God?
Similar Question: Does Sports bring Glory to God?
Another Question: Doesn’t Secular Music bring Pride?
Similar Question: Doesn’t Achievement in Secular Music or even in Business or Academics or other “Work” too bring Pride?
So if sports can bring Glory to God, Secular Music can bring Glory to God likewise for the “Same Reasons” as long as the Person who does it uses it to “DO GOOD” be it from the “Money/other benefits” which he receives from it which applies to other worldly things too such as “business achievements or financial achievements or equivalent”.
In the Famous Example below when the Bible Teaches bringing “Glory to God”, Apostle St. Paul is allowing eating food offered to Idols (if you didn’t ask about where it’s from) but prohibiting eating food offered to idols (if you know it was offered to idols) proving that “opposite acts” can be done to give Glory to God as long as we are convinced in our own mind, Verses:
“… 25Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 27If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [i]for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks 31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. 32Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33just as I also PLEASE ALL MEN IN ALL THINGS, NOT SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT, BUT THE PROFIT OF MANY, that they may be saved. …” (1 Corinthians 10:25 – 33, NKJV)
Context: So “… WHATEVER YOU DO, DO ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD. …” (1 Corinthians 10:31) does “not” refer to “don’t eat food offered to idols” but also to the “opposite” choice of “eat or buy food offered to idols if you didn’t ask about it”. Can you see that both the “opposite” choices are allowed to “Give Glory to God” as long as you are doing it to “… PLEASE ALL MEN IN ALL THINGS, NOT SEEKING MY OWN PROFIT, BUT THE PROFIT OF MANY, that they may be saved. …” (1 Corinthians 10:33, NKJV) above? So “pleasing men” is allowed if our intention is good which is to hope for them to be “Saved” and if it BENEFITS/PROFITS MANY where God Allows these “Opposite” Choices as Verses above prove. So, it’s “not” out of Context or Twisting Scripture but rather what’s plainly described here. We only don’t please men for things which are “sin” and “direct New Testament Verses” are “against it”.
2) Freedom to have “Faith” to do things either way for some things
“… Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. …” (Romans 14:22, NKJV)
Bible Context: The Verse above was Written in the Context of “Earthly Things” such as a choice for being a “Vegetarian” or whether one wants to celebrate the “Sabbath or Old Testament Feast Days or Sacred Days” for Christ, Verse:
“… 3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for GOD HAS RECEIVED HIM. 4Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE HIM STAND. 5ONE PERSON ESTEEMS ONE DAY ABOVE ANOTHER; ANOTHER ESTEEMS EVERY DAY ALIKE. LET EACH BE FULLY CONVINCED IN HIS OWN MIND. 6HE WHO OBSERVES THE DAY, OBSERVES IT TO THE LORD; [A]AND HE WHO DOES NOT OBSERVE THE DAY, TO THE LORD HE DOES NOT OBSERVE IT. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s …” (Romans 14:3 – 7, NKJV)
Some people think that “SABBATH” is a must for a New Testament believer but truth is “no” early Church Leaders themselves observed it including St. Ignatius of Antioch who was a direct Disciple of Apostle St. John himself, example Quotes in link below:
This is “not” an opinion of men or out of context but what Apostle St. Paul wrote to “Gentile believers” in Verse below too confirming this “Choice of Faith” as “… 6HE WHO OBSERVES THE DAY, OBSERVES IT TO THE LORD; [A]AND HE WHO DOES NOT OBSERVE THE DAY, TO THE LORD HE DOES NOT OBSERVE IT. …” (Romans 14:6, NKJV) to apply to “Sabbath or Sunday Gatherings” too (please notice the plural Word “Sabbaths” as there is more than one type of Sabbath in “Verse” below, “not” an opinion of men):
“… 16So let NO ONE JUDGE YOU in food or in drink, or regarding a [J]FESTIVAL OR A NEW MOON OR SABBATHS, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the [k]substance is of Christ. …” (Colossians 2:16 – 17, NKJV)
Comment: If Apostle St. Paul wanted to instruct to keep the Sabbath, he would have Written “Keep it” but he did not here. Similarly if Apostle St. Paul wanted to instruct don’t keep the Sabbath at all, he would have Written “Don’t keep it” but he did not write this either. What he wrote here is “… Let no one judge you …” Meaning that you can do it either way and “not” be judged as it’s “your choice of faith” as we see this same “choice context” allowed by Scripture regarding also the “food + drink” aspect here which is detailed out by Blessed Apostle St. Paul in Romans 14 verses earlier where for example the “Sacred Days” could be observed and not (where here “SABBATH” is explicitly mentioned) while the “food + drink” here in Colossians 2:16 is clearly mentioned as “being vegetarian or not” in Romans 14:1 – 3 below proving this “Choice Context”:
“… 1Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. …” (Romans 14:1 – 3, NKJV)
The Bible calls having such a “Choice” as “Faith” in Romans 14:22 and thus we are NOT contradicting the Faith by doing opposite but rather are living out the Faith according to what we approve. Can you see it please as it is Written?
3) Does Romans 14:22 apply to Sports or Secular Music?
I believe it can because it’s in the context of any “worldly thing” even which some people may consider as “unclean” as this phrase in Romans 14:14 which reads as “… NOTHING UNCLEAN OF ITSELF ...” Reveals ‘this possible Context’ as follows:
“… 14I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is NOTHING UNCLEAN OF ITSELF; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. …” (Romans 14:14, NKJV)
Another Verse which Warns of “over condemning” things as “unclean” but following “Commandments of men” (those not Written in New Testament Verses) being paranoid especially where there is an absence or lack of emphasis to do GOOD WORKS through which they DENY HIM (inclusive of the “Charity Doctrine Theology”):
“… 14not giving heed to Jewish fables and COMMANDMENTS OF MEN who turn from the truth. 15To the PURE ALL THINGS ARE PURE, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving NOTHING IS PURE; but even their mind and conscience are defiled. 16They profess to know God, BUT IN WORKS they DENY HIM, being [d]abominable, disobedient, and DISQUALIFIED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. …” (Titus 1:14 – 16, NKJV)
4) Freedom is “not” given to disobey the “Commands of the Lord” in “New Testament Verses” either those directly by Christ or through His Apostles only to avoid “Lawlessness”
Example Verses and Warnings if we disobey say the Church Order Rules or Personal Conduct Rules in 1 Corinthians chapters 11 to 14 and beyond where the Bible also “PRAISES” those who “Keep (Obey) it”
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people … 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
“… 15Therefore, brethren, STAND FAST AND HOLD THE TRADITIONS which you were taught, whether BY WORD OR OUR [H]EPISTLE. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and [i]establish you in EVERY GOOD WORD AND WORK. …” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 17, NKJV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
An important Comment: “Out of Context” would be to try to apply the “Freedom of Faith” Verse in Romans 14:22’s Choices to disobey these New Testament Commands of the Lord (not opinions of men nor human culture, as specified in 1 Corinthians 14:37 or 2 Peter 3:2 clearly).
Why? Because these are “Commands of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:2, 2 Timothy 1:13 – 14) and so “no” choice to “disobey it is given in Scripture” while the “Secular Music or Sports” as part of things which some may call “unclean” (so the context of Romans 14:14 or Romans 14:32 applies to “please men” so that “they may be saved”, Good Intentions) or “Food + Drink or Special Days observations” are “worldly things being a “Shadow for Christ” only depending how we use it (Colossians 2:16 – 17, Romans 14). Can you see how the “Context” is Biblically?
Regarding the claim of some modern Christianity which ignores these New Testament Commands claiming that God Spoke to them Personally to ignore it, we don’t judge them but certainly we don’t agree with them either preferring to follow the Safe Route Scripturally which is to try to obey and Teach these Commands as it is Written toward anyone who is willing to obey it too by Choice without forcing anyone or ridiculing anyone who does the opposite letting God Alone to do the Judging on that Day (Matthew 7:1 – 3).
Here is Romans 14:22 in a few Translations:
New International Version
So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
New Living Translation
You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right.
English Standard Version
The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves.
Berean Study Bible
Keep your belief about such matters between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.
Berean Literal Bible
The faith that you have, keep to yourself before God. Blessed is the one not judging himself in what he approves.
King James Bible
Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
New American Standard Bible
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who does not condemn himself in what he approves.
Source: https://biblehub.com/romans/14-22.htm
5) Other Reasons with Bible Verses are already discussed in posts in links below regarding this Topic
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160988308947784/
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160980026302784&id=651792783
Conclusion
“… 14I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that THERE IS NOTHING UNCLEAN OF ITSELF; but TO HIM WHO CONSIDERS ANYTHING TO BE UNCLEAN, TO HIM IT IS UNCLEAN. 15Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, YOU ARE NO LONGER WALKING IN LOVE. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16Therefore DO NOT LET YOUR GOOD BE SPOKEN OF AS EVIL; 17for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who SERVES CHRIST IN [E]THESE THINGS IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD and APPROVED BY MEN. 19Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may [f]edify another. 20Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. ALL THINGS INDEED ARE PURE, but it is evil for the man who eats with [g]offense. 21It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles [h]or is offended or is made weak. 22[i]DO YOU HAVE FAITH? Have it to yourself before God. HAPPY IS HE WHO DOES NOT CONDEMN HIMSELF IN WHAT HE APPROVES. 23But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for wh
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – Loss of Salvation Vs Loss of Rewards Mystery
Bible Logic: No one is condemned unless a Bible Verse Condemns that Act. A Man made rule does not imply that it’s God’s Rule. Some people simply quote “Judgment Verses” on Topics or issues which the “Original Bible Verses” was “not” even talking about. Please handle the Word of God carefully as the best way is to quote what is Written to the Topic to which it is addressed without adding nor removing:
“… Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar. …” (Proverbs 30:6, NKJV)
This is why the Doctrine of Sanctification as Obedience to His “Written New Testament Word” is important for “His Church”:
“… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He MIGHT [G]SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. …” (Ephesians 5:25 – 27, NKJV)
Please be very careful of any Christianity which does “not” Preach His Written New Testament Commands and converts many by keeping some Commands whilst ignoring other Commands as it doesn’t fully fulfill the Great Commission’s “… 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU …” part, Verses:
“… 18And JESUS CAME AND SPOKE TO THEM, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
“… 13MAKING THE WORD OF GOD OF NO EFFECT THROUGH YOUR TRADITION which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:13, NKJV)
Yes, there are two types of sin:
“… 16If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. …” (1 John 5:16 – 17, NKJV)
Bible Study Tip: May God Help us to Quote Verses in “Full” and apply it to the “Topics” He Was Talking about when these Verses were Written and not simply quote a Judgment Verse for something which we think is a sin but God Never Condemned it directly in any Verse, for example singing secular music as it was discussed in an earlier post in link below with direct “Bible Verses” (not opinions nor interpretations):
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160980026302784/
1) Losing Salvation type of Sin
“… 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider one another in order to STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, 25NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26For IF WE SIN WILLFULLY AFTER WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27but a CERTAIN FEARFUL EXPECTATION OF JUDGMENT, and FIERY INDIGNATION which will devour the adversaries. 28Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by WHICH HE WAS SANCTIFIED a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [g]says the Lord. And again, “THE LORD WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE.” 31It is a FEARFUL THING to fall into the hands of the living God. …” (Hebrews 10:23 – 31, NKJV)
What do these Verses mean?
This means that the “Willful Sinning” leads to “Condemnation” and those who are being “Sanctified” will exhibit “Good Works” whenever they meet as a “Church” (where a Church is even if it’s only two or three people gathering in His Name as He Said in Matthew 18:20). Please notice carefully these words in Verses above Describing the “Saved” namely “… STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, 25NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER … so much the more as you see the Day approaching. … WHICH HE WAS SANCTIFIED …” referring to:
Point 2) Elaborated regarding the meaning of “… 25NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, …” may thus be elaborated based on Acts 2:42 – 46 as “Daily” they “broke bread” together (meaning most likely Holy Communion) as they lived in common houses sharing in a “Daily” manner as opposed to ‘once in a week Saturday/Sunday Church meeting these days’. So the Context is not Church as per the building (as that didn’t exist) but meet-ups in the Temple and more so meet-ups from “house to house” in common living by sharing in common with other believers:
“… 42And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ [n] DOCTRINE and FELLOWSHIP, in the BREAKING OF BREAD, AND IN PRAYERS. 43Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44Now ALL WHO BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER, and HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON, 45and [o]sold their possessions and goods, and divided[p] them among all, as anyone had need.46So CONTINUING DAILY with one accord in the TEMPLE, and BREAKING BREAD FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added [q]to the CHURCH DAILY those who were being saved. …” (Acts 2:42 – 47, NKJV)
Let Scripture interpret Scripture.
“… 25NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER …” (Hebrews 10:25) = “… DOCTRINE and FELLOWSHIP, in the BREAKING OF BREAD, AND IN PRAYERS. … ALL WHO BELIEVED WERE TOGETHER, and HAD ALL THINGS IN COMMON, … 46So CONTINUING DAILY with one accord in the TEMPLE, and BREAKING BREAD FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, … the Lord added [q]to the CHURCH DAILY those who were being saved. …” (Acts 2:42 – 47, highlighted parts).
So any Church Gathering of Assembling together but if there is NO GOOD WORKS of SHARING LITERAL EARTHLY GOODS in some way is NOT FULFILLING these set of Verses, to repeat for emphasis please consider (and please don’t be deceived against what is Written):
“… 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider one another in order to STIR UP LOVE AND GOOD WORKS, 25NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES TOGETHER, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. …” (Hebrews 10:23 – 25, NKJV)
Next focus: His Holiness Commands:
“… 9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [b]homosexuals, nor [c]sodomites, 10nor thieves, NOR COVETOUS, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU. BUT YOU WERE WASHED, but YOU WERE [D]SANCTIFIED, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. …” (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11, NKJV)
How do we know if we are COVETOUS (“loving money”) or not? Christ Says as follows:
“…9Here’s the lesson: USE YOUR WORLDLY RESOURCES to BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE FRIENDS. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an ETERNAL HOME. 10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 12, NLT)
The Inspired Author of the “Sola Fide” (Saved by Grace and Faith Alone) Blessed Apostle St. Paul himself DID THESE ALMSGIVING & CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS for PURIFICATION (“SANCTIFICATION”) and so these are “not” Contradictory to the “Work of Christ” but is when we let “Christ Live in us in Action to do God’s Will”, Verses:
“… 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I WORSHIP THE GOD OF MY FATHERS, BELIEVING ALL THINGS which are WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (Acts of the Apostles, 24:14 – 21, NKJV)
More importantly, 1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11 above or even Hebrews 10:23 – 31 earlier speak of those who are SANCTIFIED, and the only Act that is Spoken as SANCTIFICATION FROM WITHIN is ALMS = CHARITY for DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION too, by CHRIST HIMSELF, Verses:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)
Please note that Christ Commands to “Give to CHARITY/ALMS” from “WHAT YOU HAVE” to achieve this INNER SANCTIFICATION (and not doing Charity from Donation Money without including one’s own money as the Pharisees did). Please notice that if this condition of “… Give Alms from WHAT YOU HAVE …” is not important, then why is Christ Stressing it out so clearly in Verses above?
Please remember that Christ Clearly Identifies that all “Hypocritical Outward Holiness” will be missing one and only one trait only which is it will be missing the Charity Doctrine as it’s Described clearly in Verses below (and “not” my opinion nor the opinion of men):
“… 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you CLEANSE THE OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and dish, but INSIDE THEY ARE FULL OF EXTORTION and [l]SELF-INDULGENCE. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like WHITEWASHED TOMBS which indeed appear BEAUTIFUL OUTWARDLY, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28Even so you also OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:25 – 28, NKJV)
Did you notice the dangerous word “LAWLESSNESS INSIDE” toward which “MANY” Christians may be Denied too as per Verses below (both by Christ)?
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
Example: Christians who sing secular music hardly go around doing “Prophecy, Cast out demons & Miracles in His Name” and so these Verses does not refer to them but to an “Endtime Popular Christianity” (which exists till Christ Returns). The Reason they’re Denied (Parable of the 10 Foolish Virgins too in Matthew 25:1 to 13) is clearly revealed in Matthew 7:24 which is NOT TEACHING and NOT DOING CHRIST’S NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS.
So, please avoid teaching against Written Verses as we may be stopping God’s Cleansing Act and also making them transgress “His Commands” even with “many converts” it’s like making “many to transgress” and “break His New Testament Commands” instead of teaching them to obey it as per Warning by Christ Himself in Verses below:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
The “First and Last” Ranking of His Kingdom links to being “Least or Greatest” in His Kingdom which is closely related to “doing and teaching” His New Testament “Commands” not Prophecy interpretation, flat earth vs spherical earth or other things (as Matthew 5:19 above Describe Clearly – can you see it?).
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND them of THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
A random converting Christianity by loosening God’s New Testament Rules may “not” be crowned much as per Verse above too. He already Promised to “Write His New testament Rules” for this “New Covenant” in our “Hearts and Minds” as per Prophecy below (so please be very careful of any conversion of Christianity which does “not” focus on Teaching His “New testament Commands”*):
“… 14For by ONE OFFERING HE HAS PERFECTED forever those who are being [d]SANCTIFIED. 15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16“This is THE COVENANT that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, and in THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM,” 17then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18Now where there is [e]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. …” (Hebrews 10:14 – 17, NKJV)
In Verses above Describing Christ’s Atonement, it’s clearly Written that the Doctrine of “Sanctification” follows as an Act of “making them Perfect” as Christ Leads them as the True Meaning of the Ancient Verse of being “Born Again” (spiritually) having “His Law Written in out hearts & minds” for the “New Covenant”.
*New Testament Commands because many of the Old Testament Commands do “not” apply anymore since Christ’s First Advent in the Flesh has Fulfilled it, Verse:
“… In that He says, “ A NEW COVENANT,” He has MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready TO VANISH AWAY. …” (Hebrews 8:13, NKJV)
So, please focus on Teaching any of CHRIST’S DIRECT NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS and His New Testament Commands through His Apostles, example: 1 Corinthians chapters 11 to 14 & many others, Verses:
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
Yes, please never go BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN and TEACH the SAME NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS that are WRITTEN in EVERY CHURCH EVERYWHERE (as these Verses imply as it is Written):
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
These are the “Lord’s Command” (and not opinions of men):
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people … 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
“… 15Therefore, brethren, STAND FAST AND HOLD THE TRADITIONS which you were taught, whether BY WORD OR OUR [H]EPISTLE. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and [i]establish you in EVERY GOOD WORD AND WORK. …” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 17, NKJV)
In other words, you are working hard for ministry which is good but please make sure that it’s not works of “wood , hay or straw” as these Verses define and warn. Please notice that if the works of “wood , hay or straw” meant living unholy, then you are claiming that even adulterers, murderers etc. can be saved by fire. If that’s true, the same must apply to ignoring other New testament Commands too as the works of “wood, hay or straw”, right? So regardless the burnable works of “wood , hay or straw” must definitely refer to ‘teaching against New Testament Commands’. Works of “wood, hay or straw” cannot refer to “low quality good works” because good works will remain whilst these are described in materials that when burnt in fire, they cease to be. However, since Salvation is not by Works but by Faith of Jesus Christ, such ones will still “be Saved but through Fire” on “that Day” (indicating the Judgment Day Time & Lake of Fire Context meant clearly) in Verses below as “it is Written”:
“… 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; YOU ARE GOD”S FIELD, you are God’s building. … 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with …, wood, hay, straw, 13each one’s work will become clear; FOR THE DAY WILL DECLARE IT, because IT WILL BE REVEALED BY FIRE and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 1 … 15If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, YET SO AS THROUGH FIRE. …” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15, NKJV)
God is Looking for Ability to Obey His Commands and not Availability to do it “without knowledge” of His New Testament Verses because the Verse below does NOT PRAISE a ZEAL for GOD UNLESS IT IS ACORDING TO KNOWLGEDGE (which is most perfect in “New Testament Verses” – please always ask, if I teach or do this thing, which “New Testament Verse” am I fulfilling?), Verse:
“… For I bear them witness that they have a ZEAL FOR GOD, but NOT ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE. …” (Romans 10:2, NKJV)
Comment: Please don’t ‘over condemn other Christians’ especially when “no direct Bible Verse” Speaks or condemns an act which another Christian may do (for example: Secular Music) because even if they are wrong, they may be Saved as per Verses above but more importantly, you may also find yourself in hard Judgment equivalently for not obeying actual New Testament Verses disobeying which is attached with much greater warnings such as disobeying Church Order and Personal Conduct Commands in 1 Corinthians Chapters 11 to 14:
“… 1“JUDGE[A] NOT, that YOU BE NOT JUDGED. 2For with what [b]judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:1 – 2, NKJV)
2) Losing Rewards type of sin
Can Roman Catholics and Orthodox be Saved from a Protestant Viewpoint?
The main thing Protestants differ from Roman Catholics and Orthodox Christianity is in the area of “praying to Virgin Mary, Saints and Angels” together with the idols associated with it. Generally protestants agree that other Roman Catholic doctrinal error may “not” affect Salvation but an error in this area can cause them to be “unsaved” too.
So, is there Biblical Hope for them if the Protestants are right? (Personally, I am a Protestant).
It’s “Possible” based on this Verse:
“… Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, …” (Colossians 2:18, NKJV)
Please allow me to repeat it with emphasis:
“… Let NO ONE CHEAT YOU of YOUR REWARD, taking delight in false humility and WORSHIP OF ANGELS, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, …” (Colossians 2:18, NKJV)
Please take note that “Worshipping Angels” is worse than “Praying to Angels”. But even then the loss described in Verse above is ‘not necessarily Salvation’ but a ‘LOSS of [Heavenly] REWARD’. I do not see that the phrase of losing a reward is losing one’s Salvation. I could be wrong but so far I see the Verse implying a possible Salvation but a certain loss of Reward for “Worshipping Angels”.
So, if “Worshipping Angels” only causes a Christian to lose their heavenly reward and not their Salvation (as that’s most likely the meaning here), then “praying to Angels/Mary” likewise might be a smaller error compared to this and hence may result in a loss of reward likewise too (Matthew 5:19 Speak of Heavenly Gradation due to keeping Vs breaking His Commands).
I am NOT encouraging what I believe to be the error of praying to/worshipping angels or equivalent, but also want to be careful “not” to condemn beyond what the Bible Verse Speaks in this Context. So, best is, let God Decide but personally, I see hope for their Salvation but also loss of rewards for erring in these areas if they get the “Love God & Love your neighbor” part right (The Two Greatest Commands, Mark 12:30 – 34).
3) What the Gospel Work is
Now the Parables of Christ clearly relate to faith and works only. Hence it’s sufficient to devote our time to understand that. Please also note that His Parables (the context for ‘seeing and not perceive’ or ‘hearing and not understand’) does “not” relate to Apologetics nor to arguments of Creationism vs Science (e.g. flat earth vs spherical earth) and hence should not be quoted for those. If someone says otherwise, for example: can someone please show which Parable of Christ Speaks of the understanding of Flat Earth vs Spherical Earth? I know so far no one is claiming such a context and thus want to make it clear that this all points to one thing: To Understand and Do the “Charity Doctrine” to “Love God and Love Neighbor” as all Parables of Christ Relate to this in regards to “Gospel Preaching” & “Kind Deeds (Good Works)”.
Not all righteous men are found inside the Church nor all who are appointed as Bishops/Pastors are good either as St. Clement Reveals below:
“… We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blame-lessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. FOR OUR SIN WILL NOT BE SMALL, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But WE SEE THAT YOU HAVE REMOVED SOME MEN OF EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR FROM THE MINISTRY, WHICH THEY FULFILLED BLAMELESSLY and WITH HONOUR. Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and FULL OF ZEAL ABOUT THINGS which DO NOT PERTAIN TO SALVATION. LOOK CAREFULLY INTO THE SCRIPTURES, which are the TRUE UTTERANCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement, Chapter 44 – 45)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
Can you understand it? If you read especially the CAPITALIZED parts above it’s easy to see that St. Clement of Rome mentions that it’s not uncommon for true Godly men be evicted out of the Church’s Ministry and support is given instead to Pastors/Leaders who are full of zeal to talk about “worldly things” or “speak against Bible Verses to support human culture or such vanities”. So he exhorts the True Believers to stick to what is Written in Holy Scripture (1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:2) and not waste time on things that do “not” pertain to Salvation such as the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ , ‘Human Culture’ and even whether the ‘earth is Spherical/Flat’ etc.
Please note this quote from the above which puts a Great Sin if we reject truly worthy leaders whom the local Church ought to have supported and instead of the Church focused instead also on matters which are not important to Salvation as St. Clement Warns, “… FOR OUR SIN WILL NOT BE SMALL, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. … But WE SEE THAT YOU HAVE REMOVED SOME MEN OF EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR FROM THE MINISTRY, WHICH THEY FULFILLED BLAMELESSLY and WITH HONOUR. Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and FULL OF ZEAL ABOUT THINGS which DO NOT PERTAIN TO SALVATION. …”.
So what happened to those ‘righteous men’ who were cast off from their own Church or not supported to serve in Ministry?
The “Prophecy” below may explain their way which is by St. Clement of Rome himself:
“… Who then among you is NOBLE-MINDED? who compassionate? who FULL OF LOVE? Let him declare, “IF ON MY ACCOUNT SEDITION and DISAGREEMENT AND SCHISMS HAVE ARISEN, I WILL DEPART, I WILL GO AWAY whithersoever you desire, and I WILL DO WHATEVER THE MAJORITY COMMANDS; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it.” HE THAT ACTS THUS SHALL PROCURE TO HIMSELF GREAT GLORY IN THE LORD; and EVERY PLACE WILL WELCOME HIM. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” These things they WHO LIVE A GODLY LIFE, that is NEVER TO BE REPENTED OF, BOTH HAVE DONE AND ALWAYS WILL DO. … ” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement Chapter 54)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
This is the main reason why ‘we don’t believe in forming our own church even if we are right’ but as Blessed St. Clement of Rome commands in his apostolic authority, “… I will do whatever the majority commands …” even if it includes being kicked out of the church, i.e. “… If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever you desire …” as long as the Majority of Christians is happy [i.e. “… only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it …”] & this is not in reference of a heretic being put off from a Church but is referring to a True Christian as “… These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do …” because these belong to “… Who then among you is noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? …” where their reward of leaving Church is not eternal hell but amazingly, “… He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him …” .
Since St. Clement of Rome’s name is surely in the “Book of Life” (especially since Philippians 4:3 points to most likely him whilst he was still living), I would prefer to Believe, Preach and do the best I can do Practice his quotes which makes the Bible Verses quoted to be more accurately understood.
Conclusion
Relative Measure comes into play where the thief on the cross was Saved without letting Christ Live in Him beyond the Confession of Faith as he cannot do anything anymore. So if a Confession of Faith is all that you can afford, relative measure puts you in a pinnacle of faith likewise if the Gift of Faith is granted to you. In all other cases (for example if you are given a bigger church or audience), Christ has Warned of Judgment in that “… More is Given, more is Required …” (Luke 12:46 – 48). If works are not important, Christ Wouldn’t be judging these Servants because they “believe already” also in Luke 12:46 – 48.
“… [1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3So He said], “TRULY I say to you that this POOR widow has put in MORE THAN ALL; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THE LIVELIHOOD THAT SHE HAD.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
Comment: I repeat, God doesn’t look at the result nor the amount of giving but your love & relative measure which makes it ‘fair to all’ (as God has no Partiality) as the widow who gave only two coins which probably couldn’t feed any still gave more than all including the Rich’s giving which had tangible effects in comparison.
The case of the poor Widow and her two coins has proven that God Measures Relatively and so a big numbers of believers could be a big group of Thirty fold while a small group may be of sixty & Hundredfold fruits according to the Level of Fruits of the Spirit one Practices (which are “Virtues”) as Christ Himself Points to only 12 such highest converts among the “Hundredfold” who will achieve such high level renunciation and living for the Gospel Commands by doing any one or more of these “Renunciation” Acts, Verses:
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on TWELVE THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
The “GOSPEL of RENUNCIATION” determines the “FIRST and the LAST” as Verses above (Matthew 19:30) Clearly Describe this Heavenly Ranking by CHRIST’S OWN WORDS (please also notice the word “Hundredfold” carefully in Matthew 19:29 above too). So every “True Discipleship in Christianity” must teach and practice this, to quote:
“… So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Or in another translation:
“… So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NKJV)
What is the Context for Luke 14:33 above?
Few Christians Realize that when Luke 14:33 was Spoken by Christ, He was Speaking the same Context of His ‘Charity Doctrine’ Discourses where He even mentions the ‘Special Mercy to the Poor/Maimed/Blind’ part some ‘Parabolically’ (e.g. the omitted Luke 14:26 – 30 which is the Parable explanation of this same truth, but parabolically regarding Counting the Cost to live out His Commands including this ‘Charity Doctrine Lifestyle’) as per Consecutive Verses below:
“… (12Then He also said to him who invited Him,) “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, NOR RICH NEIGHBORS, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” … 21So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the STREETS and LANES of the city, and bring in here the POOR and the MAIMED and the LAME and the BLIND.’ 22And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still THERE IS ROOM.’ 23Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the HIGHWAYS and HEDGES, and COMPEL THEM to COME IN, that MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED. 24For I say to you that NONE of those men who were INVITED shall taste MY SUPPER.’ ” … … So LIKEWISE, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. …” (Luke 14:12 – 14, 21 – 24, 33, NKJV)
It looks as though the one who did the CHARITY DOCTRINE of LITERAL FEEDING OF TANGIBLE FOOD TO THE POOR ETC. was Given a Straight Ticket into Heaven by Christ Himself in Verses above as the evidenced by the phrase: “… 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” …” (Luke 14:13 – 14, NKJV). If Christ Gives them a Straight Ticket to Heaven, who are we to say anything? This mysteriously agrees with the Judgment Day Verses too:
“… 1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I SAY TO YOU, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’ 13“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. … 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:1 – 13, 31 – 46, NKJV)
Isn’t it strange that the only other Verse by Christ Himself which mentions to “Keep our Lamps Lit” is referring to Doing the “Charity Works” that He Commanded as that’s the only Topic or Context which Christ Was Speaking when He Taught this as follows:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. 36You are also to be like people who are waiting for their master when he RETURNS FROM THE WEDDING FEAST, so that they may immediately open the door for him when he comes and knocks. 37Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes; truly I say to you, that he will [z]prepare himself to serve, and have them recline at the table, and he will come up and serve them. 38Whether he COMES IN THE [AA]SECOND WATCH, or EVEN IN THE [AB]THIRD, and finds them so, blessed are those slaves. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 38, NASB)
Comment: His Return after the “Wedding” (First Resurrection, Revelation 20:4 – 6) during the “Second and Third Watches” could also imply His Surprise Visit to Earth during Christ’s 1000 years Millennial Reign (Revelation 20:5) where verses above points to the Context of “Doing the Charity Doctrine” when understood collectively implying its importance not just now but in the future Judgment Day too as we have seen (Matthew 25:31 – 46). Whether this can also refer hope toward non-Christians is described in post in links below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160629881647784&id=651792783
Or
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160926103007784/
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
“… Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law (Torah) and the Prophets. …” (Matthew 7:12, NKJV)
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
Yes, even your sins are covered from Judgment if you love:
“… And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE will COVER a MULTITUDE OF SINS.” …”(1 Peter 4:8, NKJV)
“… Therefore I say to you, HER SINS, which are MANY, ARE FORGIVEN, for SHE LOVED MUCH. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47, NKJV)
The Gift of having the Father, Son and Holy Spirit linked only to this Context of “Obeying His New testament Commands”
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. … But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU. …” (John 14:23 24, 26, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
The irrefutable argument for “Many” who are “Denied” on that Day despite doing MIRACLES, CASTING OUT DEMONS and PROPHESYING is this: “… LAWLESSNESS …” which most people think is “Outside sin” (which is true) but also this “INSIDE LAWLESSNESS OF GREED/WICKEDNESS” which can only be CLEANSED with the ALMSGIVING OR CHARITY DOCTRINE for without it they “never truly Loved in Action” and thus are”LAWLESS within” according to CHRIST HIMSELF in both Verses below for Comparison in HIS OWN WORDS: Can you really see it? Please allow me to repeat that Verse part for “Lawlessness Context Inside” only below:
“… 28Even so you also OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” (Matthew 23:28)
“… ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ …” (Matthew 7:23)
What’s the Cure for this “Inside Lawlessness” though it cannot be seen outside as Christ Himself Says that such ones appear “… OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN … but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” (Matthew 23:28)? This time Blessed Luke records this part more clearly as follows in this same Topic/Context of “Cleaning the Inside” (Doctrine of Sanctification for those Sanctified by the Spirit of God):
“… (39Then the Lord said to him), “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP AND DISH CLEAN, but your INWARD part is full of GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the INSIDE also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS [CHARITY] of SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS are CLEAN to you. . …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
Surprisingly, Christ only Mentions ALSMGIVING/CHARITY DOCTRINE as the CURE for the LAWLESSNESS WITHIN in Verses above. Can you see it as it is Written? If Christ Didn’t Add any other Act or Way by “His Will”, why do we want to “add” to His Word?
Also, why don’t we just “Believe His Words above and Obey Him”?
True “Blessedness” is not money/prosperity or worldly things but “Obeying His Word (Command)” and only then we “Abide (remain) in His Love” (for if not, we drift away from “His Love” whenever we Teach “against” His “New testament Commands”, right? Yes as per verses below):
“… [But He said,] “On the contrary, BLESSED are those who HEAR the WORD OF GOD and FOLLOW IT.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Jesus Christ (Luke 11:28, NKJV)
Here’s a rarely known Biblical Gem – How to Please Christ Most?
Context: Many people think that parenting is among the greatest thing to do in the World to fulfill God’s Will. However, in Verse below we find Christ Comparing that “OBEYING any of HIS NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS” (or ‘Keeping the Word of God’) as a Greater Act than even if you had the privilege of Raising “CHRIST Himself” as a “Parent” (Context):
“… 27And it happened, as He spoke these things, that a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “BLESSED is the womb that BORE YOU, and the breasts which NURSED YOU!” 28But He said, “MORE THAN THAT, BLESSED are those who HEAR the WORD OF GOD and KEEP IT!” …” (Luke 11:27 – 28, NKJV)
In short, even if you were given an opportunity to ‘raise Lord Jesus as a child by providing for him meals and taking care of him’ (i.e. “nursed him”), it is still NOT AS GREAT as OBEYING HIS COMMANDS.
So the Greatest thing to Please Christ is to OBEY HIS COMMANDS. Can you please see this rarely understood but so plain CONTEXT in these Verses “as it is Written”?
So “more New Testament Commands” we can obey, the greater the “Blessedness” & especially in the Charity Doctrine, “Givers” are “more Blessed”:
“… I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is MORE BLESSED to GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.’ ” …” (Acts 20:35, NKJV)
True abiding in “His Love” = “Keeping or Obeying Christ’s Direct New Testament Commands by Him or His Apostles” so the opposite must imply a ‘drifting away from His Love, right?’, to quote:
“… If you KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:10, NKJV)
Doctrinal Focus: Based on all these “New Testament Verses”, are we BEING SANCTIFIED?
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – No need to use the Phrase “God told me …”
Bible Logic: If you use the phrase “… God told me …”, the Verses below (next) say that you must be sure 100% each time you quote “Him” because if wrong, God Says “… I will bring an EVERLASTING reproach upon you, and a PERPETUAL shame, which shall not be forgotten.’ ” …” (Jeremiah 23:40).
Do these words “PERPETUAL” or “EVERLASTING” from the Original Word (Olam in Hebrew /or Aeonian in Greek) sound like a joke or small matter to you? It’s the same word translated as Everlasting Punishment in Daniel 12:2 or in Matthew 25:46.
Please remember that many of these “same prophets” failed in “their Prophecy” or “Prayers” of “Mr. Trump as President” recently (not that Mr. Biden is any better) but I’m focusing on the “failed” Prophecy and Prayer Request part as many of them claimed “… God told me …” Which fits the Warning in “Bible Verses” (not my opinion) below:
“… 34“And as for THE PROPHET AND THE PRIEST and THE PEOPLE who say, ‘THE [J]ORACLE OF THE LORD!’ I WILL EVEN PUNISH THAT MAN and HIS HOUSE. 35Thus every one of you shall say to his neighbor, and every one to his brother, ‘What has the Lord answered?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 36And the [k]ORACLE OF THE LORD YOU SHALL MENTION NO MORE. For EVERY MAN’S WORD WILL BE HIS ORACLE, for you have perverted the words of the living God, the Lord of hosts, our God. 37Thus you shall say to the prophet, ‘What has the Lord answered you?’ and, ‘What has the Lord spoken?’ 38But since you say, ‘The [l]oracle of the Lord!’ therefore thus says the Lord: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the Lord!” and I have sent to you, saying, “Do not say, ‘The oracle of the Lord!’ ” 39therefore behold, I, even I, WILL UTTERLY FORGET YOU and FORSAKE YOU, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and will cast you out of My presence. 40And I WILL BRING AN EVERLASTING REPROACH UPON YOU, AND A PERPETUAL SHAME, which SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN.’ ” …” (Jeremiah 23:34 – 40, NKJV)
Conclusion
God’s Principles does “not” Change. You can clearly see the “Hard Judgment” awaiting those who claim “… God told me …” Or equivalent (e.g. “… Oracle of the LORD …”) unless that person really heard from God 100%.
As for me I neither endorse them nor judge them and prefer the “Safe Route Scripturally” which is Commanded by God here as “… 36And the [k]ORACLE OF THE LORD YOU SHALL MENTION NO MORE. For EVERY MAN’S WORD WILL BE HIS ORACLE, …” (Jeremiah 23:36).
This verse allows us to express “out opinions” where since if we don’t claim “… God told me …”, God Seems to be “Lenient” and vice versa. Can you see it please as “it is Written”? (God may give room for error if we are wrong provided we do “not” take His Holy Name in Vain by claiming “… God told me …” In such cases).
I am “not” against Prophecy but please be careful of who you call Prophet and endorse because if they are wrong, these Verses do “not” seem to point lightly as the Principle of “Everlasting Reproach” or “Perpetual Shame” does not sound simple to me.
Better to just obey “His Written New Testament Commands and Scripture as it is Written” and leave the Judgment to God Alone when He Returns as 1 Corinthians 4 Reveals in full as follows:
“… Therefore JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. 6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7For who [d]MAKES YOU DIFFER FROM ANOTHER? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:5 – 7, 14 – 17, NKJV)
Please also notice that the “Many” Denied on that Day are said to have “Prophesied” in His Name and could refer to this aspect too as per Christ’s Warning in Matthew 7:21 – 24. Please also take note that many Prophets may have Prophesied a “Prosperous Year Ahead Financially” at the end of 2019 entering into 2020 during the Year End Church Services but “not” one of them could forsee the “COVID 19 Pandemic” which engulfed the year 2020 and now 2021 bringing these “Prosperity Prophecies” to nothing. If your Prophet didn’t falsely prophesy this, I am not talking about them but there are certainly “Prosperity Prophecies” which were given at the end of 2019 using the phrase “… God told me …” or equivalent which has clearly failed. These ones you ought to be Very careful.
If you really love your family, people and others around you, please ask them to be careful of this Practice because a wrong here could be very serious as these Verses describe in Jeremiah 23 earlier (Let God Decide One Day who Prophesied in His Name correctly while who did not. We do not need to play judge here).
Here’s Jeremiah 23:38 in a few translations:
New International Version
Although you claim, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ this is what the LORD says: You used the words, ‘This is a message from the LORD,’ even though I TOLD YOU THAT YOU MUST NOT CLAIM, ‘THIS IS A MESSAGE FROM THE LORD.’
New Living Translation
But suppose they respond, ‘This is a prophecy from the LORD!’ Then you should say, ‘This is what the LORD says: Because YOU HAVE USED THIS PHRASE, “PROPHECY FROM THE LORD,” even though I WARNED YOU NOT TO USE IT,
English Standard Version
But if you say, ‘The burden of the LORD,’ thus says the LORD, ‘Because you have said these words, “The burden of the LORD,” when I sent to you, saying, “YOU SHALL NOT SAY, ‘THE BURDEN OF THE LORD,’”
Berean Study Bible
But if you claim, ‘This is the burden of the LORD,’ then this is what the LORD says: Because you have said, ‘THIS IS THE BURDEN OF THE LORD,’ and I SPECIFICALLY TOLD YOU NOT TO MAKE THIS CLAIM,
King James Bible
But since ye say, The burden of the LORD; therefore thus saith the LORD; Because ye say this word, The burden of the LORD, and I have sent unto you, saying, YE SHALL NOT SAY, THE BURDEN OF THE LORD;
New King James Version
But since you say, ‘The oracle of the LORD!’ therefore thus says the LORD: ‘Because you say this word, “The oracle of the LORD!” and I have sent to you, saying, “DO NOT SAY, ‘THE ORACLE OF THE LORD!’ ”
New American Standard Bible
And if you say, ‘The pronouncement of the LORD!’ for that reason the LORD says this: ‘Because you said this word, “The pronouncement of the LORD!” I have also sent word to you, saying, “YOU SHALL NOT SAY, ‘THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF THE LORD!’”’
Source: https://biblehub.com/jeremiah/23-38.htm
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – Which Denomination or Christianity to Follow?
“… Obedience is better than Sacrifice …” (1 Samuel 15:22)
The Most Broken Will of God in Christianity (of more than 40000 denominations) is this:
“… Now I plead with you, brethren, by the NAME OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, that YOU ALL SPEAK THE SAME THING, and that there be NO DIVISIONS AMONG YOU, but that you be perfectly joined together in the SAME MIND and in the SAME JUDGMENT. …” (1 Corinthians 1:10, NKJV)
How to have “no” divisions? Only by “not going beyond what is Written” especially regarding “His Commands” as this Context is what is meant so clearly in Verses below:
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
The Danger is forming “Schisms” based on accepting “what is not written or for practising against what is Written” as Verses above Demonstrate.
So that’s why we don’t teach contrary to New Testament Commands so that we may not be Condemned based on 1 Corinthians 1:10. Can you see it please as it is Written the importance of obeying Written New Testament Commands?
Regarding Prophecies or other things be it eternal Hell is true or Christ Centered Universalism as long as one does “not” form a “new schism” based on this, we are “not” Contradicting this Verse at all. This is because this “same set of Verses” allows us to skip the “Prophecy Accuracy part” if we “choose not to Judge these things before its time (as these have not come to pass yet)”, to quote these Principles which we follow as it is Written in “Full”:
“… Therefore JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. 6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7For who [d]MAKES YOU DIFFER FROM ANOTHER? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:5 – 7, 14 – 17, NKJV)
Yes, One thing is for sure: Whoever follows these New Testament Commands will never be condemned according to Verse below:
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
So isn’t doing what is “not” Written or doing against what is “Written New Testament Commands” (the context of these Verses itself) and in return causing one’s own denomination to do this “new Schisms” based on this “risky Christianity”? That’s why I believe in working with any Christian on things which New Testament Verses Command. The things which we differ on I have learnt not to use it to reject them but let God Decide without keeping away from them by focusing on the “New Testament Commands” which we can fulfill together in some ways. This is the Christianity I see is the Safe Route Scripturally with these “Bible Verses”.
First Christianity Taught this same Truth:
We don’t need to condemn those who disobey beyond pointing out the risk they’re taking as this First Christianity Legend of Faith Quotes Christ’s Words of “… Judge not …” (Luke 6:37, Matthew 7:1) likewise:
“… But He who raised Him up from the dead will raise up us also, if WE DO HIS WILL, and WALK IN HIS COMMANDMENTS, and love what He loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness, COVETOUSNESS, LOVE OF MONEY, evil speaking, falsewitness; “not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing,” or blow for blow, or cursing for cursing, but being MINDFUL OF WHAT THE LORD SAID in HIS TEACHING: “JUDGE NOT, THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED; forgive, and it shall be forgiven unto you; be merciful, that ye may obtain mercy; WITH WHAT MEASURE YE METE, IT SHALL BE MEASURED TO YOU again; and once more, “BLESSED ARE THE POOR, and THOSE THAT ARE PERSECUTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS’ SAKE, FOR THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” …” – Blessed St. Polycarp, Bishop of Smryna, an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 69 AD – c. 155 AD, Chapter II, THE EPISTLE OF POLYCARP TO THE PHILIPPIANS)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/polycarp-roberts.html
And this
The “Prophecy” below may explain their way which is by St. Clement of Rome himself:
“… Who then among you is NOBLE-MINDED? who compassionate? who FULL OF LOVE? Let him declare, “IF ON MY ACCOUNT SEDITION and DISAGREEMENT AND SCHISMS HAVE ARISEN, I WILL DEPART, I WILL GO AWAY whithersoever you desire, and I WILL DO WHATEVER THE MAJORITY COMMANDS; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it.” HE THAT ACTS THUS SHALL PROCURE TO HIMSELF GREAT GLORY IN THE LORD; and EVERY PLACE WILL WELCOME HIM. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” These things they WHO LIVE A GODLY LIFE, that is NEVER TO BE REPENTED OF, BOTH HAVE DONE AND ALWAYS WILL DO. … ” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement Chapter 54)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
Note: Neither St. Polycarp’s nor St. Clement of Rome’s writings have any prayers to Virgin Mary or saints or equivalent.
This is the main reason why ‘we don’t believe in forming our own church even if we are right’ but as Blessed St. Clement of Rome commands in his apostolic authority, “… I will do whatever the majority commands …” even if it includes being kicked out of the church, i.e. “… If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever you desire …” as long as the Majority of Christians is happy [i.e. “… only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it …”] & this is not in reference of a heretic being put off from a Church but is referring to a True Christian as “… These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do …” because these belong to “… Who then among you is noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? …” where their reward of leaving Church is not eternal hell but amazingly, “… He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him …” .
Since St. Clement of Rome’s name is surely in the “Book of Life” (especially since Philippians 4:3 points to most likely him whilst he was still living), I would prefer to Believe, Preach and do the best I can do Practice his quotes which makes the Bible Verses quoted to be more accurately understood.
Building God’s Church – Planting and Watering to Saved by Fire Mystery
Verses:
“… 5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; YOU ARE GOD’S FIELD, you are God’s building. 10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION, and ANOTHER BUILDS ON IT. But let each one take heed HOW HE BUILDS ON IT. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each one’s work will become clear; FOR THE DAY WILL DECLARE IT, because IT WILL BE REVEALED BY FIRE [Lake of Fire, Revelation 20:11 – 15]; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, YET SO AS THROUGH FIRE. …” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15, NKJV)
Did you notice that in Verses above, Christians could build the Works of “… gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, …” in Ministry (of building God’s Church)?
Also, the Works of God, Silver and Precious stones must definitely refer to “Teaching Obedience to God’s Word toward His New Testament Commands” while the works of “wood , hay and straw” (which can be burned hence cannot be God’s Word) but must be ‘false teachings’ and/or works which are NOT based on “New Testament Commands” but ‘opinions of men set against it’.
That’s why Christ Himself Speaks only of “obeying and teaching” others of “His New Testament Commands” for the Ranking of “Least vs Greatest” in His Kingdom and “to the one who built the house on the Rock” and the Gift of having the Father, Son and Holy Spirit linked only to this Context likewise in Verses below “as it is Written”, to quote:
1) Obeying and teaching” others of “His New Testament Commands” for the Ranking of “Least vs Greatest” in His Kingdom
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
2) To the one who built the house on the Rock
“… 46“But WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ and NOT DO THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? 47Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 48, NKJV)
“… 14Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. … 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we NOT PROPHESIED in Your name, CAST OUT DEMONS in Your name, and DONE MANY WONDERS in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’. 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:14, 21 – 23, 24, NKJV)
3) The Gift of having the Father, Son and Holy Spirit linked only to this Context of “Obeying His New testament Commands”
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. … But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU. …” (John 14:23 24, 26, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
This is why the Doctrine of Sanctification as Obedience to His “Written New Testament Word” is important for “His Church”:
“… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He MIGHT [G]SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. …” (Ephesians 5:25 – 27, NKJV)
The Alternate for Christians who Teach contrary to New Testament Commands whilst ‘building or watering’ God’s House with “… wood, hay, straw, …” may be “Saved by Grace” indeed due to to their believing but only after “losing their rewards” in the “Fire”, to quote that part again for emphasis:
“… 8Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers; YOU ARE GOD”S FIELD, you are God’s building. … 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with …, wood, hay, straw, 13each one’s work will become clear; FOR THE DAY WILL DECLARE IT, because IT WILL BE REVEALED BY FIRE and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 1 … 15If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED, YET SO AS THROUGH FIRE. …” (1 Corinthians 3:11 – 15, NKJV)
So please preach responsibly and not against New Testament Commands nor against New Testament Traditions as those who keep it are PRAISED by the MOST BLESSSED HOLY SPIRIT as follows:
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
Yes, please never go BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN and TEACH the SAME NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS that are WRITTEN in EVERY CHURCH EVERYWHERE (as these Verses imply as it is Written):
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
These are the “Lord’s Command” (and not opinions of men):
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people … 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
In other words, you are working hard for ministry which is good but please make sure that it’s not works of “wood , hay or straw” as these Verses define and warn. Please notice that if the works of “wood , hay or straw” meant living unholy, then you are claiming that even adulterers, murderers etc. can be saved by fire. If that’s true, the same must apply to ignoring other New testament Commands too as the works of “wood, hay or straw”, right? So regardless the burnable works of “wood , hay or straw” must definitely refer to ‘teaching against New Testament Commands’.
Peace to you
Relative Measure in Faith and Obedience Mystery – Even a Faith Greater than Israel
Firstly, Obedience to the Written Word of God is for the Cleansing or Sanctification of His Church
Verses:
“… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He MIGHT [G]SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. …” (Ephesians 5:25 – 27, NKJV)
So, please avoid teaching against Written Verses as we may be stopping God’s Cleansing Act and also making them transgress “His Commands” even with “many converts” it’s like making “many to transgress” and “break His New Testament Commands” instead of teaching them to obey it as per Warning by Christ Himself in Verses below:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
God Cannot be cleansing the Early Church with one command and ours with a way exactly “opposite” to it. It must be the same command and only then it’s fair to all and is universal & measurable.
Conclusion – A Faith Greater than Israel – when CHRIST HIMSELF MARVELLED at this Gentile
Here’s a Biblical Secret: To obey a rare command especially when many don’t obey can merit a Great Pleasing of God and Great Rewards in His Kingdom. For example, Blessed Abraham was Rewarded and honoured greatly for obeying God and leaving his family into the unknown which may not be a big deal as some say but the thing is almost no one did that when he was living. Similarly, the “faith statement” below by the Centurion may not sound like a big deal but it’s a “faith greater than all in Israel” at that time itself simply because of “Relative Measure” where with almost no Scriptural Exposure, this Gentile Centurion exhibited such a “Great Faith”:
“… When JESUS HEARD THESE THINGS, He MARVELED at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have NOT FOUND SUCH GREAT FAITH, NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL!” …” (Luke 7:9, NKJV)
Here’s another Secret about this Gentile Centurion’s Faith which was Greater than all Israel’s namely is that he was doing ALMSGIVING (CHARITY DOCTRINE) toward the ISRAELITES itself such as building a synagogue (without even knowing Christ’s Love your Enemies commands of Perfection, Matthew 5:38 – 45) as Verses below describe first about him which is only seen when Quoted in “full”:
“… 4And when they came to Jesus, they begged Him earnestly, saying that the one for whom He should do this was deserving, 5“for HE LOVES OUR NATION, AND HAS BUILT US A SYNAGOGUE.” 6Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. 7Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9WHEN JESUS HEARD THESE THINGS, HE MARVELED at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I HAVE NOT FOUND SUCH GREAT FAITH, NOT EVEN IN ISRAEL!” …” (Luke 7:4 – 9, NKJV)
If Christ MARVELLED because of this, let’s do things that impresses Him instead of impressing Humans.
Please notice also carefully that CHRIST (God in Flesh) Himself called a FAITH GREATER THAN ISRAEL not toward a faith which converted many (like the Pharisees did as per Matthew 23:15 travelling land and sea to make converts only) but toward a Faith which had ALMSGIVING and GREAT BELIEF IN RELATIVE MEASURE as “it is Written“. So, if others don’t want to listen to these Words which are BIBLE VERSES from CHRIST HIMSELF (and not my opinions), we may ignore them as per Verse below:
“… 6“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:6, NKJV)
Note: “Swine” is a “Selfish animal” which thinks of no other but itself. Dogs are loyal to food (equivalently prosperity) as the same dog can be loyal to a rapist or murderer too just because he gives him food unable to discern good from evil.
Those “Perfection” love your enemies Verses which the Gentile Centurion was fulfilling unknowingly is this:
“… 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:21 ] 39BUT I TELL YOU NOT to RESIST an EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44[o]BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be SONS OF YOUR FATHER in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, and sends rain on the JUST AND ON THE UNJUST. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 45, NKJV)
So “Relative Measure” is the secret of Obedience and Faith as how God Measures it & that’s all that matters as even the giving of the poor Widow’s 2 coins which fed almost no one but was more than all the rich’s which fed many poor too according to Christ Himself in Verses below:
“… 1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3So He said, “TRULY I say to you that this POOR widow has put in MORE THAN ALL; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THE LIVELIHOOD THAT SHE HAD.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
So please take note likewise “Doing His New Testament Commands” especially those directly by CHRIST HIMSELF when not many living now is doing it can merit the Greatest Reward to be Closer to God where the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God will remind us of “His COMMANDS”, Verses:
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. … But the Helper, the HOLY SPIRIT, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE ALL THINGS THAT I SAID TO YOU. …” (John 14:23 24, 26, NKJV)
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
May God Help us.
P/S: Ephesians 5:26 in a few Translations
New International Version
to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
New Living Translation
to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word.
English Standard Version
that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Berean Study Bible
to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
Berean Literal Bible
so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water by the word,
King James Bible
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
New King James Version
that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
New American Standard Bible
so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Source: https://biblehub.com/ephesians/5-26.htm
Peace to you
What Traits does the Bible Praise regarding the 144000 of Israel?
Verses:
“… 1Then I looked, and behold, [a]a LAMB STANDING ON MOUNT ZION, and WITH HIM ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, [b]having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2And I heard a voice from heaven, like the voice of many waters, and like the voice of loud thunder. And I heard the sound of harpists playing their harps. 3They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. 4These are the ones who were NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN, FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were [c]redeemed from among men, being firstfruits to God and to the Lamb. 5And IN THEIR MOUTH WAS FOUND NO [D]DECEIT, FOR THEY ARE WITHOUT FAULT [E]BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD. …” (Revelation 14:1 – 5, NKJV)
These are the highest FIRSTFRUITS of God. Please notice which traits only are PRAISED and WRITTEN about them:
“… 4These are the ones who were NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN, FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS. …”
“… 5And IN THEIR MOUTH WAS FOUND NO [D]DECEIT, …”
“… FOR THEY ARE WITHOUT FAULT [E]BEFORE THE THRONE OF GOD. …”
Conclusion
Though we “cannot” be these 144000 highest (Hundredfold) FIRSTFRUITS of God, perhaps there are other Hundredfolds among the FIRSTFRUITS as Christ Mentioned in Matthew 19:29.
But the most interesting thing is this: If the Word of God PRAISES them for THESE WRITTEN TRAITS ONLY, this means that any GREAT OBEDIENCE to GOD likewise must be along those same lines too.
For example, some people wonder why the “unmarried part” is important? The Verse below Written by the Inspiration of the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God Reveals that His Desire is for All to Remain Unmarried (“God’s Perfect Will”) but He doesn’t force it but allows marriage too as an option for the reason of an “Undivided Heart for God Alone”, Verses:
“… 7For I WISH THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN as I MYSELF. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the UNMARRIED AND TO THE WIDOWS: IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN EVEN AS I AM; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. … 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have TROUBLE IN THE FLESH, but I WOULD SPARE YOU. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is UNMARRIED CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THE LORD—how he may PLEASE THE LORD. 33But HE WHO IS MARRIED CARES about the THINGS OF THE WORLD—how he may PLEASE HIS WIFE. … 38So then he who GIVES HER IN MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he WHO DOES NOT GIVE HER IN MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:7 – 9, 28, 32 – 33, 38, NKJV)
A common myth Christians believe is that they can do what is “not” Written. For example, the Bible Verses here clearly compare (and hence we must too in Obedience) the Married Vs Unmarried option and realize that no one can do against what is Written namely, a total heart of servitude toward the Lord can only be PERFECTED via being UNMARRIED as the Verses above concludes as “Does Better” (all other factors held constant).
The Human Heart is Deceitful and don’t like it if others can exceed you, and so if they’re married, few are selfless to admit this Biblical Truth in these Verses to give an encouragement for others to get closer to God by “Choice” (and God’s Will if He enables them) after reading these Verses. We always want to praise our ways.
In short, if being “unmarried” to serve the COMMANDS of GOD in some way is Praised in these Verses and proven as a great trait for the 144000 even, then God having no Partiality must likewise imply such closeness to God among the other ranks of the Kingdom too likewise. The focus here is to get Closer and Closer to God even in the decisions such as Married Vs Unmarried which can affect it as these Verses clearly Prove “as it is Written”.
A detailed explanation with “Verses” regarding the 144000 is in a latter part in a previous link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160951789947784/
The phrase “Left WIFE” in Christ’s Own Definition of the HUNRDREDFOLD Reward in Matthew 19:29 below may imply this Truth in the Context of being “Unmarried” / “Having to leave spouse” to obey “Gospel Commands”:
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on TWELVE THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Please notice the word “Hundredfold” carefully in Verses above.
First Christianity quotes agrees to this likewise as taught, to quote (examples):
Is the Nazarene Way Exhorted by Christ Himself Outside of the Gospel Records? (Matthew 19:21, Matthew 19:27 – 30)
Agrapha Proof regarding the “Hundredfold or Sixty Fold” Lifestyle of the Unmarried Nazarene Way stated by Christ as Quoted by Various Earliest Church Leaders regarding what we discussed prior as the ‘Perfect Nazarene Way’, to quote:
“… And again the Lord says: Let the one who has married not be cast out, and let the one who has not married not marry. He who has confessed that he will not marry according to his decision of eunuchhood, let him remain unmarried….” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Miscellanies 3.15)
“… For He [Lord] says: Ask for the great things, and the little things* will be added unto you…” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Miscellanies 1.24)
*Great things refer to ‘Heavenly/Spiritual Rewards’ while ‘Little things’ must refer to earthly things I think.
“… My mystery is for Me and for the sons of My house…” – Blessed St. Clement of Alexandria, Head of the Cathecathical School At Alexandria (c. 150 AD – c. 215 AD, Miscellanies 5.10)
Source for Each “Agrapha ” Quote above:
https://web.archive.org/web/20080215124232/http://www.textexcavation.com/agrapha.html
“… For there are two ways in life, as touching these matters. The one the more moderate and ordinary, I mean marriage; the other angelic and unsurpassed, namely virginity. Now if a man choose the way of the world, namely marriage, he is not indeed to blame; yet he will not receive such great gifts as the other. For he will receive, since he too brings forth fruit, namely thirtyfold. But if a man embrace the holy and unearthly way, even though, as compared with the former, it be rugged and hard to accomplish, yet it has the more wonderful gifts: for it grows the perfect fruit, namely an hundredfold…” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Letter XLVIII.—Letter to Amun4583. Written before 354 AD via Philip Schaff, Pages 971 – 972)
Source: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txuc/athana49.htm
So in the Churches of the East, according to St. Athanasius the Great (who is often called the ‘father of orthodoxy’ from ancient theological standpoint itself – hence he may be communicating Mysteries of the Gospel kept by Sacred Tradition as even agreeing to other early Church Leader’s quote as discussed in a previous posts), we have the following in regards to ‘Spiritual Distinction’ based on ‘Marriage’, when obedience and other factors are held constant (based on Matthew 13:8):
“Married” = Thirty-Fold Fruit
“Unmarried” = Hundred-Fold Fruit
iii. Churches of the West
First Christianity in the West – Regarding Married vs Unmarried
Example – (St. Cyprian is Particularly Exhorting this Great Reward Opportunity by ‘free will choice’ especially toward ‘women virgins’ and ‘male eunuchs’ in the context of the ‘better final habitation in His Kingdom’ – perhaps as Bishops Papias & St. Irenaeous have said that the Lord referred to this ‘thirty, sixty and hundred fold fruits’ toward a dwelling Mansion in ‘the New Jerusalem City, Paradise and Heavens’ respectively), to quote:
“… By this pathway the martyrs progress, the virgins pass, the just of all kinds advance. Avoid the broad and roomy ways. There are deadly snares and death-bringing pleasures; there the devil flatters, that he may deceive; smiles, that he may do mischief; entices, that he may slay. The first fruit for the martyrs is a hundred-fold; the second is yours, sixty-fold… The ascent to great things is not easy. What toil we suffer, what labour, when we endeavour to ascend the hills and the tops of mountains! What, then, that we may ascend to heaven?… and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” You are free from this sentence. You do not fear, the sorrows and the groans of women. You have no fear of child-bearing; nor is your husband lord over you; but your Lord and Head is Christ, after the likeness and in the place of the man; with that of men your lot and your condition is equal… and of the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given in marriage: neither shall they die any more: for they are equal to the angels of God, being the children of the resurrection.” [3166] That which we shall be, you have already begun to be. You possess already in this world the glory of the resurrection. You pass through the world without the contagion of the world; in that you continue chaste and virgins, you are equal to the angels of God. Only let your virginity remain and endure substantial and uninjured; and as it began bravely, let it persevere continuously, and not seek the ornaments of necklaces nor garments, but of conduct. … The first decree commanded to increase and to multiply; the second enjoined continency. … living after the manner of eunuchs, are made eunuchs unto the kingdom. Nor does the Lord command this, but He exhorts it; nor does He impose the yoke of necessity, since the free choice of the will is left. But when He says that in His Father’s house are many mansions, He points out the dwellings of the better habitation. Those better habitations you are seeking; cutting away the desires of the flesh, you obtain the reward of a greater grace in the heavenly home…” – Blessed St. Cyprian of Carthage, Martyr for Christ (c. 200 AD – c. 258 AD, Points 21, 22, 23, Treatise II. [3127] On the Dress of Virgins)
Source: http://mb-soft.com/believe/txu/cyprian5.htm
In St. Cyprian’s quote above:
“Unmarried” = Sixty-Fold Fruit and “Martyrs” = Hundred-Fold Fruit
Implying automatically by comparison of a ‘better final habitation/way’ that the ‘rest’ (“married”) = Thirty-Fold Fruit as even other Early Church Leaders including St. Augustine has pointed out (posts prior).
Blessed St. Athanasius’ quote and St. Cyprian’s quote seem to point to some “loss of reward” if a Christian “marries” which is also taught in the Ancient Irish Christian Tradition too, to quote:
“… 28. But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned ; and if a vir gin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh : but I spare you. trouble. — The troubles of the world will not be taken from thee, viz., the bearing of children, and nursing, and, HARDEST of ALL, the LOSS of REWARD [hereafter]. 38. So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well ; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. giveth her. — He manifests here the difference between marriage and celibacy ; for when of marriage it is said (v. 36) ” he sinneth not,” of the celibate he says, ” he doetli well : ” but when he says of MARRIAGE, ” he DOETH WELL,” he says of CELIBACY, ” he DOETH BETTER.”…” Old Irish Gloss (Commentary on 1 Corinthians 7, Verses 28 and 38)
Source:
https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/1-corinthians/old-irish-gloss-on-1-corinthians
*Celibacy = Not Marrying = being “Unmarried”
So, certainly these are “known Ways from First Christianity” regarding how one can be a “thirty, sixty and hundred fold” fruit “according to the Rules of the Gospel” (2 Timothy 2:5) while if there be any other way as God Wills, so be it (please note that I’m not saying that there are other ways but stating it as a possibility only as I prefer to stick with that which has been taught by at least one early Church leader only as discussed prior).
Thus these “Ancient Paths” may be the Best available Ways for any Christian or a new believer to attain to the Best as they can (as a mistake here could mean an ‘eternal loss’ of rewards likewise, so why take the unnecessary risk by ‘trying new ways’?)
“Thus says the LORD, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ANCIENT PATHS, Where the GOOD WAY is, and walk in it; And you will find REST for YOUR SOULS. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.'” (Jeremiah 6:16, NASB)
Warning: If anyone boasts just because he/she is a virgin in a “state of purity” for Christ, such a person can lose this reward entirely being “undone”. Also, if he/she is thinks that they are greater than a Bishop because of this, likewise such a one may be “ruined”. So, please be “Wise” as the Great First Christianity Saint below says, to quote:
“… If any one can continue in a STATE of PURITY, to the honour of Him who is Lord of the flesh, let him so REMAIN WITHOUT BOASTING. If he begins to BOAST, he is UNDONE; and if he reckon himself GREATER than the BISHOP, he is RUINED. But it becomes both men and women who marry, to form their union with the approval of the bishop, that their marriage may be according to God, and not after their own lust. Let all things be done to the honour of God….” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, an Apostolic Father of the Church being a Direct Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD)
Source (Chapter 5): https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0110.htm
“… God’s holy church holds marriage sacred and honors married persons, for “Marriage is honorable and the bed undefiled.” 8 (6) < But > it regards continence as the most admirable, and commends it because it is engaged in the contest and has despised the world, as being still more powerful [than the world]. And the church believes in virginity and accords it the highest honor, because it is a thing of virtue and is fitted with the lightest wing. (7) The church has members who have renounced the world and yet are not contemptuous of those who are still in the world; they rejoice in the very great piety of such persons, as did the apostles who owned nothing themselves, < and yet did not look down on the others* >. (8) And the Savior himself owned no earthly possessions when he came in the flesh, though he was Lord of all — and yet he did not reject the women who assisted his disciples and himself. The Gospel says, “women which followed him from Galilee, ministering unto him of their substance.” 9 4,1 [If no one may own property], what is the point of “Hither to my right hand, ye blessed, for whom my heavenly Father hath prepared the kingdom before the foundation of the world. For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat; thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was naked, and ye clothed me?” 10 (2) How could they do these things except with [the fruits of] their honest labor, and their righteously acquired possessions? 4,3 And if these people < who > have made their own renunciation and live like the apostles would mix with the rest [of us], their ways would not seem strange, or foreign to God’s ordinance. (4) And if they renounced wives for the sake of continence their choice would be praiseworthy, provided that they did not call marriage unclean, and provided that they treated the < still > married as comrades, knowing the limitation and the rank of each. 4,5 For God’s ship takes any passenger except a bandit…” – Blessed St. Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310 AD – c. 403 AD, ‘Apostolics’, “Panarion”, Points 3.5 – 4.5, Pages 118 – 119)
Source:
Note: St. Ephiphanius and other saints here such as St. Clement of Alexandria or St. Ignatius of Antioch all do ‘not’ have any prayers to Virgin Mary or the saints in their writings and so Protestants may consider them to know these teachings.
vii) St. Jerome and St. Augustine also agree
To quote:
“… And brings forth some an hundredfold, &c. “We must observe,” says S. Jerome, “that like as in the bad ground there were three different sorts—namely, by the wayside, the rocky, and the thorny places—so in the good ground there is a threefold diversity. And in the one as well as in the other, it is not the substance which is changed, but the will; and so it is the heart of the unbelieving as well as of the believing which receives the seed.” Moreover, the greatest fruit of God’s Word, as it were the greatest fruit of seed is a hundredfold, as if from a single grain a harvest of a hundred grains were gathered, as was Isaac’s case (Gen. xxvi. 12). The medium fruit is called sixtyfold; the lowest thirtyfold. A definite number is put for an indefinite; otherwise He might have added, brings forth some fortyfold, some twenty fold, and so on. Whence, in opposition to Jovinian and Calvin, the inequality of merit and consequently of the reward, of good works in Heaven is rightly proved. So S. Chrysostom (Hom. 45), S. Augustine (de S. Virgin. c. 46), Nazianzen (Orat. 28), and others. For the Fathers, however Calvin may deride and exclaim, apply these words especially to diverse states. 1. S. Jerome, on this passage (lib. 1, contra Jovin), and S. Athanasius (Epist. ad Ammon.), and others assign the hundredfold fruit to virgins; the sixtyfold to widows; the thirtyfold to those who live in honest and holy wedlock. 2. S. Cyprian (l. de Hab. Virg.) and S. Augustine (l. 1, de quest. Evang. quest. 9, tom 4) assign the hundredfold to martyrs, the sixty to virgins, the thirtyfold to those who are married. Hear what S. Augustine says: “I assert that the hundredfold belongs to martyrs, on account of their holiness of life, or contempt of death; the sixty fold to virgins, on account of interior quiet, because they do not need to fight against fleshly habits—for rest is wont to be granted to soldiers who are past sixty years of age; the thirtyfold to the married, because thirty is the age of warriors—for those have a sharper conflict, that they may not be overcome of lust.”3. Euthymius and Theophylact assign the thirtyfold to beginners, the sixty to those who have made some progress, the hundredfold to the perfect. So also Nazianzen (Orat. 28.) When a man proceeds, saith he, from thirty to sixty, he finishes with a hundred, as Isaac did (Gen. xxvi.) And he sings the Psalms of Degrees, going from strength to strength, and placing the Ascensions in his heart (Ps. 84.)…” – Cornelius Bible Commentary
Source: http://www.corneliusbiblecommentary.faithweb.com/13matth.htm
The ‘thirty, sixty & hundredfold’ Mystery as ‘Married, Widowed & Virgin’ Christians
To quote:
“… My seed shall produce fruit a hundredfold – the reward of virginity is hundredfold; of widowhood, sixtyfold, and of married life, thirtyfold. “All cannot receive the Word of God but only they to whom it is given” (Mt 19:11). Let others be eunuchs of necessity, but I [am chaste] of my own will. … Let them sew robes who have previously lost the unsown robe…” ….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Second Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, ‘Quotes on Marriage & Viginity’)
Source: https://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/n093_Virginity.htm
and
“… What then? do I condemn second marriages? not at all; but I commend first ones. Do I expel twice-married persons from the church? Far from it; but I urge those who have been once married to lives of continence. The Ark of Noah contained unclean animals as well as clean. It contained both creeping things and human beings. In a great house there are vessels of different kinds, some to honour and some to dishonour. In the gospel parable the seed sown in the good ground brings forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. The hundredfold which comes first betokens the crown of virginity; the sixtyfold which comes next refers to the work of widows; while the thirtyfold — indicated by joining together the points of the thumb and forefinger — denotes the marriage-tie. What room is left for double marriages? None. They are not counted. Such weeds do not grow in good ground but among briers and thorns, the favourite haunts of those foxes to whom the Lord compares the impious Herod. A woman who marries more than once fancies herself worthy of praise because she is not so bad as the prostitutes, because she compares favourably with these victims of indiscriminate lust by surrendering herself to one alone and not to a number…” ….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Second Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, ‘Letter cxxiii. To Ageruchia’)
Source:
https://biblehub.com/library/jerome/the_principal_works_of_st_jerome/letter_cxxiii_to_ageruchia.htm
or
“… Now any one may object to this interpretation, and may give another which harmonizes with the rule of faith. For as the ark was to have rooms not only on the lower, but also on the upper storeys, which were called ” third storeys,” that there might be a habitable space on the third floor from the basement, some one may interpret these to mean the three graces commended by the apostle, — ^faith, hope, and charity. Or even more suitably they may be supposed to represent those three harvests in the gospel, thirtyfold, sixtyfold, an hundredfold, — chaste marriage dwelling in the ground floor, chaste widowhood in the upper, and chaste virginity in the top storey. Or any better interpretation may be given, so long as the reference to this city is maintained…” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD,, Book XV, ‘City of God’, Page 99)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/cityofgodvolumet009439mbp/cityofgodvolumet009439mbp_djvu.txt
Peace to you
Doctrine of Sanctification Mystery – God Sanctifies His Chosen
1) Is the Doctrine of Sanctification against the Work of Atonement of Christ in the Cross?
No, in Verses below Describing Christ’s Atonement, it’s clearly Written that the Doctrine of “Sanctification” follows as an Act of “making them Perfect” as Christ Leads them as the True Meaning of the Ancient Verse of being “Born Again” (spiritually) having “His Law Written in out hearts & minds” for the “New Covenant”:
“… 14For by ONE OFFERING HE HAS PERFECTED forever those who are being [d]SANCTIFIED. 15But the Holy Spirit also witnesses to us; for after He had said before, 16“This is THE COVENANT that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR HEARTS, and in THEIR MINDS I WILL WRITE THEM,” 17then He adds, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” 18Now where there is [e]remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin. …” (Hebrews 10:14 – 17, NKJV)
2) Doctrine of Sanctification is to let Christ Live in us
Apostle St. Paul wrote against adding the ritualistic Jewish Rituals of the Torah to the Work of Christ. However he also wrote about keeping holy and practicing the Charity Doctrine Commands and so these are “not” considered adding to the Work of Christ but rather LETTING CHRIST WORK THROUGH YOU TO FULFILL GOD’S WILL in these aspects as Verse below reveals:
“… 12Therefore, my beloved, as you have ALWAYS OBEYED, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling; 13for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU both TO WILL AND TO DO for His good pleasure. …” (Philippians 2:12 – 13, NKJV)
Can you see it?
So “not” doing these New Testament Commands or others means that we are “self-willed” at those times instead of “Letting Christ Live through us Fulfilling His Written Will via His Commands”.
3) What Acts are the Doctrine of Sanctification?
“… for it is SANCTIFIED BY THE WORD OF GOD and PRAYER. …” (1 Timothy 4:5, NKJV)
“… SANCTIFY them by Your truth. YOUR WORD is truth. …” (John 17:17, NKJV)
“… BLESSED are those who DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have the RIGHT TO THE TREE OF LIFE, and may ENTER THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY. …” (Revelation 22:14, NKJV)
In full:
“… 12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [f]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” 14BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO [G]DO HIS COMMANDMENTS, that they may have the right to the TREE OF LIFE, and may ENTER THROUGH THE GATES INTO THE CITY. 15[h]But OUTSIDE are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” …” (Revelation 22:14 – 16, NKJV)
“… just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26that He MIGHT [G]SANCTIFY and CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD, 27that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. …” (Ephesians 5:25 – 27, NKJV)
Note: Sanctification by the WRITTEN WORD (Obeying the Bible part): “… CLEANSE HER WITH THE WASHING OF WATER by THE WORD …”
iii) Almsgiving and Charity Works are also part of the Doctrine of Sanctification for this New Testament
ALMS = CHARITY for DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION too, Verses:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)
Acts of Sanctification in New Testament Scripture is not “falling from Grace” nor is it prohibited in New Testament times but rather we are to do it as God Leads us. Which better Man of God example would there be than Apostle St. Paul himself to prove this in action? Why?
Even Apostle St. Paul (the real Inspired Author of “Saved by Faith/Grace Doctrine or Sola Fide) Practiced it for PURIFICATION in the NEW TESTAMENT, Verses:
“… 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I WORSHIP THE GOD OF MY FATHERS, BELIEVING ALL THINGS which are WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (Acts of the Apostles, 24:14 – 21, NKJV)
Yes, even your sins are covered from Judgment if you love:
“… And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE will COVER a MULTITUDE OF SINS.” …”(1 Peter 4:8, NKJV)
“… Therefore I say to you, HER SINS, which are MANY, ARE FORGIVEN, for SHE LOVED MUCH. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47, NKJV)
Blessed are the Churches and Christians who do “all” these Acts of Sanctification based on His New Testament Commands as it is Written.
Peace to you
The “Doctrine of Sanctification” only works in “Cleansing us” if and only if we “Obey His Written Word” as these Verses Testify:
“…. 9How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your word.
10With my whole heart I have sought You;
Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!
11Your word I have hidden in my heart,
That I might not sin against You. …” (Psalm 119:9 – 11, NKJV)
So please do “not” ignore “New Testament” Commands which are for our “Sanctification” and that’s why the Great Commission is only complete when we Teach them what “CHRIST COMMANDED” (and not our opinions against these Verses) as fulfilling the “… Teach them to observe ALL that I COMMANDED YOU …” part of the ‘Great Commission’ (Matthew 28:20), Verse:
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
Here is a simple Biblical Logic: If the early Church was “Sanctified” by “Obeying New Testament Bible Verses”, then now you are being sanctified by doing OPPOSITE to these Bible Verses? So that means you are saying that God is Sanctifying you with the OPPOSITE to those WRITTEN NEW TESTAMENT VERSES/RULES?TRADITIONS? Let God Decide if you “claim” so but it sounds “risky” for me and I will choose the “narrow path” which is Obedience to these New Testament Verses despite of our failure to do so many times.
Perhaps that’s why it’s Written that “… Obedience is Better than Sacrifice …” (1 Samuel 15:22).
Peace to you
Deepest Theology – COMPASSION is True Judgment
Christ Didn’t Embrace their sin and Pointed it out but always forgave and embraced them so that they always still have a chance of repentance.
Example “Verses” from CHRIST HIMSELF:
“… 3Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins [c]against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns [d]to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:3 – 4, NKJV)
Not 7 times but 70 x 7 = 490 times for the ‘same mistake’.
“… 21Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” 22Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. … 33Should you not also have had COMPASSION on your fellow servant, JUST AS I HAD PITY ON YOU?’ 34And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. 35“So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother [g]his trespasses.” …” (Matthew 18:21 – 22, 33 – 35, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that we don’t have Forgiveness till we forgive those who trespass against us as Christ Himself Reveals Matthew 18:35. Did you also notice that how easily we forgive others or how hard we judge others (as per the parable part of this truth in Matthew 18:23 – 32, not quoted here, to focus on this part) is exactly how we will be judged for our sins likewise?
So, please use the sin of others against you wisely by forgiving easily with “no” Judgment toward them but rather show COMPASSION (please notice this word carefully as Christ Spoke it in Matthew 18:33 above) proving this DEEPEST THEOLOGY regarding JUDGMENT too. An ancient Old Testament Verse below Says it likewise calling MERCY as the TRUE JUDGMENT:
“… Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute TRUE JUDGMENT, and SHEW MERCY and COMPASSIONS every man to his brother: 10And OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; and let none of you IMAGINE EVIL AGAINST his brother in your heart. 11But they REFUSED TO HEARKEN, and pulled away the shoulder, and STOPPED THEIR EARS, that THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR. …” (Zechariah 7:9 – 11, NKJV)
Example: I have worked in a few places where people are “unmerciful” toward the mistakes of others due to “economic love of money reasons” disguised in “good will words which are fake” (as all ‘worldly business talk is like that’). What do I do in such cases? I quit and that’s I freelance around only sticking to places which doesn’t force me to be “unmerciful” toward students or others. The typical claim that ‘they have to be like that for the best interest of the student is about the biggest lie in Education as the real reason is that good results can be used for marketing & making more money while bad results reflect bad on them’. Furthermore, I always give these two points for those who want to debate this truth:
Conclusion
“Contentment” is accepting these Truths and building a life/career accordingly. Personally, I cannot solve a lot of very advanced Math Olympiad problems either or even do Masters in Maths or phD because I have “not” discovered anything new in the field nor could master the known advanced knowledge. And so, I just do what I can and relax as the Bible Teaches this Rule of “Contentment” without which our “godliness” doesn’t result in “Great Gain” in the Heavenly Kingdom (oh, what a loss!), Verses:
“… 6Now GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And HAVING FOOD AND CLOTHING, WITH THESE WE SHALL BE CONTENT. 9But those who DESIRE TO BE RICH FALL into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. …” (1 Timothy 6:6 – 9, NKJV)
Christ Taught this Same Principle in Verse below:
“… 24BLIND GUIDES, who STRAIN OUT A GNAT and SWALLOW A CAMEL! 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and [l]self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. …” (Matthew 23:24 – 26, NKJV)
How?
“… who STRAIN OUT A GNAT …” = In principle, forcing others to live out a high level achievement or difficult work on others or equivalent
“… and SWALLOW A CAMEL! …” = In principle, very easy on themselves where they themselves never achieved the things which they force others to do in this context.
What all these persons with advantage in life don’t realize is that if given on a fair plateau they wouldn’t even get what they have now but they have it because of racial advantage or equivalent while the good or better must be discriminated and used & abused by such so that they can be Rewarded greatly in the KINGDOM OF GOD as many verses Testify, Example:
“… I returned and saw under the sun that— The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all. …” (Ecclesiastes 9:11, NKJV)
Yes, this is what it means to be “PERSECUTED” for “RIGHTEOUSNESS” whenever we are discriminated in some way because we UPHOLD A BIBLE VERSE and not because of suffering for one’s own opinion which is “not Written”, and the Reward for such is to inherit the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN, Verse:
“… Blessed are those who are PERSECUTED for RIGHTEOUSNESS’ sake, For THEIRS is the KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:10, NKJV)
One last thing: please notice carefully that Christ Calls them as “24BLIND GUIDES” in Verse above (Matthew 23:24) toward those who live according to such worldly ways. May God Help us not to be BLIND to these Bible Verses and lose heavenly rewards as well as incur heavier Judgment all because of our own “strictness” which we “impose on others” but we ourselves never achieved anything like that in “Relative Measure” (God Knows All).
Peace to you
Mystery of the Good Fight of Faith to Ferraris of Faith – Are we Doing it according to the Bible Verses?
1) What is the Definition of the “Good Fight of Faith” as “it is Written”?
“… 3If ANYONE TEACHES OTHERWISE and does not consent to wholesome words, EVEN THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, and to the [a]DOCTRINE WHICH ACCORDS WITH GODLINESS, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5[b]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, WHO SUPPOSE THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS OF GAIN. [c]From such withdraw yourself. 6Now GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And HAVING FOOD AND CLOTHING, WITH THESE WE SHALL BE CONTENT. 9But those who DESIRE TO BE RICH FALL into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10For the LOVE OF MONEY is a ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL, for which some have STRAYED FROM THE FAITH in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. …” (1 Timothy 6:6 – 12, NKJV)
Please notice the following carefully:
“… 12FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH, LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE, …”
“… 3If ANYONE TEACHES OTHERWISE and does not consent to wholesome words, EVEN THE WORDS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, and to the [a]DOCTRINE WHICH ACCORDS WITH GODLINESS, …”
iii) The “Good Fight of Faith” teaches a “Doctrine of Godliness” which has nothing to do with money prosperity nor materialism as blessing of God but rather teaches “Contentment” to accept whatever situation beyond having “food + clothing” only
“… 5[b]useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, WHO SUPPOSE THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS OF GAIN. [c]From such withdraw yourself. 6Now GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN. 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And HAVING FOOD AND CLOTHING, WITH THESE WE SHALL BE CONTENT. …”
Note: False Teachers always quote that a blessing of being “Holy/Godly” is to be partly “blessed with money/gain” but this Verse Warns strongly against such a teaching in the phrase “… WHO SUPPOSE THAT GODLINESS IS A MEANS OF GAIN. …”.
Comment: Political and Racism Christianity where they try to become financially rich by playing economic games thinking they are justified by playing out unbelievers or equivalent is certainly just another Version of “Greed or evil” but still for “self gain” as they don’t share with the poor of their own church even or if they share, it’s only tit-bits after they swallow a camel first (meaning they make big money for themselves first before giving out so little if they give) as Christ Warned of such attitude in the Pharisees too in analogy as follows:
“… 24Blind guides, who STRAIN OUT A GNAT and SWALLOW A CAMEL! 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and [l]self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. …” (Matthew 23:24 – 26, NKJV)
Example: “… STRAIN OUT A GNAT …” = when it Comes to others, they are “not” generous or make use of them maximally in any way they can while “… SWALLOW A CAMEL! …” means when it comes to their needs or desires, they take bountifully for personal use say out of God’s Money or Personal Money to enjoy luxury/prosperity or equivalent in “self indulgence”. Can you see it?
Christ Didn’t End there as in the ‘Same Context’ or ‘Same Topic’ above of keeping the “Outside Holiness but inside unclean” due to such prosperity lifestyles of maximizing using others for oneself while minimising the giving of oneself to serve others financially or beyond, i.e. in “greed” (collecting Maximum money profits for themselves) and “self indulgence” (spending much on themselves and personal vanity enjoyments), the ONLY WAY CHRIST HIMSELF COMMANDS TO CLEAN oneself of this is to GIVE ALMS/CHARITY, Verses:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
“… 9But those who DESIRE TO BE RICH FALL into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. …”
This Psalm proves that one doesn’t live in “prosperity/luxury” but only takes his “daily need” from God’s Providence is God’s Will
“… 7Two things I request of You (Deprive me not before I die): 8REMOVE FALSEHOOD AND LIES FAR FROM ME; GIVE ME NEITHER POVERTY NOR RICHES— FEED ME WITH THE FOOD ALLOTTED TO ME; 9Lest I be full and deny You, And say, “Who is the Lord?” Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God. …” (Proverbs 30:7 – 9, NKJV)
No wonder Christ Asked to Pray for “Daily” Bread only and not “Bread for 1000 days ahead etc.” where if He Gives that, it should come without we asking for it in the same way we never see either Abraham nor Job in Scripture praying for wealth/money but yet they were made rich by God which in return they shared extravagantly as I have demonstrated in earlier posts with “Verses”:
“… 11Give us this day our daily bread. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:11, NKJV)
“… 10For the LOVE OF MONEY is a ROOT OF ALL KINDS OF EVIL, for which some have STRAYED FROM THE FAITH in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. …”
Do we preach against the “Love of Money” according to New Testament Verses? If we didn’t, “no” evil is Uprooted meaning it can Always resurface back and it causes the “straying away from the faith”. Can you see it?
2) Christ’s New Testament Commands
Christ is “not” Lord in our hearts until we do what He Says in Scripture:
“… 46“But WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ and NOT DO THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? 47Whoever comes to Me, and HEARS MY SAYINGS AND DOES THEM, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 48, NKJV)
Note: The “… and NOT DO THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? …” = New Testament Written Commands of Christ = “… 47Whoever comes to Me, and HEARS MY SAYINGS AND DOES THEM, …”. Can you see it?
This is “not” an Out of Context quoting of Scripture as the same Context above of ‘building the House on the Rock of Christ’ = Building a Faith by Doing His Commands without which the risk of “Lawlessness” exists is Echoed clearly in the Great Denial Verses below (where “Many” converts based on Prophesying, Casting out Demons, Miracles are Rejected in an End Time Christianity which accomplishes this as it Asks Christ when He Returns on ‘That Day’):
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
Note: So the “… will of My Father in heaven …” = “… 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …”. Can you see it? Please remember that the CHARITY DOCTRINE is a MAJOR COMMAND of CHRIST till JUDGMENT DAY VERSES (next) mention this only even (proving its independent importance exclusively even):
Yes, Which “Doing Good” is Christ Speaking about? His Own Words Answers only these, Verses:
“… for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a STRANGER and you TOOK ME IN; … 38When did we see You a STRANGER and take You in, or naked and clothe You? … 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the LEAST of these My brethren, you DID it TO ME.’ … 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting [Aeonian] fire prepared for the devil and his angels: … 43I was a STRANGER and you did NOT take Me in, … ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did NOT do it to one of the least of these, you did NOT do it to Me.’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:35, 38, 40, 41, 43, 45, NKJV)
Example: The Verses below by Christ Himself is Full of the CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMANDS such as GIVE, SHARE, LEND MONEY even toward OUR ENEMIES toward “those who will hear” as Christ Remarks beautifully as ‘fake Christians will be unable to hear this and will do the opposite and persecute their enemies either literally, economically or in other ways to preserve their way of life instead of obeying His Command in this’ (can you see it Written on the first line below itself?):
“… 27“But I SAY TO YOU WHO HEAR: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK THEM BACK. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and YOUR REWARD WILL BE GREAT, and YOU WILL BE SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
3) Executing True Judgment
“… Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute TRUE JUDGMENT, and SHEW MERCY and COMPASSIONS every man to his brother: 10And OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; and let none of you IMAGINE EVIL AGAINST his brother in your heart. 11But they REFUSED TO HEARKEN, and pulled away the shoulder, and STOPPED THEIR EARS, that THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR. 12Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus GREAT WRATH CAME FROM THE LORD OF HOSTS. 13Therefore it happened, that just as HE PROCLAIMED AND THEY WOULD NOT HEAR, SO THEY CALLED OUT and I WOULD NOT LISTEN,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. 14“But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus THE LAND BECAME DESOLATE after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.” ….” (Zechariah 7:9 – 14, KJV)
So, Executing True Judgment is showing MERCY and COMPASSION in ACTION such as the CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS of “… 10And OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; …” meaning we shoot do the opposite which is to help them instead:
“… 27PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION before GOD AND THE FATHER is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in THEIR TROUBLE, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. …” (James 1:27, NKJV)
Did you notice these?
“Holiness” part of “God’s Pure Religion” = “… and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. …” = the “Virginity” part of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1 – 13.
and
“Charity Doctrine Part of God’s Pure Religion” = “…27PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION before GOD AND THE FATHER is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in THEIR TROUBLE, …” = the “Oil & Lamp” part of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1 – 13. as discussed in an earlier post below with Blessed Martin Luther too Preaching this same meaning in Essence:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160885716652784:0
“… 17For the Lord your God is GOD OF GODS and LORD OF LORDS, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18He administers JUSTICE FOR THE FATHERLESS and the WIDOW, AND LOVES THE STRANGER, GIVING HIM FOOD AND CLOTHING. 19Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. …” (Deuteronomy 10:17 – 19, NKJV)
“… Look, this was the iniquity of your sister SODOM: She and her daughter had PRIDE, FULLNESS OF FOOD, and ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS; NEITHER did she strengthen the hand of the POOR and NEEDY. …” (Ezekiel 16:49, NKJV)
iii) Kings of Faith Practice this Charity Doctrine because that’s what it means to “know God” and not compete in Cedar (i.e. competing in buying expensive furniture) as God Himself Remarks Sarcastically toward this newly appointed “king of Judah” in Verses below:
“… 15“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. 17“But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood, And on practicing oppression and extortion.” … And YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME when YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. …” (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, 29:13, NASB)
4) Are we Adding to the Work of Christ?
Apostle St. Paul wrote against adding the ritualistic Jewish Rituals of the Torah to the Work of Christ. However he also wrote about keeping holy and practicing the Charity Doctrine Commands and so these are “not” considered adding to the Work of Christ but rather LETTING CHRIST WORK THROUGH YOU TO FULFILL GOD’S WILL in these aspects as Verse below reveals:
“… 12Therefore, my beloved, as you have ALWAYS OBEYED, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION with fear and trembling; 13for it is GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU both TO WILL AND TO DO for His good pleasure. …” (Philippians 2:12 – 13, NKJV)
Can you see it?
So “not” doing these New Testament Commands or others means that we are “self-willed” at those times instead of “Letting Christ Live through us Fulfilling His Written Will via His Commands”.
In other words the Context is very strong in Verses below that the “Faith that is Dead” refers to a ‘Faith without physical sharing of material needs toward one another’ if we take the literal Sola Scriptura approach, Verses:
“… 14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD. …” (James 2:14 – 17, NKJV)
The explanations that Works of Faith can refer to something else is “not” Written in Verses above and thus remains as opinions of men which could be true but the most important Work of Saving Faith is clearly literal material sharing of needs of the Charity Doctrine of ‘this World’s Goods’ as the next set of Verses below too agree as the “Faith Working through Love” Context (Galatians 5:6) likewise points to this same context as “love your neighbor” with literal earthly needs/goods to fulfill “all Law” (all Torah, not some, Galatians 5:14) and hence no one can be condemned to preach or do it likewise as these Verses clearly Reveal Further:
“… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE. … For ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED in one word, even in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” …” (Galatians 5:6, 14, NKJV)
The phrase “… FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE …” = ‘Faith with Charity Doctrine’ because ‘Charity Doctrine is Love in Action’, Verses:
“… 16By this WE KNOW LOVE, because He laid down His life for us. And we also OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, AND SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …” (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
5) Are we filled with the Holy Spirit?
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is “not” Speaking in tongues as there are Christians who do “not” Speak in Tongues. The Speaking in tongues is a Gift of the Spirit for Self-Edification, Verses:
“… 4He who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I WISH YOU ALL SPOKE WITH TONGUES, but EVEN MORE THAT YOU PROPHESIED; …” (1 Corinthians 14:4 – 5, NKJV)
Comments:
“… 4He who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF, …”
Not every Christian get to Practice every Gift and so they are still filled with the Holy Spirit and the Greatest Way (as Scripture Compares is not these gifts at all but the Gift of Agape/Love of God) as these Verses Describe (which was in an earlier post in detail):
“… 27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are ALL WORKERS OF MIRACLES? 30DO ALL HAVE GIFTS OF HEALINGS? DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the [i]best gifts. And YET I SHOW YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY. …” (1 Corinthians 12:27 – 30, NKJV)
The Sign of the Holy Spirit is this according to Verse below: No one can keep (obey) these Commands unless the Holy Spirit Enables them:
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
Christ Confirms this Truth as follows:
“… IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP [Obey] MY COMMANDMENTS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, NKJV)
6) Why go “beyond what is Written in New Testament Scripture” and then claim ‘Sola Scriptura’ as a Protestant? Isn’t that how the Protestants accuse the Roman Catholics to add new things and aren’t them doing the same & then claim that the number of new converts justify it?
There’s “no” New Testament Command for Fulfilling anything what is “not” Written. So the Safe Route Scripturally for which you cannot be condemned and are approved by God is to just obey Written New Testament Verses as it is Written and teach others likewise too:
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
Yes, One thing is for sure: Whoever follows these New Testament Commands will never be condemned according to Verse below:
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
There’s always a “real risk” of doing things against what is Written as the “Lord’s Command” (1 Corinthians 14:37) and thus we don’t judge those who do differently but need not approve them either letting them be (let God Decide on their case but we choose to Preach what is Written):
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people … 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND THEM OF THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
Comment: The “Real Evangelism” was “not” done by these Modern Christianity which is 100 years old but from the time of the apostles and even the Protestant Reformation, those greats also believed and Preached these Verses as it is Written be it they went into new unexplored areas or other great pursuits. These modern Christianity hijacked their work and now teaches contrary to what their first leaders taught unanimously which is to keep and obey any New Testament Commands as I have discussed in many previous posts quoting the great men of Faith from Blessed Martin Luther, Blessed John Wesley, Blessed John Calvin, Blessed Charles Spurgeon, Blessed Watchman Nee and many others. So, today sitting in their place after inheriting their hard work in blood with modern ease of manipulated replacements, they are now teaching AGAINST THESE NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS and AGAINST THESE ORIGINAL PROTESTANT LEADERS too whilst sitting and inheriting their hard work, isn’t it? Best is, they tell you to “obey their new ways” which are “not” Written in Scripture but if you ask them to Return to these Scriptural Ways which was attested by the Fathers of Protestantism themselves, they shut you off. Can you see it?
“… But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. …” (John 14:26, NKJV)
Comment: It is Written Clearly in Verse above that the “Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God” brings to “REMEMBRANCE” what “Christ has Said or COMMANDED” which is either directly by Him or through His Apostles and ‘not change those Spoken Words’, can you see it please?
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
7) Faithfulness to God is Measured by how we Spend our Money
Biblical Logic: For Rich Christians, it is COMMANDED that they do these four things for ETERNAL LIFE (which either affects their reward level or failure to do this can signify whether they serve “Mammon”, Matthew 6:24 which can cause them to be “Unsaved”, let God Decide as “Christ Said Hard too for a Torah/Law Keeping Rich Man earlier to do this part even a little & thus hard to enter Heaven”):
iii) READY TO GIVE,
“… 17COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
Can you really see it?
Please allow me to Highlight a Verse part for “Lawlessness Context Inside” even if they have “outward holiness” only below (or abstinence from sin, looking holy to men as even the Rich Young Ruler could keep holy and the Torah even without believing in Christ as per Matthew 19:20 – 24 but the Rich Young Ruler couldn’t believe the Charity Doctrine Commanding Lord Jesus Christ as Matthew 19:24 – 30 reveals toward “Perfection” – so which Jesus are you preaching?):
“… 28Even so you also OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” (Matthew 23:28)
“… ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ …” (Matthew 7:23)
What’s the Cure for this “Inside Lawlessness” though it cannot be seen outside as Christ Himself Says that such ones appear “… OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN … but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” (Matthew 23:28)? This time Blessed Luke records this part more clearly as follows in this same Topic/Context of “Cleaning the Inside” (Doctrine of Sanctification for those Sanctified by the Spirit of God):
“… (39Then the Lord said to him), “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP AND DISH CLEAN, but your INWARD part is full of GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the INSIDE also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS [CHARITY] of SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS are CLEAN to you. . …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
8.) This is The Father’s Secret – Christ’s Commands:
Do you that both “God the Father” and “God the Son” are Found “not” in our opinions or prayer but in “His Commands”? Verse:
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. …” (John 14:23 – 24, NKJV)
Please don’t get me wrong. I am “not” saying that prayer is not important but without “Doing and Preaching His New Testament Commands” our prayers and assumptions are just human words. So the Verse above Teaches us to “Obey (Keep) His Divine Word via His Commands” first and then “God Comes and Lives in Us”.
Plenty of New Testament Commands (I think it’s the Majority) which is about the CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMANDS Directly by Christ Himself for those who believe in Him, interesting isn’t it?
Let us thus Preach Responsibly or if not, God may Hold us Accountable.
Conclusion – Are we Fulfilling the Great Commission?
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
This part of the Great Commission is overlooked much “… 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; …” and may mark the difference between the thirty-fold, sixty-fold Vs Hundredfold converts.
The Tangible Works of Faith to keep it Alive refer primarily to the Charity Doctrine of Sharing with one another:
“… 14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? 15If a brother or sister IS NAKED AND DESTITUTE OF DAILY FOOD, 16and one of you says to them, “DEPART IN PEACE, BE WARMED AND FILLED,” but YOU DO NOT GIVE THEM THE THINGS WHICH ARE NEEDED FOR THE BODY, WHAT DOES IT PROFIT? 17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. …” (James 2:14 – 17, NKJV)
It is with “your money” (or “unrighteous mammon”) that “your faithfulness to God” is going to be Judged according to CHRIST HIMSELF (not opinions of men) in Verses below so please take it seriously:
“…9Here’s the lesson: USE YOUR WORLDLY RESOURCES to BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE FRIENDS. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an ETERNAL HOME. 10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 12, NLT)
Note: The Word translated as “Eternal” in “Eternal Home” above is the same Greek Word translated as “Eternal” in “Eternal Life” or in “Everlasting Punishment” in Matthew 25:46 which is Aeonian/Olam. In other words, the consequences of being wrong in regards to this “how you spend your money” Doctrine could determine your “ETERNAL HOME” and MISSING HEAVEN and so do you want to risk being wrong about it? Can you see it?
This is why He Taught us to “Keep our Lamps Lit” by Doing the “Charity Works” that He Commanded:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
Note: Doing the Charity Doctrine of “Give to Charity” is part of “Seeking the Kingdom” as CHRIST HIMSELF COMMANDS in Verses above when quoted in “full”.
“… But others fell on GOOD GROUND and yielded a crop: some a HUNDREDFOLD, some SIXTY, some THIRTY. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:8, NKJV)
Please notice the word “Hundredfold” carefully in Verse below:
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on TWELVE THRONES, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Please notice that Christ Talks about “First” and “Last” based on this as it is Written above. Relative Measure makes it fair to everyone according to how much one puts effort to preach the Gospel “Commands” to be “least/great” in His Kingdom of Heaven (God’s Heaven, God’s Rules) as these Verses prove:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
So if you have only one possible believer who believes all Christ’s New Testament Commands, he is like a Ferrari of Faith in comparison to the 1000,000 (1 million converts of a kancil car or less value type of Faith which doesn’t do a lot of Christ’s Commands). That’s how these “Bible Verses” compare the HUNDREDFOLD Vs THIRTY or SIXTY fold believers above explained in analogy here of the expensive car Vs cheap car for expensive faith Vs cheap faith.
Did you notice that Christ only Speaks of exactly 12 (Twelve Thrones) in the Highest Among the “Hundredfold” Reward recipients which are the Apostles in Matthew 19:28 – 29 earlier? This means that Christ only has the 12 Lamborghini of Faith (so little isn’t it?)
Similarly in the Book of Revelation we find the 144,000 of Israel who are certainly among the highest “Hundredfold” ones (unmarried men, holy and best in faith, Revelation 7:1 – 8.), Verses:
“… 1Then I looked, and behold, [a]a Lamb standing on Mount Zion, and WITH HIM ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND, [b]having His Father’s name written on their foreheads. … . 3They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could learn that song except the HUNDRED AND FORTY-FOUR THOUSAND who were redeemed from the earth. 4These are the ones WHO WERE NOT DEFILED WITH WOMEN, FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These were [c]redeemed from among men, being FIRSTFRUITS to God and to the Lamb …” (Revelation 14:1, 3 – 4, NKJV)
Only after mentioning these 144,000 the Bible mentions the rest of the Saved as follows (which could be a mix of the thirty and sixty fold type of faith):
“… 9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” …” (Revelation 7:9 – 10, NKJV)
My point is this:
This part of their total devotion to God being unmarried and Virgin even just so that they can “please God” entirely via “His COMMANDS” their heart being undivided is why Apostle St. Paul wrote in principle of the following Verses too:
“… 7For I WISH THAT ALL MEN WERE EVEN as I MYSELF. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 8But I say to the UNMARRIED AND TO THE WIDOWS: IT IS GOOD FOR THEM IF THEY REMAIN EVEN AS I AM; 9but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. … 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have TROUBLE IN THE FLESH, but I WOULD SPARE YOU. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is UNMARRIED CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THE LORD—how he may PLEASE THE LORD. 33But HE WHO IS MARRIED CARES about the THINGS OF THE WORLD—how he may PLEASE HIS WIFE. … 38So then he who GIVES HER IN MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he WHO DOES NOT GIVE HER IN MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:7 – 9, 28, 32 – 33, 38, NKJV)
“… 3saying, “Do not harm the earth, the sea, or the trees till we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” 4And I heard the number of those who were sealed. One hundred and forty-four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel were sealed:
5of the tribe of Judah twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Reuben twelve thousand were [a]sealed;
of the tribe of Gad twelve thousand were sealed;
6of the tribe of Asher twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Naphtali twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Manasseh twelve thousand were sealed;
7of the tribe of Simeon twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Levi twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Issachar twelve thousand were sealed;
8of the tribe of Zebulun twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Joseph twelve thousand were sealed;
of the tribe of Benjamin twelve thousand were sealed.
9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” …” (Revelation 7:3 – 10, NKJV)
So this clearly proves that the “number of converts” does “not” prove whether one is a Hundredfold, Sixty fold or Thirty fold fruit but the amount of Fruits of the Spirit one Cultivates by “Preaching and Doing” Christ’s Commands in Relative Measure of what you are given as Matthew 5:19 together with the only “Hundredfold” Reward Verse in Scripture (Matthew 19:29) also only mentions that the leaving of “Relationships such as wife/family” (as very few can Sacrifice this) for the Gospel or Christ’s Sake to Fulfill His Commands or even sacrifice material things to do Gospel Work such as “House, Lands” (also which very few are willing to share their personal private space of house/lands toward others) to fulfill GOSPEL COMMANDS or for CHRIST’S COMMANDS become part of these Eternal Highest “HUNDREDFOLD” Reward, please allow me to repeat this DIRECTLY from CHRIST HIMSELF:
“… 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 19:29, NKJV)
Please don’t be deceived.
Based on all these New Testament Verses and the Old Testament Verses which still apply today, have we really “Fought the Good Fight of Faith”?
Peace to you
Mystery of Missing Heaven and the Way you Spend your Money link
Poverty Gospel with Charity Doctrine is not necessary for Salvation but is the Gospel of Perfection Beyond Holiness as Taught by Christ and Practiced by His Apostles.
Firstly, when the Bible Teaches believe in Lord Jesus Christ or Confess that He is Lord, it’s not referring to some Verbal Formula but one that is FOLLOWED WITH ACTIONS OF OBEYING CHRIST’S COMMANDS especially the COMMANDS with MONEY which the BIBLE VERSES NEXT (mostly by CHRIST HIMSELF) Points to Revealing whether one’s belief in Christ is REAL or FAKE:
“… 46“But WHY DO YOU CALL ME ‘LORD, LORD,’ and NOT DO THE THINGS WHICH I SAY? 47Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 48, NKJV)
This is “not” out of context quoting of Verses because the Second part in Verses above ‘Speaking of the House on the Rock Context’ for obeying Christ’s Commands for avoiding LAWLESSNESS to not be among the MANY DENIED on that Day is the “same phrase” (hence “same Context”) linking it to the Great Denial Verses below as it is Written despite them CONVERTING MANY (most likely MAJORITY), CASTING OUT DEMONS, PROPHESYING and DOING MIRACLES (so an End Time Christianity which accomplishes this is most likely referred to as they Ask Him that being still alive when He Returns on “That Day”). Verses below prove this Truth:
“… 14Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. … 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we NOT PROPHESIED in Your name, CAST OUT DEMONS in Your name, and DONE MANY WONDERS in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’. 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:14, 21 – 23, 24, NKJV)
Now, why do you take ‘unwritten human preacher’s words seriously’ but “not” the “Written New Testament Bible Verses seriously?” Can you see it?
“… 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept [g]from my youth. What do I STILL LACK?” 21JESUS said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then JESUS said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:20 – 24, NKJV)
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
“… No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:24, NKJV)
For Rich Christians, it is COMMANDED that they do these four things for ETERNAL LIFE (which either affects their reward level or failure to do this can signify whether they serve “Mammon”, Matthew 6:24 which can cause them to be “Unsaved”, let God Decide as “Christ Said Hard too for a Torah/Law Keeping Rich Man earlier to do this part even a little & thus hard to enter Heaven”):
iii) READY TO GIVE,
Verse (please note these four COMMANDS above carefully as it is Written):
“… 17COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
It is with “your money” (or “unrighteous mammon”) that “your faithfulness to God” is going to be Judged according to CHRIST HIMSELF (not opinions of men) in Verses below so please take it seriously:
“… 9“And I say to you, MAKE FRIENDS FOR YOURSELVES by UNRIGHTEOUS [D]MAMMON, that when [e]you fail, they may receive you into an EVERLASTING HOME. 10He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11Therefore IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST THE TRUE RICHES? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 13, NKJV)
In another translation for easier English to understand it more clearly:
“… 9Here’s the lesson: USE YOUR WORLDLY RESOURCES to BENEFIT OTHERS AND MAKE FRIENDS. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an ETERNAL HOME. 10“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? 12And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 12, NLT)
This is why He Taught us to “Keep our Lamps Lit” by Doing the “Charity Works” that He Commanded:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
Since these are all “Commands of Christ”, it ought to be Done by a True Christian regardless. Can you see it? Let’s teach others too lest He Denies us for not Teaching these Bible Verses which are so direct with “no” alternate meaning or difficulties. Blessed are the Churches and Christians who do it.
ALMS = CHARITY for DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION too, Verses:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)
Please don’t risk leading any to Hell by “not” Teaching them these New Testament Commands (not options) to Fulfill the Great Commission’s “… 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; …” Part:
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV
Even Apostle St. Paul (the real Inspired Author of “Saved by Faith/Grace Doctrine or Sola Fide) Practiced it for PURIFICATION in the NEW TESTAMENT, Verses:
“… 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I WORSHIP THE GOD OF MY FATHERS, BELIEVING ALL THINGS which are WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (Acts of the Apostles, 24:14 – 21, NKJV)
Since Christ Himself Taught this Charity Doctrine Directly (in all these Verses), the Verse below applies too in Context (as Scripture is all about the Messiah’s Wisdom):
“… There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD …” (Proverbs 21:30, NKJV)
Please don’t be deceived.
Peace to you
Hundredfold Reward Mystery
We can convert many people but if they’re all thirtyfold, we might be thirtyfold too.
“… But others fell on GOOD GROUND and yielded a crop: some a HUNDREDFOLD, some SIXTY, some THIRTY. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:8, NKJV)
The only Verse in the Bible Describing this “Hundredfold” Reward does “not” mention number of converts (because many converts can be thirty-fold converts when measured against the number of Commands they “do and teach” according to Matthew 5:19 – please see the end) but “Leaving Earthly Things/relationships” for believing in Christ and the Charity Doctrine of Giving to the Poor, “Verses” (not opinions of men):
“… 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept [g]from my youth. What do I STILL LACK?” 21JESUS said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then JESUS said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:20 – 24, NKJV)
Please notice the word “Hundredfold” carefully in Verse below:
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Please notice that Christ Talks about “First” and “Last” based on this as it is Written above. Relative Measure makes it fair to everyone according to how much one puts effort to preach the Gospel “Commands” to be “least/great” in His Kingdom of Heaven (God’s Heaven, God’s Rules) as these Verses prove:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
So if you have only one possible believer who believes all Christ’s New Testament Commands, he is like a Ferrari of Faith in comparison to the 1000,000 (1 million converts of a kancil car or less value type of Faith which doesn’t do a lot of Christ’s Commands). That’s how these “Bible Verses” compare the HUNDREDFOLD Vs THIRTY or SIXTY fold believers above explained in analogy here of the expensive car Vs cheap car for expensive faith Vs cheap faith. Please don’t be deceived.
Peace to you
Doctrine Beyond Speaking in Tongues and other Gifts – The Secret of the More Excellent Way
1) If Speaking in Tongues is the sign of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, then such a statement contradicts the Verses below which clearly state the Existence of non-speaking in tongues Christians:
“… 4He who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5I WISH YOU ALL SPOKE WITH TONGUES, but EVEN MORE THAT YOU PROPHESIED; …” (1 Corinthians 14:4 – 5, NKJV)
Comments:
“… 4He who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF, …”
iii) If a Preacher Says that this phrase above means that God Wants all of us to Speak in Tongues, did they notice the next phrase beside it which reads “…
EVEN MORE THAT YOU PROPHESIED; …” in “… 5I WISH YOU ALL SPOKE WITH TONGUES, but EVEN MORE THAT YOU PROPHESIED; …”?
In other words the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God Wishes that “you Prophesy” more than “you speak in Tongues”. Can you see it? The phrase “even more” implies this clearly.
In light of this same Bible Verse in full, do these same Preachers Teach that God is EVEN MORE DESIRING that YOU PROPHESY than YOU SPEAK IN TONGUES? Why? Because the General Principle here is that God Wants us to focus more on things which EDIFY OTHERS (such as PROPHECY) than things which EDIFY OURSELVES only (such as SPEAKING IN TONGUES) as these Verses clearly Compare and Testify. Yes, if these Bible Verses compare it, so we ought too likewise. We don’t compare or talk about things which the Bible Verses don’t talk about such as Prosperity and Vanity Pursuits.
“… but he who prophesies edifies the church. …”
This is why we also Teach Prophecy but not of Private Interpretation but by Quoting the Earliest Most Authoritative Leaders of the Church and speculating on some parts which are not so clear only but keeping to the General Framework as discussed in previous posts (for example in link below):
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160823798057784&id=651792783
In full:
“… 1PURSUE LOVE, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 4He who SPEAKS IN A TONGUE EDIFIES HIMSELF, but he who PROPHESIES EDIFIES THE CHURCH. 5I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [a]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 6But now, brethren, if I COME TO YOU SPEAKING WITH TONGUES, WHAT SHALL I PROFIT YOU unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? …” (1 Corinthians 14:1 – 6, NKJV)
The Verses below clearly Describe that “not” all get the Same Gifts of the Spirit nor must have all:
“… 7But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [f]the same Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. …” (1 Corinthians 12:7 – 11, NKJV)
2) Personally, I believe that I do “Speak in Tongues” but not in public (or church) but only in private prayer as per Verses below:
“… 18I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19YET IN THE CHURCH I WOULD RATHER SPEAK FIVE WORDS WITH MY UNDERSTANDING, that I MAY TEACH OTHERS ALSO, THAN TEN THOUSAND WORDS IN A TONGUE. ... 22Therefore tongues are for a sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, will they not say that you are [f]out of your mind? 24But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25[g]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report that God is truly among you. … 27If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge. 30But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, let the first keep silent. 31For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33For GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF [i]CONFUSION BUT OF PEACE, as in ALL THE CHURCHES OF THE SAINTS. …” (1 Corinthians 14:18 – 19, 22 – 25, 27 – 33, NKJV)
Note: Please notice that these are all “New Testament Bible Verses” toward the Gentile Churches and “not” my opinion.
Comment: If someone ones to “Honour the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God with your Gift, please do it as He Himself Required in these Verses as it is Written”.
These Commands are “not” Apostle St. Paul’s opinions or options but from “the Lord”, Verse from this same Chapter after teaching all the above:
“… If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I WRITE to you are the COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. …” (1 Corinthians 14:37, NKJV)
“… But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, NKJV)
If your converts are converted only if you teach against these Verses, what does that mean? Please explain.
In full:
“… 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that what I am WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But IF ANYONE IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED …” (1 Corinthians 14:36 – 38, NIV)
Related Verses that it “applies to every Gentile Church” (for if you’re Spirit-Led, how come you cannot get these ‘Same Commands’ from God directly? If God leads you differently, we don’t judge that but let God Decide if He Did so on that Day):
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
3) Edifying Others Doctrine – Please don’t Preach Prosperity
Example Verses:
“… 17for the KINGDOM OF GOD IS NOT EATING AND DRINKING, but RIGHTEOUSNESS and PEACE and JOY in the Holy Spirit. 18For he who SERVES CHRIST IN [E]THESE THINGS is acceptable to God and approved by men.19Therefore let us PURSUE THE THINGS which make for PEACE and the THINGS BY WHICH ONE MAY [F]EDIFY ANOTHER. …” (Romans 14:17 – 19, NKJV)
Logic: How will a poor Christian feel if you show off your luxury food and prosperity while he suffers and you don’t share with him? If you don’t care, then is that Christ-like?
That’s why in Verse above we see the following points:
iii) Sound Doctrine is to teach which EDIFIES OTHERS beyond those things which EDIFIES OURSELVES ONLY
Again, the related phrase in Verse above: “… 19Therefore let us PURSUE THE THINGS which make for PEACE and the THINGS BY WHICH ONE MAY [F]EDIFY ANOTHER. …”
Conclusion
“… 27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are ALL WORKERS OF MIRACLES? 30DO ALL HAVE GIFTS OF HEALINGS? DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the [i]best gifts. And YET I SHOW YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY. …” (1 Corinthians 12:27 – 30, NKJV)
What is this “MORE EXCELLENT WAY” which the Bible Verses above Speak of which is Greater than even having all these Gifts of the Spirit? The Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God Himself Testifies about it in the next consecutive Verses as follows (as the Original Bible didn’t come with Chapter/Verse separations but as one long letter only):
“… But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you A MORE EXCELLENT WAY [of Agape, Love of God]. 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. … And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. … ” – The Wise and Gifted Blessed St. Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 12:31, 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3, 13, NKJV)
Now all believers are required to have the “Love” of God or “Agape” (which is NOT an option) to be saved as per Verses above where Verses below clearly Speak of “Agape” in Action is Defined as the “Charity Doctrine” toward others (and so it matches that this is the “Oil” required to “Keep our Lamps Lit”):
“… 16BY THIS WE KNOW LOVE, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to LAY DOWN OUR LIVES for the brethren. 17But whoever HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW does the LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, but IN DEED AND IN TRUTH. …” – Blessed St. John the only non-martyr Apostle of Christ (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
In Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words, this part is Described as follows:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an UNFAILING TREASURE IN HEAVEN, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
In the General Principle of Doing things which “EDIFIES OTHERS” more than focusing on things which EDIFIES SELF ONLY (as compared and Commanded by the Bible Verse in 1 Corinthians 14:4 – 5 earlier), the Verses below clearly show that the CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS fall under the category of EDIFYING OTHERS and so likewise ought to be Preached more than Speaking in Tongues, Verses:
“… 28Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather LET HIM LABOR, WORKING WITH HIS HANDS WHAT IS GOOD, THAT HE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE HIM WHO HAS NEED. 29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but WHAT IS GOOD FOR NECESSARY [h]EDIFICATION, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. …” (Ephesians 4:28 – 30, NKJV)
Charity Doctrine part in the above which is for the EDIFICATION of OTHERS: “… LET HIM LABOR, WORKING WITH HIS HANDS WHAT IS GOOD, THAT HE MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO GIVE HIM WHO HAS NEED. 29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but WHAT IS GOOD FOR NECESSARY [h]EDIFICATION …”.
Let us thus Preach Responsibly or if not, God may Hold us Accountable.
This is The Father’s Secret – Christ’s Commands:
Do you that both “God the Father” and “God the Son” are Found “not” in our opinions or prayer but in “His Commands”? Verse:
“… 23JESUS ANSWERED and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will KEEP MY WORD; and MY FATHER WILL LOVE HIM, and WE WILL COME TO HIM and MAKE OUR HOME WITH HIM. 24He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. …” (John 14:23 – 24, NKJV)
Please don’t get me wrong. I am “not” saying that prayer is not important but without “Doing and Preaching His New Testament Commands” our prayers and assumptions are just human words. So the Verse above Teaches us to “Obey (Keep) His Divine Word via His Commands” first and then “God Comes and Lives in Us”.
Plenty of New Testament Commands (I think it’s the Majority) which is about the CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMANDS Directly by Christ Himself for those who believe in Him, interesting isn’t it?
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – Almsgiving as a Doctrine of Sanctification or risk Lawlessness within otherwise
Charity Doctrine Mystery in Purification – Doctrine of Sanctification via Almsgiving by Apostle St. Paul himself is discussed next.
1) Bible Verse (not opinions of man):
“… Now after many years I came to bring ALMS to my nation, and offerings. …” (Acts 24:17, KJV)
Note: “Alms” = Almsgiving = Giving to Charity (Charity Doctrine with Money/things or equivalent Given to the Poor literally)
Who said the above? About the Truest Man of God there is, Blessed Apostle St. Paul, the Apostle of Christ to the Gentiles himself. Why and in what context did he do this act? Please see the conclusion later.
How about the other manuscripts such as the new “Dead Sea Scrolls Discovery” used usually by the NASB or NIV translations? This Verse reads the same as follows (please notice the word “Alms” or Charity” carefully “as it is Written”):
New International Version
“After an absence of several years, I came to Jerusalem to bring my people GIFTS FOR THE POOR And to present offerings.
New Living Translation
“After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with MONEY TO AID MY PEOPLE and to offer sacrifices to God.
English Standard Version
Now after several years I came to BRING ALMS TO MY NATION and to present offerings.
Berean Study Bible
After several years, then, I returned to Jerusalem to BRING ALMS TO MY PEOPLE and to present offerings.
Berean Literal Bible
Now after many years, I arrived to BRING ALMS TO MY NATION, and offerings,
New King James Version
“Now after many years I came to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION,
New American Standard Bible
Now after several years I came to BRING CHARITABLE GIFTS TO MY NATION and to present offerings,
Source: https://biblehub.com/acts/24-17.htm
2) Does this Verse in Acts 24:17 mean that in Context? Let’s see it in full below:
“… 14But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I WORSHIP THE GOD OF MY FATHERS, BELIEVING ALL THINGS which are WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS. 15I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection [e]of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 16This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE, neither with a mob nor with tumult. 19They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. 20Or else let those who are here themselves say [f]if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, 21unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ ” …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (Acts of the Apostles, 24:14 – 21, NKJV)
Pleasure notice the following facts carefully as it is Written:
“… I WORSHIP THE GOD OF MY FATHERS, BELIEVING ALL THINGS which are WRITTEN IN THE LAW AND IN THE PROPHETS …”
“… 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, …”
Comment: Apostle St. Paul was busy giving this “CHARITY/ ALMS” toward Gentile Churches and not that he neglected this Charity Doctrine Lifestyle. He only didn’t give to his people of the same “nation or unbelieving Jews” for a long time (a gap in many years) simply because he was not in their midst. This proves that we ought to do the Charity Doctrine wherever we are. I also wonder whether a modern adaptation can mean that as much as we can Christians ought to do some type of Charitable Giving toward their “home nation/country” likewise to fulfill this “purification” via the ‘Gift given to them’ (e.g. giving money to the poor of the country and/or giving your expertise of skill for free toward the poor in some way).
Example Verses of Apostle St. Paul doing the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle in other places toward the Gentile Believers/Churches:
“… 25But now I am going to Jerusalem to [i]MINISTER TO THE SAINTS. 26For it pleased those from Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain CONTRIBUTION FOR THE POOR AMONG THE SAINTS who are in Jerusalem. 27It pleased them indeed, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been partakers of their spiritual things, THEIR DUTY is also to MINISTER TO THEM IN MATERIAL THINGS. ..” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (Romans 15:25 – 27, NKJV)
“… 1Now concerning the COLLECTION FOR THE SAINTS, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I WILL SEND TO BEAR YOUR GIFT to Jerusalem. …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (1 Corinthians 16:1 – 3, NKJV)
Note: This verse above is used to prove “Sunday offering Collections” but please also note it in “full” where it was not used for “prosperity” by the local pastor or Apostle Paul but rather he was collecting to give to the poor saints in Jerusalem for their needs as verse above also proves. So, how much of the “Sunday Collection Offering” is given to the “Poor”? Or is it used to “make prosperity” by those who claim it?
“… 1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and THEIR DEEP POVERTY ABOUNDED IN THE RICHES OF THEIR LIBERALITY. 3For I bear witness that ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY, YES, AND BEYOND THEIR ABILITY, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would RECEIVE THE GIFT and the fellowship of the MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as YOU ABOUND IN EVERYTHING—in FAITH, IN SPEECH, IN KNOWLEDGE, in all diligence, and in YOUR LOVE FOR US—SEE THAT YOU ABOUND IN THIS GRACE ALSO. …” – Blessed St. Paul the Great Apostle of Christ (2 Corinthians 8:1 – 7, NKJV)
Note: “Giving” Extravagantly even when “poor” like this as this Early Church Demonstrated is considered one of the “Graces” or a “Grace of God” (as 2 Corinthians 8:7 reveals above).
‘… A Faith that costs nothing (in this Grace of Giving) is worth nothing also …’ – Unknown
Please notice that God Counts our Giving for if it didn’t matter to Him, He wouldn’t have Said this in the Gospels itself, Verses:
“… 1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3So He said, “TRULY I say to you that this POOR widow has put in MORE THAN ALL; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THE LIVELIHOOD THAT SHE HAD.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
God doesn’t look at the result nor the amount of giving but your love & relative measure which makes it ‘fair to all’ (as God has no Partiality) as the widow who gave only two coins which probably couldn’t feed any still gave more than all including the Rich’s giving which had tangible effects.
3) Loving Others in Action
There’s a famous quote which rings:
‘… You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving …’
So that’s very clear say in Christ’s Own Words below because when Christ Commanded us to “Love your enemies” He is entirely speaking of the Charity Doctrine Acts below such as “let them use you for their benefits”, “lend money to them and don’t hope to get back”, “give things or money to them” etc., Difficult isn’t it? Verses:
“… 27“But I say to you who hear: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30GIVE TO EVERYONE who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK THEM BACK. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But IF YOU LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And IF YOU DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO DO GOOD TO YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your REWARD WILL BE GREAT, and YOU WILL BE SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. For He is KIND to the UNTHANKFUL AND EVIL. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
Conclusion
It looks like a real Apostle of Christ such as St. Paul himself was very busy with Doing the Charity Doctrine by sending aid from one Christian Church to another suffering one and vice versa but he didn’t end there and even extended this act toward the hostile and unbelieving Jews too. It is due to doing this Charity Doctrine Act that next Apostle Paul was cast into prison (Acts 24:22 – 27). Interesting isn’t it?
Why did Apostle St. Paul do this if it has “no” value or purpose in the New Covenant?
“… 17Now after several years I came to BRING CHARITABLE GIFTS to MY NATION and to present offerings, 18in which they found me occupied in the temple, HAVING BEEN PURIFIED, without any crowd or uproar. But there were some Jews from [i]Asia— …” (Acts 24:17, NASB)
Or in these translations:
“… 17Now after many years I came to BRING ALMS TO MY NATION, and offerings. 18Whereupon certain Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. …” (Acts 24:17 – 18, KJV)
“… 17“NOW AFTER MANY YEARS I CAME to BRING ALMS AND OFFERINGS TO MY NATION, 18in the midst of which some Jews from Asia FOUND ME PURIFIED IN THE TEMPLE, neither with a mob nor with tumult. …”
Please notice that the ‘only act’ Apostle St. Paul did in these set of Verses is this “GIVING of ALMS/CHARITY” and by it, whether he was PURIFIED by this CHARITY/ALMSGIVING Act or if PART OF HIS PURIFICATION ACT was due to this CHARITY/ALMSGIVING ACT, the meaning is the same in essence, isn’t it?
Namely, this CHARITY/ ALMSGIVING Act is part of the Will of God for PURIFICATION which is the DOCTRINE OF SANCTIFICATION which includes HOLINESS too as other Verses Testify.
The most Important Question: Did Christ Directly Teach such a “Doctrine of Sanctification” via “Almsgiving/Charitable Deeds”?
Yes, and it’s even more direct in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words below than Paul’s and it is quoted in the context below towards those who “keep the outside clean” (a metaphor for “being holy”) but forget to “clean All” (especially “inside”) via this only Act of ALMSGIVING / CHARITY as Christ (Who Knows All) Doesn’t point to any other righteous act as a substitute or to be done together with it in Verses below:
“… But WHAT YE HAVE GIVE YE AS ALMS, and, lo, ALL THINGS are CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Young’s Literal Translation, Luke 11:41, YLT)
Or in a simpler English Translation:
“… But now as for WHAT IS INSIDE YOU–be GENEROUS TO THE POOR, and EVERYTHING WILL BE CLEAN FOR YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:41, NIV)
Please notice that the Context in which Christ Meant by “outside of the cup clean” is “not” referring to some human tradition or culture but Christ is specifically referring to “keeping holy on the outside by not sinning” where He Condemns their “inside” by calling them to have “hypocrisy” and “outward holiness of abstinence from sin only” in Verses below in His Own Words in the Same Context as Matthew records this part more clearly as follows:
“… 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you CLEANSE THE OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and dish, but INSIDE THEY ARE FULL OF EXTORTION and [l]SELF-INDULGENCE. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. 27“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like WHITEWASHED TOMBS which indeed appear BEAUTIFUL OUTWARDLY, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28Even so you also OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:25 – 28, NKJV)
Did you notice the dangerous word “LAWLESSNESS INSIDE” toward which “MANY” Christians may be Denied too as per Verses below (both by Christ)?
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
Can you really see it?
Please allow me to repeat that Verse part for “Lawlessness Context Inside” only below:
“… 28Even so you also OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN, but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” (Matthew 23:28)
“… ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ …” (Matthew 7:23)
What’s the Cure for this “Inside Lawlessness” though it cannot be seen outside as Christ Himself Says that such ones appear “… OUTWARDLY APPEAR RIGHTEOUS TO MEN … but INSIDE YOU ARE FULL OF HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS. …” (Matthew 23:28)? This time Blessed Luke records this part more clearly as follows in this same Topic/Context of “Cleaning the Inside” (Doctrine of Sanctification for those Sanctified by the Spirit of God):
“… (39Then the Lord said to him), “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP AND DISH CLEAN, but your INWARD part is full of GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40Foolish ones! Did not He who made the outside make the INSIDE also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS [CHARITY] of SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS are CLEAN to you. . …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
How?
“… And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE will COVER a MULTITUDE OF SINS.” …”(1 Peter 4:8, NKJV)
“… Therefore I say to you, HER SINS, which are MANY, ARE FORGIVEN, for SHE LOVED MUCH. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47, NKJV)
So this is the Safe Route Scripturally to Practice this Doctrine of Sanctification too for the New Testament as Apostle St. Paul himself Practiced (and this it is “not” considered fallen from Grace) but rather as part of the Doctrine of Sanctification as CHRIST HIMSELF COMMANDED THIS AS IT IS WRITTEN.
Following what is Written in “New Testament Scripture” whether we understand it fully or not is not the danger but ‘not obeying what is Written in New Testament Scripture’ & doing things which are “not” Written in New Testament Scripture has the ‘risk’ of Danger (Let God Decide please):
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
Peace to you
God Allows Denominations according to our variety – Safe Route Scripturally
Question
Why are there so many denominations of Christianity itself (more than 40,000)?
Reply
Verse:
“… 38Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW US casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.” 39But JESUS SAID, “DO NOT FORBID HIM, foR NO ONE WHO WORKS A MIRACLE IN MY NAME can soon AFTERWARD SPEAK EVIL OF ME. 40For HE WHO IS NOT AGAINST [g]US IS ON [H]OUR SIDE. 41For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. …” (Mark 9:38 – 41, NKJV)
Comments:
Example: Some people may have experienced a miracle or casting out of demons not even via any human beings but a supernatural experience. A man I know was full of demonic oppression and heard voices for a year before a Divine Voice Spoke Audibly (only once) Saying , “… Get on your knees and Declare that Jesus is Lord/God …”.
When that person (who heard these demonic Voices who was almost diagnosed with Schizophrenia, taking the same Invega Paliperidone medicine used as treatment for that disease) heard and did as the Divine Voice told (Declaring both “Jesus is Lord” and “Jesus is God” on his knees whilst being locked in a mental home Jail cell equivalent for being too violent), immediately someone was like turning the volume up and down for the demonic Voices which was speaking and this was repeated few times before it was set at a lower volume.
That person later explained that he understood that full healing was promised via full repentance. This happened in middle of 2010. Within a few months the weird demonic crawling on the skin type of pain and the Voices too vanished completely without any Pastor or anyone but just via a direct Divine Intervention of God in Christ. It is now been at least 11 years and that person has repented in time but never heard a demonic voice since nor has experienced any of those weird bodily pains nor taken any of the Invega Paliperidone or other medicine since 2010/11 after being fully healed.
Even the Doctor who treated him was a former head of one of the most renown mental institutions in the country who started a private practice and is a Christian who expressed surprise that he was healed and stopped medicine because people usually don’t get healed from this (and not so soon) and usually some parts of the disease lingers for life being supressed. All Glory to Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ.
So some people have experienced things like this but they don’t speak much of it or share it much because they want to only Preach the Gospel’s Word and we believe in that as the Written Word of God is True without our personal experiences even no matter how great it is. God’s Written Word especially those in the New Testament and Christ’s Direct Words are Most Sacred and Highest.
That person was not just healed but excelled in Various Achievements not just for the Gospel but also in National Contributions in his field as well as others which proves that his healing was not fake as fake casting out of demons repeats cyclically as the “last state of the man becomes worse and worse only” as Christ Himself Describes in Verses below:
“… 43“When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. 44Then he says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked generation.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:43 – 45, NKJV)
“… 9So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.10Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11And they OVERCAME HIM [Satan] BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB and BY THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY, and they DID NOT LOVE THEIR LIVES to the death. …” (Revelation 12:9 – 11 , NKJV)
Sundar Singh doesn’t like to talk about the miracles much – Why?
“… his ministry was accompanied by very spectacular miracles, he did not pay much attention … Sundar Singh decided to stop exercising the gift, as ‘it would encourage superstition and distract from the Gospel … ” Simon Chan’s Book Titled (Pentecostal Theology and the Christian Spiritual Tradition, Page 66)
Source:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9781610970846&i=stripbooks&linkCode=qs
Many people claim to have experienced miracles but not many have a person who once was their enemy or tried to kill them testify to it.
Example: His own brother Rajender Singh who once tried to kill him testified to ‘many miracles’ God has Done through Sadhu Sundar Singh:
“… He asked that whosoever is the ‘True God’ would appear before him, or else he would kill himself; that very night he had a vision of Jesus. Sundar announced to his father, Sher Singh, that henceforth he would get converted into the missionary work of Christ. His father officially rejected him, and his brother Rajender Singh attempted to poison him. He was not poisoned just once but a number of times. People of that area threw snakes in his house, but he was rescued from mistreatment by the help of a nearby British Christian. … In the early 1940s, Bishop Augustine Peters, another converted missionary from South India, sought out Singh’s brother Rajender, led him to the Christian faith and baptised him in Punjab. Rajender Singh referred to many reputed miracles performed by Singh and people converted to Christ under his ministry …” – Wikipedia
Source: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu_Sundar_Singh
“… 31“Therefore I say to you, EVERY SIN AND BLASPHEMY WILL BE FORGIVEN MEN, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but WHOEVER SPEAKS AGAINST the HOLY SPIRIT, it will NOT BE FORGIVEN him, EITHER IN THIS AGE OR IN THE AGE TO COME. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:31 – 32, NKJV)
As per Verses above, please be careful not to easily Condemn any mainstream denominations of Christianity which Preaches the Most Holy Trinity, Teaches Holiness and condemns sin and Teaches the Charity Doctrine of Loving one another in Action because you don’t want to accidentally say any Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as even if we are not sure on some because there’s no Forgiveness for that mistake.
Please be wise and not be ruled by your own Impulses or self confidence in your faith.
Conclusion
Personally I look forward to work with any denomination of Christianity or Christians on parts where we agree and keep our differences not to interfere in the Gospel Work or Secular Work which we do together.
Here’s are two First Christianity Quotes Explaining this Way:
Not all righteous men are found inside the Church nor all who are appointed as Bishops/Pastors are good either as St. Clement Reveals below:
“… We are of opinion, therefore, that those appointed by them, or afterwards by other eminent men, with the consent of the whole Church, and who have blame-lessly served the flock of Christ in a humble, peaceable, and disinterested spirit, and have for a long time possessed the good opinion of all, cannot be justly dismissed from the ministry. FOR OUR SIN WILL NOT BE SMALL, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. Blessed are those presbyters who, having finished their course before now, have obtained a fruitful and perfect departure [from this world]; for they have no fear lest any one deprive them of the place now appointed them. But WE SEE THAT YOU HAVE REMOVED SOME MEN OF EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR FROM THE MINISTRY, WHICH THEY FULFILLED BLAMELESSLY and WITH HONOUR. Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and FULL OF ZEAL ABOUT THINGS which DO NOT PERTAIN TO SALVATION. LOOK CAREFULLY INTO THE SCRIPTURES, which are the TRUE UTTERANCES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Observe that nothing of an unjust or counterfeit character is written in them. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement, Chapter 44 – 45)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
Can you understand it? If you read especially the CAPITALIZED parts above it’s easy to see that St. Clement of Rome mentions that it’s not uncommon for true Godly men be evicted out of the Church’s Ministry and support is given instead to Pastors/Leaders who are full of zeal to talk about “worldly things” or “speak against Bible Verses to support human culture or such vanities”. So he exhorts the True Believers to stick to what is Written in Holy Scripture (1 Corinthians 14:37, 2 Peter 3:2) and not waste time on things that do “not” pertain to Salvation such as the ‘Prosperity Gospel’ , ‘Human Culture’ and even whether the ‘earth is Spherical/Flat’ etc.
Please note this quote from the above which puts a Great Sin if we reject truly worthy leaders whom the local Church ought to have supported and instead of the Church focused instead also on matters which are not important to Salvation as St. Clement Warns, “… FOR OUR SIN WILL NOT BE SMALL, if we eject from the episcopate those who have blamelessly and holily fulfilled its duties. … But WE SEE THAT YOU HAVE REMOVED SOME MEN OF EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR FROM THE MINISTRY, WHICH THEY FULFILLED BLAMELESSLY and WITH HONOUR. Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and FULL OF ZEAL ABOUT THINGS which DO NOT PERTAIN TO SALVATION. …”.
So what happened to those ‘righteous men’ who were cast off from their own Church or not supported to serve in Ministry?
The “Prophecy” below may explain their way which is by St. Clement of Rome himself:
“… Who then among you is NOBLE-MINDED? who compassionate? who FULL OF LOVE? Let him declare, “IF ON MY ACCOUNT SEDITION and DISAGREEMENT AND SCHISMS HAVE ARISEN, I WILL DEPART, I WILL GO AWAY whithersoever you desire, and I WILL DO WHATEVER THE MAJORITY COMMANDS; only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it.” HE THAT ACTS THUS SHALL PROCURE TO HIMSELF GREAT GLORY IN THE LORD; and EVERY PLACE WILL WELCOME HIM. For “the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.” These things they WHO LIVE A GODLY LIFE, that is NEVER TO BE REPENTED OF, BOTH HAVE DONE AND ALWAYS WILL DO. … ” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement Chapter 54)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
This is the main reason why ‘we don’t believe in forming our own church even if we are right’ but as Blessed St. Clement of Rome commands in his apostolic authority, “… I will do whatever the majority commands …” even if it includes being kicked out of the church, i.e. “… If on my account sedition and disagreement and schisms have arisen, I will depart, I will go away whithersoever you desire …” as long as the Majority of Christians is happy [i.e. “… only let the flock of Christ live on terms of peace with the presbyters set over it …”] & this is not in reference of a heretic being put off from a Church but is referring to a True Christian as “… These things they who live a godly life, that is never to be repented of, both have done and always will do …” because these belong to “… Who then among you is noble-minded? who compassionate? who full of love? …” where their reward of leaving Church is not eternal hell but amazingly, “… He that acts thus shall procure to himself great glory in the Lord; and every place will welcome him …” .
Since St. Clement of Rome’s name is surely in the “Book of Life” (especially since Philippians 4:3 points to it whilst he was still living), I would prefer to Believe, Preach and do the best I can do Practice his quotes which makes the Bible Verses quoted to be more accurately understood.
Peace to you
Doctrinal Focus – His Commands – Safe Route Scripturally
That’s why we always need to ask first
Conclusion
“Perhaps some are not unsaved but the Reward Level depends on following what’s Written in New Testament Verses not in the number of conversions but Christ Himself Says that it’s based on how much of HIS COMMANDS we PREACH and DO”:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
Did you notice that Christ Links being “least” or “greatest” in “His Kingdom” toward “Preaching and Obeying HIS COMMANDS” and ‘not other Doctrinal Accuracies such as Prophecies etc.’?
In other words, please focus on teaching especially CHRIST’S DIRECT NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS which certainly includes the CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMANDS to CHURCH ORDER and DAILY LIVING COMMANDS and HOLINESS COMMANDS and not all the other unrelated ritualistic Torah Commands.
Example Verses:
1) HOLINESS COMMANDS
“… 16Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO that I MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?” 17So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But IF YOU WANT TO ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.” 18He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. WHAT DO I STILL LACK?” …” (Matthew 19:16 – 20, NKJV)
2) CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMANDS
“… 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept [g]from my youth. What do I STILL LACK?” 21JESUS said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then JESUS said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:20 – 24, NKJV)
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
3) CHURCH ORDER and DAILY LIVING COMMANDS
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people … 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND THEM OF THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
4) The Bible Defines the LAWLESSNESS from which MANY (most likely majority of Christianity too) to be rejected despite converting many or doing miracles or prophesying etc. due to LAWLESSNESS lacking not in ritualistic Torah Observations but CHRIST’S DIRECT COMMANDS as the CONTEXT in verse below clearly points to the saved ones as “… WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, …” in Matthew 7:24 below, can you see it “as it is Written”?
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
Summary
Your own Church or group of believers may Speak back against you for not letting them know these Verses if they become unsaved or lose rewards due to not knowing or not taught these Commands on Judgment Day or when He Returns, so may God Help us to Preach “HIS COMMANDS” Responsibly to truly fulfill the GREAT COMMISSION aspect in regards to this beyond converting only as follows:
Last but not least these Verses Fulfill the Great Commission as part of “… 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU …” part:
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
The Sign of the Holy Spirit is this according to Verse below: No one can keep (obey) these Commands unless the Holy Spirit Enables them:
“… 13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14That good thing which was committed to you, KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT who dwells in us. …” (2 Timothy 1:13 – 14, NKJV)
The Verse above assures that to be able to “Keep/Obey” these “Written Traditions” (13HOLD FAST The PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS) + Live a life of “Labor of Love” (in faith and love) is a sign that the “Holy Spirit” is within us.
Peace to you
War for Saving your Children by Killing your unbelieving enemies and other Children or Parents – Is it Christian?
Question
If Christ Said to love your enemies, how much do you love those who kill your children?
Reply
This is a classic. Please consider the explanation below with “Verses”:
Simple: Don’t have children. If you want to fulfill these Commandments of Christ and if you find the possibility of having children can risk you to disobey this and you have to kill to defend your children, then better not to have children. Yes, to choose not to have children so that you can fulfill the commandments of Christ is better than having children and you have to disobey these Commandments and kill your enemies in the Name of your children.
Oh ya, with blood spilled on account of defending your children, I am not too sure how well if a blood curse remains on the Children because those who came to kill your children in war may have had theirs killed too making some amount of guiltiness to be upon your side too. This is because no side of a war is pure since Christ never Commanded your colonization wars, so your side is already wrong in blood spilling and this verse in Matthew 27:25 (next) gives the possibility of a “blood-curse” to exist on murderers as I said, no side of war is pure from this entirely since Christ never Commanded this nor revenge on your hands in the New Testament, Verses:
1) Possible Blood Curse Verse on spilling innocent blood as any side of war does this
“… And all the people answered and said, “His blood be on us and on our children.” …” (Matthew 27:25, NKJV)
2) If your children and you are truly innocent and do not deserve to die in the hands of your enemies but yet you or they are killed, God Promises Vengeance but He Forbids that vengeance through you killing them in Verse below (so “no” vengeance war is justified even if they kill your innocent children)
“… Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. …” (Romans 12:19, NKJV)
3) If you break Christ’s Commands for your children by killing your enemies, perhaps you are “not” the Elect as that Proves that you love your children more than Christ to break His Word
“… He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me …” (Matthew 10:37, NKJV)
4) If you kill others and they may be trying to kill you because someone from your side killed their children, it could be that you become a murderer and hater just like that in this vicious cycle of was “forfeiting Eternal Life” as the phrase “no eternal life” exists in Verse below:
“… 15Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE abiding in him. …” (1 John 3:15, NKJV)
5) First Christianity
The First New Testament Church laid down its life like that with no killing of its enemies which killed its children. So, that’s the empirical evidence which is plenty in Church History but only the later “Constantine Christianity” started killing back.
6) The Devil being a MURDERER from the BEGINNING
Whose work does it sound like when someone preaches such murder for whatever reason?
“… You are of YOUR FATHER THE DEVIL, and the DESIRES OF YOUR FATHER YOU WANT TO DO. He was a MURDERER FROM THE BEGINNING, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:44, NKJV)
7) How about this Verse:
LUKE 19:27
For those enemies of mine who do not want me to the King over them ,bring them here in front of me and KILL THEM
Reply
Let’s see it a little bit ‘fuller’ first:
“…11Now as they heard these things, He spoke another parable, because He was near Jerusalem and because they thought the kingdom of God would appear immediately. 12Therefore He said: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten [e]minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’ 14But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We will not have this man to reign over us.’ … 24“And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to him who has ten minas.’ 25(But they said to him, ‘Master, he has ten minas.’) 26‘For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 27But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.’ ” …” (Luke 19:11 – 14, 24 – 27, NKJV)
Luke 19:27 is a Parable on Judgment Day and not judgment now. It is executed after Christ Returns and not now as it’s so clear above. You misunderstood.
Regarding Matthew 10:34 also, the “sword” Christ Speaks of is just disagreement with family due to believing in Him and He never Said kill your family with sword but indicates that some will betray you or become your enemy for believing in Him. Nothing else is Written or Commanded hence the Love your enemies is not negated but misunderstood by you. If God Wants to Kill Evil on Judgment Day or When He Returns He does so because you people likewise didn’t love your enemies or killed them or approved those who kill like that and so nothing wrong in Him executing them like that on that Day. Till then there’s a chance to repent yea!
Conclusion
Better not to marry and have children if having them is going to make you kill unbelievers’ children so that you can make a better place (in your way of life opinion) for your children
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST. …” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Yes better to remain unmarried to please Christ in His Commands than to marry and break His Commands to please your wife/husband/children/yourself including killing others to protect your children type of logic
“… 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have TROUBLE IN THE FLESH, but I WOULD SPARE YOU. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is UNMARRIED CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THE LORD—how he may PLEASE THE LORD. 33But HE WHO IS MARRIED CARES about the THINGS OF THE WORLD—how he may PLEASE HIS WIFE. … 38So then he who GIVES HER IN MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he WHO DOES NOT GIVE HER IN MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:28, 32 – 33, 38, NKJV)
“… Obedience is better than Sacrifice …” (1 Samuel 15:22)
We cannot expect Unbelievers without Christ to just forgive the past where their children died killed by your “Christian Armies” when you with Christ itself cannot forgive them for the same war reason. Can you see it? In short with Christ you cannot forgive, then how can an unbeliever without Christ forgive likewise?
If you cannot forgive your Children-murderers, maybe you are not forgiven too according to this Verse:
“… But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.” …” (Mark 11:26, NKJV)
Please don’t Flatter yourself if you and your family are involved in “human wars”. This may be a sign that “your heart is not loyal to God” as the Verse below gives the “Curse of Wars” toward such “unfaithful in heart” (Quoted in Principle):
“… For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those WHOSE HEART IS LOYAL TO HIM. In this you have DONE FOOLISHLY; therefore from NOW ON YOU SHALL HAVE WARS. …” (2 Chronicles 16:9, NKJV)
Where are your go to war “New Testament War” Verses?
Tip: It doesn’t exist.
“… But JESUS SAID to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will PERISH BY THE SWORD. …” (Matthew 26:52, NKJV)
Here’s the Best Biblical Advice on this: War doesn’t help your children. It curses them. Maybe you are reaping that curse now for the war your forefathers started profaning the Name of Christ. Repentance is easy: stop the war, stop killing your enemies and start loving them like this as Christ Commanded the Will of the Father in this as follows:
“… 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:21 ] 39BUT I TELL YOU NOT to RESIST an EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44[o]BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be SONS OF YOUR FATHER in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, and sends rain on the JUST AND ON THE UNJUST. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 45, NKJV)
If you cannot obey, maybe you are not a Christian:
“… My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 10:27, NKJV)
“… IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP [Obey] MY COMMANDMENTS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, NKJV)
All the best.
Peace to you
Colonial Wars vs Police – Different Context in Scripture
Question
Aren’t the Christians going for War against Evildoers is justified because they are oppressors, murderers, rapists etc.?
Reply
Civil Authority is not in question here. You are mixing context. I’m talking about colonial wars and those kind of non-loving of enemies.
The Government Authorities Paul wrote about was Roman which was raping Jewish women and killing the Jews while Christ was alive (or Christians too later) but Christ didn’t ask to kill them. But not all Romans are evil as Cornelius shows.
So such in Authority can execute Judgment and will be judged if they don’t or if they execute wrongly. I’m talking about the war type here where you cannot execute unbelievers in wars claiming the same context as that’s not in New Testament Scripture where the latter is murder, covetousness and robbery to gain “Gold” and mix it with “Gospel” (to make it look noble) and “Glory” (Self pride).
Romans 13:4 only allows whichever government is ruling (even if it’s a Christian Killing or Christian Raping one such as the Roman Government one when this Verse was written) that Government (and not Christians or civilians) to execute Judgment toward those who do evil and if they don’t they will face judgment likewise for their wrongs, Verse
“… For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. …” (Romans 13:4, NKJV)
Can you see it?
Killing your enemies in the name of Christ is not a religious duty nor commissioned as a duty to the Church but the Government only even if it’s an unbelieving Pagan Roman Government which sometimes Rapes or Plunders (which God will Judge) but we still ought to respect it, Verse:
“… 1Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will [a]bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. …” (Romans 13:1 – 7, NKJV)
No Command here for a Civilian Christian to “play the police” or equivalent unless they work in Law Enforcement of the Ruling Government.
Last but not least, if you are so keen on executing justice with the sword, please join the police and do it and not wage a war on civilians in another country killing their children, parent for whatever reason and then when they do it back to your citizens, you claim this Verse in Romans 13:4 which is ‘completely out of context’.
Peace to you
Charity Doctrine Requirement in God’s Definition of Holiness in Ezekiel – Watchman Mystery
Firstly, in Ezekiel we find one of the Fastest and Surest Way to Hell – Money Lending and Usury Business
1) Why should we bother to write or warn about this sin or others which are mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel?
“… When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; BUT HIS BLOOD I WILL REQUIRE AT YOUR HAND. …” (Ezekiel 33:8, NKJV)
2) As for those who borrow out money at interest, they risk a straight ticket to Hell according to this Verse:
“… lends money at interest and takes interest; will he live? He will not live! He has committed all these abominations, he shall certainly be put to death; his blood will be on himself. …” (Ezekiel 18:14, NASB)
If someone says the Verse doesn’t mean that and speaks against what’s plainly written, do you want to take a risk and follow their “thinking/opinion” and if wrong go to Hell?
3) You can borrow money and receive as much back by choice
“… “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest. …” (Exodus 22:25, NKJV)
4) To a foreigner God Allowed interest to be charged
“… 19“You shall not charge interest to your brother—interest on money or food or anything that is lent out at interest. 20To a foreigner you may charge interest, but to your brother you shall not charge interest, that the Lord your God may bless you in all to which you set your hand in the land which you are entering to possess. …” (Deuteronomy 23:19, NKJV)
So banking seems okay but if an interest is charged above what banks charge as interest if charged by moneylenders I think it’s considered oppression and thus the straight to Hell ticket of point 2) applies.
5) The higher way for “Heavenly Rewards” (unimaginable) is to borrow money without receiving anything back in return toward others including enemies even
“… Why do you not rather accept wrong? WHY DO YOU NOT RATHER LET YOURSELVES BE CHEATED? 8No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! …” (1 Corinthians 6:7 – 8, NKJV)
“… 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your REWARD WILL BE GREAT, and YOU WILL BE SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. For He is KIND to the UNTHANKFUL AND EVIL. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:34 – 36, NKJV)
Conclusion
Never borrow money from these money lenders at all. You don’t need a lifestyle from which you need to borrow money. If borrow from bank, try to avoid it. If cannot borrow from bank, you don’t need to improve lifestyle by risk of borrowing or this happens. Better to be poor, alive and peaceful.
How to live Righteously according to these “Bible Verses” in Ezekiel as per the Warning in Ezekiel itself (so same Context) by God Himself? Please consider what “God Himself Answers” with no interpretation or exegesis but only “what is Written” as what He Requires for a Person to be considered “Righteous” before Him, to quote:
“… 4“Behold, all souls are Mine;
The soul of the father
As well as the soul of the son is Mine;
THE SOUL WHO SINS SHALL DIE.
5But if a man is just
And does what is lawful and right;
6If he has not eaten [a]on the mountains,
Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
Nor defiled his neighbor’s wife,
Nor approached a woman during her impurity;
7If he has not oppressed anyone,
But has restored to the debtor his pledge;
Has robbed no one by violence,
But has GIVEN HIS BREAD TO THE HUNGRY
And COVERED THE NAKED WITH CLOTHING;
8If he has not [b]exacted usury
Nor taken any increase,
But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity
And executed true [c]judgment between man and man;
9If he has walked in My statutes
And kept My judgments faithfully—
He is just;
He shall surely live!”
Says the Lord God. …” (Ezekiel 18:4 – 9, NKJV)
Comments for Details from the above for easier understanding, please consider that a “Righteous” Man needs to live observing the following:
1) The Verses above is Written in the Context of Afterlife Judgment too as the “soul which sins will die” and we know that many of the wicked never die on earth* for their sins
“… 4“Behold, all souls are Mine;
The soul of the father
As well as the soul of the son is Mine;
THE SOUL WHO SINS SHALL DIE. …” (Ezekiel 18:4, NKJV)
*Example of Wicked being prosperous whilst being evil to their last breath with no diseases even:
“… 3For I was envious of the boastful, When I saw the prosperity of the wicked. 4For there are no pangs in their death, But their strength is firm. 5They are not in trouble as other men, Nor are they plagued like other men. … 7Their eyes bulge with abundance; They have more than heart could wish. … 12Behold, these are the ungodly, Who are always at ease; They increase in riches. …” (Psalms 73:3 – 5, 7, 12, NKJV)
2) The righteous never Pray to Idols nor commit adultery with anyone’s wife
“… 6If he has not eaten [a]on the mountains,
Nor lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel,
Nor defiled his neighbor’s wife,
Nor approached a woman during her impurity; …” (Ezekiel 18:6, NKJV)
Comment: God understands that some of the righteous may have fallen in this sin and repented such as King David himself. New Testament Verse speaking of such repentance allowed now:
“… 9Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [b]homosexuals, nor [c]sodomites, 10nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11And SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU. BUT YOU WERE WASHED, but YOU WERE [D]SANCTIFIED, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. …” (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11, NKJV)
3) The Righteous never cheat anyone be it financially nor oppress anyone including not oppressing the poor to work for low wages whilst you earn well being at the top of the economic chain due to your race/politics manipulation or equivalent – all these are examples of “oppression”
“… 7If he has not oppressed anyone,
But has restored to the debtor his pledge;
Has robbed no one by violence, …” (Ezekiel 18:7, NKJV)
4) The Righteous Practice the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle which is the opposite of Oppression
“… But has given his bread to the hungry
And covered the naked with clothing; …” (Ezekiel 18:7, 2nd part, NKJV)
Can you see that the “Charity Doctrine” is part of the Holiness Command required by God Himself in these Ezekiel Verses for a “soul not to die” in afterlife Judgments?
5) The Righteous never does money lending at interest nonsense and treats people well and fairly as per their actions
“… 8If he has not [b]exacted usury
Nor taken any increase,
But has withdrawn his hand from iniquity
And executed true [c]judgment between man and man;
9If he has walked in My statutes
And kept My judgments faithfully—
He is just;
He shall surely live!”
Says the Lord God. …” (Ezekiel 18:8 – 9, NKJV)
Says Who? Please read the last line again:
“… SAYS THE LORD GOD …” (Ezekiel 18:9, NKJV)
Comment: If someone says that this Verse 7 (Charity Doctrine part) is an option or example which can be ignored, then can you ignore say verse 6 and pray to Idols sometimes but do the rest? Absurd, right? That’s why it is important to observe each of these Commands which God Directly Summarises for the “Holiness” which He Requires so that a “soul does not die” in afterlife Judgments. So if you didn’t teach these Verses, this Warning Verse in Ezekiel (same Context, Same Book) may Condemn you:
“… When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but HIS BLOOD I WILL REQUIRE AT YOUR HAND. …” (Ezekiel 3:18, NKJV)
Can you see the “Warning in words only” type of “Judgment” God Instructs with no further instructions to kill the wicked to stop evil? We obey this and do & preach likewise. Yes, are we a faithful “Watchman” for the Lord? Then please Warn others to obey these Verses:
“… But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but HIS BLOOD I WILL REQUIRE AT THE WATCHMAN’S HAND.’ …” (Ezekiel 33:6, NKJV)
What if they refuse to repent or don’t want to warn others as per the Commands in these Verses? Let God Deal with them as our work is done and we are saved, Verse:
“… Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but YOU HAVE DELIVERED YOUR SOUL. …” (Ezekiel 33:9, NKJV)
“… 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent[e] of the blood of all men. 27For I have NOT [F]SHUNNED TO DECLARE TO YOU THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD. …” (Ezekiel 20:26 – 27, NKJV)
Special Focus Repeat: Did you notice that the “Charity Doctrine” is part of this Command of being “Righteous” before God? I repeat with that part for emphasis for us to ponder on it:
“… But has GIVEN HIS BREAD TO THE HUNGRY
And COVERED THE NAKED WITH CLOTHING; …9If he has walked in My statutes
And kept My judgments faithfully—
He is just;
He shall surely live!”
SAYS THE LORD GOD. …” – via Blessed Prophet Ezekiel (Ezekiel 18:7, 9, NKJV)
Peace to you
Doing Good Mystery – Fulfilling the Great Commission and Safe Route Scripturally
Are we Loyal to God or Family? – Legendary King David’s Famous Last Words
Blessed King David Prophesies that his own family is not right with God but a True King ought to be Fair with no Partiality even toward his own family members in Verses below which are also his last words before he passed away:
“… 1Now THESE ARE THE LAST WORDS OF DAVID.
Thus says DAVID the son of Jesse;
Thus says THE MAN RAISED UP ON HIGH,
The anointed of the God of Jacob,
And the sweet psalmist of Israel:
2“The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
3The GOD OF ISRAEL SAID,
The ROCK OF ISRAEL spoke to me:
‘HE WHO RULES OVER MEN MUST BE JUST,
Ruling in the fear of God.
4And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises,
A morning without clouds,
Like the tender grass springing out of the earth,
By clear shining after rain.’
5“ALTHOUGH MY HOUSE IS NOT SO WITH GOD,
Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant,
Ordered in all things and secure.
For this is all my salvation and all my desire;
Will He not make it increase?
6But the SONS OF REBELLION SHALL ALL BE AS THORNS THRUST AWAY,
Because they cannot be taken with hands. …” (2 Samuel 23:1 – 6, NKJV)
Comments: please notice these phrases from the above:
1) No partially (or special favour) toward family or anyone but fair to all by merit and good work and good character
“… 3The GOD OF ISRAEL SAID,
The ROCK OF ISRAEL spoke to me:
‘HE WHO RULES OVER MEN MUST BE JUST,
Ruling in the fear of God. …”
2) His own family is not right with God and he is “not” hiding it secretly but “confesses” it “openly in public”
“… 5“ALTHOUGH MY HOUSE IS NOT SO WITH GOD, … 6But the SONS OF REBELLION SHALL ALL BE AS THORNS THRUST AWAY, …”
Conclusion
Blessed King David’s heart is “not” on his family or anyone but on “God Only” as these Verses clearly Demonstrate. No wonder even in the New Testament Verses, he is the only one whom Scripture has identified as the Man after God’s Own Heart by Fulfilling God’s Will (despite even committing murder and adultery but repenting of it). Verse:
“… And when He had removed him, He raised up for them DAVID AS KING, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found DAVID THE SON OF JESSE, A MAN AFTER MY OWN HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.’ …” (Acts 13:22, NKJV)
Note: Doing God’s Will is obeying what is given in a Covenant where we may test ourselves against “New Testament Verses only”.
Another great mystery of the heart which we see in King David’s life was when he Spoke these words by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit in identifying that a love of a friend is greater than love of a wife even:
“… I am distressed for you, my BROTHER JONATHAN; You have been very pleasant to me; YOUR LOVE to me was WONDERFUL, SURPASSING THE LOVE OF WOMEN. …” – Blessed King David (2 Samuel 1:26, NKJV)
Note: This is not an LGBT statement as please notice that King David calls Jonathan as “brother” in the first line and not as a “lover”. Jonathan was to be the first king of Israel as he was the first Prince of Israel but he immediately supported this farmer boy David who reared sheep because God Chose him instead. Instead of Hating David or being jealous of David, Jonathan not only supported him to be king of Israel but also protected him from his wicked father Saul who was trying to do the best for family which is kill David & make his own son king. Jonathan understood and accepted that David is a way greater man than he is. King David even married Jonathan’s sister but yet he declares by God’s Inspiration that “… his love of friendship and self sacrifice was better than even of women (of wife or family even) …” by this phrase from Verse above “… my BROTHER Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me; YOUR LOVE to me was wonderful, SURPASSING THE LOVE OF WOMEN. …” (2 Samuel 1:26) as Jonathan died for David in a way eventually by protecting David from his evil father Saul who by his own self-ambition caused them to die in battle.
Jonathan’s Death affected David so much that he slew all the enemies eventually as per Verses below (note: this Judgment on Earth part is cancelled by Christ for the New Testament ya called the “Song of the Bow”):
“… 14So David said to him, “How was it you were not afraid to put forth your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?” 15Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go near, and execute him!” And he struck him so that he died. 16So David said to him, “Your blood is on your own head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the Lord’s anointed.’ ” 17Then David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son, 18and he told them to teach the children of Judah the SONG OF THE BOW; indeed it is written in the Book [c]of Jasher: … The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. … 23“Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. … 25“How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle! JONATHAN was SLAIN in your high places. 26I am distressed for you, my BROTHER JONATHAN; You have been very pleasant to me; YOUR LOVE to me was WONDEFUL, SURPASSING the LOVE of WOMEN. …” (2 Samuel 1:14 – 18, 23 – 26 NKJV)
God’s Love is Greatest in Christ toward us but after that comes friends as per Verse below too where His Greatest Love itself is Spoken in Analogy of a friend proving this Context
“… 13GREATER LOVE has no one than this, than to LAY DOWN ONE’S LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS. 14You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:13 – 14, NKJV)
Many people simply throw words such as family is best or did this and that to them without realising that it could have been an “unfairness” which they receive not by merit/good deeds but just because they’re family which is a type of nepotism at home itself. These same people complain when a political party or politicians do the same which they do at home. They say is public money but they forget it’s what’s due to government. Do we take our own money and give to charity or try to keep much for family only? such is the challenge in these situations. Such things prove our character if we receive things which we don’t deserve. A righteous man only takes what he “needs” (not his wants) and shares the rest with others as many Verses Testify as we have seen. If a righteous person keeps money, he doesn’t enjoy them with prosperity but keeps it to share to his family’s needs (not wants) and others’ needs when the time comes as even the cases of say Blessed Patriarch Abraham or Blessed Job showed. No verse ever stated Blessed Abraham or Blessed Job feasting lavishly though it was their money but the children of Job did such gluttony (Job 1:4 – 5).
Blessed King David’s own son wrote this Bible Truth too:
” … while I was still searching but not finding— I FOUND ONE UPRIGHT MAN AMONG A THOUSAND, BUT NOT ONE UPRIGHT WOMAN AMONG THEM ALL. …” (Ecclesiastes 7:28, NIV)
Comment: The Verse above was Written by the wisest human ever lived (King Solomon, King David’s son) and he had 700 wives and 300 concubines from among the finest woman who are daughters of kings and others from surrounding nations (1 kings 11:3). So he knows by experience what he is talking about and wrote by God’s Wisdom the verse above. This is the same Blessed King Solomon of whom it is Written below that no one will come to refute his wisdom or even experience more than him to be able to say otherwise:
“… 10The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, NOR HAVE ASKED RICHES for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has NOT BEEN ANYONE LIKE YOU BEFORE YOU, NOR SHALL ANY LIKE YOU ARISE AFTER YOU. 13And I have also GIVEN YOU WHAT YOU HAVE NOT ASKED: both riches and honor, so that there shall NOT BE ANYONE LIKE YOU AMONG THE KINGS all your days. 14So if you walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen[c] your days.” …” (1 Kings 3:10 – 14, NKJV)
Comment: The Problem with human beings is that they don’t want to admit Biblical Truths. They want to exalt their “flesh”. Example: they want to say that their “family” or say “wife” is the best etc. for their own pride whilst she might not even Fulfill half the Virtues of a “Prudent Wife” even as per Verses below (also Written by God’s Wisdom in King Solomon), examples:
“… 13She seeks wool and flax,
And WILLINGLY WORKS with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar. …” (Proverbs 31:13 – 15, NKJV)
“… 15She also RISES WHILE IT IS YET NIGHT,
And PROVIDES FOOD FOR HER HOUSEHOLD,
And a portion for her maidservants.
16She considers a field and buys it;
From [E]HER PROFITS she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
18She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her LAMP DOES NOT GO OUT BY NIGHT.
19She stretches out HER HANDS TO THE DISTAFF,
And HER HAND HOLDS THE SPINDLE. …” (Proverbs 31:15 – 19, NKJV)
“… 20She EXTENDS HER HAND TO THE POOR, Yes, she REACHES OUT HER HANDS TO THE NEEDY. 21She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. …” (Proverbs 31:20 – 21, NKJV)
“… 23HER HUSBAND IS KNOWN in the GATES, When HE SITS AMONG THE ELDERS of the LAND. …” (Proverbs 31:23, NKJV)
“… 24She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come. …” (Proverbs 31:24 – 25, NKJV)
“… 26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the LAW OF KINDNESS.
27She watches over the ways of her household,
And DOES NOT EAT THE BREAD OF IDLENESS. …”.
“… 28Her CHILDREN rise up and call her BLESSED;
Her HUSBAND also, and he PRAISES her:
29“Many daughters have done well,
But YOU EXCEL THEM ALL.” …” (Proverbs 31:28 – 29, NKJV)
“… 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,But a WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let HER OWN WORKS PRAISE HER In the gates. …” (Proverbs 31:30 – 31, NKJV)
“… 10WHO[C] CAN FIND A [D]VIRTUOUS WIFE?
For HER WORTH IS FAR ABOVE RUBIES.
11The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life. …” (Proverbs 31:10 – 12, NKJV)
In short, if we don’t fulfill these Verses, it’s not talking about us. We should not falsely flatter wrongly using the “Word of God” just to gratify the human “pride/flesh” just because it’s our “mother/family/wife” etc. unless these are Fulfilled.
Conclusion
Hardly she can be found and the Verse below puts a curse for those who ‘put woman first in their heart before God’ by the sign that they will marry a woman whose heart is a “trap” (as such men will be suffering to get her attention becoming toys in her hands all his life of hurt & being used like that in chains to fulfill her “wants”) which they cannot utter (lest they look foolish) so they cover up by saying they have the best wife but inwardly suffer for it daily because she is “not” Fulfilling most of the Verses above for a True Prudent Wife which is a state “worse than death” according to Verse below (so please don’t choose anyone who doesn’t fit the Bible Verses above if you want to be married):
“… I find MORE BITTER THAN DEATH the WOMAN WHO IS A SNARE, WHOSE HEART IS A TRAP and whose HANDS ARE CHAINS. The Man Who Pleases GOD will ESCAPE HER, BUT THE SINNER SHE WILL ENSNARE. … while I was still searching but not finding— I FOUND ONE UPRIGHT MAN AMONG A THOUSAND, BUT NOT ONE UPRIGHT WOMAN AMONG THEM ALL. …” (Ecclesiastes 7:26, 28, NIV)
I repeat: so please don’t choose anyone who doesn’t fit the Bible Verses above if you want to be married. So the best is to remain “unmarried” to be spared from all these “trouble” and can focus on Christ’s Commands which are Way Greater, Verse:
“… 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have TROUBLE IN THE FLESH, but I WOULD SPARE YOU. … 32But I want you to be without care. He who is UNMARRIED CARES FOR THE THINGS OF THE LORD—how he may PLEASE THE LORD. 33But HE WHO IS MARRIED CARES about the THINGS OF THE WORLD—how he may PLEASE HIS WIFE. … 38So then he who GIVES HER IN MARRIAGE DOES WELL, but he WHO DOES NOT GIVE HER IN MARRIAGE DOES BETTER. …” (1 Corinthians 7:28, 32 – 33, 38, NKJV)
The Curse for men who prefer praising women who are actually just deceitful as they’re trying to marry a rich man or for security or what they can gain or a mixture of these + little bit of love is clearly evident by how much they will deviate from the Virtues listed above regarding the Prudent Wife in comparison. Can you see it? Human beings being imperfect will fall in a continuous range according to their virtue.
Can you see how much the “Word of God” puts emphasis on one’s “Work of Virtue” first before praising them as “God-Fearing“? (Proverbs 31: 30 earlier) In other words a God-Fearing woman is proven by how much she fulfills the Verses above in “Works”. Can you see it? Please read Proverbs 31 again in your own favourite Bible Version.
The First Christianity Writing of the Didache Clearly Writes this Aspect of Loving some even beyond your life as part of the “Way of Life” in contrast to the “Way of Death” by which there is a “Great Difference” too, to quote these selected parts:
“… There are two ways, ONE OF LIFE and ONE OF DEATH; but a GREAT DIFFERENCE between the two ways. “This is the WAY OF LIFE: first, thou shalt love the God who made thee, secondly, thy neighbor as thyself: and all things whatsoever thou wouldest not should happen to thee, do not thou to another. The teaching of these words is this: BLESS THOSE WHO CURSE YOU, and PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES, and FAST ON BEHALF of THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU: for WHAT THANKS WILL BE DUE TO YOU, IF YE LOVE ONLY THOSE WHO LOVE YOU? Do not the Gentiles also do the same? But LOVE YE THOSE WHO HATE YOU [Luke 6:27 – 36]*, and ye shall not have an enemy.” … You shall not hate any man; but some you shall reprove, and concerning some you shall pray, and SOME YOU SHALL LOVE MORE THAN YOUR OWN LIFE. …”~ The Didache, also known as The Teachings of the 12 Apostles, is an early Christian document written between 80AD – 90AD (Chapter 1, 2)
Source: https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0714.htm
*[Emphasis Mine, please compare with that Bible Verses]
The “Way of Life” Vs “Way of Death” in the above based on Christ’s Commands in Luke 6:27 – 36 (quoted at the end of this writing) reminds me of this Verse:
“… There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. …” (Proverbs 14:12, NKJV)
True Believing in Christ includes a Way of Living too.
This Proves the seriousness of “Works” to demonstrate the “Fear of God” in our lives. A Prudent Wife does the above for “her family only” which is great but the “Greater Way” is to do the above “beyond family” toward “enemies too” as CHRIST COMMAND FOR PERFECTION in Verses below (can you understand it now, please “as it is Written”?):
“… 32“But IF YOU LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:32, NKJV)
“… WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:47, NKJV)
“… 33And IF YOU DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO DO GOOD TO YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:33, NKJV)
These Verses in “full”, please consider:
“…27“But I say to you who hear: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK THEM BACK. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But IF YOU LOVE THOSE WHO LOVE YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And IF YOU DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO DO GOOD TO YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your REWARD WILL BE GREAT, and YOU WILL BE SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. For He is KIND to the UNTHANKFUL AND EVIL. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
Please notice this part carefully which is a GREAT REWARD (If Christ Calls it Great, it must be unimaginable) that is only toward those who have Practiced this DOING GOOD (e.g. in giving knowledge or material things) toward ENEMIES even LENDING (Money/things) to them and NOT RECEIVING BACK, to quote from the above again, in highlight:
“… 33And IF YOU DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO DO GOOD TO YOU, WHAT CREDIT IS THAT TO YOU? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your REWARD WILL BE GREAT, and YOU WILL BE SONS OF THE MOST HIGH. …” (Luke 6:33 – 35, NKJV)
Please don’t lose Christ’s Great Rewards by Ignoring these Verses and choosing to hate/, boycott or harm your enemies instead disobeying Him in these Verses.
Last but not least these Verses Fulfill the Great Commission as part of “… 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU …” part:
“… 18And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I HAVE COMMANDED YOU; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. …” (Matthew 28:18 – 20, NKJV)
If we fail we may be “least” for not teaching “His Direct New Testament Commands” in these “Perfection” Verses:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the LEAST of THESE COMMANDMENTS, and TEACHES men so, shall be called LEAST in the kingdom of HEAVEN; but whoever DOES AND TEACHES them, he shall be called GREAT in the kingdom of HEAVEN. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, NKJV)
Peace to you
Will of the Father Mystery – Safe Route Scripturally
Doing the Will of the Father is to be like God the Father. Is God the Father immediately intervening right now directly whenever evil is committed? No, right? He set a Day for the World to be Judged and until then is not executing “His Judgment” yet, Verse:
“…because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.” …” (Acts 17:31, NKJV)
That’s why we don’t play God trying to Judge Evil now as per His Command next to be “like the Father” likewise.
Will of the Father is to be in Action like the Father which Christ describes like this: Yes, Matthew 5:38 identifies the context as the evil person which is not a Christian. In Matthew 5:39 – 44, same consecutive Context, Christ’s Love your enemies He Says to Emulate the Father who makes the sun or rain on the “good/just” and “evil/just” implying being kind and doing good to both the Christian and non-Christian again in verses below (‘not’ opinions of men) so directly even:
“… 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:21 ] 39BUT I TELL YOU NOT to RESIST an EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44[o]BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be SONS OF YOUR FATHER in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the EVIL AND ON THE GOOD, and sends rain on the JUST AND ON THE UNJUST. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 45, NKJV)
If the Father is so Amazingly “Unaffected by Evil” at all like this, are we really “Doing the Will of the Father” Likewise as “Christ Commanded” in Verses above (so it’s not an option) but a must to be what He Calls the Greatest Creation ever named the “SONS OF YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN”?
So, to ‘not’ do this may be the “Lawlessness” of ‘not doing the ‘Will of the Father’ to whom Christ Plainly Denies as “I never knew you” (as they did not emulate the Father) on that Day when He Returns, Verses:
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice LAWLESSNESS!’ …” (Matthew 7:21 – 23, NKJV)
Please think of the opposite namely, how can someone who tried to ‘Emulate the Father’ as per Verses above be ‘lawless’ when the “Father is like that” (according to Christ) and thus these must be the ‘Undenied ones’, right?
To be like the Father (in Heaven) Who is All-Powerful but yet is so kind even toward Evil like that is so “difficult”, right? That’s why only a “Few” of the Chosen can do this Clear “Will of the Father” in Emulating Mercy only likewise for this Dispensation of Grace:
“… 13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14[c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]DIFFICULT is the way which LEADS TO LIFE, and there are FEW WHO FIND IT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus (Matthew 7:13 – 14, NKJV)
This First Christianity Quote by the direct disciple of Blessed Apostle St. Peter himself (who has “no” Prayers to Virgin Mary/Equivalent in his writings) may mean this Context too as How God the Father is “free from anger” and so we ought too likewise being unaffected by evil likewise:
“… let us look steadfastly unto the Father and Maker of the whole world, and cleave unto His splendid and excellent gifts of peace and benefits. Let us behold Him in our mind, and let us look with the eyes of our soul unto His long-suffering will. Let us note how free from anger He is towards all His creatures. …” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c. 35 AD – 99 AD, 1 Clement 19:2 – 3)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-lightfoot.html
Focus Phrase proving our claim: “how free from anger He is towards all His creatures”
First Christianity quote by the direct disciple of Blessed Apostle St. John (next, who also has no” Prayers to Virgin Mary/Equivalent in his writings) particularly describes the “True Christians” likewise as those who “love their enemies” in this way which proves our exegesis right calling them as “BLESSED” even to inherit the Kingdom:
“… Let us make them brethren by our kindness. For say ye to those that hate you, Ye are our brethren, that the name of the Lord may be glorified. And let us imitate the Lord, “who, when He was reviled, reviled not again ; ” when He was crucified, He answered not; “when He suffered, He threatened not ; “but prayed for His enemies, “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do.” If any one, the more he is injured, displays the more patience, BLESSED IS HE. If any one is defrauded, if any one is despised, for the name of the Lord, he truly is the servant of Christ. Take heed that NO PLANT of the DEVIL be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt. “Watch ye, and be ye sober,” in Christ Jesus. …” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Chapter X, Epistle of Ignatius to the Ephesians)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-longer.html
Comment: His phrase ‘…Take heed that NO PLANT of the DEVIL be found among you, for such a plant is bitter and salt. …’ above is written in contrast to those who love their enemies. So those who don’t love their enemies may be “Plants of the Devil”, right? Can you see it?
Here are another two quotes by him which proves this Biblical Context Irrefutably as well with First Christianity:
“… ” You ought therefore to “hate those that hate God, and to waste away [with grief] on account of HIS ENEMIES.” I DO NOT MEAN that you should BEAT THEM or PERSECUTE THEM, as do the Gentiles “that KNOW NOT THE LORD AND GOD; ” but that you should regard them as your enemies, and separate yourselves from them, while yet you admonish them, and exhort them to repentance, if it may be they will hear, if it may be they will submit themselves. For our God is a LOVER OF MANKIND, and “WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Timothy 2:4] Wherefore “He makes His sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust; ” of whose kindness the Lord, wishing us also to be imitators, says, “Be ye perfect, even as also your Father that is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:44 – 48]…” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Epistle to the Philadelphians, Chapter III)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-philadelphians-longer.html
Comment: His Phrase “… on account of HIS ENEMIES.” I DO NOT MEAN that you should BEAT THEM or PERSECUTE THEM, as do the Gentiles “that KNOW NOT THE LORD AND GOD …” clearly implies that any Christianity (or anyone) who “beats or persecutes” his enemies may NOT KNOW GOD matching Christ’s “.. I never knew you …” in Context of Matthew 7:21 – 23 earlier, right?
Please don’t be deceived and lose either salvation or rewards for earthly hate in human judgment.
“…for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. …” (James 1:20, NKJV)
Peace to you
God’s Holiness Mystery – Holiness is Incomplete till the Charity Doctrine is Practiced
Ever Looked at this Verse and Observed the Meaning of “God’s Holiness” as Described in this Verse:
“… A FATHER OF THE FATHERLESS, a DEFENDER of WIDOWS, Is GOD IN HIS HOLY HABITATION. …” (Psalm 68:5, NKJV)
Can you see it?
In other words the Definition of God’s Holiness in His “Holy” Place/Habitation is clearly Described as inclusive (or Primarily) being the “God who Helps the Fatherless and Widows”. So, any true Doctrine of Holiness is Incomplete unless it includes this aspect too, right?
In other words, since we must emulate God, we must emulate God in this Biblical aspect of “Holiness” which is to take care of “Orphans or Widows” in any capacity we can. To do more of it means to be “holier”, right? Isn’t it Beautiful and Genius for God to Put the Definition of “Holiness” to include this Charity Doctrine Aspect? Indeed, please consider that same Verse (Psalm 68:5, in image too) in a few Translations below for edification:
New International Version
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his HOLY dwelling.
New Living Translation
Father to the fatherless, defender of widows— this is GOD, whose dwelling is HOLY.
English Standard Version
Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is GOD in his HOLY habitation.
Berean Study Bible
A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is GOD in His HOLY habitation.
King James Bible
A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is GOD in his HOLY habitation.
New King James Version
A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is GOD in His HOLY habitation.
New American Standard Bible
A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is GOD in His HOLY dwelling.
Do you know who “failed” or “ignores” this aspect of “God’s Holiness”? God Clearly points to the “fake gods” (possibly the fallen angels & beyond) who deceive even Christianity even if they can to Ignore this aspect of “God’s Holiness”in the context of Helping the “POOR , NEEDY, AFFLICTED and the FATHERLESS” :
“… 1GOD stands in the congregation of [a]the mighty; HE JUDGES AMONG THE [B]GODS.
2How long will you judge unjustly,
And show partiality to the wicked? Selah
3[c]DEFEND THE POOR and FATHERLESS;
Do justice to the AFFLICTED AND NEEDY.
4Deliver the POOR AND NEEDY;
Free them from the hand of the wicked. …” (Psalm 82:1 – 8, NKJV)
Indeed when Holy Scripture identifies the True God as “God of gods” and “Lord of lords”, it tells only of His Charity Doctrine Works below proving how primary this is:
“… 17For the Lord your God is GOD OF GODS and LORD OF LORDS, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. 18He administers JUSTICE FOR THE FATHERLESS and the WIDOW, AND LOVES THE STRANGER, GIVING HIM FOOD AND CLOTHING. 19Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. …” (Deuteronomy 10:17 – 19, NKJV)
Conclusion
This is our God and we tremble knowing this truth about “His Holiness” which is not commonly Preached.
Likewise, any Christianity (or religion) is incomplete in its “Holiness” unless it Practices this Charity Doctrine and that’s why Blessed Apostle St. James, Inspired by the Holy Spirit of God Penned this as the Religion of a True Christian of the New Testament as follows:
“… 27PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION before GOD AND THE FATHER is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in THEIR TROUBLE, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. …” (James 1:27, NKJV)
Did you notice these?
“Holiness” part of “God’s Pure Religion” = “… and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. …” = the “Virginity” part of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1 – 13.
and
“Charity Doctrine Part of God’s Pure Religion” = “…27PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION before GOD AND THE FATHER is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in THEIR TROUBLE, …” = the “Oil & Lamp” part of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1 – 13. as discussed in an earlier post below with Blessed Martin Luther too Preaching this same meaning in Essence:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160885716652784:0
That’s why both “Holiness” part and “Charity Doctrine” part are required for “Pure Religion” before God as James 1:27 teaches and it’s a false teaching to ignore either and it’s a true teaching to have it both.
This is the “Inward Holiness” which the Pharisees missed and Christ calls the “fools” directly for not doing this “Inward + Outward Sanctification” (of “All”) in His Most Blessed Words referring only to the “Almsgiving” or “Charity Doctrine” to the “Poor”, Verses:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 41, NKJV)
In another simpler translation:
“… But now as for WHAT IS INSIDE YOU–be GENEROUS TO THE POOR, and EVERYTHING WILL BE CLEAN FOR YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:41, NIV)
The Verse below ensures that “no one sees the LORD” until “Holiness” is present:
“… Pursue peace with all people, and HOLINESS, without which NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD: …” (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV)
Now, please read this Verse (Hebrews 12:14) with the “Holiness Definition of God” which includes the Charity Doctrine of taking care of “Orphans & Widow” Verses as we see above as the “Septuagint” reads the same (implying that there’s no room for argument of any scribal errors), to quote as this is the ‘Song of the Righteous’ on ‘that Day’:
“… 4(67:4) SING TO GOD, sing praises to his name: make a way for him that rides upon the west (the Lord is his name) and exult before him. They shall be troubled before the face of him, 5(67:5) WHO IS THE FATHER OF THE ORPHANS, and JUDGE OF THE WIDOWS: SUCH IS GOD IN HIS HOLY PLACE. …” (Isaiah 68:4 – 5, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source: https://biblehub.com/sep/psalms/68.htm
Please notice the Word “Holy” in the above.
So, will we see the Lord?
Are we really “Holy” in light of these Verses too?
This is who He is, “Perfect” and the Greatest Kings among men (example the “King of Judah” described below) completed living out this part of “God’s Holiness” via the “Charity Doctrine toward the Poor and Afflicted” as God Himself Testifies that this is what it means “to know Him” mocking ‘his son, a newly elected king who is more interested in prosperity pursuits such as the expensive log of cedar/furniture’ etc.’ (please read ‘carefully’ below):
“… 15“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. 17“But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood, And on practicing oppression and extortion.” … And YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME when YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. …” – via Blessed Prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, 29:13, NASB)
Remember this, the very flames of Hell is no match for “His Holy Word”. Please Trust His “Holy” Word.
Peace to you
Sins of Sodom is more than what’s commonly known – Safe Route Scripturally
Most Christians assume that the “Sin of Sodom” is “LGBT sins only”. If they read the Bible Verses in full, they will discover that it’s more than that. Let’s start.
Yes, I don’t agree with 3rd Gender or 4th gender etc. This is “a” sin of Sodom but not it’s only sin alluded to in these Bible Verses:
“… 9The look on their faces testifies against them, and LIKE SODOM, THEY FLAUNT THEIR SIN; they do not conceal it. Woe to them, for they have brought disaster on themselves. 10Tell the righteous that it will go well for them, for they will eat the fruit of their labor. 11WOE TO THE WICKED — it will go badly for them, FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WILL BE DONE TO THEM. 12Youths oppress my people, and WOMEN RULE OVER THEM. My people, your leaders mislead you; they CONFUSE THE DIRECTION OF YOUR PATHS….” (Isaiah 3:9 – 12, CSB)
Can you see it?
Here it is in the “KJV” translation:
“… 9The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and THEY DECLARE THEIR SIN AS SODOM, they hide it not. WOE UNTO THEIR SOUL! for they have REWARDED EVIL UNTO THEMSELVES. 10Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings. 11WOE UNTO THE WICKED! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him. 12As for my people, children are their oppressors, and WOMEN RULE OVER THEM. O my people, they which lead thee CAUSE THEE TO ERR, AND DESTROY THE WAY OF THY PATHS. …” (Isaiah 3:9 – 12, KJV)
The above tells us that the “Sins of Sodom” includes the following:
1) Sin of Sodom – Spiritual Women Rulers
WOMEN RULE over THEM (Can you see it in Isaiah 3:12 which was written in the context of a Sin of Sodom in Isaiah 3:9 first “as it is written?) —> spiritual context intended as God is Interested in the Rulings Spiritually here over “His People”. The same people who say the translation or context doesn’t mean that are the same scholars who will say that the Bible doesn’t condemn LGBT by manipulating words against what is Written.
Regardless Isaiah 3:12’s “… WOMEN RULE over THEM …” is a “sin” according to these Bible Verses – so whether it is a sin of Sodom or not doesn’t matter but the remarkable consecutive verses coincidence here is interesting, isn’t it?
This is probably why as per the Torah, there were never women priests in the Old Covenant and in the New Testament, women were also prohibited from “Spiritual Leadership” as per Verses below:
“… 34WOMEN F SHOULD REMAIN SILENT IN THE CHURCHES. They are NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK, but must be in SUBMISSION, as the law says. 35If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is DISGRACEFUL FOR A WOMAN TO SPEAK IN THE CHURCH. 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that what I am WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But IF ANYONE IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED …” (1 Corinthians 14:34 – 38, NIV)
“… 10but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12And I DO NOT PERMIT A WOMAN TO TEACH OR TO HAVE AUTHORITY OVER A MAN, BUT TO BE IN SILENCE. …” (1 Timothy 2:10 – 12, NKJV)
Blessed Apostle St. Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit when he wrote the New Testament Verses above. So please guard your mouth to not accidentally Blaspheme the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God for which there is no Forgiveness as per Matthew 12:31 – 32. So whether God Allows them differently, you take your own risk by following them. I prefer to follow “Written” Verses for which there is no condemnation.
Note: The Bible doesn’t prohibit them from “Preaching the Gospel” (e.g. Priscilla in the New Testament) but “not” from a position of “Spiritual Authority” as per Verses above.
If we want “Lord Jesus” only if he allows women pastors as per your Church, then is your loyalty to Christ or to women for if not, you don’t seem to like that “First Christianity”?
Indeed, if you were receiving Blessed Apostle St. Paul’s letters as per Verses above, would you hate Christ and His Command due to loving women more than him?
“… Obedience is better than Sacrifice …” (1 Samuel 15:22)
I don’t judge those “women pastors” or those who “support them” to be “Unsaved” yet nor do I affirm them to be “Saved” but rather I choose not to judge as I don’t know for sure.
What I know is, as per these quoted Verses and the First New Testament Church Practice, I don’t need to have to endorse any “women pastors” to be “Saved” and obeying these “Written Verses” is the “Safe Route Scripturally” for which there is “no” condemnation even if suppose God used them as they claim.
This Biblical Logic was discussed in an earlier post below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160895941717784/
If people Ignore us or do evil to us due to Obeying these “Written Bible Verses”, this Verse below may apply:
“… 11Blessed [Makarioi] are you WHEN THEY REVILE AND PERSECUTE YOU, and say ALL KINDS OF EVIL AGAINST YOU FALSELY FOR MY SAKE. 12Rejoice [chairete] and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. …” (Matthew 5:11 – 12, NKJV)
2) Sin of Sodom – Strange Sexual Immorality
“… as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality and gone after strange flesh, are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. …” (Jude 1:7, NKJV)
3) Sin of Sodom – No Charity Doctrine toward the Poor and Enjoying in Luxury/Prosperity Lifestyle
“… Look, this was the iniquity of your sister SODOM: She and her daughter had PRIDE, FULLNESS OF FOOD, and ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS; NEITHER did she strengthen the hand of the POOR and NEEDY. …” (Ezekiel 16:49, NKJV)
Conclusion
Do we need to Practice the Old Testament Verse below and kill them? No!
“… If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them. …” (Leviticus 20:13, NKJV)
We don’t need to kill or hurt them. Just let them live but we don’t need to agree with them and it’s our right to disagree with their sin verbally with no further Judgment in action. We don’t stone them because Christ has “Cancelled” those “Eye for an eye” Judgment Verses to purge evil on Earth now Verses and replacing it with “do not resist an evil person” & “love your enemies instead” in Verses below:
“… 38“YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, ‘An EYE FOR AN EYE and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:19 – 21]. 39But I TELL YOU NOT TO RESIST AN EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and TAKE AWAY YOUR TUNIC, LET HIM HAVE YOUR CLOAK ALSO. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42GIVE to him who asks you, and from him WHO WANTS TO BORROW from you DO NOT TURN AWAY. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44[o]But I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, … 47And if you greet your [p]brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 44, 47, NKJV)
If a court decides to allow them to have it, that’s their sin but we already spoke in “words only” that it’s wrong and will be Judged by God on “Judgment Day”. Silly fake science arguments won’t work with God as He Will Prove their claims as false and as lust irrefutably.
We don’t need to boycott them or cruelly treat them but let them have jobs or if they’re hungry, feed them as Christ Commanded to “Love your enemies”. So the Charity Doctrine is not Cancelled toward them (or “enemies”) either. Example Verse:
“… Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” …” (Romans 12:20 or Proverbs 25:21, NKJV)
Peace to you
Giving to other Believers and the Poor is True Worship to God
Verses:
“… 6But this I say: He who SOWS SPARINGLY WILL ALSO REAP SPARINGLY, and he who sows [d]bountifully will also reap [e]bountifully. 7So let EACH ONE GIVE as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [f]necessity; FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all SUFFICIENCY IN ALL THINGS, may have an ABUNDANCE FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. 9As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR; His righteousness ENDURES FOREVER.” 10Now [g]may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [h]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and INCREASE THE FRUITS OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, 11while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes THANKSGIVING THROUGH US TO GOD. 12For the administration of this service not only supplies the NEEDS OF THE SAINTS, but also is abounding through MANY THANKSGIVINGS TO GOD, 13while, through the PROOF OF THIS MINISTRY, they glorify God for the OBEDIENCE of your CONFESSION to the GOSPEL OF CHRIST, and for YOUR LIBERAL SHARING WITH THEM and ALL MEN …” (2 Corinthians 9:6 – 13, NKJV)
Please notice the following phrases of Truths regarding this “Ministry of Giving” from Verses above:
“… 6But this I say: He who SOWS SPARINGLY WILL ALSO REAP SPARINGLY, and he who sows [d]bountifully will also reap [e]bountifully. 7So let EACH ONE GIVE as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of [f]necessity; FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. …”
“… 8And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all SUFFICIENCY IN ALL THINGS, may have an ABUNDANCE FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. 9As it is written: “He has dispersed abroad, HE HAS GIVEN TO THE POOR; His righteousness ENDURES FOREVER.” …”
“… 10Now [g]may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [h]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and INCREASE THE FRUITS OF YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS, …”
“… 11while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes THANKSGIVING THROUGH US TO GOD. 12For the administration of this service not only supplies the NEEDS OF THE SAINTS, but also is abounding through MANY THANKSGIVINGS TO GOD, …”
Please notice the word “needs” in “needs of the Saints” carefully in the above. The “Many Thanksgivings to God” which “Giving” causes is the Ultimate Worship to God as Majestically describe in these Verses.
“… 13while, through the PROOF OF THIS MINISTRY, they GLORIFY GOD for the OBEDIENCE of your CONFESSION to the GOSPEL OF CHRIST, …”
“… for YOUR LIBERAL SHARING WITH THEM and ALL MEN …”
Conclusion
Christians ought to Excel in the “Grace of Giving” where this poor Church of Macedonia went “beyond their ability” (extreme Gifting) as per Verses below:
“… 1Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and THEIR DEEP POVERTY ABOUNDED IN THE RICHES OF THEIR LIBERALITY. 3For I bear witness that ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY, YES, AND BEYOND THEIR ABILITY, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would RECEIVE THE GIFT and the fellowship of the MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS. 5And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God. 6So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7But as YOU ABOUND IN EVERYTHING—in FAITH, IN SPEECH, IN KNOWLEDGE, in all diligence, and in YOUR LOVE FOR US—SEE THAT YOU ABOUND IN THIS GRACE ALSO. …” (2 Corinthians 8:1 – 7, NKJV)
Please notice the following truths about this Church which is Praised by Scripture as per phrases below:
1) A Poor Church which was suffering financially and in other afflictions
“… in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and THEIR DEEP POVERTY …”
2) They gave to other Believers according to their ability and beyond their ability (unmatched Worship/Faith toward God)
“… 3For I bear witness that ACCORDING TO THEIR ABILITY, YES, AND BEYOND THEIR ABILITY, they were freely willing, 4imploring us with much urgency [a]that we would RECEIVE THE GIFT and the fellowship of the MINISTERING TO THE SAINTS. …”
3) A mature Church Abounds in this “Grace of Giving” too
“… 7But as YOU ABOUND IN EVERYTHING—in FAITH, IN SPEECH, IN KNOWLEDGE, in all diligence, and in YOUR LOVE FOR US—SEE THAT YOU ABOUND IN THIS GRACE ALSO. …”
Peace to you
Unanswered Prayers and Charity Doctrine Link Mystery – Why doesn’t God Hear us when we Pray?
“… But if you had known what this means: ‘I DESIRE COMPASSION, RATHER THAN SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:7, NASB)
Warning: If someone says that they have Prosperity without doing these Bible Charity Doctrine Commands, then that prosperity Comes “not” from God (as Verses cannot Contradict) but comes from the Devil as per the “Prosperity of the Wicked” Described in Verses below whose Destruction is in the afterlife/Spirit World as these are untouched on earth:
“… 3For I was envious of the boastful,
When I saw the PROSPERITY OF THE WICKED.
4For there are NO [A]PANGS IN THEIR DEATH,
But their strength is firm.
5They are NOT IN TROUBLE AS OTHER MEN,
NOR ARE THEY PLAGUED LIKE OTHER MEN.
6Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
Violence covers them like a garment.
7THEIR [B]EYES BULGE WITH ABUNDANCE;
THEY HAVE MORE THAN HEART COULD WISH. … 16When I thought how to understand this,
It was [e]too painful for me—
17Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
Then I UNDERSTOOD THEIR END.
18Surely You set them in slippery places;
YOU CAST THEM DOWN TO DESTRUCTION.
19Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
They are utterly CONSUMED WITH TERRORS.
20As a dream when one awakes,
So, Lord, when You awake,
You shall despise their image. …”
(Psalm 73:3 – 7, 16 – 20, NKJV)
1) Because we don’t Practice the “Charity Doctrine” toward the Poor among us
“… Whoever shuts his ears to the CRY OF THE POOR WILL ALSO CRY HIMSELF AND NOT BE HEARD. …” (Proverbs 21:13, NKJV)
Please notice the “Unanswered Prayers” part = the phrase “… WILL ALSO CRY HIMSELF AND NOT BE HEARD …”.
This Curse extends into the afterlife as the Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus Revealed by Christ shows that the Rich Man didn’t do the “Charity Doctrine” toward “Lazarus” (the local poor in his vicinity) and thus went to “Hell” (Punishment Regions of Hades) and was “Ignored”, Verses:
“… 19“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and [h]fared sumptuously every day. 20But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, 21desiring to be fed with [i]the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. 23And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24“Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’ 25But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted and you are tormented. 26And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:19 – 26, NKJV)
Yes, it’s a “Curse by God” automatically whenever someone chooses not to Help the Poor:
“… He who GIVES TO THE POOR will not lack, But he who HIDES HIS EYES WILL HAVE MANY CURSES. …” (Proverbs 28:27, NKJV)
2) Ignoring True Judgment by Rejecting the Charity Doctrine of Mercy and Compassion
“… Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute TRUE JUDGMENT, and SHEW MERCY and COMPASSIONS every man to his brother: 10And OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; and let none of you IMAGINE EVIL AGAINST his brother in your heart. 11But they REFUSED TO HEARKEN, and pulled away the shoulder, and STOPPED THEIR EARS, that THEY SHOULD NOT HEAR. 12Yes, they made their hearts like flint, refusing to hear the law and the words which the Lord of hosts had sent by His Spirit through the former prophets. Thus GREAT WRATH CAME FROM THE LORD OF HOSTS. 13Therefore it happened, that just as HE PROCLAIMED AND THEY WOULD NOT HEAR, SO THEY CALLED OUT and I WOULD NOT LISTEN,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. 14“But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus THE LAND BECAME DESOLATE after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.” ….” (Zechariah 7:9 – 14, KJV)
So In Verses above, “True Judgment” is these “Charity Doctrine” Acts = “… OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; and let none of you IMAGINE EVIL AGAINST his brother in your heart. …”
The “Unanswered Prayers” part for refusing the “Charity Doctrine” Acts of “True Judgment” above = “… Thus GREAT WRATH CAME FROM THE LORD OF HOSTS. 13Therefore it happened, that just as HE PROCLAIMED AND THEY WOULD NOT HEAR, SO THEY CALLED OUT and I WOULD NOT LISTEN,” SAYS THE LORD OF HOSTS. …”.
It didn’t end there as “God Cursed” such people Futher as described above as follows: “… 14“But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations which they had not known. Thus THE LAND BECAME DESOLATE after them, so that no one passed through or returned; for they made the pleasant land desolate.” ….”.
3) Prayer and Fasting have little to no value unless it is accompanied by “Almsgiving” or “Charity Works” or equivalent “Sharing” Verses:
The Question
“… ‘Why have WE FASTED,’ they say, ‘and YOU HAVE NOT SEEN? Why have WE AFFLICTED OUR SOULS, and YOU TAKE NO NOTICE?’ …” (Isaiah 58:3, NKJV)
Part of the Answer (God’s Reply):
“… 7Is it not to SHARE YOUR BREAD with the HUNGRY,
And that you bring to your house THE POOR who are cast out;
When you see THE NAKED, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from YOUR OWN FLESH?
8Then YOUR LIGHT shall break forth like the MORNING,
YOUR HEALING shall spring forth speedily,
And your righteousness shall go before you;
The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.
9Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer;
You shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’ …” (Isaiah 58:7 – 9, NKJV)
4) Worship and Church Attendance has little to no value unless ‘Judgment’ of “Charity Works” toward the “Poor, Widow, Orphans and the Afflicted” is Done too, Verses:
“… 21“I HATE, I despise your feast days,
And I do NOT SAVOR your SACRED ASSEMBLIES.
22Though you offer Me burnt offerings and your grain offerings, I will NOT ACCEPT them, NOR will I regard your fattened peace offerings.
23TAKE AWAY from Me the NOISE of YOUR SONGS,
For I will NOT HEAR the MELODY of your STRINGED INSTRUMENTS. 24But let JUSTICE run down like water, And RIGHTEOUSNESS like a mighty stream. …” (Amos 5:21 – 24, NKJV)
Next, What “justice” and “righteousness” is God Referring to in Verses above, political parties & their rich men or hidden racist agendas? Nope. Only JUSTICE and RIGHTEOUSNESS to the POOR is Written in these Consecutive Verses prior (“Context”) – yes, on Judgment Day itself Christ is only interested with how we treat the poor (Matthew 25:31-46’s When I was hungry, thirsty, naked…)
“… 10They HATE the one who REBUKES in the gate,
And they ABHOR the one who SPEAKS UPRIGHTLY.
11Therefore, BECAUSE YOU TREAD DOWN THE POOR
And take grain taxes from him,
Though you have built houses of hewn stone,
Yet you shall not dwell in them;
You have planted pleasant vineyards,
But you shall not drink wine from them.
12For I know YOUR MANIFOLD TRANSGRESSIONS
And YOUR MIGHTY SINS:
AFFLICTING THE JUST and TAKING BRIBES;
DIVERTING THE POOR FROM JUSTICE at the gate. …” (Amos 5:10 – 12, NKJV)
5) No one knows God until one knows about caring for the “Afflicted” and “Poor”
“… 15“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. 17“But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood, And on practicing oppression and extortion.” … And YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME when YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. …” (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, 29:13, NASB)
6) Religion of God the Father
God Doesn’t Accept any “Religion” of “Christianity” even unless it Practices these “Charity Doctrine” Lifestyle First
“… 27PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION before GOD AND THE FATHER is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in THEIR TROUBLE, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. …” (James 1:27, NKJV)
Did you notice these?
“Holiness” part of “God’s Pure Religion” = “… and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. …” = the “Virginity” part of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1 – 13.
and
“Charity Doctrine Part of God’s Pure Religion” = “…27PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION before GOD AND THE FATHER is this: to VISIT ORPHANS AND WIDOWS in THEIR TROUBLE, …” = the “Oil & Lamp” part of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins in Matthew 25:1 – 13. as discussed in an earlier post below with Blessed Martin Luther too Preaching this same meaning in Essence:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160885716652784:0
That’s why both “Holiness” part and “Charity Doctrine” part are required for “Pure Religion” before God as James 1:27 teaches and it’s a false teaching to ignore either and it’s a true teaching to have it both.
God doesn’t look at the result nor the amount of giving but your love & relative measure which makes it ‘fair to all’ (as God has no Partiality) as the widow who gave only two coins which probably couldn’t feed any still gave more than all including the Rich’s giving which had tangible effects.
“… 1And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, 2and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites.[a] 3So He said, “TRULY I say to you that this POOR widow has put in MORE THAN ALL; 4for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings [b]for God, but she OUT OF HER POVERTY PUT IN ALL THE LIVELIHOOD THAT SHE HAD.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 21:1 – 4, NKJV)
Conclusion – Mind of Christ and Doctrine of Sanctification
God is only interested in us in as much we are tangibly interested in others as this is part of the “Mind of Christ” which is to “look out for the interest of others”, Verse:
“… 4Let each of you LOOK OUT NOT ONLY FOR HIS OWN INTERESTS, BUT ALSO FOR THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS. 5Let THIS MIND BE IN YOU WHICH WAS ALSO IN CHRIST JESUS, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [b]robbery to be equal with God, 7but [c]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. …” (Philippians 2:4 – 7, NKJV)
No Doctrine of Sanctification is Complete without the Charity Doctrine of Almsgiving as CHRIST HIMSELF Revealed this Secret Personally below. Yes, Christ Affirmed it, here are a few translations of that Verse:
“… But WHAT YE HAVE GIVE YE AS ALMS, and, lo, ALL THINGS are CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Young’s Literal Translation, Luke 11:41, YLT)
“… But now as for WHAT IS INSIDE YOU–be GENEROUS TO THE POOR, and EVERYTHING WILL BE CLEAN FOR YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:41, NIV)
“… But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. …” (Luke 11:41, KJV)
“… But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. …” (Luke 11:41, NKJV)
“… But give that which is within as a charitable gift, and then all things are clean for you. …” (Luke 11:41, NASB)
This is why He Taught us to “Keep our Lamps Lit” by Doing the “Charity Works” that He Commanded:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
Let’s End with Christ’s Warning:
“… 15“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For YOU TRAVEL LAND and SEA TO WIN ONE PROSELYTE, and when he is won, you make him TWICE as much a SON OF [h]HELL as yourselves. … 23“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have neglected the WEIGHTIER MATTERS OF THE LAW (Torah):JUSTICE and MERCY and FAITH. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 24Blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel! 25“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you CLEANSE THE OUSTIDE of the cup and dish, but INSIDE they are full of extortion and [l]SELF-INDULGENCE. 26Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also. …”- The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:13 – 15, 23 – 26, NKJV)
What does Christ mean by the “weightier matters of the Law” without fulfilling which the “outside holiness” (or ‘godliness of keeping holy’) doesn’t save?
In Matthew 23:23 above, He Declares it as “Justice, Mercy and Faith”.
Also in Matthew 23:25 – 26, Christ Teaches the “Doctrine of Sanctification” where the “inside” ought to be “clean” also and not just “outward holiness” (i.e. abstinence from sinful acts). However, Matthew doesn’t record the “how” to do it in these Verses.
The Mysterious Answer regarding both the “Justice, Mercy & Faith” (Matthew 23:23) and the Doctrine of Sanctification which “Cleans All” (both Inside & Outside) as Christ Promises above (in Matthew 23:25 – 26) is nothing else than the “Charity Doctrine” with the Focus on “Almsgiving” (Alms / Charity Works) ‘not knowing which’ Christ calls them “fools” which agrees to the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins likewise as we have seen who despite being “virgins” (or outwardly holy, Matthew 25:1 – 13) miss this part as Described by Christ Himself to Explain ‘what He Means in His Own Most Blessed Words’, Verses:
“… 39Then the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees make the OUTSIDE OF THE CUP and DISH CLEAN, but YOUR INWARD PART is full of [k]GREED and WICKEDNESS. 40FOOLISH ones! Did not He who made the outside make the inside also? 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. 42“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by JUSTICE and the LOVE of GOD These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. 43Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the [m]best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces. 44Woe to you, [n]scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like graves which are not seen, and the men who walk over them are not aware of them.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:39 – 45, NKJV)
P/S: First Christianity
1) St. Basil the Great
Here’s a First Christianity Quote by the Famous Saint respected by Catholics, to Eastern Orthodox to even Protestants too agreeing to all these:
“… I know many who fast, pray, sigh, and demonstrate every manner of piety, so long as it costs them nothing, yet would not part with a penny to help those in distress. … When I go into the house of one of these tasteless newly rich individuals, and see it bedecked with every imaginable hue, I know that this person possesses nothing more valuable than what is on display; such people decorate inanimate objects, but fail to beautify the soul. … Care for the needy requires the expenditure of wealth: when all share alike, disbursing their possessions among themselves, they each receive a small portion for their individual needs. Thus, those who love their neighbor as themselves possess nothing more than their neighbor; yet surely, you seem to have great possessions! How else can this be, but that you have preferred your own enjoyment to the consolation of the many? For the more you abound in wealth, the more you lack in love. … For if we all took only what was necessary to satisfy our own needs, giving the rest to those who lack, no one would be rich, no one would be poor, and no one would be in need. … After they have squandered their wealth among so many pursuits, if there is any left over, they hide it in the ground and guard it deep within the earth. “For the future,” they say, “is always uncertain; therefore let us take care, lest some unforeseen need should arise.” Yet while it is uncertain whether you will have need of this buried gold, the losses you incur from your inhuman behavior are not at all uncertain … Had you clothed the naked, had you given your bread to the hungry, had your door been open to every stranger, had you been a parent to the orphan, had you made the suffering of every helpless person your own, what money would you have left, the loss of which to grieve? … What then will you answer the Judge? You gorgeously array your walls, but do not clothe your fellow human being; you adorn horses, but turn away from the shameful plight of your brother or sister; you allow grain to rot in your barns, but do not feed those who are starving; you hide gold in the earth, but ignore the oppressed! … You showed no mercy; it will not be shown to you. You opened not your house; you will be expelled from the Kingdom. You gave not your bread; you will not receive eternal life. …” – Blessed St. Basil the Great, was the bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia, Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). He was an influential theologian who supported the Nicene Creed and opposed the heresies of the early Christian church, fighting against both Arianism and the followers of Apollinaris of Laodicea. In addition to his work as a theologian, Basil was known for his care of the poor and underprivileged. Basil established guidelines for monastic life which focus on community life, liturgical prayer, and manual labor. Together with Pachomius, he is remembered as a father of communal monasticism in Eastern Christianity, Titles: one of the Three Holy Hierarchs / Great Hierarch, Doctor of the Church (c. 329 AD – c. 379 AD)
Source:
https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/7393703-on-social-justice-st-basil-the-great
2) St. Clement of Rome or a Jewish Christianity Quote
Did First Christianity understand it likewise? – This First “Jewish” Christianity Quote might be True indeed:
“… 2Clem 16:1 Therefore, brethren, since we have found no small opportunity for repentance, seeing that we have time, let us turn again unto God that called us, while we have still One that receiveth us.2Clem 16:2 For if we bid farewell to these enjoyments and conquer our soul in refusing to fulfill its evil lusts, we shall be partakers of the mercy of Jesus. 2Clem 16:3 But ye know that the day of judgment cometh even now as a burning oven, and the powers of the heavens shall melt, and all the earth as lead melting on the fire, and then shall appear the secret and open works of men. 2Clem 16:4 ALMSGIVING therefore is a good thing, EVEN AS REPENTANCE FROM SIN> FASTING IS BETTER THAN PRAYER, but ALMSGIVING BETTER THAN BOTH. And LOVE COVERETH A MULTITUDE OF SINS, but prayer out of a good conscience delivereth from death. BLESSED IS EVERY MAN that is FOUND FULL OF THESE. For ALMSGIVING LIFTETH OFF THE BURDEN OF SIN. 2Clem 17:1 Let us therefore repent with our whole heart, lest any of us perish by the way. For if we have received commands, that we should make this our business, to tear men away from idols and to instruct them, how much more is it wrong that a soul which knoweth God already should perish! …” (2 Clement, Attributed to Blessed St. Clement of Rome, a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter, c.35 AD – c. 99 AD)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/2clement-lightfoot.html
Benny Hinn Repents of the Prosperity Gospel – Have we Repented of it?
Pastor Benny Hinn is very important to many evangelical Christians especially to those in the Charismatic Movement denomination and Churches because they believe that he speaks directly to the Holy Spirit and can do Miracles such as Casting out of Demons, Prophesying etc. Here are direct proof videos in his own words:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qUQwmwC7Oc
or
Example Quote:
“… it’s an offense to the Holy Spirit to place a price on the gospel.” … “I’m done with it. I will never again ask you to give a thousand or whatever amount, because I think the Holy Ghost is just fed up with it. . . . . I think that hurts the gospel.” … “I think giving has become such a gimmick that it’s making me sick to my stomach.” … “I think it’s time we say it like it is: The gospel is not for sale. And the blessings of God are not for sale, and miracles are not for sale. And prosperity is not for sale.” …” – Pastor Benny Hinn
Source:
So that means there’s no more ‘faith for money’ right?
Comment: Pastor Benny Hinn’s own words prove that the “Holy Spirit” never APPROVED of his PROSPERITY GOSPEL and is ANGRY of it. So, I don’t know if those who simply Prophesied Money in God’s Name like that calling it Blessings by using the Most Blessed Name of the Holy Spirit of God can be forgiven or not (according to whether it is considered the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit or not as per Matthew 12:31 – 32 and as Blessed Martin Luther the First Reformer Prophesied as discussed in an earlier post below regarding such “Many” who may be “Denied” including those who “Prophesied” as Christ Clearly Warned in Matthew 7:21 – 23), but it’s “Possible”. Maybe God Will Forgive if they Repent now and vice versa (Let Him Alone Decide):
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160885716652784/?substory_index=0
Now, his repentance from the Prosperity Gospel Theology clearly proves that ‘signs & wonders’ are not proof of doctrine and this Doctrine can make Christians “unsaved” for if not he wouldn’t need to repent as in his own Words he quotes that the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD is ANGRY with such PROSPERITY GOSPEL messages, to quote:
Some doubt his repentance while other Christians say it is true as per example links below:
https://churchleaders.com/news/358465-has-benny-hinn-repented-of-the-prosperity-gospel.html
or
or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdap_Lo0FiI
Conclusion
The only Biblical Definition of Contentment is having “food and clothing”.
“… 7For we brought nothing into this world, [d]and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8And HAVING FOOD AND CLOTHING, WITH THESE WE SHALL BE CONTENT. …” (1 Timothy 6:7 –
Owning anything else is a Bonus and must be used in a life of Sharing and Giving as Apostle St. Paul continues in this same chapter and same letter (same Context) toward “rich Christians” as follows:
“… 17COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
Please also notice that Apostle St. Paul’s farewell message in Verses below where he is free from the Guilt of the Blood of All men only applies because he Preached all the Counsels of God (whether or not people accept it) and Warned of those false teachers to come focusing clearly regarding the Charity Doctrine of Giving (possibly because this message will be most contradicted by false teachers leading many to perdition) as he ends his message with Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words that “… It’s more Blessed to Give than to receive …” (So, regardless the “More Blessed” ones in His Kingdom are those who Give more):
“… 25“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more. 26Therefore I testify to you this day that I AM INNOCENT[E] OF THE BLOOD of ALL MEN. 27For I HAVE NOT [F]SHUNNED TO DECLARE to YOU THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF GOD. 28Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church [g]of God which He purchased with His own blood. 29For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking [h]perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. 31Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. 32“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you AN INHERITANCE AMONG ALL THOSE WHO are SANCTIFIED. 33I have COVETED NO ONE’S SILVER OR GOLD or APPAREL. 34[i]Yes, you yourselves know that THESE HANDS have PROVIDED FOR MY NECESSITIES, and for those who were with me. 35I have SHOWN YOU IN EVERY WAY, by laboring like this, that YOU MUST SUPPORT THE WEAK. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is MORE BLESSED TO GIVE THAN TO RECEIVE.’ ” …” (Acts 20:25 – 35, NKJV)
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – Saving Faith vs Dead Faith – What Does LORD JESUS CHRIST SAY as the MYSTERY to ETERNAL LIFE?
Exegesis Style (Disclaimers): These are not my opinions but what was taught by the Original Protestant Movement “Founders” (such as Blessed Martin Luther etc.) to the Earliest Church Fathers (especially those with “no” Prayers to Mary/Equivalent so Protestants may consider them).
In other words, In other words, I am quoting men whom we all can agree are filled with the “Holy Spirit”.
But first, I will explain a bit first and you can compare with the quotes of these men who are filled with the Holy Spirit whether they taught so or not. So, if your pastor is preaching differently using the ‘Name of the Holy Spirit’, are they more credible than say Martin Luther or Charles Spurgeon?
So that’s why I call this way of Exegesis as ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ without Judging those who di it differently by letting ‘God Judge them on that Day’. I will quote them later so please persevere to read all before falsely accusing or misunderstanding anything as that’s what is Commanded in Verse below too:
“Does our law judge a man before it hears him and knows what he is doing?” (John 7:51, NKJV)
Please remember that you cannot quote your favourite Bible Verse or Protestant Champion of faith half-way and miss the other verses or statements made about faith and works. Let’s Begin.
Firstly, why is this Important? The ‘Foolish Virgins’ were “Unsaved” and Christ Declares the same “… I never knew you …” phrase toward them (Matthew 25:1 – 13) as He Does to those in the Great Denial Verses too likewise (Matthew 7:21 – 24), please compare as follows:
“… 1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I SAY TO YOU, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’ 13“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. …” (Matthew 25:1 – 13, NKJV)
“… 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN WHO BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” (Matthew 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
1) Holiness and Charity Doctrine Analogy – False Teachers Identified
False Teachers: You don’t need to be holy nor do any Charity Doctrine Works to be Saved.
Bible Truth: You need to have Holiness (“Virginity”) and Good Works (“Lamps Lit”) to Obey the Holy Spirit of God as the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins Signify.
Please notice the Phrase “LAMPS LIT” which CHRIST uses (not the Opinions of men) when Speaking of only the CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS in Verse below as the ‘Essential Doctrine’ to Complete the Act of ‘Seeking the Kingdom of God’ by which Church Fathers also use to Prove this Context similarly:
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. 32“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys. 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:31 – 35, NASB)
A person should tremble reading Christ’s Words above if he/she speaks against the “Charity Doctrine” because that’s exactly the only Religious Act Christ Speaks of in Verses above when He Speaks of ‘Seeking the Kingdom’ (which is inclusive of “His Righteousness” or ‘Holiness’ as Luke doesn’t record here but Matthew does in Matthew 6:33).
Comments:
iii) Please also notice that the 5 foolish Virgins also had “some oil” (for if not their lamps wouldn’t have been lit for a while, Matthew 25:8) but didn’t have ‘extra oil’ (Matthew 25:3) which must refer to the Good Works of the Charity Doctrine as per Christ’s Direct Definition in Luke 12:31 – 35 but the Fire of the Holy Spirit didn’t last long in them because they didn’t acquire “enough oil/Good Works” to keep the ‘Fire in the Saving Faith’ to continue which can perhaps also link to this lost of “First Love” and “First Works” Church discussed in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160878158747784
Also, what does this Verse mean?
“… So then, NONE of you can be MY DISCIPLES who does NOT give up ALL HIS OWN POSSESSIONS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Same Answer: Because Few Christians Realize that when Luke 14:33 was Spoken by Christ, He was Speaking the same Context of His ‘Charity Doctrine’ Discourses where He even mentions the ‘Special Mercy to the Poor/Maimed/Blind’ part some ‘Parabolically’ (e.g. the omitted Luke 14:26 – 30 which is the Parable explanation of this same truth, but parabolically regarding Counting the Cost to live out His Commands including this ‘Charity Doctrine Lifestyle’) as per Consecutive Verses below:
“… (12Then He also said to him who invited Him,) “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, NOR RICH NEIGHBORS, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. 13But when you give a feast, INVITE the POOR, THE MAIMED, THE LAME, THE BLIND. 14And you will be BLESSED, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be REPAID at the [First]* RESURRECTION OF THE JUST.” … 21So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the STREETS and LANES of the city, and bring in here the POOR and the MAIMED and the LAME and the BLIND.’ 22And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still THERE IS ROOM.’ 23Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the HIGHWAYS and HEDGES, and COMPEL THEM to COME IN, that MY HOUSE MAY BE FILLED. 24For I say to you that NONE of those men who were INVITED shall taste MY SUPPER.’ ” … … So LIKEWISE, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has CANNOT BE MY DISCIPLE. …” (Luke 14:12 – 14, 21 – 24, 33, NKJV)
2) Further Comments on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
iii. Such a Christianity must exist around us, right? So if we didn’t focus nor practice these gifts, it cannot be referring to us, right? There’s a popular myth where some think that all Christians need to practice some of those gifts to be saved but the Bible Verse below clearly Proves that you can be Saved without having any of those gifts (of healing, nor of Speaking in Tongues nor of Casting out of Demons) according to the Verse below directly (not the opinions of men):
“… 27Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are ALL WORKERS OF MIRACLES? 30DO ALL HAVE GIFTS OF HEALINGS? DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the [i]best gifts. And YET I SHOW YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY. …” (1 Corinthians 12:27 – 30, NKJV)
The Bible Verses above clearly imply these three things:
“… But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you A MORE EXCELLENT WAY [of Agape, Love of God]. 1Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [a]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. … And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. … ” – The Wise and Gifted Blessed St. Paul the Apostle (1 Corinthians 12:31, 1 Corinthians 13:1 – 3, 13, NKJV)
iii) Now all believers are required to have the “Love” of God or “Agape” (which is NOT an option) to be saved as per Verses above where Verses below clearly Speak of “Agape” in Action is Defined as the “Charity Doctrine” toward others (and so it matches that this is the “Oil” required to “Keep our Lamps Lit”):
“… 16BY THIS WE KNOW LOVE, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to LAY DOWN OUR LIVES for the brethren. 17But whoever HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW does the LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, but IN DEED AND IN TRUTH. …” – Blessed St. John the only non-martyr Apostle of Christ (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
3) Protestant Reformers – The Original Protestant Reformation Movement with “no” Speaking in Tongues. So it’s not a must nor is it a necessary evidence of the Holy Spirit for any ‘New Revelation’ as per Verse below too:
“… DO ALL SPEAK WITH TONGUES? Do all interpret? 31But earnestly desire the [i]best gifts. And YET I SHOW YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY. …” (1 Corinthians 12:29, NKJV)
For example all these Protestant Greats did “not” Speak in Tongues (Quotes from Conservative Protestant Pages – and so, no point in quoting this as this gift as it doesn’t prove which doctrine is right):
“… Lutheran scholar Heinrich Boehmer once made the statement, “There are as many Luthers as there are books about Luther.” Indeed, the theological landscape is overgrown with Luthers. There is actually a Pentecostal Luther who ‘spoke in tongues’ floating around cyber-space. This quote has been used in many charismatic web pages: … “According to the German church historian Theodor Sauer, Luther spoke in tongues: “Luther was easily the greatest evangelical man after the apostles, full of inner love to the Lord like John, hasty in deed like Peter, deep in thinking like Paul, cunning and powerful in speech like Elijah, uncompromising against God’s enemies like David; PROPHET and evangelist, speaker-in-tongues and interpreter in one person, equipped with all the gifts of grace, a light and pillar of the church…” (Ibid, 1889 ed., vol. 4, p. 73 19 Translated from the German work, Geschichte der Chrislichen Kirche fur Schule und Haus (Dresden; R. Kuntzes, 1859), 3rd book, p. 400); http://www.azstarnet.com/~jsbarta/ch_hist.html 1/1/99 Whether this refers to the actual gift of tongues (I Cor 12) or the romance languages (i.e. Latin, French, etc.) is not certain. That Luther believed in miracles is certain. … The actual evidence though from Luther’s writings suggests that Luther did not speak in tongues: … “The Holy Spirit is sent forth in two ways. In the primitive church He was sent forth in a manifest and visible form. Thus He descended upon Christ at the Jordan in the form of a dove (Matt. 3:16Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)), and upon the apostles and other believers in the form of fire (Acts 2:3Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)). This was the first sending forth of the Holy Spirit; it was necessary in the primitive church, which had to be established with visible signs on account of the unbelievers, as Paul testifies. 1 Cor. 14:22Open in Logos Bible Software (if available): “Tongues are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers.” But later on, when the church had been gathered and confirmed by these signs, it was not necessary for this visible sending forth of the Holy Spirit to continue.” Source:LW 26:374 Luther held “speaking in tongues” means simply the public reading of Scripture: … “And note that this is the proper and fruitful way to deal with Scripture, as Paul (1 Cor. 14:6Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) also exalts four such points that he would treat in Scripture: “Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?” He refers to “speaking in tongues,” which is nothing else than reading Scripture orally.” Source: LW 14:36 …”
Source:
https://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2006/04/pentecostal-luther-who-spoke-in.html
Charles Spurgeon is a little harsh in his words toward those who speak in tongues but we need “not” judge either way (just using this to prove that true Men of God didn’t endorse it at all too throughout the Protestant Reformation), example in link below:
“… “I have heard many fanatical persons say the Holy Spirit revealed this and that to them. Now that is very generally revealed nonsense. The Holy Ghost does not reveal anything fresh now. He brings old things to our remembrance. “He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have told you.” The canon of revelation is closed; there is no more to be added. God does not give a fresh revelation, but he rivets the old one. When it has been forgotten, and laid in the dusty chamber of our memory, he fetches it out and cleans the picture, but does not paint a new one. There are no new doctrines, but the old ones are often revived. It is not, I say, by any new revelation that the Spirit comforts. He does so by telling us old things over again; he brings a fresh lamp to manifest the treasures hidden in Scripture; he unlocks the strong chests in which the truth had long lain, and he points to secret chambers filled with untold riches; but he coins no more, for enough is done. Believer! there is enough in the Bible for thee to live upon for ever.” …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon (Prince of Preachers)
Source (official Spurgeon Pages):
or
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-comforter/
We can be neutral and not support either Christianity in this Context if we are not sure as discussed in detail in post below to be ‘safe’ and ‘not accidentally speak any Blasphemy to the Holy Spirit’ either way:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160853112937784
Broader Hope?
I still believe that God can Save any Christian who errs on some aspects but you risk “losing your greater reward” if you did it as per Bible Verses which point to it.
For example, a Christian with the “Worship of Angels” practice (which is worse than ‘Praying to Angels’) may be saved but loses his reward based on this Verse:
“… Let NO ONE CHEAT YOU of YOUR REWARD, taking delight in false humility and WORSHIP OF ANGELS, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, …” (Colossians 2:18, NKJV)
Please don’t misquote me as I am strongly against such practices but if the Bible Verses says a “loss of reward”, I don’t want to say beyond that either. So, that’s why I say in such cases where the meanings are difficult to ascertain either way as “Possibilities” because I am not sure. As long as you don’t do it, you are risk-free and safe.
In comparison, to err on “First Love” and “First Works” seems to be complete Doom as discussed with Bible Verses took in link below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160878158747784/
4) Born Again and the Mandatory First Love Command to Love God and Love Others including Enemies
Born Again is not referring to some Speaking in Tongues experience as we see earlier but an ability to “Love others” beyond normal human limits including “enemies” too and to “obey His Direct Commands” (which includes the ‘His Charity Doctrine Commands’) too as per Definition in Verses below:
Lack of “Love” which signifies that such persons “are not Born Again”, Verses:
“…7Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and EVERONE WHO LOVES is BORN OF GOD and KNOWS GOD. 8He who does not love does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE …” (1 John 4:7 – 8, NKJV)
“… 5JESUS answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is BORN OF WATER AND THE SPIRIT, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.’ 8The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is EVERYONE WHO IS BORN OF THE SPIRIT.” …” (John 3:5 – 8, NKJV)
“… Whoever BELIEVES that Jesus is the Christ is BORN OF GOD, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2By this we know that we love the children of God, when WE LOVE GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS. 3For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. 4For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—[a]our faith. 5Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? …” (1 John 5:1 – 5, NKJV)
So, Faith without His Commandments fails especially when it misses His Greatest Commands which is to Love God and Others:
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
We cannot Love God without Loving others and how much we Love God is Proven not by singing songs to him/prayers etc. but by how much we Love others & obey His New Testament Commands as these Example Verses prove (so that’s how to keep the ‘LAMPS LIT’ in the Context of ‘THINGS THAT COME WITH SALVATION’):
“…. 9Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don’t believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, THINGS THAT COME WITH SALVATION. 10For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have SHOWN YOUR LOVE TO HIM BY CARING FOR OTHER BELIEVERS, b as you still do. 11Our great desire is that you will keep on LOVING OTHERS as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. 12Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. …” (Hebrews 6:9 – 12, NLT)
Focus quote from above which proves that how much we Love God is Proven by how much we first ‘Love other Believers’ in Action with the ‘Charity Doctrine’ Deeds —> “… how you have SHOWN YOUR LOVE TO HIM BY CARING FOR OTHER BELIEVERS, b as you still do … “. True Christian Love doesn’t End there toward ‘believers only’ but extends toward ‘All Men’ to whom they come in contact with including ‘Enemies’, Verses:
“… Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. …” (Galatians 6:19, NKJV)
“… And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:33, NKJV)
“… 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:21 ] 39BUT I TELL YOU NOT to RESIST an EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44[o]BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, 45that you may be SONS OF YOUR FATHER in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 45, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that in Verse above Christ Describes the “… SONS OF YOUR FATHER in heaven …” refers only to those who have Practiced “… 38“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ [Deuteronomy 19:21 above] 39BUT I TELL YOU NOT to RESIST an EVIL PERSON. …” and “… 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and HATE YOUR ENEMY.’ 44[o]BUT I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you …” which certainly disqualifies a ‘Executing Judgment of Earth type of Christianity’, right?
“… IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP [Obey] MY COMMANDMENTS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, NKJV)
So, do we REALLY LOVE CHRIST by OBEYING HIS COMMANDS or ‘make up imaginary commands’ which HE NEVER SAID DIRECTLY?
5) Good Works and Faith Link – Saving Faith is a Faith with Primarily the Works of Mercy
God Reveals the Truth that both our Faith and Good Works are His Gift toward us though it feels like we are doing it. So, that’s why Blessed Apostle St. Paul writes that ‘we are saved by faith and not by works’, Verse:
“… 28Therefore we conclude that a man is [i]justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law. …” (Romans 3:28, NKJV)
Does it contradict Blessed Apostle James’ Verse below?
“… 22Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made [i]perfect? 23And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was [j]accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24You see then that A MAN IS JUSTIDIED BY WORKS, and NOT BY FAITH ONLY. 25Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also JUSTIFIED BY WORKS when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD also. …” (James 2:22 – 26, NKJV)
That same Apostle St. Paul also wrote that only these “rich” Christians who Practice the “Charity Doctrine” attain to “Eternal Life” in Verse below proving this Context in his own words:
“… 17COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
Regarding the Old Testament Faithful such as Blessed Abraham and Blessed Job fulfilling the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle described in 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19 above whilst being rich in relative measure is described in links below:
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160884268282784
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10160883878252784
iii. Sons of Abraham Mystery – Are we Sons of Abraham?
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159563705212784
https://www.facebook.com/jonathan.ramachandran/posts/10159582005092784
The only Rich Christians who are Saved will demonstrate the “Saving Faith with Charity Doctrine Works” Evidence as described in Verses above.
So Good Works is the Evidence of Salvation and not the cause of it which is what Blessed Martin Luther Taught but unfortunately is not properly understood by some Protestants who don’t quote him in full either (the same way they don’t quote these Bible Verses in full), to quote:
“… Scottish theologian John Murray of Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, asserted, “Faith alone justifies but a justified person with faith alone would be a monstrosity which never exists in the kingdom of grace. Faith works itself out through love (Gal. 5:6). And Faith without works is dead (James 2:17–20).” …” … In Article XX of Good Works, the Augsburg Confession states that: [I]t is taught on our part that it is necessary to do good works, not that we should trust to merit grace by them, but because it is the will of God. It is only by faith that forgiveness of sins is apprehended[57] … Martin Luther, who opposed antinomianism, is recorded as stating, “Works are necessary for salvation but they do not cause salvation; for faith alone gives life.”[58] In his Introduction to Romans, Luther stated that saving faith is,
a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly. It doesn’t stop to ask if good works ought to be done, but before anyone asks, it already has done them and continues to do them without ceasing. Anyone who does not do good works in this manner is an unbeliever…Thus, it is just as impossible to separate faith and works as it is to separate heat and light from fire![59] … Contemporary evangelical theologian R. C. Sproul writes, The relationship of faith and good works is one that may be distinguished but never separated … if good works do not follow from our profession of faith, it is a clear indication that we do not possess justifying faith. The Reformed formula is, “We are justified by faith alone but not by a faith that is alone.” …”
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sola_fide
This is the “Will of God” which all who are “Predestined” to be “Saved by Faith” will do such “Good Works” in their lives accordingly fulfilling their “Purpose” of being “Created by God”, Verses:
“… 8For by GRACE you have been SAVED THROUGH FAITH, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the GIFT OF GOD, 9NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS for GOOD WORKS, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. …” (Ephesians 2:8 – 10, NKJV)
6) What is the Bible Definition of the “Works of Saving Faith”? (a phrase used by Blessed Martin Luther too in the above)
“… 1Come now, YOU RICH, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your GOLD and SILVER are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will EAT YOUR FLESH LIKE FIRE. You have HEAPED up TREASURE in the LAST DAYS. … 5You have lived on the earth in PLEASURE and LUXURY; you have fattened your hearts as in a DAY of SLAUGHTER. …” – Blessed St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 5:1 – 3, 5, NKJV)
Yes, he particularly points that a “Faith” without the “Works of Mercy” is “Dead”:
“… 8If you really FULFILL THE ROYAL LAW according to the SCRIPTURE, “You shall LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” YOU DO WELL … 13For JUDGMENT IS WITHOUT MERCY to the one who has SHOWN NO MERCY. MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT. 14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but YOU DO NOT GIVE THEM the things which are NEEDED FOR THE BODY, what does it profit? 17Thus also FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD. …” (James 2:8, 13 – 17, NKJV)
I repeat, he particularly points that a “Faith” without the “Works of Mercy” is “Dead” (please read this part ‘carefully’ and slowly again).
When Apostle St. James wrote this Bible Verse, he doesn’t speak about religious works of church gathering or praying or singing etc. (Which can be helpful) but clearly points to the ABSENCE of WORKS OF MERCY only for a FAITH to be DEAD as he writes, “… but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD. …”.
So, are we Preaching the Correct Doctrine regarding the ‘absence of which Work’ (namely the absence of the “Works of Mercy”) according to these Bible Verses, when we say ‘Faith without Works is Dead’?
It is toward such a faith which is missing the “Works of Mercy” that he writes “… if someone says he HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? …”. Can you please really see it as it is Written?
A famous quote rings that there are two types of blindness namely:
For example: not seeing that the “Works of Faith” that “James” meant here is Referring to the Context of “Works of Mercy” only as he quotes no other works at all in these Verses.
For example: Some Preachers will say that the “Works of Faith” is “paying tithes, Church attendance, singing, praying etc.” but the Bible Verses here mention “none” of it. I am not saying these cannot be works of faith but it’s “not” the “Works of Faith” mentioned in these Verses by which a Faith can Shipwreck. If other Verses may say that, you may quote it but it’s not from these set of Verses. Please don’t misquote me ya.
One thing is for sure: you will never go wrong Preaching Verses as it is Written ‘to the Topic which it was Written about’. A lot of preaching sometimes links Verses to ‘the Topics which it was NOT Written about’ and in such cases, they could be right or wrong (let God Decide) but I would at most state it as a possibility only.
In contrast, the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ is to Preach the Verses to the Original Topic it was addressed to. This means that the “Works of Saving Faith” definitely includes the “Works of Mercy” toward our fellowmen (that is the ‘Charity Doctrine’) as the Definition Verses in James 2:13 – 17 above clearly definite this as “first”.
“… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE. … For ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED in one word, even in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” …” (Galatians 5:6, 14, NKJV)
The phrase “… FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE …” = ‘Faith with Charity Doctrine’ because ‘Charity Doctrine is Love in Action’, Verses:
“… 16By this WE KNOW LOVE, because He laid down His life for us. And we also OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, AND SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …” (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
Christ Called the Pharisees of Old as “FOOLS” for not knowing this ‘Almsgiving Doctrine’ which can only be discerned Spiritually before these Verses were Written, to quote:
“… 39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. …” (Luke 111:39 – 41, KJV)
In another translation (focusing on the Almsgiving Part He Commanded for the Doctrine of Sanctification of ‘All’ both Inside and Outside Holiness to be Complete):
“… But WHAT YE HAVE GIVE YE AS ALMS, and, lo, ALL THINGS are CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Young’s Literal Translation, Luke 11:41, YLT)
“… But now as for WHAT IS INSIDE YOU–be GENEROUS TO THE POOR, and EVERYTHING WILL BE CLEAN FOR YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:41, NIV)
7) Blessed Martin Luther and Church Fathers Affirm that the 5 Wise Virgins are those with Charity Doctrine and Vice Versa – and so we can Preach likewise and be Saved too as the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ unless a Protestant dare say that Martin Luther is “unsaved” for Preaching this differently from them
To quote:
In other Words, if “All Law Torah” is fulfilled by this “Charity Doctrine” of “Love your neighbor after Loving God”, there is “nothing missing” that because “all Law (Torah)” is Fulfilled as per Galatians 5:14. Can you see it? I quote Martin Luther himself attesting this same Biblical truth:
“… But the most assuring words come from Martin Luther himself, who preached on this passage in Matthew in Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche in October 1522. … “Therefore, let each one see to it that he has these two together: the oil, which is true faith and trust in Christ; and the lamps, the vessel, which is the outward service toward your neighbor. “The whole Christian life,” Luther preaches, “consists in these two things: Believe God. Help your neighbor. The whole Gospel teaches this.” – Blessed Martin Luther, the First Champion of the Protestant Faith (Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche in October 1522, Explaining the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, Matthew 25:1 – 13) … Thus Dr. Luther helps us interpret the mysterious metaphor of the oil. The oil in the lamps of the wise bridesmaids is the faith that is a gift from God to each of us, and it will never disappear. …”
Source:
https://www.mnys.org/from-a-lay-leaders-desk/when-jesus-says-he-doesnt-know-us/
Yes, the Foolish Virgins are those with “no” Good Works though they appear Godly but have these major sins: “… wrathful as before, just as covetous (i.e. loving ‘Prosperity/Money’), just as unmerciful toward the poor (i.e. “no” Charity Doctrine), just as discourteous, …” in Martin Luther’s words:
“… The Lord is speaking now about Christendom and compares it to ten virgins. Five are wise, five foolish. Here He calls all Christians “virgins.” The foolish virgins are those Christians who give the appearance and impression of being godly. They want to be good evangelicals and are able to say much about these things. They praise the Word and say: “Yes, it is a splendid thing. This is what it means. It cannot possibly be otherwise according to the Scripture, etc.” Paul speaks of these people in 1 Cor. 4:20: “The kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.” It consists not in speech, but in life; not in words, but in works. Although they are able to say much about many things, they are in reality unwise virgins who only have the lamps or the vessel, that is, the external equipment, and they behave according to their nature, as Matthew writes (7:22), saying: “Lord, Lord!” The mouth is there, but the heart is far away (Matt. 15:8). The oil is not in the lamp, that is, faith is not in the heart. They give it no thought. Indeed, they know it not and imagine that their lamps are ready. Their nature is that they gladly hear the preaching about faith, and if they have heard the Word, they invent and fabricate for themselves a thought, a delusion in the heart which they consider to be OIL, and yet they remain the same as before in their behavior. Following their old ways, they are just as WRATHFUL as before, just as COVETOUS, just as UNMERCIFUL TOWARD THE POOR, just as DISCOURTEOUS, etc. This faith is a manmade thing. …” – The First Champion of the Protestant Faith, Blessed Martin Luther’s Sermon which was translated in 2013 by the Rev. Paul A. Rydecki, On Faith and Good Works, Preached in Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche on the Day of the 11,000 Virgins (October 21st), 1522
Source: http://www.godwithuslc.org/luther-sermon-for-trinity-27/
Comment: Please note carefully that those who don’t have the “oil” have a man-made faith which “loves money/prosperity” (i.e. Covetous) and are “unmerciful toward the poor” (i.e. they lack the “Charity Doctrine”) according to Martin Luther himself in his own words above.
Martin Luther Prophesies Christ’s ‘Great Denial’ (Matthew 7:18 – 23) to include those with ‘Faith but NO outward Good Works as mentioned or with NO inner oil’
“… The other virgins (the wise ones) carry in their hands not only the lamps, but oil with the lamp, that is, the true faith that God has created and made in their hearts. These virgins have something with which to defend themselves, for they have God’s work with them and not an imaginary, invented delusion that is unable to protect them when death looms before their eyes. They are fixed on the divine promise, and the Spirit of God works great things through them, even to the point that they would rather die than live. Now pay attention: this parable speaks of the time right before the Last Judgment of God, and thus it applies to all Christians. For many of them—the majority—will turn, some to the imaginary faith, and the others to the true faith. This leads us to conclude that the Last Day is not far off, now that the Word of God has thus made a beginning and is bringing about disparate results. But be that as it may, I will not speculate about how far or how near it may be. To expand further on the GOSPEL, notice that the LAMPS are INTENDED to DEPICT for us an OUTWARD THING and a BODILY PRACTICE. But the LAMPS TOGETHER WITH THE OIL are the INNER TREASURES with the TRUE FAITH. For this is the nature of faith: God creates and awakens it in the heart so that a person trusts in Christ. Indeed, it is so powerfully founded upon Christ that it defies sin, death, hell, the devil, and all the adversaries of God. …” – The First Champion of the Protestant Faith, Blessed Martin Luther’s Sermon which was translated in 2013 by the Rev. Paul A. Rydecki, On Faith and Good Works, Preached in Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche on the Day of the 11,000 Virgins (October 21st), 1522
Source: http://www.godwithuslc.org/luther-sermon-for-trinity-27/
8) What Did Lord Jesus Christ Say?
(This is most Important as if we have Christ’s Direct Words on this Topic, no matter what other people interpret or misinterpret it won’t affect the Truth of “His Direct Words” as “it is Written”).
This is how Christ Answered the Requirement to the Question “How to get Eternal Life?”
“… 16Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, WHAT GOOD THING SHALL I DO that I MAY HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?” 17So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But IF YOU WANT TO ENTER INTO LIFE, KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS.” 18He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. WHAT DO I STILL LACK?” …” (Matthew 19:16 – 20, NKJV)
His Conversation doesn’t end there and so our sermon shouldn’t end there as well. He Continues Beautifully next as follows: Yes, these Bible Verses above may explain why Christ Said it is hard for a faithful, law(Torah) keeping Rich Man to enter Heaven, Verses:
“… 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept [g]from my youth. What do I STILL LACK?” 21JESUS said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then JESUS said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:20 – 24, NKJV)
Please notice that the rich man above could keep “Holiness Commands & Ten Commandments without Christ” as Christ Doesn’t Say that he lacked in that part. However he “lacked” only this toward “Perfection” which is to “follow Christ” and “Give to the Poor”. Can you see it? This means to “Give to the Poor and Follow Christ” cannot be Done without the EMPOWERING OF GOD toward the CHOSEN.
“… 25And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE?” 26He said to him, “What is WRITTEN IN THE LAW? What is YOUR READING OF IT?” 27So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ ” 28And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE.” 29But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR?” 30Then JESUS ANSWERED and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 33But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had COMPASSION. 34So he went to him and BANDAGED HIS WOUNDS, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and TOOK CARE OF HIM. 35On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘TAKE CARE OF HIM; and WHATEVER MORE YOU SPEND, when I come again, I WILL REPAY YOU.’ 36So which of these three do you think was NEIGHBOR to him who fell among the thieves? 37And he said, “He who SHOWED MERCY on him.” Then JESUS SAID to him, “GO AND DO LIKEWISE.”…” (Luke 10:25 – 37, NKJV)
“for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified;” (Romans 2:13, NKJV)
“For ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED in one word, even in this: “You shall LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
“If you really FULFILL the ROYAL LAW according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” YOU DO WELL;” (James 2:8, NKJV)
Comment:
Martin Luther Speaks only of one Good Work needed for Faith (which will be the Fruit of True Faith as the evidence of Salvation & not that we are Saved by Works) in his Conclusion of this Famous Sermon which is “not” fasting, prayer, church attendance etc. but “… Love God, Love Neighbor …” which is what the “Charity Doctrine” is as Christ Explained this “Love God, Love Neighbor” in Action to “inherit Eternal Life” (Luke 10:25 – 27) to refer to “The Parable of the Good Samaritan” as the “Charity Doctrine” answer (in Luke 10:29 – 37) making this claim Biblical & True in Context, to quote:
“… Therefore, let each one see to it that he has these two together: the OIL, which is TRUE FAITH and trust in Christ; and the LAMPS, the VESSEL, which is the OUTWARD SERVICE TOWARD YOUR NEIGHBOR. The WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE CONSISTS in THESE TWO THINGS things: BELIEVE GOD. HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR. The WHOLE GOSPEL TEACHES this. PARENTS should TELL IT TO THEIR CHILDREN at HOME and EVERYWHERE. Children, too, should CONSTANTLY FOSTER THIS WORD AMONG THEMSELVES. I should really say something about the sleep of the virgins and about the setting out of the Bridegroom for the wedding. But the hour is late. Another time. May God be gracious to us! Amen. …”- The First Champion of the Protestant Faith, Blessed Martin Luther’s Sermon which was translated in 2013 by the Rev. Paul A. Rydecki, On Faith and Good Works, Preached in Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche on the Day of the 11,000 Virgins (October 21st), 1522
Source: http://www.godwithuslc.org/luther-sermon-for-trinity-27/
Please note Martin Luther’s definition of “oil and lamp” as follows from this last quote from him and the Conclusion of the Gospel’s True Faith too:
“… OIL, which is TRUE FAITH and trust in Christ; …” – Martin Luther
“… and the LAMPS, the VESSEL, which is the OUTWARD SERVICE TOWARD YOUR NEIGHBOR. …” – Martin Luther
iii. Charity Doctrine is the Evidence of Salvation in a True Christian and he does & preaches it toward others beginning with family first
“… The WHOLE CHRISTIAN LIFE CONSISTS in THESE TWO THINGS things: BELIEVE GOD. HELP YOUR NEIGHBOR. The WHOLE GOSPEL TEACHES this. PARENTS should TELL IT TO THEIR CHILDREN at HOME and EVERYWHERE. Children, too, should CONSTANTLY FOSTER THIS WORD AMONG THEMSELVES. …” – Martin Luther
Comment: This is the ‘Charity Doctrine’ as Beautifully Summarized as the ‘Whole Gospel’ by ‘Martin Luther himself, not me’ in his quote above and thus any responsible preaching of the Gospel must include it as Martin Luther exhorts parents to teach this to their Children and children share this Word to others lest one becomes the “foolish” virgins. Can you see it? Please read the entire sermon by Martin Luther, the First Champion of the Protestant Faith as he explains this Parable of the five wise/five foolish virgins (Matthew 25:1 – 13) to say ‘nothing more’ in this context. If there was anything more or important, such a great man of God for all protestants would have known it. And it’s not the case. We Preach this most important Doctrine for the Christian Faith ‘likewise’.
The LAMP is ‘Outward Good Works’ as Martin Luther also defined it as such above agreeing to this Verse and Jewish Christianity related Idiom too, to quote:
“… 22“The LAMP OF THE BODY is the EYE. If therefore your EYE is GOOD, your WHOLE BODY will be FULL of LIGHT. 23But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 24“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [MONEY]. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 6:22 – 24, NKJV)
Someone put it like this, a Good Eye (Hebrew: Ayin Tov) is a Hebrew idiom meaning “generous person”. Having a good eye essentially means “having the ability to be generous when the opportunity is needed”. To quote:
“… Jesus’ saying appears, however, to be a Hebraic idiom that was used to describe a person’s outlook towards others. A person with a “good eye” (tov-ayin or ayin-tovah) was a person who looked at others with compassion and had a generous spirit, and gave to others as needed. The person with the evil eye (ayin ra’ah) is one who is stingy toward others and greedy with money. This expression is still used in Hebrew today. When people go through Jerusalem raising money, they say, “Please give with a good eye!” The same idiom is also found in Proverbs: “A generous man (Literally, “A good eye”) will be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:9) Jesus also uses it at the end of the parable of the landowner who pays the workers all the same, no matter how long they work. The landowner says to the complainers, literally, “Is your eye evil (greedy) because I am good?” (Matthew 20:15). Understanding this idiom helps us understand the whole passage in Matthew 6 that begins with “Do not lay your treasures up on earth,” then talks about the good/evil eye, and then ends with “One cannot serve two masters – both God and money.” All three of these sayings are part of a greater teaching on having the right attitude toward money. …”
Source: https://engediresourcecenter.com/2015/06/30/tov-ayin-a-good-eye/
“… 9“And I say to you, MAKE FRIENDS FOR YOURSELVES by UNRIGHTEOUS [D]MAMMON, that when [e]you fail, they may receive you into an EVERLASTING HOME. 10He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. 11Therefore IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST THE TRUE RICHES? 12And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own? 13“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:9 – 13, NKJV)
This Sanctification Fills “God’s Light” within us as Christ Himself Reveals in Verses below:
“… Let YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in heaven. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)
Please take note that Christ defines “the LIGHT” in “let YOUR LIGHT SHINE” before men as “YOUR GOOD WORKS” and so likewise the “LAMP” in the “Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins” must thus mean “Good Works” as per “Christ’s Words Defining His Own Words”, right?. Can you see it as it is Written in Verse above?
“… 14“YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in heaven. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:14 – 16, NKJV)
Conclusion – Judgment Day Verses
In the Judgment Day Verses below, Christ Doesn’t even Ask ‘how many hours you prayed, or whether you fasted or whether you attended church or sang songs etc.’ (though these acts can be rewarded) but ONLY ASKS these CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS and immediately casts those WITHOUT SUCH CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS into the ETERNAL/Aeonian Fire (Let Him Decide if it’s Eternal or to the Aeon – Are you going to quote that you didn’t need to do this on Judgment Day in front of Him with these Verses in front of you?, Matthew 25:31 – 46)
Best is, the Context of the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins also agrees because HE TAUGHT BOTH DURING THIS SAME SERMON as follows and hence how can the ‘Parable of the 10 Virgins’ mean a ‘different context’ even in principle as your pastors say? (At most it can refer to the First and Second Resurrections which are separated by 1000 years but the Essence of Works of Saving Faith or Righteousness Required in both Parables must be the same, Compare: Revelation 20:4 – 15 – Maybe not believing in these Verses may risk you being an “Unbeliever” mentioned in Revelation 20:11 – 15 for this same topic where “believers” refers to “those who do these CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS because they believed in CHRIST’S JUDGMENT DAY SERMON next and DID LIKEWISE”? Let God Decide but it’s possible ).
Yes, the Case that the LAMPS LIT refers to those WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT of GOD TO DO the CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS toward others is exactly what these JUDGMENT DAY CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS of FEEDING THE HUNGRY, THIRSTY, CLOTHING THE NAKED and WELCOMING the STRANGER to your HOUSE is when Matthew 25:1 – 13 is understood with Matthew 25:31 – 46, to quote both together “as it is Written”:
“…. 1“Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6“And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom [a]is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. 11“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I SAY TO YOU, I DO NOT KNOW YOU.’ 13“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour [b]in which the Son of Man is coming. … 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:1 – 13, 31 – 46, NKJV)
Context Settlement: No matter what one pastor or evangelist or whoever says anything, it cannot undo what the “Judgment Day” Verses Describe next. So the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ is to “Do” and “Preach” these “Charity Doctrine Acts” of “Feeding the Hungry, Thirsty, Welcoming the Stranger, Clothing the naked” to be on the Safe Side of Utmost Obedience Scripturally for which there is “no” Condemnation at all.
An Important Point to Ponder: It is those who DID NOT DO these CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS “…”… ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ …” to whom CHRIST SAYS “… 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT …”.
So if we are not Preaching these Verses in Full as above, we are probably risking people to go to ‘Eternal Punishment’, right? Please notice that these REJECTED people who REJECTED the CHARITY DOCTRINE call him “Lord” too in Verses above.
P/S: First Christianity Quotes – Church Father Preached the Same Meaning to the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins
1) St. Jerome of the Vulgate
“… This parable of the ten foolish and the ten wise virgins, some interpret literally of virgins, of whom there are according to the Apostle [marg. note: 1 Cor 7] some who are virgins both in body and in thought, others who have preserved indeed their bodies virgin, but have not the other deeds of virgins, or have only been preserved by the guardianship of parents, but have wedded in their hearts. But from what has gone before, I think the meaning to be different, and that the parable has reference not to virgins only, but to the whole human race. … Or, These virgins who complain that their lamps are gone out, shew that they are partially alight, yet have they not an unfailing light, nor enduring works. Whoso then has a virgin soul, and is a lover of chastity, ought not to rest content with such virtues as quickly fade, and are withered away when the heat comes upon them, but should follow after perfect virtues, that he may have an enduring light. … For these wise virgins do not answer thus out of covetousness, [p. 849] but out of fear. Wherefore, each man shall receive the recompense of his own works, and the virtues of one cannot atone for the vices of another in the day of judgment. The wise admonish them not to go to meet the bridegroom without oil, “Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.” … And this oil is sold, and at a high cost, nor is it to be got without much toil; so that we understand it not of alms only, but of all virtues and counsels of the teachers. … But because the [p. 850] season for buying was now past, and the day of judgment was coming on, so that there was no room for penitence, they must not now lay up new works, but give an account of the old. … After the day of judgment, there is no more opportunity for good works, or for righteousness, and therefore it follows, “And the door was shut.” … Their worthy confession calling Him, “Lord, Lord,” is a mark of faith. But what avails it to confess with the mouth Him whom you deny with your works? … For “the Lord knoweth them that are his,” [2 Tim 2:19] and he that knoweth not shall not be known, and though they be virgins in purity of body, or in confession of the true faith, yet forasmuch as they have no oil, they are unknown by the bridegroom. When He adds, “Watch therefore, because ye know not the day nor the hour,” He means that all that has been said points to this, namely, that seeing we know not the day of judgment, we should be careful in providing the light of good works. …” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
2) St. Hilary of Poitiers
“… The “oil” is the fruit of good works, the “vessels” are the human bodies in whose inward parts the treasure of a good conscience is to be laid up. … At the trumpet signal they go forth to meet the bridegroom alone, for then shall the two be one, that is, the flesh and God, when the lowliness of the flesh shall be transformed into spiritual glory. … Or, the trimming their lamps is the return of their souls into their bodies, and their light is the consciousness of good works that shines forth, which is contained in the vessels of the body. … They that sell are the poor, who, needing the alms of the faithful, made them that recompense which they desire, selling in return for the relief afforded to their wants, a consciousness of good works. This is the abundant fuel of an undying light which may be bought and stored up for the fruits of mercy. … “The marriage” is the putting on of immortality, and the joining together corruption and incorruption in a new union. … Yet though the season of repentance is now past, the foolish virgins come and beg that entrance may be granted to them. …” …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
3) Origen of Alexandria
“… Or, The “oil” is the word of teaching, with which the vessels of souls are filled ; for what gives so great content as moral discourse, which is called the oil of light. The “wise” took with them of this oil, as much as would suffice, though the Word should tarry long, and be slack to come to their consummation. The, “foolish” took lamps, alight indeed at the first, but not supplied with so much oil as should suffice even to the end, being careless respecting the provision of doctrine which comforts faith, and enlightens the lamp of good deeds. … Or, Whilst the bridegroom “tarried,” and the Word comes not speedily to the consummation of this life, the senses suffer, slumbering and moving in the night of the world; and sleep, as energizing feebly, and with no quick sense. Yet did those wise virgins not quit their lamps, nor despair of hoarding their oil. … ” – Blessed Origen of Alexandria, the Great but surprisingly Modest Exegete of the Eastern Church, “Nicknamed: Admantius or Man of Steel”, Tortured and Martyred for Christ (c. 184 AD – c. 253 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
4) St. Gregory the Great
“… For in each of the five senses of the body there is a double instrument, and the number five doubled makes ten. And because the company of the faithful is gathered out of both sexes, the Holy Church is described as being like to ten virgins, where as bad are mixed with good, and reprobate with elect, it is like a mixture of wise and foolish virgins. … It is to be observed, that all have lamps, but all have not oil. … To sleep is to die, to slumber before sleep is to faint from salvation before death, because, by the burden of sickness we come to the sleep of death. … Or, “All the virgins arose,” [p. 848] that is, both elect and reprobate are roused from the sleep of death; they “trimmed their lamps,” that is, they reckon up to themselves their works for which they look to receive eternal blessedness. … The lamps of the foolish virgins go out, because the works which appeared outwardly to men to be bright, are dimmed within at the coming of the Judge. That they then beg oil of the wise virgins, what is it but that at the coming of the Judge, when they find themselves empty within, they seek for witness from without? As though deceived by their own self-confidence, they say to their neighbours, “Whereas ye see us rejected as living without works, do ye witness to our works that ye have seen. …” – Blessed Roman Catholic Pope St. Gregory the Great, Saint Gregory the Dialogist in Eastern Christianity, the Father of Christian Worship, and John Calvin declared in his Institutes that Gregory was the last good Pope. (540 AD – 604 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
5) St. John Chrysostom
“… Hom. lxxviii, In the foregoing parable the Lord set forth the punishment of the man who beat, and was drunk, and wasted [p. 844] his Lord’s goods; in this He declares his punishment who profits not, and does not prepare for himself abundantly the things of which he has need; for the foolish virgins had oil, but not enough. … And He employs the character virgins in this parable to shew, that though virginity be a great thing, yet if it be not accompanied by works of mercy, it shall be cast out with the adulterers. … Or, The “oil” denotes charity, alms, and every aid rendered to the needy; the lamps denote the gifts of virginity; and He calls them “foolish,” because after having gone through the greater toil, they lost all for the sake of a less; for it is greater labour to overcome the desires of the flesh than of money. … You see then how great merchants the poor are to us; but the poor are not there, but here, and therefore we must store up oil here, that we may have it to use there when occasion shall require. … That, “While they went to buy,” shews that even, if we should become merciful after death, it will avail us nothing to escape punishment, as it was no profit to the rich man, that he became merciful and careful about those who belonged to him. …” – Blessed St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church, one of the Three Holy Hierarchs (c. 349 AD – c. 407 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
Source:
6) St. Augustine of Hippo
“… Lib. 83 Quaest, Q59: Or, “The lamps” which they carry in their hands are their works, of which it was said above, “Let your works shine before men.” [Matt 5:16] … Or, by the five virgins, is denoted a five-fold continence from the allurements of the flesh; for our appetite must be held from gratification of the eyes, ears, smell, taste, and touch. And as this continence may be done before God, to please Him in inward joy of the conscience, or before men only to gain applause of men, five are called wise, and five foolish. Both are virgins, because both these men exercise continence, though from different motives. … Or, The “oil” denotes joy, according to that, “God hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.” [Ps 45:7] He then whose joy springs not from this that he is inwardly pleasing to God, has no oil with him; for they have no gladness in their continent lives, [p. 846] save in the praises of men. “But the wise took oil with their lamps,” that is, the gladness of good works, “in their vessels,” that is, they stored it in their heart and conscience, as the Apostle speaks, “Let every man prove himself, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another.” [Gal 6:4] … For there die of both kinds of men in this interval of time before the resurrection of the dead, and the Lord’s coming shall be. … They “trimmed their lamps,” that is, prepared to give an account of their deeds. … From habit, the mind seeks that which uses to give it pleasure. And these now seek from men, who see not the heart, witness to God, who sees the heart. But their lamps go out, because those, whose good works rest upon the testimony of others, when that is withdrawn, sink into nothing. … Or we may suppose it not meant as advice what they should do, but as an indirect allusion to their fault. For flatterers sell oil, who by praising things false, and things unknown, lead souls astray, recommending to them, as foolish, empty joys, and receiving in return some temporal benefit. … Go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves,” i.e. Let us now see what they can profit you who have used to sell you their praise. “Lest there be not enough for us and you,” because no man is profited in God’s sight by the testimony of others, because God sees the heart, and each man is scarce able to give testimony concerning his own conscience. … When they have been taken in who have been changed into angelic being, all entrance into the kingdom of heaven is closed; after the judgment, there is no more place for prayers or merit. [marg. note: 1 Cor 15:51] … It is not said that they bought any oil, and therefore we must suppose that all their delight in the praise of men being gone, they return in distress and affliction to implore God. But His severity, after judgment, is as great as His mercy was unspeakable before. “But He answered [p. 851] and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not;” by that rule, namely, that the art of God, that is, His wisdom, does not admit that those should enter into His joy who have sought to do in any thing according to His commandments, not as before God, but that they may please men. … ” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Commentary on Matthew 25:1 – 13’s Parable of the Five Wise/Foolish Virgins in Catena Aurea)
Love Feasts Mystery in First Christianity – Safe Route Scripturally with the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle
These “Love Feasts” Helped to Identify the Selfish Fake Christians without the Charity Doctrine who cared for themselves only in First Christianity as Blessed Apostle St . Jude records in Jude 1:12.
Bible Verse (Jude 1:12) in a few Translations/Manuscripts:
New International Version
These people are blemishes at your LOVE FEASTS, eating with you without the slightest qualm–SHEPHERDS WHO FEED ONLY THEMSELVES. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, WITHOUT FRUIT AND UPROOTED–TWICE DEAD.
New Living Translation
When these people eat with you in your FELLOWSHIP MEALS commemorating the LORD’S LOVE, they are like dangerous reefs that can shipwreck you. They are like SHAMELESS SHEPHERDS WHO CARE ONLY FOR THEMSELVES. They are like clouds blowing over the land without giving any rain. They are like trees in autumn that ARE DOUBLY DEAD, for they BEAR NO FRUIT and have been PULLED UP BY THE ROOTS.
English Standard Version
These are hidden reefs at your LOVE FEASTS, as THEY FEAST WITH YOU without fear, SHEPHERDS FEEDING THEMSELVES; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; FRUITLESS TREES in late autumn, TWICE DEAD, UPROOTED;
Berean Study Bible
These men are hidden reefs in your LOVE FEASTS, SHAMELESSLY FEASTING WITH YOU but SHEPHERDING ONLY THEMSELVES. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; FRUITLESS TREES in autumn, TWICE DEAD AFTER BEING UPROOTED.
Berean Literal Bible
These are the hidden reefs, FEASTING TOGETHER WITH YOU fearlessly in your LOVE FEASTS; SHEPHERDING THEMSELVES; clouds without water, being carried about by winds; autumnal trees WITHOUT FRUIT, TWICE HAVING DIED, having been UPROOTED;
King James Bible
These are spots in your FEASTS OF CHARITY, when THEY FEAST WITH YOU, FEEDING THEMSELVES without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, WITHOUT FRUIT, TWICE DEAD, plucked up by the roots;
New King James Version
These are spots in your LOVE FEASTS, while THEY FEAST WITH YOU without fear, SERVING ONLY THEMSELVES. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees WITHOUT FRUIT, TWICE DEAD, pulled up by the roots;
New American Standard Bible
These are the ones who are hidden reefs in your LOVE FEASTS when THEY FEAST WITH YOU without fear, like SHEPHERDS CARING ONLY FOR THEMSELVES; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees WITHOUT FRUIT, DOUBLY DEAD, UPROOTED;
Source: https://biblehub.com/jude/1-12.htm
Church History, to quote:
“… If you were to ask the ordinary Christian today what a Christian meeting was like in the days of the apostles, you would probably get different answers. An evangelical Christian would probably answer that it consisted primarily of preaching and singing. A charismatic Christian might reply that it primarily incorporated worship, praise, and the exercise of miraculous gifts. An Anglican might reply that it was principally a celebration of the Eucharist. Of course, all of those responses are partially right. However, a rather dominant part of apostolic worship that few Christians would think of today is that it centered around a meal. That’s right—a meal! The early Christians referred to this meal as the agape. Even after the death of the apostles, the pre-Nicene Church continued to practice the agape or love feast. Yet, within a century or so after Constantine’s conversion, this important part of apostolic worship totally disappeared. …”
Source: https://earlychurch.com/love-feast/
Conclusion
Please notice that this Bible Verse in Jude 1:12 clearly identifies this group of “Fake Christians” who participate in “Love Feasts” (Meals shared by Christians among each other and toward others) but their intention is only to ‘gain selfishly from it’ with “no” intention of sharing from their ‘own expense’ where such ones are particularly called out as “WITHOUT FRUIT” and “TWICE DEAD” even as “UPROOTED” which reminds us of Christ’s Words below:
“… [13But He answered and said,] “Every plant which My heavenly Father has NOT PLANTED WILL BE UPROOTED. 14LET THEM ALONE. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:13 – 14, NKJV)
Matthew 15:13 – 14 and Jude 1:12 both contain the similar meaning of those who are “UPROOTED”.
Those “Uprooted” in Jude 1:12’s identification clearly refers to those who do “not” contribute or care for others in a “Love Feast” (a Popular Charity Doctrine Act in First Christianity) gaining only selfishly from it are even called as “Twice Dead” and “Without Fruit” where the opposite can be inferred as follows: Those who “care for others” with “action” in “providing love feasts” (Charity Doctrine Acts) toward others are certainly not dead, are with spiritual fruits and are “Rooted” by the Heavenly Father.
Those “Uprooted” in Matthew 15:13 – 14’s Identification does not refer to those Outside the Church/Synagogue at that time as the “Uprooted” ones (i.e. the “Pharisees”) whom Christ was referring too were the ones running the Church/Synagogues at that time while the ‘cast out ones’ who “Follow Christ” were truly the “Rooted” by the Father ones at that time.
More clearly, Matthew 15:13 – 14’s “Uprooted” ones refers clearly toward any Judaism at that time (or in analogy Christianity) which does “not” obey “God’s Direct Commands” and instead ‘obeys man-made Commands not Written in the Bible’:
Yes, who does Christ Refer to when He refers that they will be “Uprooted”? Those who did “not” obey God’s Commands as these Verses from this ‘Same Chapter’ Testify in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words below as follows:
“… 3He answered and said to them, “Why do you also TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD BECAUSE OF YOUR TRADITION? … 8‘These people [c]draw near to Me with their mouth,
And honor Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
9And in vain they worship Me,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’ ” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:3, 8 – 9, NKJV)
“… 27So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ 28He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ 29But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 13:27 – 30, NKJV)
When is this Harvest or “Uprooting” Done? Not now but at the “End of this Age/Aeon/Olam”:
“… The enemy who sowed them is the devil, the HARVEST IS THE END OF THE AGE, and the reapers are the angels. …” (Matthew 13:39, NKJV)
Please notice that God doesn’t allow the “Judgment or Uprooting” of “Tares” (fake believers) now and that’s why we have so many different denominations of Christianity simply because the “Wheat” (or true believers) also exist among them which is only separated at the “end of the age” so as not to harm the wheat as CHRIST COMMANDS in these Verses so clearly.
Please note that according to Verses above, the “Uprooting” does NOT Happen on Earth now and that’s why it does “not” mean that a big Church/Congregation is planted or vice versa because only God Reveals at the end of this age (not now) according to who “Obeyed God’s Commands” as “Wheat” and the “tares” as those who will be “Uprooted” for “Disobeying” which includes even the “Many” (as Matthew 7:22 Reveals) who are rejected despite having done “Miracles, Cast out Demons and Prophesied in His Name” (as Matthew 7:21 – 23 Prophesied).
Blessed Martin Luther (the Protestant Reformer) is human and can err in Doctrine but he would not have erred in the “Faith and Works” Doctrine because to err in that brings the Protestant Movement to nothing. So we believe that he got at least that part right and interestingly in his explanation of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins, he ties up the Context of the rejected Five Foolish Virgins to the “lack of Charity Doctrine Lifestyle and Commands of the Gospel by Christ” as discussed in link in post below:
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160853112937784/
Also, to quote regarding “First Love” and “First Works” (example):
Blessed Martin Luther also Prophesied who are the Rejected Christians of Matthew 7:21 – 24 who are the tares that grew together with the wheat across the denominations that are rejected despite having done “Miracles, Cast out Demons and Prophesied in His Name” (as Matthew 7:21 – 23 Prophesies) whom he describes as follows (does any Protestant dare call him a false prophet if they disagree?), to quote:
Yes, the Foolish Virgins are those with “no” Good Works though they appear Godly but have these major sins: “… wrathful as before, just as covetous (i.e. loving ‘Prosperity/Money’), just as unmerciful toward the poor (i.e. “no” Charity Doctrine), just as discourteous, …” in Martin Luther’s words:
“… The Lord is speaking now about Christendom and compares it to ten virgins. Five are wise, five foolish. Here He calls all Christians “virgins.” The foolish virgins are those Christians who give the appearance and impression of being godly. They want to be good evangelicals and are able to say much about these things. They praise the Word and say: “Yes, it is a splendid thing. This is what it means. It cannot possibly be otherwise according to the Scripture, etc.” Paul speaks of these people in 1 Cor. 4:20: “The kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.” It consists not in speech, but in life; not in words, but in works. Although they are able to say much about many things, they are in reality unwise virgins who only have the lamps or the vessel, that is, the external equipment, and they behave according to their nature, as Matthew writes (7:22), saying: “Lord, Lord!” The mouth is there, but the heart is far away (Matt. 15:8). The oil is not in the lamp, that is, faith is not in the heart. They give it no thought. Indeed, they know it not and imagine that their lamps are ready. Their nature is that they gladly hear the preaching about faith, and if they have heard the Word, they invent and fabricate for themselves a thought, a delusion in the heart which they consider to be OIL, and yet they remain the same as before in their behavior. Following their old ways, they are just as WRATHFUL as before, just as COVETOUS, just as UNMERCIFUL TOWARD THE POOR, just as DISCOURTEOUS, etc. This faith is a manmade thing. …” – The First Champion of the Protestant Faith, Blessed Martin Luther’s Sermon which was translated in 2013 by the Rev. Paul A. Rydecki, On Faith and Good Works, Preached in Erfurt at St. Michaeliskirche on the Day of the 11,000 Virgins (October 21st), 1522
Source: http://www.godwithuslc.org/luther-sermon-for-trinity-27/
Comment: Please note carefully that those who don’t have the “oil” have a man-made faith which “loves money/prosperity” (i.e. Covetous, Could it be the ‘Prosperity Gospel’?) and are “unmerciful toward the poor” (i.e. could it be a Christianity which does “not” teach the “Charity Doctrine”?) according to Martin Luther himself in his own words above.
That is why we exhort believers to seriously observe whatever “New Testament Commands” are there especially those which are Directly from Christ such as the “Charity Doctrine Commands”, “His Famous you have heard it was said But I tell you Commands” and even “His Written Commands via His Apostles only” as Jude himself warned in contrast too whilst warning the above in general as follows:
“… But you, beloved, REMEMBER THE WORDS which were spoken before by the APOSTLES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST: …” (Jude 1:17, NKJV)
This is why the “Safe Route Scripturally” is to “not” follow after a modern Christianity especially those of the Progressive Revelation type where they often claim to do against the “New Testament Commands” claiming that the “Holy Spirit” told them so. As I said earlier, we don’t need to judge them nor agree with them to be safe and let God Reveal One Day whether He Spoke Differently than these “New Testament Commands” toward such a Christianity as we don’t want to do a ‘Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit either way’ as discussed in link in post below,
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160853112937784/
Also, to quote regarding “First Love” and “First Works” (example):
“… 4NEVERTHELESS I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE. 5Remember therefore from where YOU HAVE FALLEN; REPENT and DO THE FIRST WORKS, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—UNLESS YOU REPENT. …” (Revelation 2:4 – 5, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that Christ Calls them as “Fallen” and need to “Repent” meaning that they are thus clearly “unsaved” because of not doing the “First Works” and for forsaking their “First Love”.
Why? Christ doesn’t point to “sexual immorality or other sins” as He Does with another church in Revelation 2:14 – 15 (quoted above for comparison) but rather points to a Mysterious Reason that they are NOT SAVED DESPITE THEIR FAITH all because THEY HAVE LEFT THEIR “FIRST LOVE” and their “FIRST WORKS”.
So, what could the “First Love” and “First Works” mean? It could mean
Not Doing the Charity Doctrine Acts of Love toward others which was present in the First Church (e.g. Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32) because God is Looking for “LOVE IN ACTION” with “WORLDLY POSSESSIONS” and not in words only (e.g. Matthew 25:31 – 46, Luke 12:31 – 35, Luke 10:25 – 37, Galatians 5:14, Luke 11:39 – 41, 1 John 3:14 – 18).
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
It’s highly probable that they’re not fulfilling these Greatest Commands to love God and others where our love for God is only as much as we love others in action, Verses:
“… 20If someone says, “I LOVE GOD,” and HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21And this commandment we have from Him: that HE WHO LOVES GOD MUST LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO. …” (1 John 4:20 – 21, NKJV)
“… 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE in WORD or in TONGUE, but in DEED and in truth. …” (1 John 3:17 – 18, NKJV)
And/Or
Not Obeying or following the Apostolic WRITTEN TRADITIONS of the NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS which were delivered as the “First Works” of the Church, Example Verses:
“… If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I WRITE to you are the COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. …” (1 Corinthians 14:37, NKJV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
One thing is for sure: Whoever follows these New Testament Commands will never be condemned according to Verse below:
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
Whomever doesn’t follow it may be right or not (I am not sure, let God Decide) but the verses below can put them at risk:
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people … 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
“… For I bear them witness that they have a ZEAL FOR GOD, but NOT ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE. …” (Romans 10:2, NKJV)
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND THEM OF THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
Yes, God’s Will is to Encourage with both “GOOD WORD” and “GOOD WORK” based on the “WRITTEN TRADITIONS” in the New Testament Scripture, Verses:
“… 15Therefore, brethren, STAND FAST AND HOLD THE TRADITIONS which you were taught, whether BY WORD OR OUR [H]EPISTLE. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and [i]establish you in EVERY GOOD WORD AND WORK. …” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 17, NKJV)
One thing is for sure. Obeying any “New Testament Commands” is the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ with “no” risks and “no” condemnation as per Verses below where one cannot be a plant which is “Uprooted” if one obeys “God’s New Testament Commands” as Christ Himself Revealed this Context Earlier in His Own Most Blessed Words (I repeat in full):
“… These are spots in your LOVE FEASTS, while THEY FEAST WITH YOU without fear, SERVING ONLY THEMSELVES. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees WITHOUT FRUIT, TWICE DEAD, pulled up by the roots; … But you, beloved, REMEMBER THE WORDS which were spoken before by the APOSTLES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST …” (Jude 1:12, 17 NKJV)
“… 3He answered and said to them, “Why do you also TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENT OF GOD BECAUSE OF YOUR TRADITION? … 8‘These people [c]draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. 9And in vain they worship Me, TEACHING AS DOCTRINES the COMMANDMENTS OF MEN.’ ” … [13But He answered and said,] “Every plant which My heavenly Father has NOT PLANTED WILL BE UPROOTED. 14LET THEM ALONE. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch.” … ” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:3, 8 – 9, 13 – 14, NKJV)
To be on the ‘Safe Side Scripturally’, Always please ask: ‘… If I obey this Command, which New Testament Command am I Obeying” …’ to be on the safe side of not being deceived into the ‘commandments of men’ instead of the ‘Commandments of God only’ that are “Written” in the “Bible”.
Peace to you
False Prophets Identification – Safe Route Scripturally – Works of Mercy Mystery
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160883878252784&id=651792783
If you love people, please teach them the Truth not by what topics we want to connect with Verses but rather just stating the Topics which Christ or the Bible Speaks when it quotes a Verse.
For example, when quoting about ‘False Prophets’, instead of attacking by unrelated or possible doctrinal errors which you think is true, why not please state Luke 6:26 (Verse next & in image too) to the Description Christ gave with it as follows:
“… 24“But WOE TO YOU WHO ARE RICH,
For you have received your consolation.
25WOE TO YOU WHO ARE FULL,
For you shall hunger.
WOE TO YOU WHO LAUGH NOW,
For you shall mourn and weep.
26WOE [F]TO YOU WHEN [G]ALL MEN SPEAK WELL OF YOU, For so did their fathers to the FALSE PROPHETS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:24 – 26, NKJV)
In other words, ‘False Prophets’ will teach opposites to what Christ Literally Said such as:
“… Blessed are YOU WHO ARE RICH, … Blessed are YOU WHO ARE FULL, … Blessed are YOU WHO LAUGH NOW, … Blessed are you WHEN [G]ALL MEN SPEAK WELL OF YOU …” – False Prophets
Christ Connected His Identification of the ‘False Prophets’ directly to the WOES to the RICH, FULL, LAUGHING NOW and THOSE WHO ALL MEN SPEAK WELL OFF. So Preaching any one of these type of messages can be a sure sign of a ‘False Prophet’.
So the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ is to avoid such Preaching and Words and Preach instead what Christ Spoke in these Verses.
Conclusion
The only Rich who are Blessed to Inherit the Kingdom are those who do these four things “richly” as well as that’s “God’s Will” for them according to Verse below (in 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19):
i) DO GOOD,
ii) that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS,
iii) READY TO GIVE,
iv) WILLING TO SHARE,
“… 17COMMAND THOSE WHO ARE RICH in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, 19storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …” (1 Timothy 6:17 – 19, NKJV)
Please notice that it’s Holy Scripture which ties up the context of “… 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE …” To “… that THEY MAY LAY HOLD ON ETERNAL LIFE. …”. Can you see it as it is Written?
Example: If any of the rich ended up in Hell because you didn’t warn them to do these, will you be saved too? No point in Preaching Hell if you didn’t warn them of their lifestyle sins which could lead them there where such faith is disqualified due to “not” having the right “Works of Faith” as Blessed Apostle St. James remarked in his inspired letter (Bible Verses) as follows whilst discussing this same Context as follows, to quote:
“… Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. …” (James 4:17, NKJV)
“… 1Come now, YOU RICH, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. 3Your GOLD and SILVER are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will EAT YOUR FLESH LIKE FIRE. You have HEAPED up TREASURE in the LAST DAYS. … 5You have lived on the earth in PLEASURE and LUXURY; you have fattened your hearts as in a DAY of SLAUGHTER. …” – Blessed St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 5:1 – 3, 5, NKJV)
Yes, he particularly points that a “Faith” without the “Works of Mercy” is “Dead”:
“… 8If you really FULFILL THE ROYAL LAW according to the SCRIPTURE, “You shall LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF,” YOU DO WELL … 13For JUDGMENT IS WITHOUT MERCY to the one who has SHOWN NO MERCY. MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT. 14What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? 15If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but YOU DO NOT GIVE THEM the things which are NEEDED FOR THE BODY, what does it profit? 17Thus also FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD. …” (James 2:8, 13 – 17, NKJV)
I repeat, he particularly points that a “Faith” without the “Works of Mercy” is “Dead” (please read this part ‘carefully’ and slowly again).
When Apostle St. James wrote this Bible Verse, he doesn’t speak about religious works of church gathering or praying or singing etc. (Which can be helpful) but clearly points to the ABSENCE of WORKS OF MERCY only for a FAITH to be DEAD as he writes, “… but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17Thus also FAITH BY ITSELF, IF IT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS, IS DEAD. …”.
So, are we Preaching the Correct Doctrine regarding the ‘absence of which Work’ (namely the absence of the “Works of Mercy”) according to these Bible Verses, when we say ‘Faith without Works is Dead’?
It is toward such a faith which is missing the “Works of Mercy” that he writes “… if someone says he HAS FAITH BUT DOES NOT HAVE WORKS? CAN FAITH SAVE HIM? …”. Can you please really see it as it is Written?
A famous quote rings that there are two types of blindness namely:
1. Not seeing what is Written
For example: not seeing that the “Works of Faith” that “James” meant here is Referring to the Context of “Works of Mercy” only as he quotes no other works at all in these Verses.
2. Seeing something that is not Written
For example: Some Preachers will say that the “Works of Faith” is “paying tithes, Church attendance, singing, praying etc.” but the Bible Verses here mention “none” of it. I am not saying these cannot be works of faith but it’s “not” the “Works of Faith” mentioned in these Verses by which a Faith can Shipwreck. If other Verses may say that, you may quote it but it’s not from these set of Verses. Please don’t misquote me ya.
One thing is for sure: you will never go wrong Preaching Verses as it is Written ‘to the Topic which it was Written about’. A lot of preaching sometimes links Verses to ‘the Topics which it was NOT Written about’ and in such cases, they could be right or wrong (let God Decide) but I would at most state it as a possibility only.
In contrast, the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ is to Preach the Verses to the Original Topic it was addressed to.
P/S: Sola Scriptura
Related Verses:
“… . 19EVERY TREE that does NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT is CUT DOWN AND THROWN INTO THE FIRE. 20Therefore by their fruits you will know them. 21“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22MANY will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we NOT PROPHESIED in Your name, CAST OUT DEMONS in Your name, and DONE MANY WONDERS in Your name?’ 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, you who practice LAWLESSNESS! 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:19 – 24, NKJV)
“… For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE. … For ALL THE LAW IS FULFILLED in one word, even in this: “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” …” (Galatians 5:6, 14, NKJV)
The phrase “… FAITH WORKING THROUGH LOVE …” = ‘Faith with Charity Doctrine’ because ‘Charity Doctrine is Love in Action’, Verses:
“… 16By this WE KNOW LOVE, because He laid down His life for us. And we also OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, AND SHUTS UP HIS HEART FROM HIM, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …” (1 John 3:16 – 18, NKJV)
Christ Called the Pharisees of Old as “FOOLS” for not knowing this ‘Almsgiving Doctrine’ which can only be discerned Spiritually before these Verses were Written, to quote:
“… 39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. …” (Luke 111:39 – 41, KJV)
In another translation (focusing on the Almsgiving Part He Commanded for the Doctrine of Sanctification of ‘All’ both Inside and Outside Holiness to be Complete):
“… But WHAT YE HAVE GIVE YE AS ALMS, and, lo, ALL THINGS are CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Young’s Literal Translation, Luke 11:41, YLT)
“… But now as for WHAT IS INSIDE YOU–be GENEROUS TO THE POOR, and EVERYTHING WILL BE CLEAN FOR YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:41, NIV)
These Bible Verses above may explain why Christ Said it is hard for a faithful, law(Torah) keeping Rich Man to enter Heaven, Verses:
“… 20The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept [g]from my youth. What do I STILL LACK?” 21JESUS said to him, “IF you want to be PERFECT, go, SELL what YOU HAVE and GIVE to the POOR, and YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; and come, FOLLOW ME.” 22But when the young man heard that saying, he went away SORROWFUL, for he had GREAT POSSESSIONS.23Then JESUS said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is HARD for a RICH MAN TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. 24And AGAIN I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. …” (Matthew 19:20 – 24, NKJV)
Please notice that the rich man above could keep “Holiness Commands & Ten Commandments without Christ” as Christ Doesn’t Say that he lacked in that part. However he “lacked” only this toward “Perfection” which is to “follow Christ” and “Give to the Poor”. Can you see it? This means to “Give to the Poor and Follow Christ” cannot be Done without the EMPOWERING OF GOD toward the CHOSEN.
Also, the Bible doesn’t explicitly Explain the differences between the Thirty, Sixty Vs Hundredfold ones but the Verses below is the only set where Christ Himself Reveals the Secret of the “HUNDREDFOLD” ones as He Continues from the above as follows, same Topic, same Context, Consecutive Verses in the same Chapter (please notice the Word “HUNDREDFOLD” carefully in Matthew 19:29 below):
“… 27Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have LEFT ALL and FOLLOWED YOU. Therefore what shall we have?” 28So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the REGENERATION, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29And EVERYONE who has LEFT HOUSES or brothers or sisters or father or mother or WIFE or children or LANDS, for MY NAME’S SAKE, shall RECEIVE a HUNDREDFOLD, and INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE. 30But MANY who are FIRST will be LAST, and the LAST FIRST.” (Matthew 19:27 – 30, NKJV)
Peace to you
Kings of Hospitality from the Old Testament – Blessed Abraham, Blessed Job and beyond
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160884268282784&id=651792783
Question (Re-phrased)
Abraham, Job and others were rich. If the write-up on post below is true, wouldn’t they be in trouble?
In short they fulfilled God’s Will in 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19 in relative Measure perfectly.
Reply
1) Blessed Abraham – Father of Hospitality
A lot of Preachers like to quote Blessed Patriarch Abraham as an example for “blessings”. But Few quote him in “full” especially the reason why God Blessed him so much in so many ways which is because he is EXTREMELY HOSPITABLE and a GIVER to STRANGERS.
Example: It is well known by Bible Scholars that the quote in Hebrews 13:2 regarding “entertaining angels unknowingly via Acts of hospitality and kindness” was Done by Blessed Patriarch Abraham himself.
He was “not” average in hospitality but extreme as the Bible Verses below clearly describe that he “RAN” and “HASTENED” to prepare the “MEAL” for the “STRANGERS” (even ‘before’ he knew that they were angels) meaning that ‘he was always waiting by his doorstep or tent to SHOW HOSPITALITY by say COOKING a MEAL for STRANGERS’, Verses:
“… 1Then the Lord appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamre, as he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day. 2So he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing by him; and when he saw them, HE RAN from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground, 3and said, “My Lord, if I have now found favor in Your sight, do not pass on by Your servant. 4Please let a LITTLE WATER be brought, and wash your feet, and REST YOURSELVES under the tree. 5And I will BRING A MORSEL OF BREAD, that you may REFRESH YOUR HEARTS. After that you may pass by, inasmuch as you have come to your servant.” They said, “Do as you have said.” 6So ABRAHAM HURRIED into the tent to Sarah and said, “QUICKLY, make ready THREE MEASURES OF FINE MEAL; knead it and MAKE CAKES.” 7And Abraham RAN to the HERD, took a TENDER AND GOOD CALF, gave it to a young man, and he HASTENED to PREPARE IT. 8So he took BUTTER and MILK and the CALF which he had PREPARED, and SET IT BEFORE THEM; and he STOOD by them under the tree as THEY ATE. …” (Genesis 18:1 – 8, NKJV)
Some scholars noted that Blessed Abraham did “not” even eat such a wonderful meal them but “stood” by (not seated) implying that he was ready to ‘serve them as they ate’.
Conclusion
Please take note ‘carefully’ that Blessed Patriarch Abraham did “not” behave hospitable like the above so that ‘he can claim blessings later’. He didn’t even know that the Lord and Angels were present and were about to Give him the “Great Promise”. In other words, Blessed Patriarch Abraham was ‘naturally’ a ‘Giver’ like that and the Bible is clearly showing ‘why’ he was ‘Chosen of God’ one of it being due to ‘his great hospitality’. This is different from us who try to quote Blessed Abraham and emulate him and then try to claim ‘blessings’ or ‘money blessings on earth’ to become rich. Can you see it? It’s not the same because we are ‘doing it insincerely hoping for blessings in return’. Blessed Patriarch Abraham Fulfills this Verse Majestically:
“… do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:35, NKJV)
Here are some links discussing this ‘Hospitality of Abraham’ Context:
i) Sons of Abraham Mystery – Are we Sons of Abraham?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159563705212784&id=651792783
ii) Blessed Patriarch Abraham – the First Man who Entertained Christ Himself and the Angels unawares
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10159582005092784&id=651792783
iii) Hospitality: Abraham
https://biblehub.com/topical/ttt/h/hospitality–abraham.htm
2) Blessed Job
Yes, it’s “Biblical” and Blessed Job was one of the most Righteous men to walk the earth and was one of God’s Favourite and though he was rich he was “full of the Charity Doctrine”, Verses:
“… 16“If I have kept the POOR from their desire,
Or caused the eyes of the WIDOW to fail,
17Or EATEN MY MORSEL BY MYSELF,
So that the FATHERLESS could not eat of it
18(But from my youth I REARED HIM AS A FATHER,
And from my mother’s womb I GUIDED [D]THE WIDOW);
19If I have seen ANYONE PERISH FOR LACK OF CLOTHING,
Or ANY POOR MAN WITHOUT COVERING;
20If his [e]heart has not blessed me,
And if he was not WARMED WITH THE FLEECE OF MY SHEEP;
21If I have RAISED MY HAND AGAINST THE FATHERLESS,
When I saw I had help in the gate;
22Then let my arm fall from my shoulder,
Let my arm be torn from the socket.
23For destruction from God is a terror to me,
And because of His magnificence I cannot endure. …” (Job 31:16 – 23, NKJV)
This is how God Responded in the End toward Blessed Job despite his “Cacophonous” words of self exaltation of his good works in Bible Verses above, to quote:
“… 7And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. 8Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept [b]him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” …” (Job 42:7 – 9, NKJV)
3) The Rest who were Rich Old Testament Faithful were likewise Generous to the Poor living the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle without which they would “not” have known God as per Verse below where some is recorded in Scripture while others not recorded but may be inferred by the way God Speaks in Verses below itself:
“… 15“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. 17“But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood, And on practicing oppression and extortion.” … And YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME when YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. …” (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, 29:13, NASB)
Please also consider Proverbs 29:7 as per few translations below:
New International Version
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
New Living Translation
The godly care about the rights of the poor; the wicked don’t care at all.
English Standard Version
A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge.
Berean Study Bible
The righteous consider the cause of the poor, but the wicked have no regard for such concerns.
King James Bible
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
New King James Version
The righteous considers the cause of the poor, But the wicked does not understand such knowledge.
New American Standard Bible
The righteous is concerned for the rights of the poor; The wicked does not understand such concern.
Peace to you
Sin Hating Heresy Combating Church that was Unsaved – Why? – Safe Route Scripturally
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160878158747784&id=651792783
1) Introduction
I am not here to tell who is right or wrong but rather point to a ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ with Verses to avoid ourselves to be condemned likewise (May God have Mercy).
Most Christians assume that these two “Works” are sufficient for Salvation in the “Faith of Christ”:
i) Keep Away from Sin and Hate it
ii) Combat Heresy
However Christ Personally first Congratulates the Church below for Practicing both the above but then also implies that they are unsaved and still need to repent for abandoning their “first love”? Mysterious, isn’t it?
Verses:
“… 1“To the [a]angel of the church of Ephesus write,
‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2“I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; 3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. 4NEVERTHELESS I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE. 5Remember therefore from where YOU HAVE FALLEN; REPENT and DO THE FIRST WORKS, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—UNLESS YOU REPENT. 6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” ’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2:1 – 7, NKJV)
Note: The NKJV Translation gives this Church at Ephesus the title “… THE LOVELESS CHURCH …” at the start of this chapter.
Comments:
1) This Church correctly identified False Teachers and Evil persons but yet was “unsaved”
“… 2“I know your works, your labor, your [b]patience, and that you cannot [c]bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; …” (Revelation 2:2, NKJV)
This means you can be “unsaved” and yet have the ability to identify ‘false teachers and evil correctly’.
2) This Church laboured for God in Doing Ministry but yet was “unsaved”
“… 3and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary …” (Revelation 2:3, NKJV)
Christ doesn’t Say that they didn’t labour for Him or it was a fake labour but strangely acknowledges their “Ministry Work” was “for His Name Sake” but yet they were “unsaved”.
3) This Church didn’t Practice Sin and hated the Doctrine of Nicolaitians but yet was “unsaved”
“… 6But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. …” (Revelation 2:6, NKJV)
For comparison to understand the ‘Doctrine of Nicolaitians’:
“… 14But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. 15Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, [g]which thing I hate. …” (Revelation 2:14 – 15, NKJV)
Example Church History Quote regarding this ‘Doctrine of Nicolaitians’:
“… 2. References: Reference to them is frequent in post-apostolic literature. According to Irenaeus (Adv. Haer., i.26, 3; iii.10, 7), followed by Hippolytus (Philos., vii.36), they were founded by Nicolaus, the proselyte of Antioch, who was one of the seven chosen to serve at the tables (Acts 6:5). Irenaeus, as also Clement of Alexandria (Strom., ii.20), Tertullian and others, unite in condemning their practices in terms similar to those of John; and reference is also made to their Gnostic tendencies. …”
Source:
https://biblehub.com/topical/n/nicolaitans.htm
4) How do we know that this Church was “unsaved” despite being right on these ‘Essential Doctrines’?
“… 4NEVERTHELESS I HAVE THIS AGAINST YOU, THAT YOU HAVE LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE. 5Remember therefore from where YOU HAVE FALLEN; REPENT and DO THE FIRST WORKS, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—UNLESS YOU REPENT. …” (Revelation 2:4 – 5, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that Christ Calls them as “Fallen” and need to “Repent” meaning that they are thus clearly “unsaved” because of not doing the “First Works” and for forsaking their “First Love”.
Why? Christ doesn’t point to “sexual immorality or other sins” as He Does with another church in Revelation 2:14 – 15 (quoted above for comparison) but rather points to a Mysterious Reason that they are NOT SAVED DESPITE THEIR FAITH all because THEY HAVE LEFT THEIR “FIRST LOVE” and their “FIRST WORKS”.
So, what could the “First Love” and “First Works” mean? It could mean
i) Possible “First Love” Meaning
Not Doing the Charity Doctrine Acts of Love toward others which was present in the First Church (e.g. Acts 2:44 – 46, Acts 4:32) because God is Looking for “LOVE IN ACTION” with “WORLDLY POSSESSIONS” and not in words only (e.g. Matthew 25:31 – 46, Luke 12:31 – 35, Luke 10:25 – 37, Galatians 5:14, Luke 11:39 – 41, 1 John 3:14 – 18).
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
It’s highly probable that they’re not fulfilling these Greatest Commands to love God and others where our love for God is only as much as we love others in action, Verses:
“… 20If someone says, “I LOVE GOD,” and HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21And this commandment we have from Him: that HE WHO LOVES GOD MUST LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO. …” (1 John 4:20 – 21, NKJV)
“… 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE in WORD or in TONGUE, but in DEED and in truth. …” (1 John 3:17 – 18, NKJV)
And/Or
ii) Possible “First Works” Meaning
Not Obeying or following the Apostolic WRITTEN TRADITIONS of the NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS which were delivered as the “First Works” of the Church, Example Verses:
“… If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I WRITE to you are the COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. …” (1 Corinthians 14:37, NKJV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. … 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16Therefore I URGE YOU, IMITATE ME. 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I TEACH EVERYWHERE IN EVERY CHURCH. …” (1 Corinthians 4:4, 14 – 17, NKJV)
One thing is for sure: Whoever follows these New Testament Commands will never be condemned according to Verse below:
“… 1 IMITATE ME, just as I also IMITATE CHRIST. 2Now I PRAISE YOU, brethren, that you remember me in all things and KEEP THE TRADITIONS just as I delivered them to you. … 16But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God. … ” (1 Corinthians 11:1 – 2, 11:16, NKJV)
Whomever doesn’t follow it may be right or not (I am not sure, let God Decide) but the verses below can put them at risk:
“… 33For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people …
36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them ACKNOWLEDGE that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if anyone IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:33, 36 – 38, NIV)
“… For I bear them witness that they have a ZEAL FOR GOD, but NOT ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE. …” (Romans 10:2, NKJV)
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND THEM OF THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
Yes, God’s Will is to Encourage with both “GOOD WORD” and “GOOD WORK” based on the “WRITTEN TRADITIONS” in the New Testament Scripture, Verses:
“… 15Therefore, brethren, STAND FAST AND HOLD THE TRADITIONS which you were taught, whether BY WORD OR OUR [H]EPISTLE. 16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, 17comfort your hearts and [i]establish you in EVERY GOOD WORD AND WORK. …” (2 Thessalonians 2:15 – 17, NKJV)
iii) Ephesians Letter Context
In the letter to the Ephesians, their first Love and first works includes the Context of Understanding that though Good Works does “not” Save them, their “faith in Christ” nevertheless “Predestines” them to do “Good Works”:
“… 8For by GRACE you have been SAVED THROUGH FAITH, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the GIFT OF GOD, 9NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast. 10For we are His workmanship, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS for GOOD WORKS, which GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND that WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. …” (Ephesians 2:8 – 10, NKJV)
So their lack of “Good Works” and focusing instead of only ‘Condemning heresies’ and ‘pointing out sin’ was not pleasing to Christ. Please take note that if ‘Condemning heresies’ and ‘pointing out sin’ was included in the definition of “First Love” and “First Works”, then Christ would have Said so which He Didn’t.
The Fact that Christ Says they are missing their “First Works” and “First Love” completely while they’re praised for combating heresies and sin, this means that the Definition of “First Works” and “First Love” is independent and does not include combating heresies and sin which are important Works but without the Works of Love such religiousity doesn’t assure Salvation either.
Conclusion
I am “not” Saying that this must be the meaning of “First Works” and “First Love” but it’s “Possible”. Regardless, the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ would be to follow the Quoted New Testament Verses for which there is “no” condemnation.
The Response below by a Christian by the nickname of “Lionsden” in link below is what I think “leaving your first love” means too:
To quote (not by me):
“… Peace.
The “first love” is the love for all people….not just for those who love us but also including our enemies. It is first and foremost to have love for all people.
Matthew 5:43-48 KJV (43) Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
We must not only have brotherly love but love for ALL people….even those who mistreat us.
(47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? (48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
In the case of the church at Ephesus, they failed at having love for the false apostles (their enemies) that they correctly found were not true but liars (the apostles were saying that that they are “sent” by Jesus but were not).
The “first love” is love for ALL people…not just those who love us but also for our enemies. The church at Ephesus did not show love towards the false apostles.
Revelation 2: (4) Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
Jesus only hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans but did not hate them. The church of Ephesus was doing both: hating the false prophets and hating their deeds. They needed to have love for their enemies even though they were correct in hating their deeds as Jesus did.
Revelation 2:6 KJV (6) But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
The church at Ephesus was “fallen” and were called to change their minds (repent) and do the “first works”.
Revelation 2: (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
We find the first works listed in 2 Peter 1.
Do the “first works”:
Add to faith virtue and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge add temperance; and to temperance add patience; and to patience add godliness; and to godliness add brotherly kindness (have love for our brothers in Christ); and to brotherly kindness add “charity”…that is, love for all people (not just our brothers but also add love even for those who hate us).
We shall never fall if we do these things and they abound in us. The Ephesians had fallen in this and were unproductive in His knowledge. Jesus: “Remember therefore from where you have fallen…”.
2 Peter 1:3-11 KJV (3) According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (4) Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (5) And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; (6) And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; (7) And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
The Ephesians were “barren” and “unfruitful” in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ(His revelation knowledge) because they did not show love for their enemies (the false apostles).
Even though we may have all knowledge and understand the mysteries of the Kingdom but have not love for all (the first love), we are nothing. Our speaking of the revelation knowledge of the Lord will not have an effect on others if we do not show love towards all people. Our witness shall will be unfruitful as no one will listen to us because of our lack of love (first love).
(8) For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Ephesians had forgotten that they were purged from their old sins and were instructed to “remember”: Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
(9) But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
We shall never fall (as the Ephesians did) if we make these “first works” abound in our doing of them….remembering to do them always.
(10) Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (11) For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Our witness to others in His knowledge will be unfruitful if we do not show love toward others (even our enemies). We shall become as a “sounding brass” or a “tinkling cymbal”. No one will listen to the message if we do not have love… the “first love” (love for all people). We will only be just “noise” to them and will not be meaningful and productive in the ears of others.
1 Corinthians 13:1-2 KJV (1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (2) And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
The witness to others (the “candlestick”) is removed out of its place if we do not show love even to our enemies. They will not listen as judgment upon us for our lack of love (the first love for all).
We become unfruitful in having His revealed knowledge as others will not listen because of our lack of love we display to others (our enemies). Without love for all people (including our enemies), we shall be unproductive in the hearing of others in our witnessing for Jesus who reveals the Word of Truth to His people.
Revelation 2:5 KJV (5) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
We shall be fruitful if we can overcome. To him that overcomes will He give us to eat of the tree of life….to be fruitful in it.
Revelation 2:7 KJV (7) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. …” – By Nickname “LionsDen”
Source:
https://hermeneutics.stackexchange.com/questions/37867/in-revelation-24-to-what-does-first-love-refer
“… 13“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14[c]Because narrow is the gate and [d]DIFFICULT is the way which LEADS TO LIFE, and there are FEW WHO FIND IT. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus (Matthew 7:13 – 14, NKJV)
Peace to you
Mystery of True Judgment – Safe Route Scripturally
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160875008582784&id=651792783
Context Question: For those Keen on Judging, have they Preached and Practiced True Judgment Doctrine according to Scripture?
There are Different Types of Judgment and Context Matters together with “quoting Scripture in full” matters with New Testament Verses cancelling old testament ones. No point in quoting ‘Cancelled Verses’. Yes, Some parts of the Torah passes away and is “not” Eternal but to that Old Testament age/Aeon/Olam only
“… In that He says, “ A NEW COVENANT,” He has MADE THE FIRST OBSOLETE. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready TO VANISH AWAY. …” (Hebrews 8:13, NKJV)
1) The Judgment Christ Spoke of is “not” the ‘lets cast the stone on the sinner type’ but this which can only be seen if you Quote Verses in full
“… 21Jesus answered and said to them, “I did one work, and you all marvel. 22Moses therefore gave you circumcision (not that it is from Moses, but from the fathers), and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath. 23If a man receives circumcision on the Sabbath, so that the law of Moses should not be broken, are you angry with Me because I made a man completely well on the Sabbath? 24Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” …” (John 7:21 – 24, NKJV)
So, the “righteous Judgment” Christ Speaks of is DOING GOOD WORKS even if it BREAKS THE SABBATH. Doing evil works and love of money works is what was not allowed on a Sabbath.
2) In the Torah (Law) the General Context of Judgment was Helping the Poor
“… You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be PARTIAL TO THE POOR, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. …” (Leviticus 19:15, NKJV)
3) The Prophets Proved that Showing MERCY and COMPASSION is TRUE JUDGMENT and not killing/hurting/injuring your enemies who are wrong
“… Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute TRUE JUDGMENT, and SHEW MERCY and COMPASSIONS every man to his brother: 10And OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; and let none of you IMAGINE EVIL AGAINST his brother in your heart. 11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear….” (Zechariah 7:9 11, KJV)
So In Verses above, “True Judgment” is these “Charity Doctrine” Acts = “… OPPRRESS NOT THE WIDOW, NOR THE FATHERLESS, THE STRANGER, NOR THE POOR; and let none of you IMAGINE EVIL AGAINST his brother in your heart. …”. Doesn’t sound like Bombing your wrong/evil enemies is meant as True Judgment, right?
4) True Judgment is thus “no Judgment act on earth toward the wrong” but “Mercy & Compassion” (as per Zechariah 7:9) and warning them to “sin no more”:
Example: Christ Used the Phrase “Light of the World” to Identify Himself when He Chose to “not” Judge the ‘women caught in adultery’ & Forgave Freely and told her to ‘sin no more’, Verses:
“… 10When Jesus had raised Himself up [i]and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers [j]of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU; GO [K]AND SIN NO MORE.” 12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” …” (John 8:10 – 12, NKJV)
5) There is “no” Judgment in the Flesh now by executing sentences in God’s Most Holy Name as Christ Demonstrated this
“… 15YOU JUDGE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH; I JUDGE NO ONE. 16And yet if I do judge, My judgment is true; for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent Me. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 8:15 – 16, NKJV)
We know that Christ Didn’t Judge those Pharisees beyond words warning them that they will forfeit inheriting the Kingdom unless they repent. Christ didn’t boycott them nor start a riot or change their religious leadership etc. proving “no” Judgment act on earth is needed as discussed in an earlier post in link below:
Conclusion
Similarly, St. John the Baptist’s “Judgment Preaching” was only in “words” mentioning “which sin was wrong” (without anything more than that such as “no” secret plans to topple Herod the evil person or to injure him on earth, cause a ‘justice riot’ or ‘political riot to remove evil’ or equivalent) agreeing with Christ’s Most Blessed COMMAND to “Love your enemies” instead of ‘Judge/Hurt/Injure your enemies’.
Example: Christ Commanded to Love our Enemies and not hate them as per the Torah Verse which He Cancelled. This means that the phase “His Words” will “not” pass away refers to the “Love your enemies” part and not the Judgment ‘hate your enemy’ verse below:
“… 19then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you SHALL PUT AWAY THE EVIL FROM AMONG YOU. 20And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. 21Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, EYE FOR EYE, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. …” (Deuteronomy 19:19 – 21, NKJV)
This Cancellation in full:
“…38“YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, ‘An EYE FOR AN EYE and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I TELL YOU NOT TO RESIST AN EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and TAKE AWAY YOUR TUNIC, LET HIM HAVE YOUR CLOAK ALSO. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42GIVE to him who asks you, and from him WHO WANTS TO BORROW from you DO NOT TURN AWAY. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44[o]But I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, … 47And if you greet your [p]brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 44, 47, NKJV)
So, whoever tried to “rebuild the Torah (Law) parts which Christ Has Personally Cancelled for the New Testament” may end up being “Transgressors” as trying to be ‘justified by the Law by Practicing Deuteronomy 19:19 – 21 type of Judgment’ instead of Christ’s Cancellation of that so clearly in His Own Words in Matthew 5:38 – 48 above:
“… 16knowing that a man is not [i]justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and NOT BY THE WORKS OF THE LAW; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.17“But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18For if I BUILD AGAIN THOSE things which I DESTROYED, I MAKE MYSELF A TRANSGRESSOR. …” (Galatians 2:16 – 18, NKJV)
What is not the works of the Law is Whatever Christ Commanded in the New Testament Verses such as the “Charity Doctrine” (e.g. Matthew 25:31 – 46, Luke 12:31 – 35, Luke 10:25 – 37, Galatians 5:14, Luke 11:39 – 41) which are all thus WORKS OF MERCY against which there is “no” Law being the “Fruits of the Spirit” Manifested in Action (e.g. Galatians 5:22 – 23, 1 John 3:14 – 18).
Please don’t be deceived. Also “Judgment” is “not” one of the “Fruits of the Spirit” but the Acts of the Charity Doctrine are such as it encompasses “Goodness, love, long-suffering, gentleness and Kindness”.
“… 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23[g]gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. …” (Galatians 5:22 – 23, NKJV)
The only Judgment allowed in the New Testament is ‘Warn them of sin’ but don’t judge them for it but rather execute “True Judgment” which is to “Forgive by showing MERCY and COMPASSION” instead, please allow me to repeat:
“… Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute TRUE JUDGMENT, and SHEW MERCY AND COMPASSIONS every man to his brother: …” (Zechariah 7:9, KJV)
Note: “Mercy” is for those who are “wrong doctrinally or in sin”.
In Verses below Christ Says that “… I desire Mercy, not Sacrifice …” includes the Context of “not” keeping the Sabbath is acceptable if “… you are doing Good …”, Verses:
“… 5Or HAVE YOU NOT READ IN THE LAW that ON THE SABBATH THE PRIESTS IN THE TEMPLE [A]PROFANE THE SABBATH, and ARE BLAMELESS? 6Yet I say to you that in this place there is One greater than the temple. 7But if you had known what this means, ‘I DESIRE MERCY AND NOT SACRIFICE,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless. 8For the SON OF MAN IS LORD [B]EVEN OF THE SABBATH.” 9Now when He had departed from there, He went into their synagogue. 10And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked Him, saying, “IS IT LAWFUL TO HEAL ON THE SABBATH?”—that they might accuse Him.
11Then He said to them, “What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not lay hold of it and lift it out? 12Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep? THEREFORE IT IS LAWFUL TO DO GOOD ON THE SABBATH.” 13Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as whole as the other. 14Then the Pharisees went out and plotted against Him, how they might destroy Him. …” (Matthew 12:5 – 14, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that it’s Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ Who Declares this part “… 5Or HAVE YOU NOT READ IN THE LAW that ON THE SABBATH THE PRIESTS IN THE TEMPLE [A]PROFANE THE SABBATH, and ARE BLAMELESS? …” which means that you can break the Sabbath and still be blameless if you believe in Christ as the Lord of the Sabbath and do Good focusing on the “Mercy” part instead of the “Sacrifice” of keeping the Sabbath. Perhaps that’s why Blessed Apostle St. Paul wrote in Verse below that Gentile Believers cannot be judged for “Sabbaths” even because the “Lord of the Sabbath” declares them “Blameless” likewise for “Mercy”, Verse:
“… 16So let NO ONE JUDGE YOU in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or SABBATHS, 17which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ. …” (Colossians 2:16 – 17, NKJV)
So the type of “True Judgment” by which one “knows God” is not the killing/hurting of enemies but in Practicing the Charity Doctrine even as God Spoke via Blessed Prophet Jeremiah to the “King of Judah” in Verses below:
“… 15“Do you become a king because you are competing in cedar? Did your father not eat and drink And DO JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS? Then it was well for him. 16“HE PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR, then it was well. IS THAT NOT WHAT IT MEANS TO KNOW ME?” DECLARES THE LORD. 17“But your eyes and your heart Are intent only upon your own dishonest gain, And on shedding innocent blood, And on practicing oppression and extortion.” … And YOU WILL SEEK ME AND FIND ME when YOU SEARCH FOR ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART. …” (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, 29:13, NASB)
So the converse of this verse is clearly if the ‘Charity Doctrine’ of “… PLED THE CAUSE OF THE AFFLICTED and THE POOR …” is not present or focused in such a Christianity, they might well “not” know God.
Note: Christ DID NOT SAY ‘hurt your enemies’ NOR ‘Judge your enemies’ NOR ‘kill your enemies’ NOR ‘Injure your enemies’ meaning only LOVE YOUR ENEMIES and NOT RESIST the EVIL PERSON is HIS COMMAND (as per Matthew 5:38 – 48 above) where if WE LOVE HIM, WE OBEY THESE as IT IS WRITTEN:
“… IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP [Obey] MY COMMANDMENTS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, NKJV)
So, do we REALLY LOVE CHRIST by OBEYING HIS COMMANDS or ‘make up imaginary commands’ which HE NEVER SAID DIRECTLY?
Peace to you
Judgment Practice now on earth – Safe Route Scripturally
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160874280412784&id=651792783
1) Who to Judge?
As we saw in an earlier post, “New Testament Verses” only allows Judgment toward “Christians who sin” and “not toward Unbelievers” as per link below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160871924192784&id=651792783
Why?
A reason is perhaps by living irresponsibly as such, they could influence unbelievers to also think that there’s “no” seriousness against sin in Christianity leading others to perdition. So the Judgment against such Christians is seriously addressed in New Testament Scripture (please see the next point).
In other words, if a Christian preaches against sin rightly and strives to live right as well, then if unbelievers did not believe or if they do continue in sin, at least they cannot point fault at that Christian because he lived relatively well. Thus their sin is purely theirs with “no” influence or lukewarmness caused by the Christian.
2) How to Judge?
Example:
“… 6But WE COMMAND YOU, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you WITHDRAW FROM EVERY BROTHER WHO WALKS DISORDERLY and NOT ACCORDING TO THE TRADITION which [a]he received from us. 7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8NOR DID WE EAT ANYONE’S BREAD [B]FREE OF CHARGE, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might NOT BE A BURDEN TO ANY OF YOU, 9not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10For even when we were with you, WE COMMANDED YOU THIS: IF ANYONE WILL NOT WORK, NEITHER SHALL HE EAT. 11For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12Now those who are such we command and [c]exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13But as for you, brethren, DO NOT GROW WEARY IN DOING GOOD. 14And if anyone DOES NOT OBEY OUR WORD IN THIS [D]EPISTLE, NOTE THAT PERSON and DO NOT KEEP COMPANY WITH HIM, that he may be ashamed. 15Yet do not count him as an enemy, but [e]admonish him as a brother. …” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 15, NKJV)
Please notice some serious Judgment in these Verses toward a “Christian/brother” who “walks disorderly” as follows:
i) It’s a COMMAND and not an option (verse 6).
ii) It’s a COMMAND to only EAT if a CHRISTIAN WORKS (verse 8 – 12).
iii) It is a COMMAND to DO GOOD, i.e. in ‘Action’, which primarily is the Charity Doctrine (verse 13).
iv) It is a COMMAND that if anyone doesn’t obey the EPISTLE (Traditions WRITTEN in this LETTER),we must KEEP AWAY from such FAKE CHRISTIANITY. Yes, a True Christian ought to KEEP AWAY from such ‘fake Christians’ (Verse 14).
3) The Worst Humans are among Christians and not unbelievers
The Bible Verses below clearly Describe the Existence of a ‘Fake Christian’ who is “worse” than an “unbeliever” where the act of ‘not providing financially to one’s family’ is considered as ‘denying the faith’ too, Verses (so that’s how serious God Takes the ‘Charity Doctrine’ of Providing for others beginning with Family – Can you see it?)
“… But if anyone DOES NOT PROVIDE for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has DENIED THE FAITH and is WORSE THAN AN UNBELIEVER. …” (1 Timothy 5:8, NKJV)
These are the type of WORSE than UNBELIEVERS type of CHRISTIANS who will be BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES as they’re Described by Christ Himself in Verses below for the reason above and others:
“… 46the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him HIS PORTION WITH THE UNBELIEVERS. 47And that servant who KNEW HIS MASTER’S WILL, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be BEATEN WITH MANY STRIPES. But he who DID NOT KNOW, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be BEATEN WITH FEW. For EVERYONE to whom MUCH IS GIVEN, from him MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED; and to whom MUCH HAS BEEN COMMITTED, of him they WILL ASK THE MORE. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:46 – 48, NKJV)
Note: The phrase “… appoint him HIS PORTION WITH THE UNBELIEVERS …” by Christ above means that these are “not Unbelievers” but are “Christians who are Denied & made to be worse than Unbelievers” by being beaten with “many stripes” type of Judgment. Can you really see what’s Written in Holy Scripture?
4) How about Enemies and others? We help them if they ask for it:
Yes Christ Says to only Give to them if they ask for it (if they request it, conditional) and if not there’s no obligation on our side, Verse:
“… 30GIVE to everyone who asks of you. …” (Luke 6:30, NKJV)
How and what to Give? Money and Earthly Material things to get the “Reward” of “Inheritance to be His Sons” in “Heaven”. These Verses in Full:
“…27“But I say to you who hear: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30GIVE TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS OF YOU. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK THEM BACK. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
“… 38“YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, ‘An EYE FOR AN EYE and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I TELL YOU NOT TO RESIST AN EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and TAKE AWAY YOUR TUNIC, LET HIM HAVE YOUR CLOAK ALSO. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42GIVE to him who asks you, and from him WHO WANTS TO BORROW from you DO NOT TURN AWAY. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44[o]But I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, … 47And if you greet your [p]brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 44, 47, NKJV)
5) Who is the Best Persons to Give Help to?
Nothing wrong in receiving help if you’re in old age or couldn’t work anymore and it’s BEST TO HELP (as it’s a COMMAND in Verse below) THOSE WHO LIVED THE CHARITY DOCTRINE in their lives prior to becoming old aged or unable to work (first priority is towards them) WITH CHURCH MONEY, (so, if the CHURCH MONEY is NOT used for providing for them in our midst of such exist, God may Choose to Condemn or Judge us instead so let’s be Wise to Use the MONEY COLLECTED IN HIS NAME for WHAT HE WILLS) as per Verses below:
“… 9Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10WELL REPORTED FOR GOOD WORKS: if she has BROUGHT UP CHILDREN, if SHE HAS LODGED STRANGERS, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has RELIEVED THE AFFLICTED, IF SHE HAS DILIGENTLY FOLLOWED EVERY GOOD WORK. 11But [c]refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12having condemnation because they have cast off their first [d]faith. …” (1 Timothy 5:9 – 12, NKJV)
Conclusion
This Judgment (2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 15) seems to hold toward any “WRITTEN TRADITIONS” found in New Testament Verses where the Verse below strongly Speaks against anyone being “Spirit-led” (i.e. ‘Gifted by the Spirit or Prophet’) to Speak or Do against Written New Testament Verses & promises an “Being Ignored” (or being Rejected possibly) the same way they chose to “Ignore/Reject these WRITTEN NEW TESTAMENT COMMANDS” (so why take the risk otherwise as some Christianity does?):
“… 36Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37If anyone thinks they are a PROPHET or otherwise GIFTED BY THE SPIRIT, let them acknowledge that WHAT I AM WRITING to you is the LORD’S COMMAND. 38But if ANYONE IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (1 Corinthians 14:36 – 38, NIV)
If they are among the “Many” rejected on “that Day” due to “Lawlessness” who did “Miracles/Prophesies/Cast out Demons in His Name’ (as per Matthew 7:21 – 24), then the phrase “… 38But if ANYONE IGNORES THIS, THEY WILL THEMSELVES BE IGNORED. …” (in 1 Corinthians 14:38) above could mean that and it could be considered the Unforgivable ‘Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit’ (Matthew 12:31 – 32) for Quoting the Holy Spirit when He Didn’t Teach them to do contrary to these Written New Testament Verses as the Verse above seems to strongly point against.
It’s not worth the risk and that’s why we prefer to teach believers to be on the safe side of just obeying the Written New Testament Verses as it is Written as that can never be condemned because the Written Word of God Protects you and is a Shield for those who obey it.
Yes, I am not sure if Christians who do against these Written New Testament Commands will be saved or not but one thing I am sure which is this: If you Preach and Practice these New Testament Commands as “it is Written”, even if Suppose for argument Sake God Worked in those who did it differently, you will never be condemned nor get a lesser reward but will in fact get more as “Obedience is better than Sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22) as the New Testament Verse below affirms this ‘Safe Route Scripturally’:
“… 5And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is NOT CROWNED unless he COMPETES ACCORDING to THE RULES. … 14REMIND them of THESE THINGS, charging them before the Lord not to [d]strive about words to no profit, to the RUIN OF THE HEARERS. … ” (2 Timothy 2:5, 14, NKJV)
Did you notice than the Bible Calls a person worse than an unbeliever if a Christian doesn’t provide for his family (which most Christians on the surface would consider as a ‘small sin’) in 1 Timothy 5:8? So, please don’t assume these are ‘small things’ as long as we can ‘convert people’ because Actual New Testament Verses or GOD’S WRITTEN WORD seem to pronounce some serious Judgments for seemingly ‘simple Traditions’ if they’re ignored.
Warning: We don’t need to comment on the spirit Inside another Christian (to avoid the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit if that person Spoke His Words) leaving that Judgment to God Alone as it is Warned in Verses below:
“… 28“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter; 29but he who BLASPHEMES AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT NEVER HAS FORGIVENESS, but is subject to ETERNAL CONDEMNATION”— 30BECAUSE THEY SAID, “HE HAS AN UNCLEAN SPIRIT.” …” (Mark 3:28 – 30, NKJV)
Comment: The ‘Greatest Sin’ of All is in ‘Words’ and ‘Commenting Wrongly’ on the ‘Spirit Inside a Person’ as Verses above clearly describe this Act as the “Unforgivable Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit”. So please don’t comment easily either way and let God Judge as Described in an earlier post in link below to avoid this most serious risk:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160853112937784&id=651792783
Please Remember that guarding one’s tongue from commenting on things which we are not sure is a safe route for our soul too according to Verse below:
“… Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. …” (Proverbs 21:23, NKJV)
My point is this: Better to follow what is WRITTEN as a COMMAND in NEW TESTAMENT VERSES instead of doing against it as the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ for which there is NO CONDEMNATION at all.
Peace to you
Spiritu
Safe Route Scripturally – True Disciples of Christ – To Judge or to Love?
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160871924192784&id=651792783
1) Christians only judge other Christians and “not” unbelievers
“… 9I wrote to you in my epistle not to [f]keep company with sexually immoral people. 10Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. 12For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” …” (1 Corinthians 5:9 – 13, NKJV)
The “no” judging unbelievers part (repeated from above):
“… I WROTE TO YOU IN MY EPISTLE not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 10Yet I certainly did NOT MEAN with the sexually immoral PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. …” (1 Corinthians 5:9 – 10, NKJV)
2) Christians warn unbelievers of the coming Judgment Day of God
“… 10For WE MUST ALL APPEAR BEFORE THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST, that each one may RECEIVE THE THINGS DONE IN THE BODY, according to what he has done, WHETHER GOOD OR BAD. 11KNOWING, therefore, the TERROR OF THE LORD, WE PERSUADE MEN; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. …” (2 Corinthians 5:10 – 11, NKJV)
Example:
“… Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? …” (Luke 3:7, NKJV)
The “Wrath to come” is not the 70AD Temple Destruction nor is it any of their Judgmental acts on earth but only a Warning of God’s Judgment on “Judgment Day” during their Resurrection and we warn likewise, Verse:
“… and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. …” (1 Thessalonians 1:10, NKJV)
St. John the Baptist’s “Judgment Preaching” was only in “words” mentioning “which sin was wrong” (without anything more than that such as “no” secret plans to topple Herod the evil person or to injure him on earth, cause a ‘justice riot’ or ‘political riot to remove evil’ or equivalent) agreeing with Christ’s Most Blessed COMMAND to “Love your enemies” instead of ‘Judge/Hurt/Injure your enemies’:
“… 38“YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, ‘An EYE FOR AN EYE and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I TELL YOU NOT TO RESIST AN EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and TAKE AWAY YOUR TUNIC, LET HIM HAVE YOUR CLOAK ALSO. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42GIVE to him who asks you, and from him WHO WANTS TO BORROW from you DO NOT TURN AWAY. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44[o]But I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, … 47And if you greet your [p]brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 44, 47, NKJV)
Note: Christ DID NOT SAY ‘hurt your enemies’ NOR ‘Judge your enemies’ NOR ‘kill your enemies’ NOR ‘Injure your enemies’ meaning only LOVE YOUR ENEMIES and NOT RESIST the EVIL PERSON is HIS COMMAND (as per Matthew 5:38 – 48 above) where if WE LOVE HIM, WE OBEY THESE as IT IS WRITTEN:
“… IF YOU LOVE ME, KEEP [Obey] MY COMMANDMENTS. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:15, NKJV)
So, do we REALLY LOVE CHRIST by OBEYING HIS COMMANDS or ‘make up imaginary commands’ which HE NEVER SAID DIRECTLY?
3) Christians Judge themselves
“… 31For IF WE WOULD JUDGE OURSELVES, WE WOULD NOT BE JUDGED. 32But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. …” (1 Corinthians 11:31 – 32, NKJV)
4) Judgment is a Choice not a Command toward Christians to carry it out toward others
“… 1“JUDGE[A] NOT, that YOU BE NOT JUDGED. 2For with what [b]judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:1 – 2, NKJV)
I will await Judgment Day for God to Decide who was right:
“… For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 8:17, NKJV)
“… Therefore JUDGE NOTHING BEFORE THE TIME, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. 6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us NOT TO THINK BEYOND WHAT IS WRITTEN, that none of you may be [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7For who [d]MAKES YOU DIFFER FROM ANOTHER? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? …” (1 Corinthians 4:5 – 7, NKJV)
Conclusion
The Final Proof of Discipleship is “not” who judges others or is most right but “who loved right”. The “Judgment Day” Verses below doesn’t Say that if you don’t judge you are going to everlasting fire but rather it clearly only Says that if you DIDN’T LOVE IN ACTION with the CHARITY DOCTRINE by “… NOT Feeding the Hungry/Thirsty, NOR Clothe the Naked or NOR welcome the stranger into your home …”, then we might be the candidate for the “EVERLASTING FIRE (or perhaps Aeonian Fire)” (Let God Decide which is it):
“… 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when DID WE SEE YOU HUNGRY or THIRSTY OR A STRANGER OR NAKED OR SICK or in PRISON, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as YOU DID NOT DO IT to one of the least of these, you DID NOT DO IT TO ME.’ 46And THESE WILL GO AWAY INTO EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31 – 46, NKJV)
Comment: The Devil knows these Verses and so he tries to deceive people “not” to do the Will of God of the Charity Doctrine so that they get condemned in the End into “Everlasting Punishment” as per Verses above.
Please read the Verses below by Christ carefully again and see that He Doesn’t Say, ‘… If you don’t judge, I am going to Judge you for that …’ but rather to the one who ‘… Chooses not to judge…’ Christ Says, ‘… you won’t be Judged …’, Verses:
“… 1“JUDGE[A] NOT, that YOU BE NOT JUDGED. 2For with what [b]judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:1 – 2, NKJV)
Please don’t be Deceived spending your life judging instead of Fulfilling God’s Will for the Charity Doctrine which is the True Mark of Discipleship as “Love in Action”, Verse:
“… By this all will know that YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, if you have LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:35, NKJV)
Peace to you
Spiritual Warfare and Doctrine of Sanctification – Safe Route Scripturally
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160859497707784&id=651792783
1) Ephesians 6:12 says it’s not against evil humans literally and 2 Corinthians 10:5 says it’s casting down evil thoughts and arguments which doesn’t exalt God.
2) Doctrine of Sanctification is not just keeping Holy outwardly by abstaining from sin but also inward cleansing via the Charity Doctrine as Christ doesn’t mention any other religious act for it interestingly in Luke 11:41.
3) Christ specifically mentioned about Pharisees being outwardly holy (outside of the dish is clean metaphorically) in Luke 11:39 – 40 and pointed to a secret of cleaning the “inside” of “both evil & greed” by doing “Charity Works/Almsgiving” in Luke 11:41. So that may be the way to do Spiritual Warfare against “evil” in Action via His Charity Doctrine.
Conclusion
“… 39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness. 40Ye fools, did not he that made that which is without make that which is within also? 41But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. …” (Luke 111:39 – 41, KJV)
“… And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE will COVER a MULTITUDE OF SINS.” …”(1 Peter 4:8, NKJV)
No wonder Christ Himself Specifically Commanded this Doctrine of Sanctification for both the “Inside and Outside” as “Almsgiving” or “Charity Doctrine” and nothing else in Verse in Luke 11:41 as per a few translations below:
“… But WHAT YE HAVE GIVE YE AS ALMS, and, lo, ALL THINGS are CLEAN TO YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Young’s Literal Translation, Luke 11:41, YLT)
“… But now as for WHAT IS INSIDE YOU–be GENEROUS TO THE POOR, and EVERYTHING WILL BE CLEAN FOR YOU. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 11:41, NIV)
“… But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you. …” (Luke 11:41, KJV)
“… But rather give alms of such things as you have; then indeed all things are clean to you. …” (Luke 11:41, NKJV)
“… But give that which is within as a charitable gift, and then all things are clean for you. …” (Luke 11:41, NASB)
Please remember that when we Teach Almsgiving we are Teaching what Christ Commanded in Verses above for Sanctification and not the opinions of men.
“… Therefore I say to you, HER SINS, which are MANY, ARE FORGIVEN, for SHE LOVED MUCH. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47, NKJV)
Peace to you
Are we Preaching like St. John the Baptist? – Judgment Preaching and Charity Doctrine Preaching Mystery
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160858725102784&id=651792783
Blessed St. John the Baptist is often quoted by legalists, Judaizers and even Judgmental Christianity which kills persecutes and plays out its enemies subtlety or directly thinking they are justified by judging evil on earth instead of Christ’s Perfect Command to “Love your enemies”. They will Quote this Verse to justify their acts:
“… Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? …” (Luke 3:7, NKJV)
The “Wrath to come” is not the 70AD Temple Destruction nor is it any of their Judgmental acts on earth but only a Warning of God’s Judgment on “Judgment Day” during their Resurrection and we warn likewise, Verse:
“… and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. …” (1 Thessalonians 1:10, NKJV)
St. John the Baptist’s “Judgment Preaching” was only in “words” mentioning “which sin was wrong” (without anything more than that such as “no” secret plans to topple Herod the evil person or to injure him on earth, cause a ‘justice riot’ or ‘political riot to remove evil’ or equivalent), Verse:
“… 17For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” …” (Mark 6:17 – 18, NKJV)
So likewise, we warn people of sin but do “not” judge them on earth for anything more sticking to ‘Sola New Testament Scriptura’ as it is Written (Covenant by Covenant).
“… Obedience is better than Sacrifice …” (1 Samuel 15:22)
So what St. John the Baptist didn’t do is play politics or economic games to kill his enemies nor to injure his enemies financially or in any way but only warn of God’s Judgment on Resurrection Day.
To quote St. John the Baptist on these Verses and stop loving their enemies to do good to them etc.(e.g. fight against their “Roman oppressors” or the “Pharisees” of that time by killing them or playing them out financially, religiously or economically or secretly in the name of Justice/doing good) is certainly out of context, unbiblical and against Christ’s Most Blessed Words for “Perfection” in Matthew 5:38 – 48 as discussed in earlier posts (example in link below):
Conclusion
What these Judgmental Christians forgot to quote is that they often forget to preach the “Fruits of Repentance” message of St. John the Baptist which points to the “Charity Doctrine” and “Contentment” instead of their life games of politics toward “Prosperity” & “do no good works” type of theology, Verses (where such truths can only be seen if we quote Verses in “full” and not add what’s not spoken by him):
“… [7Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him], “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Therefore bear FRUITS WORTHY OF REPENTANCE, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9And even now the AX IS LAID TO THE ROOT OF THE TREES. Therefore EVERY TREE which DOES NOT BEAR GOOD FRUIT Is cut down and THROWN INTO THE FIRE.” 10So the people asked him, saying, “What shall we do then?” 11He answered and said to them, “HE WHO HAS TWO TUNICS, let him GIVE TO HIM WHO HAS NONE; and HE WHO HAS FOOD, LET HIM DO LIKEWISE.” 12Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13And he said to them, “COLLECT NO MORE THAN WHAT IS APPOINTED FOR YOU.” 14Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “DO NOT INTIMIDATE ANYONE or ACCUSE FALSELY, and BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES. …” – Answers by Blessed St. John the Baptist, ForeRunner for Christ (Luke 3:7 – 14, NKJV)
Please notice ‘carefully’ in the above Verses that when mentioning the “rejected trees which ought to be burnt in Fire” (same Context as the Denied Lawless Christians in Matthew 7:13 – 19above) their conversion acts toward “Many” and “Casting out demons, Prophesying and Miracles” did “not” Count at all due to Lawlessness (Matthew 7:20 – 23 earlier) except if one follows “Christ’s Direct Words” (Matthew 7:24 as the Answer to Counter Lawlessness) where St. John the Baptist discussing this same context of ‘trees burnt in fire’ (Matthew 7:19 & Luke 3:9 link) clearly points to the Chief “Fruit Worthy of Repentance” (Luke 3:8) is Pointed First as the Charity Doctrine of literal earthly needs sharing as described as “… What shall we do then?” 11He answered and said to them, “HE WHO HAS TWO TUNICS, let him GIVE TO HIM WHO HAS NONE; and HE WHO HAS FOOD, LET HIM DO LIKEWISE.” …” (in Luke 3:10 – 11).
In other words, St. John the Baptist Speaks Anointedly to Reveal these Simple and Beautiful Truths regarding the “Fruits Worthy of Repentance” (Luke 3:8) to avoid being “Burnt in Fire” (Luke 3:9) only as these aspects in Verses above as nothing else matters as much:
1) Firstly, a life of Charity Doctrine toward meeting the literal needs of others:
“… What shall we do then?” 11He answered and said to them, “HE WHO HAS TWO TUNICS, let him GIVE TO HIM WHO HAS NONE; and HE WHO HAS FOOD, LET HIM DO LIKEWISE.” …” – Blessed St. John the Baptist, ForeRunner for Christ (Luke 3:10 – 11, NKJV)
2) Do not highly price things or take high income especially when you know you don’t deserve it for the work that you do as that’s not being clever in a business sense but a type of oppression of lying & manipulation or racism/exploitation of desperate poor workers of which you may be benefitting from being higher on the economic food chain and that’s “not” God’s Favour as some deceive in Principle of these Verses:
“… 12Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13And he said to them, “COLLECT NO MORE THAN WHAT IS APPOINTED FOR YOU.” …” Blessed St. John the Baptist, ForeRunner for Christ (Luke 3:12 – 13, NKJV)
3) There’s “no” Faith for more money/prosperity but only “Contentment” and also no oppressing others as these Verses describe this required fruit of repentance too
“… 14Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “DO NOT INTIMIDATE ANYONE or ACCUSE FALSELY, and BE CONTENT WITH YOUR WAGES. …” – Blessed St. John the Baptist, ForeRunner for Christ (Luke 3:14, NKJV)
Note: All Good Tree will have the three Traits of Fruits Worthy of Repentance as the Context of these Bible Verses (“not” opinions of men) clearly Reveals “as it is Written”.
Preaching ‘all of St. John the Baptist’s message’ is very important instead of ‘picking and choosing some parts or adding things which he didn’t say nor do’ because as Blessed Apostle St. John records in his Gospel (below), he writes regarding St. John the Baptist type of Preaching is the “True Witness” for “Christ” by “God”, Verses:
“… 6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John [the Baptist*]. 7This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. 8He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9That[b] was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. …” (John 1:6 – 9, NKJV)
*[Emphasis Mine]
Please don’t be deceived.
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – Life Focus – Deception Vs Truth
Many Verses about Virtues to Rewards in the “Kingdom to come” to Eternal Treasures in Heavens. So life becomes exciting as we pursue these spiritual things as “it is Written”. Example Post discussing some aspects of these is in links below:
1) Are Charity Works of Eternal Value?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160849179262784&id=651792783
2) Inheritance of His Kingdom Mystery – Why Serve God?
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160844752077784&id=651792783
On the contrary, the Devil deceives by making us to “hate” each other especially “our enemies” thereby succeeding in either reducing our Rewards (for those saved) or if our hate is terrible enough, we might not be saved at all as per Warning in Verses below:
“… 5And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that WE LOVE ONE ANOTHER. 6THIS IS LOVE, THAT WE WALK ACCORDING TO HIS COMMANDMENTS. THIS IS THE COMMANDMENT, THAT AS YOU HAVE HEARD FROM THE BEGINNING, YOU SHOULD WALK IN IT. 7For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8Look to yourselves, that [c]we DO NOT LOSE THOSE THINGS WE WORKED FOR, but that WE MAY RECEIVE A FULL REWARD. …” (2 John 1:5 – 8, NKJV)
Please notice that “Love” is the “Command” which is “His Commandments” as it is Written so clearly in Verse above when discussing this Topic with “nothing else” mentioned.
Please also notice that “His Commandments” are ‘not all the Torah’ as these Verses clearly Contrast:
1) Some parts of the Torah passes away and is “not” Eternal but to that Old Testament age/Aeon/Olam only
“… In that He says, “ A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. …” (Hebrews 8:13, NKJV)
2) What matters now is only “His New Testament Commandments” either directly by Him or by His Direct Apostles only as it is Written in Bible Verses
“… If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I WRITE to you are the COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD. …” (1 Corinthians 14:37, NKJV)
“… that you may be mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and of the COMMANDMENT of us, the APOSTLES OF THE LORD and SAVIOR, …” (2 Peter 3:2, NKJV)
“… 23And then I will declare to them, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU; depart from Me, you who practice LAWLESSNESS!’ 24“Therefore WHOEVER HEARS THESE SAYINGS OF MINE, and DOES THEM, I will liken him to a WISE MAN who BUILT HIS HOUSE ON THE ROCK: …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:23 – 24, NKJV)
3) All Torah is fulfilled in Doing His Love Commands and so nothing is missing
How to Fulfill “all Law (Torah)”?
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
“… Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law (Torah) and the Prophets. …” (Matthew 7:12, NKJV)
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
Yes, even your sins are covered from Judgment if you love:
“… And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “LOVE will COVER a MULTITUDE OF SINS.” …”(1 Peter 4:8, NKJV)
“… Therefore I say to you, HER SINS, which are MANY, ARE FORGIVEN, for SHE LOVED MUCH. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 7:47, NKJV)
4) Example: Christ Commanded to Love our Enemies and not hate them as per the Torah Verse which He Cancelled. This means that the phase “His Words” will “not” pass away refers to the “Love your enemies” part and not the Judgment ‘hate your enemy’ verse below:
“… 19then you shall do to him as he thought to have done to his brother; so you SHALL PUT AWAY THE EVIL FROM AMONG YOU. 20And those who remain shall hear and fear, and hereafter they shall not again commit such evil among you. 21Your eye shall not pity: life shall be for life, EYE FOR EYE, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot. …” (Deuteronomy 19:19 – 21, NKJV)
This Cancellation in full:
“…38“YOU HAVE HEARD THAT IT WAS SAID, ‘An EYE FOR AN EYE and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39But I TELL YOU NOT TO RESIST AN EVIL PERSON. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40If anyone wants to sue you and TAKE AWAY YOUR TUNIC, LET HIM HAVE YOUR CLOAK ALSO. 41And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42GIVE to him who asks you, and from him WHO WANTS TO BORROW from you DO NOT TURN AWAY. 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44[o]But I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, … 47And if you greet your [p]brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:38 – 44, 47, NKJV)
“… Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY WORDS WILL BY NO MEANS PASS AWAY. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:35, NKJV)
Conclusion
Please don’t waste time obeying Torah parts which are Cancelled or the man-made Commandments which are “not” found in any verse especially the ones which lead you to play politics in daily life, work life, family life, friendship, relationship etc. making such love as “insincere” thinking that you’re playing evil out by returning evil subtlety but in reality you are the one played out losing all the rewards according to these Verses even this:
“… Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. …” (1 Peter 3:9, NIV)
Also the phrase “His Words” will not pass away (Matthew 24:35) refers to His Direct “… But I tell you commands …” Especially when it contradicts or cancels the Old Testament Torah’s ‘… you have heard it was said …’ part which is described in some detail in post below:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160207597472784&id=651792783
Please don’t be Deceived.
Peace to you
Light of the World Mystery – Is Christ’s Light in us?
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160842267157784&id=651792783
Christ Used the Phrase “Light of the World” to Identify Himself when He Chose to “not” Judge the ‘women caught in adultery’ & Forgave Freely and told her to ‘sin no more’, Verses:
“… 10When Jesus had raised Himself up [i]and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers [j]of yours? Has no one condemned you?” 11She said, “No one, Lord.”
And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go [k]and sin no more.” 12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” …” (John 8:10 – 12, NKJV)
So following Christ as per the above requires us to forgive others and telling them not to sin anymore to “FOLLOW the LIGHT of THE WORLD Himself”. So any ‘judging of others in the flesh’ is ‘not following Christ’ in this. Also, any not warning of the dangers of sin is also not following Christ in this. So that’s why we leave the Judgment to God but Warn people to stay away from sin but if they do sin, we forgive freely without condemning them (as that’s not our business now on earth but between them & God). For example, that’s why we take “no” sides in human wars and all that no matter who is right because we do “not” struggle with “flesh and blood” (other people in any way) as per Ephesians 6:12 & His Kingdom is not on earth at all (John 18:36) but only after He Returns on a White Horse at the End of the Age (Revelation 19 – 20).
Is there more for this Context of being a ‘light of the world’? Yes as Christ Uses it also in Matthew 5:14 – 16 (His Definition is all that matters). Before that, please consider this related verse & argument:
Another Reason why the Charity Doctrine is Important is because if we don’t do the “good” that “we can” while able (by God’s Measure), we are ‘sinning’ & hence are ‘filling ourselves with darkness’, Verses:
“… Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. …” (James 4:17, NKJV)
So please be careful of Theologies which doesn’t emphasize on “Doing Good Work” but just claims they’re a sinner and so need to do nothing. That’s not true. What is true is that we need to do Good as that’s God’s Will but we are “not” saved by the Good that we do in the same way that we need to strive for holiness even though we are likewise “not” saved by our holiness.
This Sanctification Fills “God’s Light” within us as Christ Himself Reveals in Verses below:
“… Let YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE before men, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in heaven. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:16, NKJV)
Please take note that Christ defines “the LIGHT” in “let YOUR LIGHT SHINE” before men as “YOUR GOOD WORKS”. Can you see it as it is Written in Verse above?
“… 14“YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16Let YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, that they may see YOUR GOOD WORKS and glorify your Father in heaven. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:14 – 16, NKJV)
The “Good Works” Spoken of refer primarily the “Charity Doctrine” as the “Judgment Day” Verses Describe below:
“… 31“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the [c]holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. 33And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. 34Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; 36I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’ 37“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? 38When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? 39Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ 40And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ 41“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels: 42for I was hungry and you gave Me no food; I was thirsty and you gave Me no drink; 43I was a stranger and you did not take Me in, naked and you did not clothe Me, sick and in prison and you did not visit Me.’ 44“Then they also will answer [d]Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’ 45Then He will answer them, saying, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.’ 46And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31 – 46, NKJV)
Conversions without the “Charity Doctrine” is like political groups (in a religious setting) where they ‘hate’ the other groups thinking that they’re more righteous than the others & are try to ‘save themselves with prosperity’ instead of the “Renunciation” Doctrine Taught in Verses below:
“… So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 14:33, NASB)
Christ Himself Warned against such a Christianity as His Example of “Remember Lot’s Wife” points to this Point too as discussed next:
“… 32Remember Lot’s wife. 33Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 17:32 – 33, NKJV)
Background: Blessed Righteous Lot did “not” fit it with the People of Sodom who did “not” care about the poor and were busy in seeking and enjoying prosperity and other sins. Verses:
“… Look, this was the iniquity of your sister SODOM: She and her daughter had PRIDE, FULLNESS OF FOOD, and ABUNDANCE OF IDLENESS; NEITHER did she strengthen the hand of the POOR and NEEDY. …” (Ezekiel 16:49, NKJV)
Righteous Lot was different especially since he practiced both “Hospitality and Godliness” which are the opposite of the “sins of Sodom” revealed in Ezekiel 16:49 above.
“… On account of his HOSPITALITY AND GODLINESS, LOT WAS SAVED out of Sodom when all the country around him was punished by means of fire and brimstone, the Lord thus making it manifest that He does not forsake those who hope in Him, but gives up those who depart from Him to punishment and torture. For Lot’s wife, who went forth with him, being of a different mind from himself and not continuing in agreement with him [as to the command which had been given them], was made an example of, so as to be a pillar of salt to this day. This was done that all might know that those who are of a double mind, and who distrust the power of God, bring down judgment on themselves, and become a sign to all succeeding generations. …” ” – Blessed St. Clement of Rome, an Apostolic Father being a direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. Peter (c.35 AD – c. 99 AD, 1 Clement, Chapter 11)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/1clement-roberts.html
For the “Love of God” which is “Greater than faith” itself is only Found in those sharing “this world’s Goods” too as per Verses below:
“… And now abide FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three; but the GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. … ” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV)
“… 29JESUS answered him, “The [k]first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [l]This is the first commandment. 31And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.” …” (Mark 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
Yes, you cannot fulfill the Greatest Command to Love God via worship, prayer etc. if you “hate your enemies” and all that because the First Greatest Commandment is only Fulfilled by the measure we Fulfill the Second Greatest Commandment to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (and not kill your unbelieving neighbors or play human politics in business & economics to play them out), Verses:
“… And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:33, NKJV)
“… . 43“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44[o]But I SAY TO YOU, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, … 47And if you greet your [p]brethren only, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS? …” (Matthew 5:39 – 44, 47, NKJV)
or Blessed Luke Records some further details of this ‘Charity Doctrine’ say of ‘Giving Money’ (or equivalently business / helps/borrow/lend) even toward “enemies” as the phrase “… 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; …” (in Luke 6:35 below) Reveals as follows:
“…27“But I say to you who hear: LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, and pray for those PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU. 29To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30GIVE to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods DO NOT ASK THEM BACK. 31And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32“But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34And if YOU LEND to those from whom you HOPE TO RECEIVE BACK, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35But LOVE YOUR ENEMIES, DO GOOD, AND LEND, [h]HOPING FOR NOTHING IN RETURN; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:27 – 36, NKJV)
How much we “Love God” is Proven in how much we “Love others in Action with this world’s goods”:
“… 20If someone says, “I LOVE GOD,” and HATES HIS BROTHER, HE IS A LIAR; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, [d]how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21And this commandment we have from Him: that HE WHO LOVES GOD MUST LOVE HIS BROTHER ALSO. …” (1 John 4:20 – 21, NKJV)
“… . 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [c]his brother abides in death. 15Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE abiding in him. 16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us NOT LOVE in WORD or in TONGUE, but in DEED and in truth. …” (1 John 3:14 – 18, NKJV)
Here’s a First Christianity Quote Teaching this Same Biblical Truth:
“… The BEGINNING OF LIFE IS FAITH, and THE END IS LOVE. And these two being inseparably connected together, do perfect the man of God; while all other things which are requisite to a holy life follow after them. No man making a profession of faith ought to sin, nor one possessed of love to hate his brother. For He that said, “Thou shalt LOVE THE LORD THY GOD,” said also, “AND THY NEIGHBOUR AS THYSELF.” (Mark 12:30 – 34) Those that profess themselves to be Christ’s are known not only by what they say, but by WHAT THEY PRACTISE. “For the TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT.” (Matthew 7:16 – 23) …” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Longer Epistle to the Ephesians, CHAPTER XIV)
Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-ephesians-longer.html
Peace to you
Holiness, Inheritance in His Kingdom and Eternal Hell or Universalism?
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160833224292784&substory_index=0&id=651792783
1. Holiness/Purity and Inheriting the Kingdom of God
“… 1Therefore be IMITATORS of GOD as dear children. 2And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. 3But fornication and all uncleanness or COVETOUSNESS, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; 4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For [a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor COVETOUS man, who is an idolater, has any INHERITANCE in the KINGDOM of CHRIST and GOD. …” (Ephesians 5:1 – 5, NKJV)
Comment: We preach a little extra emphasis on COVETOUSNESS because the other ‘unclean sins’ are more easily recognized and well preached by others. However, COVETOUSNESS (or ‘love of money/prosperity-focus’) is less preached against and hence it’s more subtle and just as destructive to cause one to “not” inherit the Kingdom of God as per the Warning in Verses above.
2) Can one be Saved but not Inherit the Kingdom of God?
“Possible” but I don’t know for sure, Verses:
“… 19Whoever therefore BREAKS one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called LEAST in the KINGDOM of HEAVEN; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20For I say to you, that unless YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEEDS the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by NO MEANS ENTER the KINGDOM of HEAVEN. …” – KING of the Heavens and the Most Blessed One, LORD of lords, Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19 – 20, NKJV)
The Rest may be Judged First in the Lake of Fire but may be Saved thereafter:
“… 7He who overcomes [d]shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8But the cowardly, [e]unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” …” (Revelation 21:7 – 8, NKJV)
“… And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. …” – apostle John (Revelations 22:17, NKJV)
Where possibly:
The Spirit = God
The Bride = Christians
“who thirsts” = anyone who is not yet reconciled to God (e. g. Those in the Lake of Fire, as Fire makes them thirsty)
Some may be Saved only after the “Lake of Fire” which is revealed on “Judgment Day” only:
“… 13Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for THE DAY [i.e. Judgment Day Context*] shall declare it, because it shall be REVEALED by FIRE; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be SAVED; YET SO AS BY FIRE. …” (1 Corinthians 3:13 – 15, KJV)
*[Emphasis Mine]
However, though Saved, such ones may remain OUTSIDE the Heavens Inheritance as only the River may flow into the OUTSIDE (being “least” in the “Kingdom of Heaven”):
“… 12“And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the [f]Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
14Blessed are those who [g]do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15[h]But OUTSIDE are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie. 16“I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” …” (Revelation 22:14 – 16, NKJV)
The CITY of GOD (or the Heavenly New Jerusalem will descend upon the Earth post-Judgment Day) and only those whose names are in the “Lamb’s Book of Life” may enter into it:
“… 1Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. 2Then I, [a]John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. … 9Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls filled with the seven last plagues came [f]to me and talked with me, saying, “Come, I will show you the [g]bride, the Lamb’s wife.” 10And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the [h]great city, the [i]holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, 11having the glory of God. … 22But I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 23The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine [l]in it, for the [m]glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. 24And the NATIONS [n]of THOSE WHO ARE SAVED shall walk in its light, and the KINGS OF THE EARTH bring their glory and honor [o]into it. 25Its gates shall not be shut at all by day (there shall be no night there). 26And they shall bring the glory and the honor of the nations into [p]it. 27But there shall by no means enter it anything [q]that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. …” (Revelation 21: 1 – 2, 9 – 10, 22 – 27, NKJV)
Comment: It’s possible that these phrases “… And the NATIONS [n]of THOSE WHO ARE SAVED …” and “… the KINGS OF THE EARTH …” may refer to some who are Saved but are ‘not His Bride/Christians’ who are already Saved earlier 1000 years earlier in the First Resurrection (Revelation 20:4 – 6) & can be inferred by the different phrases used to identify them where these are only Saved 1000 years later (Revelation 20:6, John 5:24) on ‘Judgment Day’ (Matthew 25:31 – 46) where God’s Mercy may be shown toward those who have “Done Good” (John 5:28 – 29, Daniel 12:2).
Conclusion
I am not sure 100% whether Christ Centered Universalism is true or Eternal Hell. Throughout Church History, there have been quotes in support of both where Eternal Hell is certainly the overwhelming majority. However as long as some Scripture remains which can point to such a Hope, I keep an open mind about it. Only God Knows.
This is “not” a tolerance of deception or anything like that. This is because a deceiver will be tricked either way whether he believes in Eternal Hell or if he believes in Christ Centered Universalism. How? I
If a deceiver believes in Eternal Hell and only then he is holy, his holiness may not exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees as his loyalty to God is only because he fears punishment. Likewise, if a deceiver believes in Christ Centered Universalism only because so that he can sin more and hope that he can be saved regardless, his claim of Love without Obedience is likewise fake as him. True Christians may be found in either camp as they are going to try to be Holy and Obey the Lord to Love one Another be it whether Eternal Hell is True or if Christ Centered Universalism is True.
I am not sure 100% which is True as First Christianity quotes by some of the best Christians in History (e.g. in quotes at the end) seem to point to such a hope. And so on Judgment Day and into the “Ages to come” (Ephesians 2:7), whichever God Decides, we accept it. We can Ask but let God Decide.
P/S: First Christianity Quotes in Support of Christ Centered Universalism Hope (all of them here do “not” have any Prayer to Virgin Mary except possibly for St. Cyril and St. Athanasius in recorded Church History & thus Protestants may consider these quotes too):
1) St. Augustine of Hippo
St. Augustine of Hippo himself affirms that we may contemplate such a possibility described above as “not Denying Holy Scripture” (and hence we are not heretics) even though he believed in Eternal Hell for the Wicked, to quote:
“… “There are very many in our day, who though not denying the Holy Scriptures, do not believe in endless torments. …” — St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430 A.D.)
Source: https://www.mercyuponall.org/tag/church-fathers/
or
“… Yet even in his wrath–his wrath resting on them–he does not “shut up his mercy.” This is not to put an end to their eternal afflictions, but rather to apply or interpose some little respite in their torments. … Now, if this wrath were all there is in man’s damnation, and even if it were present only in the slightest degree conceivable–still, to be lost out of the Kingdom of God, to be an exile from the City of God, to be estranged from the life of God, to suffer loss of the great abundance of God’s blessings which he has hidden for those who fear him and prepared for those who hope in him240 –this would be a punishment so great that, if it be eternal, no torments that we know could be compared to it, no matter how many ages they continued. …” – Blessed St. Augustine of Hippo, Doctor of the Church, who influenced virtually all of subsequent Western philosophy and Catholic theology, as well as a significant amount of Protestant theology (c. 354 AD – c. 430 AD, Points 112 – 113, CHAPTER XXIX. “The Last Things”, Enchiridion).
Source:
http://www.tertullian.org/fathers/augustine_enchiridion_02_trans.htm
2) St. Gregory of Nyssa
“… Gregory seems to have believed in the universal salvation of all human beings. Gregory argues that when Paul says that God will be “all in all” (1 Cor. 15:28), this means that though some may need long time of purification, eventually “no being will remain outside the number of the saved”[44] and that “no being created by God will fall outside the Kingdom of God”.[45] Due to the unity of human nature in Christ “all, thanks to the union with one another, will be joined in communion with the Good, in Jesus Christ Our Lord”.[46] By his incarnation, death and resurrection Christ achieves “the common salvation of human nature”. … Gregory also described God’s work this way: “His [God’s] end is one, and one only; it is this: when the complete whole of our race shall have been perfected from the first man to the last—some having at once in this life been cleansed from evil, others having afterwards in the necessary periods been healed by the Fire, others having in their life here been unconscious equally of good and of evil—to offer to every one of us participation in the blessings which are in Him, which, the Scripture tells us, ‘eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,’ nor thought ever reached.” …In the Life of Moses, Gregory writes that just as the darkness left the Egyptians after three days, perhaps redemption [ἀποκατάστασις] will be extended to those suffering in hell [γέεννα].[55] This salvation may not only extend to humans; following Origen, there are passages where he seems to suggest (albeit through the voice of Macrina*) that even the demons will have a place in Christ’s “world of goodness”.[56] Gregory’s interpretations of 1 Corinthians 15:28 (“And when all things shall be subdued unto him …”) and Philippians 2:10 (“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth”) support this understanding of his theology. Furthermore, in the next chapter (ch. XXXVI), Gregory says that those who are purified from evil will be admitted into the “heavenly company”.
Source:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_of_Nyssa
*St. Macrina the Blessed was his sister while his brother is more of the famous sibling these days who is non other than St. Basil the Great.
or
“… When he has quitted his body and the difference between virtue and vice is known he cannot approach God till the purging fire shall have cleansed the stains with which his soul was infested. That same fire in others will cancel the corruption of matter, and the propensity to evil…” – Blessed St. Gregory of Nyssa, of whom four hundred years after his death, the Seventh Ecumenical Council gave him the one and only title which it has given to theologians in the Church, naming him “father of fathers”, Sermon on the Dead, PG 13:445,448 (ante A.D. 394).
Source:
www.scripturecatholic.com/purgatory/amp/
3) St. Cyril of Alexandria
“… What occasion will we still have for weeping? On the contrary, will not what has happened to us, thanks to the Savior, cause us boundless rejoicing? He it was Who showed the way of salvation not only to us, but also went as herald to the once disobedient spirits of the underworld, as Peter says (1 Pet. 3:19-20). For it would not have done for His loving-kindness to be shown only to some; the manifestation of the gift had to extended to all of nature. For He spoke opportunely through the Prophets, “One part shall be rained upon, and the part on which I shall not rain shall be dried up.” (Amos 4:7) But the word which befits the Savior is: “Come to me, all you who labor and are weary, and I will give you rest.” (Mt. 11:28) Having proclaimed His message, then, to the spirits in the underworld and having said to those in fetters, “Come forth!” and to those in darkness, “Show yourselves!” (cf. Isa. 49:9) He raised up the temple of Himself in three days, (cf. Jn. 2:19) and renewed for nature even the ascent into heaven, presenting Himelf to the Father as a kind of first-fruits of humanity, having endowed those on earth with a share of the Spirit as a pledge of grace. (cf. 2 Cor. 5:5) (Festal Letter 2.8) …” …” – Blessed St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, Titles: The Pillar of Faith; Seal of all the Fathers; Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church (c. 376 AD – c. 444 AD)
Source:
https://classicalchristianity.com/category/holyfathers/post-mortem/
4) St. Athanasius the Great
“… For since from man it was that death prevailed over men, for this cause conversely, by the Word of God being made man has come about the DESTRUCTION of DEATH and the RESURRECTION of LIFE; as the man which bore Christ230 saith: “For231 since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as IN ADAM ALL DIE, so also IN CHRIST shall ALL be MADE ALIVE :” and so forth. For NO LONGER now do WE DIE as SUBJECT to CONDEMNATION; but as MEN who rise from the dead WE AWAIT the GENERAL RESURRECTION of ALL, “which232 42in its OWN TIMES He shall SHOW,” even God, Who has also wrought it, and bestowed it upon us… ” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor, Coptic Pope (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Points 10.5 , ‘On the Incarnation’)
Source – Section 10: https://ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf204/npnf204.vii.ii.x.html
or
“… The Divine grace variously distributed… Further also, when the word is sown, it does not yield a uniform produce of fruit in this human life, but one various and rich ; for it bringeth forth, some an hundred j^nd some Matt.] 3, 8. sixty, and some thirty 7 , as the Saviour teaches — that Sower of grace, and Bestower of the Spirit … Nor is the grace confined to the perfect alone; but it is sent down also among those who occupy the middle and the third ranks, so that He might RESCUE ALL MEN GENERALLY to SALVATION…” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor, Coptic Pope (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Festal Letter 70 – 71)
Source:
https://archive.org/stream/FestalEpistlesOfStAthanasiusEnglishTranslation/The_festal_epistles_of_S_Athanasius_Engl-Transl_djvu.txt
or
“… And if a man has gone down even to Hades, and stands awestruck before the heroes who have descended thither, regarding them as gods, still he may see the fact of Christ’s resurrection and His victory over death, and reason from it that, of all these, He alone is very Lord and God.
For the Lord touched all parts of creation, and freed and undeceived them all from every deceit. As St. Paul says, “Having put off from Himself the principalities and the powers, He triumphed on the cross,” so that no one could possibly be any longer deceived, but everywhere might find the very Word of God. For thus man, enclosed on every side by the works of creation and everywhere—in heaven, in Hades, in men and on the earth, beholding the unfolded Godhead of the Word, is no longer deceived concerning God, but worships Christ alone, and through Him rightly knows the Father. …” – Blessed St. Athanasius the Great, the Father of Orthodoxy, Patriarch of Alexandria and Champion of Trinity, Doctor of the Church and Confessor, Coptic Pope (c. 296 AD – c. 373 AD, Ibid, Chapter 7/ Section 45)
Source:
https://salvationforall.org/7_History/4b-alexandria-athanasius.html
5) St. Gregory the Great
“… On a time Saint Gregory went by the market of Rome which is called the market of Trajan, and then he remembered of the justice and other good deeds of Trajan, and how he had been piteous and debonair, and was much sorrowful that he had been a pagan, and he turned to the church of Saint Peter wailing for the horror of the miscreance of Trajan. Then answered a voice from God saying: I have now heard thy prayer, and have spared Trajan from the pain perpetual. …” (The Life of St. Gregory the Pope)
Source https://classicalchristianity.com/2012/02/06/st-gregory-the-dialogist-and-emperor-trajan/
Note: The additional comment in the link above (added by others and not Uttered by God during that Vision/Revelation to Pope St. Gregory the Great but commentators) reads next as follows [Please notice the phrase ‘as some say’ carefully in the below]: “… By this, as some say, the pain perpetual due to Trajan as a miscreant was some deal taken away, but for all that was not he quit from the prison of hell, for the soul may well be in hell and feel there no pain by the mercy of God. …”
The Truth is as Hieromonk Ambrose mentioned earlier, God only said this part to Blessed Pope St. Gregory the Great:
“… Then answered a voice from God saying: I have now heard thy prayer, and have spared Trajan from the pain perpetual. …”
Can you see it? This is exactly what the Final Prophecy of the Salvation from the Lake of Fire as described in the Apocalypse of Peter Prophecy by Lord Jesus Christ after the Righteous (Christians) Pray to Him to save the ‘damned’ from their ‘everlasting punishments’ will be answered eventually & the First Oldest Christian Canon called the Muratorian Canon lists this Book as “Scripture” too as discussed in Previous Posts.
6) St. Hilary of Poitiers
“… [Hence a prevalent tone of hopefulness about the future state of the baptized]; even Sodom and Gomorrah, their punishment in history having satisfied the righteousness of God, shall ultimately be saved 359. Yet God has a perfect, immutable goodness of which human goodness, though real, falls infinitely short, because He is steadfast and we are driven by varying impulses 360 …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, “Hammer of Arians”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, 359 Ib. lxviii. 22, based on St. Matt. x. 15. and 360 Ib. lii. 11, 12.)
Source [via infamous Historian Mr. Philip Schaff]:
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.ii.iii.ii.html#fnf_ii.iii.ii-p249.1
“… 31. What that is must be understood in view of this same hope of our faith. … By their subjection, conceived as already past, is expressed the immutable power of Christ: by their subjection, as future, is signified their consummation at the end of the ages as the result of the fulness of time. … . The abolishing is not the same as the subjecting. … A subjection, on the other hand, which implies obedience and allegiance, is a proof of submission and mutability. 33. So when their authority is abolished, His enemies shall be subjected: and so subjected, that He shall subject them to Himself. … In the subjection of His enemies death is conquered; and, death conquered, life immortal follows. The Apostle tells us also of the special reward attained by this subjection which is made perfect by the subjection of belief: Who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of His glory, according to the works of His power, whereby He is able to subject all things to Himself1286. There is then another subjection, which consists in a transition from one nature to another, for our nature ceases, so far as its present character is concerned, and is subjected to Him, into Whose form it passes. But by ‘ceasing’ is implied not an end of being, but a promotion into something higher. …” – Blessed St. Hilary of Poictiers, the “Athanasius of the West”, Doctor of the Church, The Champion of Trinity in the West (c. 310 AD – c. 368 AD, Book XI ‘On the Trinity’, Selected part of Points 31 – 37, re-emphasized)
Source:(via the Infamous Historian Mr. Philip Schaff):
https://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.ii.v.ii.xi.html
and
“… Your third and last question relates to the passage in the same epistle where the apostle in discussing the resurrection, comes to the words: “for he must reign, till he hath put all things under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him that God may be all in all.” [1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28] I am surprised that you have resolved to question me about this passage when that reverend man, Hilary, bishop of Poictiers, has occupied the eleventh book of his treatise against the Arians with a full examination and explanation of it. Yet I may at least say a few words. The chief stumbling-block in the passage is that the Son is said to be subject to the Father. Now which is the more shameful and humiliating, to be subject to the Father (often a mark of loving devotion as in the psalm “truly my soul is subject unto God”) or to be crucified and made the curse of the cross? For “cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.” If Christ then for our sakes was made a curse that He might deliver us from the curse of the law, are you surprised that lie is also for our sakes subject to the Father to make us too subject to Him as He says in the gospel: “No man cometh unto the Father but by me,” and “I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will DRAW ALL men UNTO ME.” [John 12:32] Christ then is subject to the Father in the faithful; for ALL BELIEVERS, NAY the WHOLE HUMAN RACE, are accounted MEMBERS of HIS BODY. But in UNBELIEVERS, that is in JEWS, HEATHENS, and HERETICS, He is said to be NOT SUBJECT; for these members of His body are NOT SUBJECT to the FAITH. But in the END of the world when ALL HIS MEMBERS shall SEE CHRIST, that is their own body, reigning, THEY ALSO shall be MADE SUBJECT to Christ, that is to their own body, that the whole of Christ’s body may be subject unto God and the Father, and that God may be ALL in ALL [1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28]. He does not say “that the Father may be all in all” but that “God” may be, a title which properly belongs to the Trinity and may be referred not only to the Father but also to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. His meaning therefore is “that HUMANITY may be SUBJECT to the GODHEAD.” By HUMANITY we here intend not that gentleness and kindness which the Greeks call philanthropy but the WHOLE HUMAN RACE Moreover when he says “that God may be all in all,” it is to be taken in this sense. At present our Lord and Saviour is not all in all, but only a part in each of us. For instance He is wisdom in Solomon, generosity in David, patience in Job, knowledge of things to come in Daniel faith in Peter, zeal in Phinehas and Paul, virginity in John, and other virtues in others. But when the end of all things shall come, then shall He be all in all, for then the saints shall severally possess all the virtues and all will possess Christ in His entirety….” – Blessed St. Jerome of the Vulgate, Second Latin Doctor of the Church who did the First Official Translation of the Bible out of Its Original Languages into Latin, Priest, Confessor, Secretary to Pope Damasus I (c. 347 AD – c. 420 AD, Letter LV TO AMANDUS, Point 5, Written about the year 394 A. D.)
Source: http://www.annussacerdotalis.org/clerus/dati/2001-02/17-999999/Lett.html
Note: Though St. Jerome of the Vulgate began to lean toward Eternal-Hell theology of St. Augustine from 395 AD onward, he clearly reveals in the letter above circa 394 AD, “honestly” (a content which probably is “lost” quoting from St. Hilary of Poictiers’ 11th Book regarding the Mystery of Christ Centered Universalism). Please note also that St. Hilary has been dead for almost “30 plus years” at the time St. Jerome writes this letter proving that St. Hilary is certainly a Christ Centered Universalism believer.
7) St. Justin Martyr
“… The command of circumcision, again, bidding [them] always circumcise the children on the eighth day, was a type of the true circumcision, by which we are circumcised from deceit and iniquity through Him who rose from the dead on the first day after the Sabbath, [namely through] our Lord Jesus Christ. For the first day after the Sabbath, remaining the first of all the days, is called, however, the eighth, according to the number of all the days of the cycle, and [yet] remains the first. “Moreover, the prescription that twelve bells be attached to the [robe] of the high priest, which hung down to the feet, was a symbol of the twelve apostles, who depend on the power of Christ, the eternal Priest; and through their voice it is that all the earth has been filled with the glory and grace of God and of His Christ. Wherefore David also says: ‘Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ And Isaiah speaks as if he were personating the apostles, when they say to Christ that they believe not in their own report, but in the power of Him who sent them. And so he says: ‘Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have preached before Him as if [He were] a child, as if a root in a dry ground.’ (And what follows in order of the prophecy already quoted.) But when the passage speaks as from the lips of many, ‘We have preached before Him,’ and adds, ‘as if a child,’ it signifies that the wicked shall become subject to Him, and shall obey His command, and that all shall become as one child. Such a thing as you may witness in the body: although the members are enumerated as many, all are called one, and are a body. For, indeed, a commonwealth and a church, though many individuals in number, are in fact as one, called and addressed by one appellation. And in short, sirs,” said I, “by enumerating all the other appointments of Moses I can demonstrate that they were types, and symbols, and declarations of those things which would happen to Christ, of those who it was foreknown were to believe in Him, and of those things which would also be done by Christ Himself. But since what I have now enumerated appears to me to be sufficient, I revert again to the order of the discourse.” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr, a Great Early Christian Apologist who is a Foremost Exponent of the Divine Word, who Influenced Virtually all of subsequent Christian philosophy and Catholic theology, Martyr for Christ (c. 100 AD – c. 160 AD, CHAPTER XLI & CHAPTER XLII, ‘Dialogue with Trypho’)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-dialoguetrypho.html
Please also notice ‘carefully’ how Blessed St. Justin Martyr distinguishes the Church as One Body vs the Wicked converted as ‘One Child’ as two different entities as follows:
i) The Wicked becoming Obedient/Subjected – as One Child – The “non-Elect Salvation” as per “all His Enemies” (1 Corinthians 15:25) in the End till God becomes All in All (1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28)
“…We have preached before Him as if [He were] a child, as if a root in a dry ground.’ (And what follows in order of the prophecy already quoted.) But when the passage speaks as from the lips of many, ‘We have preached before Him,’ and adds, ‘as if a child,’ it signifies that the wicked shall become subject to Him, and shall obey His command, and that all shall become as one child … and of those things which would also be done by Christ Himself …” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr
ii) The Church compared as an Analogy to that – The “Elect Salvation”
“… Such a thing as you may witness in the body: although the members are enumerated as many, all are called one, and are a body. For, indeed, a commonwealth and a church, though many individuals in number, are in fact as one, called and addressed by one appellation … of those who it was foreknown were to believe in Him,…” – Blessed St. Justin Martyr
” … And Justin of Neapolis, a man who was not far separated from the apostles either in age or excellence, says that that which is mortal is inherited, but that which is immortal inherits; and that the flesh indeed dies, but the kingdom of heaven lives. …” — From METHODIUS On the Resurrection, in Photius. (Fragment V, St. Justin Martyr’s Lost Writings)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/justinmartyr-fragments.html
Note: Justin of Neapolis = Blessed St. Justin Martyr
8) St. Irenaeous of Lyons
“… Christ, who was called the Son of God before the ages, was manifested in the fulness of time, in order that He might cleanse us through His blood, who were under the power of sin, presenting us as pure sons to His Father, if we yield ourselves obediently to the chastisement of the Spirit. AND IN THE END OF TIME HE SHALL COME TO DO AWAY WITH ALL EVIL, AND TO RECONCILE ALL THINGS [Colossians 1:16,20*], in order that there may be AN END OF ALL IMPURITIES. … ” – Blessed St. Irenaeous, Bishop of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, Fragment XXXIX, FRAGMENTS FROM THE LOST WRITINGS OF IRENAEUS)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-fragments.html
9) Shepherd of Hermas
How is this possible?
Context = Definition of Saved
Saved = Part of the Tower of Repentance = Being His Church /Bride
Not Saved = not His Church = have not Salvation (referring to ‘not’ being part of the First Resurrection Revelation 20:4 – 6 when He Returns, Matthew 7:21 – 23) but may be saved post-Judgment into ‘lower afterlife abodes’ especially if they were ‘sinners’ who participated in the righteous Word before backsliding. Yes, these same rejected unsaved stones are said to be saved in another place more humble eventually, to quote:
“… Do you wish to know who are the others which fell near the waters, but could not be rolled into them? These are they who have heard the word, and wish to be baptized in the name of the Lord; but when the chastity demanded by the truth comes into their recollection, they draw back, and again walk after their own wicked desires.” She finished her exposition of the tower. But I, shameless as I yet was, asked her, “Is repentance possible for all those stones which have been cast away and did not fit into the building of the tower, and will they yet have a place in this tower?” “Repentance,” said she, “is yet possible, but in this tower they cannot find a suitable place. But in another and much inferior place they will be laid, and that, too, only when they have been tortured and completed the days of their sins. And on this account will they be transferred, because they have partaken of the righteous Word. And then only will they be removed from their punishments when the thought of repenting of the evil deeds which they have done has come into their hearts. But if it does not come into their hearts, they will not be saved, on account of the hardness of their heart.” …” – Shepherd of Hermas (Chapter VII, Third Vision, Translated by another Well Known Scholar Mr. Roberts-Donaldson)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/shepherd.html
10) Book of 1Enoch
“… [Chapter 50] 1 And in those days a change shall take place for the holy and elect, And the light of days shall abide upon them, And glory and honour shall turn to the holy, 2 On the day of affliction on which evil shall have been treasured up against the sinners. And the righteous shall be victorious in the name of the Lord of Spirits: And He will cause the others to witness (this) That they may repent And forgo the works of their hands. 3 They shall have no honour through the name of the Lord of Spirits, Yet through His name shall they be saved, And the Lord of Spirits will have compassion on them, For His compassion is great. 4 And He is righteous also in His judgement, And in the presence of His glory unrighteousness also shall not maintain itself: At His judgement the unrepentant shall perish before Him. 5 And from henceforth I will have no mercy on them, saith the Lord of Spirits. …” – Book of 1Enoch (Chapter 50, All Verses 1 – 5)
Source: http://wesley.nnu.edu/index.php?id=2126
Note: This Salvation is granted to “other non-Christians” who witness the Saved Christians being Glorified on Judgment Day for affliction. So this “others” must certainly be the members of the ‘Second Resurrection’ (Revelation 20:7) who are Saved on ‘Judgment Day’ who have “Done Good” Charity Works (as Matthew 25:31 – 46, Revelation 20:11 – 15, John 5:27 – 28 seems to point) who are “Saved without honour” because they didn’t believe in His Name earlier or some else giving a broader hope if this prophecy is true.
11) Sadhu Sundar Singh
Examples of Christ Centered Universalism Quotes by Sadhu Sundar singh
a) Relatively Good Atheists – an Atheist with a Reasonably Good Moral Life may be Saved in the Spirit World even now
“… DEATH OF A PHILOSOPHER … The soul of a German philosopher entered into the world of spirits and saw from afar the incomparable glory of the spiritual world, and the boundless happiness of its people. He was delighted with what he saw, but his stubborn intellectualism stood in the way of his entering into it, and enjoying its happiness. Instead of admitting that it was real, he argued thus with himself, “There is no doubt at all that I see all this, but what proof is there that it has objective existence, and is not some illusion conjured up by my mind? From end to end of all this scene I will apply the tests of logic, philosophy and science, and then only will I be convinced that it has a reality of its own, and is no illusion.” … . I asked one of the angels what the end of this man would be, and he replied “If this man’s life had been altogether bad, then he would at once have joined the spirits of darkness, but he is not without a moral sense, so for a very long time he will wander blindly round in the dim light of the lower parts of the intermediate state, and keep on bumping his philosophical head, until tired of his foolishness, he repents. Then he will be ready to receive the necessary instruction from the angels appointed for that purpose, and, when instructed, will he be fit to enter into the fuller light of God in the higher sphere…” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
Source [Translated by Rev. T. E. Riddle of the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission, Kharar, Punjab, from Urdu into English, c. 1926]:
https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm
b) Relatively Good Non-Christians
A sincerely wrong non-Christian Idolater who has a reasonably sound moral compass may have a chance in the Spirit World even now too if he doesn’t hold too strongly to his false beliefs, to quote:
“… THE MANIFESTATION OF CHRIST … I saw in a vision the spirit of an idolater on reaching the world of spirits begin at once to search for his god. Then the saints said to him, “There is no god here save the One True God, and Christ, who is His manifestation.” At this, the man was a good deal astonished, but being a sincere seeker after truth, he frankly admitted that he had been in error. He eagerly sought to know the correct view of truth, and asked if he might see the Christ. Shortly after this Christ manifested Himself in a dim light to him, and to others who had newly arrived in the world of spirits, because at this stage they could not have endured a full exhibition of His glory, for His glory is so surpassing that even the angels look on Him with difficulty, and cover their faces with their wings (Isaiah 6:9). When He does reveal Himself to any one He takes into account the particular stage of progress to which that soul has attained, so He appears dimly, or in the fuller light of His glory, that the sight of Him may be endured. So, when these spirits saw Christ in this dim but attractive light, they were filled with a joy and peace, which is beyond our power to describe. Bathed in the rays of His life-giving light, and with the waves of His love, which constantly flow out from Him, flowing over them, all their error was washed away. Then with all their hearts, they acknowledged Him as the Truth, and found healing, and, bowing in lowly adoration before Him, thanked and praised Him. And the saints, who had been appointed for their instruction; also rejoiced over them. …” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh
Source [Translated by Rev. T. E. Riddle of the New Zealand Presbyterian Mission, Kharar, Punjab, from Urdu into English, c. 1926]:
https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm
c) Salvation from the Lake of Fire type quotes
(Question #3) Did the Sadhu think there was eternal punishment? — “There was punishment, but it was not eternal…Everyone after this life would be given a fair chance of making good, and attaining to the measure of fullness the soul was capable of. This might sometimes take ages.” – Sadhu Sundar Singh
Few Christians know that Sundar was not afraid to raise his voice in favor of “universalism.” He could never deny to all non-Christians the possibility of entering heaven.
In 1925 Sundar wrote, “If the Divine spark in the soul cannot be destroyed, then we need despair of no sinner… Since God created men to have fellowship with Himself, they cannot for ever be separated from Him… After long wandering, and by devious paths, sinful man will at last return to Him in whose Image he was created; for this is his final destiny.”
Source:
https://www.tentmaker.org/biographies/singh.htm
12) St. Ignatius of Antioch
“… and once more, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will DRAW ALL MEN UNTO ME [John 12:32].” The Word therefore did dwell in flesh, for “Wisdom built herself an house.” The Word raised up again His own temple on the third day, when it had been destroyed by the Jews fighting against Christ. The Word, when His flesh was lifted up, after the manner of the brazen serpent in the wilderness [John 3:14], DREW ALL MEN to Himself for their ETERNAL SALVATION [John 12:32]…” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Epistle to the Smyrnaeans, Chapter II)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-longer.html
“… ” You ought therefore to “hate those that hate God, and to waste away [with grief] on account of His enemies.” I do not mean that you should beat them or persecute them, as do the Gentiles “that know not the Lord and God; ” but that you should regard them as your enemies, and separate yourselves from them, while yet you admonish them, and exhort them to repentance, if it may be they will hear, if it may be they will submit themselves. For our God is a LOVER OF MANKIND, and “WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” [1 Timothy 2:4] Wherefore “He makes His sun to rise upon the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust; ” of whose kindness the Lord, wishing us also to be imitators, says, “Be ye perfect, even as also your Father that is in heaven is perfect.” [Matthew 5:44 – 48]…” – Blessed St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, nicknamed ‘God-Bearing’, An Apostolic Father being the direct Disciple of the Blessed Apostle St. John, Martyr for Christ (c. 35 AD – c. 108 AD, Epistle to the Philadelphians, Chapter III)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-philadelphians-longer.html
Peace to you
Absence of the Charity Doctrine Mystery – Lawless Murder and Hate Theology Dangers
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10160809610297784&id=651792783
The Devil deceives by making people feel that if they hate a person who differs from them, then they’re standing up for God and vice versa. This is a lie because Christ Himself Taught to “love our enemies” including the “evil person” in Matthew 5:43 – 48.
Yes, loving others does “not” mean we are agreeing with their sin as these shallow interpretations falsely accuse those who love their enemies. It means we love them even if they’re wrong to demonstrate that’s how Christ Loves us even when we are wrong too leaving the Judgment part to Him alone. The only Judgment we do which is Written in New Testament Scripture is Warn them of what they’re doing is sin & that God Will Judge them if they don’t repent. But whether they listen or not, we must still continue to love them.
Sound Biblical Doctrine in these Verses teaches us to leave the Judgment part to God while we ought to love them in any way we can. Why? Only then their blood will “not” be required at our hands as believers because being shown the Unconditional Love of God despite their evil deeds, if they don’t repent still, it’s their own fault alone.
However, if we as Christians failed to show that love to them first and if because of that they didn’t want to believe in Christ or Blaspheme Christ because of these murderous theology by some which teach to hate their enemies (via literal wars or even just hate, exclusion or equivalent thinking they are doing a good which unfortunately is “not” Written in any New Testament Verse), they may be held accountable. Please note that the New Testament expulsion verses only apply to so called “Christians” who “live sinfully willingly” and not toward Unbelievers if they do the same sin as 1 Corinthians 5:9 – 13 clearly Defines this Church Rule Context.
And such so called believers have been warned in Verses below to have “no” eternal life, Verses:
“… 12not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [c]his brother abides in death. 15Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE abiding in him. 16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, HOW DOES THE LOVE OF GOD ABIDE IN HIM? 18My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. …” (1 John 3:12 – 18, NKJV)
Please notice carefully the few things from Verses above:
1) Cain hated and murdered his brother Abel because the latter’s actions were “more righteous” than his.
2) Only those who “love the brethren” (regardless of denominations) abide in His Love (because “no” perfect denomination exists having flaws of theology in some way). So please be careful of ‘denominations or Christians’ who claim they are 100% right and condemn other Christians even.
3) The Context of a Murderer is “not” the literal killing but “hate” itself and the example of a ‘hate lifestyle’ warned against in these same Verses as the main context is a “brother” (or so called “believer”) who sees another brother in need but does “not” offer anything from “this world’s goods” (i.e. literal tangible material goods or things) is said to be that murderer with no eternal life because the Verse Asks rhetorically regarding such a one as “how does the Love of God abide in Him”? Can you see how important the Charity Doctrine is in this Verse (Context) itself when these Verses were First Written (hence Primary Context)?
4) The “Love of God” which is the opposite to the “Murderer” with “no eternal life” is evident only in those who practice the CHARITY DOCTRINE as in the Verses above describes them as follows (repeated for careful emphasis):
“… . 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [c]his brother abides in death. 15Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that NO MURDERER HAS ETERNAL LIFE abiding in him. 16By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and sees his brother in nee