Last Updated: 7 October 2021
Gems from Blessed Charles Spurgeon – The Prince of Preachers
Source Post:
1) Charles Spurgeon did “not” believe in any “Charismatic Christianity” especially the ones that ‘claims to hear from God directly’, to quote in his own words next.
Yes, Charles Spurgeon is a little harsh in his words toward those who claim such 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, the Prince of Preachers
Source (found in either link below, official Spurgeon Pages):
or
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-comforter/
Comment: Though Charles Spurgeon spoke so strongly against the CHARISMATIC OR EQUIVALENT PENTECOSTAL TYPE OF MOVEMENT at that time in his famous quote above, he himself being strict in this matter was also used by God to perform “healings and miracles too”:
“… “Yet, no man probably, in England or in America, in this century, has ever healed so many people as did Mr. Spurgeon, although he was not himself a physician and never wrote prescriptions. He felt that there was unexplainable mystery about the whole matter. Yet, he asserted that there was some power connected with prayer which ought to be used when persons were in pain and could be relieved by it.” from “The Life of Charles Haddon Spurgeon” by Russell H. Conwell. …”
Source Post (with more proofs and details):
https://www.healingandrevival.com/BioCHSpurgeon.htm
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:
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.
2) Charles Spurgeon was never officially “Ordained” by any Church nor denomination despite being Christian History’s No. 1 most widely read Preacher
“… Baptists had a long tradition of ORDAINING MINISTERS, for example, but SPURGEON managed to get HIS CHURCH TO OMIT THIS STEP—HE NEVER WAS ORDAINED. He campaigned arduously to do without the customary title, Reverend, and he eventually succeeded in replacing it with Pastor. Spurgeon considered his objections to ordination and the title Reverend as being scripturally based, a constant feature of his theology. … Charles Haddon Spurgeon is HISTORY’S MOST WIDELY READ PREACHER (apart from the biblical ones). Today, there is available MORE MATERIAL written by Spurgeon than by ANY OTHER CHRISTIAN AUTHOR, LIVING OR DEAD. …”
Source Post:
https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/issues/issue-29/what-did-spurgeon-believe.html
3) Charles Spurgeon believed that Preaching in the Holy Spirit did NOT refer to the Charismatic movement’s claims of hearing directly from God (as per his strong words in point 1 earlier) but refers to PREACHING THE WRITTEN BIBLE VERSES ONLY (which comes in strange when we see some preachers ‘sometimes’ preaching their own quotes with “no” Bible Verses Saying that & thinking they are in Spurgeon’s footsteps, what an irony!)
“… So indispensible is this spiritual power in preaching that SPURGEON confided, “IT WERE BETTER TO SPEAK SIX WORDS IN THE POWER OF THE HOLY GHOST than to PREACH SEVENTY YEARS OF SERMONS WITHOUT THE SPIRIT.” May the Lord give the fullness of His Spirit to EVERY PREACHER OF HIS WORD …”
Source Post:
https://www.expositormagazine.org/new-blog/2018/4/11/preaching-in-the-power-of-the-holy-spirit
“… Others, too, judge of their duty by impressions. “If I feel it impressed upon my mind,” says one, “I shall do, it.” Does God command you to do it? This is the proper question. If he does, you should make haste, whether it is impressed upon your mind or not; but if there be no command to that effect, or rather, if it diverges from the line of God’s statutes, and needs apology or explanation, hold your hand, for though you have ten thousand impressions, yet must you never dare to go by them. It is a dangerous thing for us to make the whims of our brain instead of the clear precepts of God, the guide of our moral actions. … Hold fast to the Word of God, and nothing else; whoever he shall be that shall guide you otherwise, close your ears to him. If at any time, through infirmity or weakness, I should teach you anything which is contrary to this Book, cast it from you, hurl it away as chaff is driven from the wheat; if it be mine and not my Master’s, cast it away. Though you love me, though I may have been the means of your conversion to God, think no more of what I say than of the very strangers in the street, if it be not consistent with the teachings of the Most High. Our guide is his written Word, let us keep to this. …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers (Intelligent Obedience (sermon 3263))
Source Post:
http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2005/11/spurgeon-on-private-prophecies-and-new.html?m=1
“… I need scarcely warn any brother here against falling into the delusion that we may have the Spirit so as to become inspired. Yet the members of a certain litigious modern sect need to be warned against this folly. They hold that their meetings are under “the presidency of the Holy Spirit:” concerning which notion I can only say that I have been unable to discover in holy Scripture either the term or the idea. I do find in the New Testament a body of Corinthians eminently gifted, fond of speaking:, and given to party strifes—true representatives of those to whom I allude, but as Paul said of them, “I thank God I baptized none of you,” so also do I thank the Lord that few of that school have ever been found in our midst. …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers (“The Holy Spirit in Connection with Our Ministry” from Lectures to My Students, Vol. 3:..)
Source Post:
http://phillipjohnson.blogspot.com/2005/11/spurgeon-on-private-prophecies-and-new.html?m=1
Truth is not proven by how many Christians support it as even in verse below, God clearly told Prophet Jeremiah to Preach His Commands even though His Own people will reject listening to it:
“… 27“Therefore you shall speak all these words to them, but they will not obey you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. …” (Jeremiah 7:27, NKJV)
4) Charles Spurgeon clearly states that ‘Being Born Again’ has nothing to do with Speaking in Tongues ( as he himself did not practice it & strongly opposed it, point 1 ) but are evidenced by a life of Good Works in the LOVE OF CHRIST (which is the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE in GIVING, SHARING, CARING toward each other & others, included to be better than ‘worldly men’ in ‘relative measure’, implied) even as they may NOT SEE THE SAME POINTS in DOCTRINE, to quote:
“… Does a man say “I am regenerate’? Come, then, sir, what is the difference in you? What life do you lead? Have you a higher object than the ordinary sons of men? Are you swayed by higher motives? Are there diviner impulses pulsing in your soul than those which stir the hearts of worldlings? “for EXCEPT YOUR RIGHTEOUSNESS EXCEED that of the scribes and Pharisees,” the best of worldlings, “you cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” [Matthew 5:19 – 20] If the LOVE OF CHRIST WITHIN DOES NOT MAKE US BETTER than the best of worldly men, we give NO EVIDENCE OF HAVING EXPERIENCED THE RENEWING WORK OF GOD the HOLY GHOST. The heavenly life is very manifest: and it is all the more so from the fact that there are certain signs which always attend and attest the new birth. PERSONS MAY BE BORN AGAIN, and yet THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WITH US IN CERTAIN POINTS OF DOCTRINE; but there are SOME THINGS WHICH ALL THE REGENERATE AGREE ABOUT. For first, every soul that is born again repents of its sin. If a man lives in his sin as he used to do, he must not pretend that he is a twice-born man, or he will mightily deceive himself. If he can look upon sin in the same light as he did before, if he can find pleasure in it, yea, if he does not unfeignedly turn from it with loathing and seek the mercy of God to blot it out, he knows nothing of what regeneration is. Again all the regenerate have faith: they all agree in finding all the sole ground of THEIR HOPE IN THE BLOOD and MERIT OF JESUS. …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers (Every Man’s Necessity, January 1, 1970, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit Volume 25)
Source:
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/every-mans-necessity/#flipbook/
Highlight that Spurgeon clearly mentions that BORN AGAIN PEOPLE may NOT ALL AGREE on the SAME DOCTRINE on some points:
“… PERSONS MAY BE BORN AGAIN, and yet THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE WITH US IN CERTAIN POINTS OF DOCTRINE; but there are SOME THINGS WHICH ALL THE REGENERATE AGREE ABOUT. …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers
Example: Charles Spurgeon was a “Post-Tribulation Rapture believer”, to quote:
Spurgeon sees the Rapture likewise as occuring during the Resurrection of the dead meant for Christians where the dead in Christ Rise First during Christ’s Second Coming. Yes there’s no Christian who is left behind who can be saved after that to join the number of Elect as Spurgeon implies below, to quote:
“… You have a glorious hope concerning those who have FALLEN ASLEEP IN CHRIST, you believe that they are still live, and that, by-and-by, their bodies WILL RISE AGAIN. … We shall have no preference over the saints who are sleeping in Jesus, WE SHALL NOT GO BEFORE THEM, we shall be on a blessed equality with them. … Whatever ideas we have concerning the DETAILS OF CHRIST’S COMING, this summing up of the whole matter is unutterably precious to us: “so shall we ever be with the Lord.” There is no separating Christ and his people. If you are one with him, he will NOT BE IN HEAVEN AND LEAVE YOU BEHIND; nor will he be glorified in the presence of his Father without making you to be partakers of the glory. What joy there is for us in this blessed truth! …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers in the Protestant Camp (Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 4)
Source:
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/spe/1-thessalonians-4.html
And
“… We shall not all die, some will be alive when Christ comes to this earth again; “but we shall all be changed,” if not by the process of death and resurrection, yet by some other means. … Somehow or other, such a change as this must take place before we can enter heaven, for “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God.” …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers in the Protestant Camp (Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:51 – 52)
Source:
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/spe/1-corinthians-15.html
Is Spurgeon going to hear these Denial Verses below even though they did ‘Prophesying, Casting out Demons & other Miracles’ in “His Name”,
(or some Modern Christianity which disagrees with many of Spurgeon’s own words here as someone Chosen of God?), 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! …’” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:20 – 23, NKJV)
The early Church Father Justin Martyr himself told something similar in that Christians can differ in doctrinal points such as Prophecy and still be “PIOUS CHRISTIANS” (not heretics), to quote:
“… I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place [referring to the future Millennial Reign Doctrine], as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise. …” – 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. 100AD – c. 160 AD, Dialogue with Trypho the Jew, Chapter 110)
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millennialism
Last thoughts on this quote:
“… “I have heard many FANATICAL PERSONS say the HOLY SPIRIT REVEALED THIS AND THAT to THEM. Now that is VERY GENERALLY REVEALED NONSENSE. …” – Blessed Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers
Source (found in either link below, official Spurgeon Pages):
or
https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/the-comforter/
If Spurgeon is right, are the modern Christian denominations committing some type of Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit? (Matthew 12:31 – 32)
Or if he is wrong, is he committing the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit?
My personal view: I don’t know and so I choose “not” to judge either way as per Verse below:
“… 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)
If you can discern everything Biblically now you don’t need Judgment Day and the Verse above doesn’t apply to you since you already know it, right?
Peace to you
Charity Doctrine as the Heart of the Gospel
Experiences can be real but that doesn’t prove any theology right as God is Merciful. Also the Highest Way to Follow God is as follows:
1) Obedience is better than Sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22) where “Obedience is following what Christ Said” (John 14:15) and what’s “Written” as “He Commanded” (1 Corinthians 14:37) and that’s the “Great Commission’s Heart where Conversion is just the 1st step” (Matthew 28:20’s ‘… teach them to obey ALL that I COMMANDED YOU …’ as no Christian gets a ‘new way’ as that would be unfair where even if allowed by His Mercy, it’s “sacrifice, not obedience in such instances”).
2) The Greatest Gift is “not” Speaking in “Tongues” but the “…. more excellent way of AGAPE/LOVE of God …” (1 Corinthians 12:30 – 32) which is defined as the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE (1 John 3:16 – 18) as these Verses Reveal when Combined.
Some of the Quoted Verses here as as follows:
“… 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)
“… 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)
Comments:
“… 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)
“… 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)
“… and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. …” (1 Corinthians 13:2, NKJV)
iii) Not all Speak in Tongues so people who claim those who don’t Speak in tongues are not filled with the Holy Spirit may RISK the UNPADONABLE SIN of BLASPHEMY of the HOLY SPIRIT (Matthew 12:32) because this is WHAT the HOLY SPIRIT TAUGHT in the NEW TESTAMENT VERSES below:
“… 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.
“… 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 12:29 – 31, NKJV)
Please don’t be deceived.
Conclusion – Obedience to His Written Word including “His numerous Charity Doctrine Commands” in the “New Testament ” itself is better than ‘Sacrifices without it or based on things WHICH ARE NOT WRITTEN such as PROSPERITY PURSUITS, NEW CHURCH ORDERS not based on the New Testament, PROGRESSIVE REVELATIONS etc.’:
“… 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)
“… 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)
What do these Famous Protestants and Revivalists such as Martin Luther, D. L. Moody, C. H. Spurgeon, John Nelson Darby, Hudson Taylor, and many others have in common?
None of them spoke in tongues.
To quote:
“… From that time onward in the United States, many Pentecostals believe that if you do not speak in tongues, you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. To some this also means that you have not been regenerated. However, I have the full assurance that I was regenerated in 1925, even though I had not spoken in tongues. Likewise, many saints who never spoke in tongues have also been regenerated. D. L. Moody, C. H. Spurgeon, and John Nelson Darby never spoke in tongues. Martin Luther did not speak in tongues either. All these great men, although they did not speak in tongues, were regenerated. Hudson Taylor, the founder of China Inland Mission, also did not speak in tongues, yet you cannot say that he was not regenerated. Many great speakers of the Keswick conventions never spoke in tongues, yet we could not say that they were not regenerated. There is no verse in the Bible which says that if I have not been baptized in the Spirit and have never spoken in tongues, I am not regenerated. …”
Source:
https://www.ministrysamples.org/excerpts/THE-PROBLEM-OF-SPEAKING-IN-TONGUES.HTML
Comment: The author above is sometimes against speaking in tongues but I am open to it if others have such a gift (I am “not” sure but it doesn’t matter at all to me) because those without the gift are still Christians and more important are “His New Testament Commands”.
Peace to you
Even Blessed Martin Luther did NOT Speak in Tongues and here’s what he said, to quote:
“….‘Whoever comes forward, and wants to read, teach, or preach, and yet speaks with tongues, that is, speaks Latin instead of German, or some unknown language, he is to be silent and preach to himself alone. For no one can hear it or understand it, and no one can get any benefit from it. Or if he should speak with tongues, he ought, in addition, to put what he says into German, or interpret it in one way or another, so that the congregation may understand it. ….”- The First Champion of the Protestant Faith, Blessed Martin Luther’s Sermon of the Corinthian texts for his day was in a treatise he published in 1525 against Andreas Bodenstein von Carlstadt where Luther accused Carlstadt of misunderstanding the expression “speaking with tongues.
Source:
https://beggarsallreformation.blogspot.com/2006/09/luther-spoke-in-tongues.html
In NONE of the Parables of Christ we see Him point to a faithful servant as someone who Speaks in Tongues as a requirement but plenty of Christ’s Parables Speak of the Charity Doctrine as the Requirement for Eternal Life (e.g. Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:25 – 37) and even the “Judgment Day Sheep vs Goat” Verses too (Matthew 25:31 – 46).
Peace to you
Mystery in the Parables of Christ – Who is a Believer?
“… Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:45, NKJV)
Modern Adaptation (not real, just for a thought when someone doesn’t understand a theologian’s full position accurately quoting him halfway):
“… Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Martin Luther, in whom you trust. …”
To quote from a nice article in link below:
“… The Parable of the Final Judgment (Matthew 25:31 – 46)
In this parable Jesus gives us the amazing idea that whatever we do to help people in need, we do for Jesus, Himself! Conversely, when we fail to help those in need, we also fail in our duty to Jesus.
Jesus makes it crystal clear that unselfish acts of charity are a requirement for salvation. Works of kindness for anyone in need are the true evidence of our faith.
Some Christians feel uneasy about this parable because they have been taught that salvation is by faith alone, not by good works. As a result, there have been a number of alternate interpretations proposed which restrict the meaning of “all the nations” or “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” such that there is no requirement to help anyone alive today.
The doctrine of salvation by faith alone originated with Martin Luther (1483-1546), a Catholic monk and professor of Scripture at the University of Wittenberg in Germany. Luther taught that we can be justified (made acceptable to God) only by faith.
But Luther did not deny the importance of good works. He wrote, “For grace and faith are infused apart from our work, and when they are infused, then the works follow.” In other words, when one is saved by the grace of God, he or she will practice good works as a result of that transformation.
Most Christian churches of today, both Catholic and Protestant, believe that faith and good works are inseparable aspects of salvation. Many churches, following the lead of Luther, teach that salvation is by faith alone, but good works follow as the necessary result and evidence of that salvation.
In his commentary on this parable, Presbyterian pastor James Montgomery Boice writes,
Does this mean that we are saved by works after all? Does it mean that the theology of the reformation is wrong? No, but it is a statement of the necessity of works following faith – if we are truly regenerate. … We are not justified by works. But if we do not have works, we are not justified. We are not Christians. (Boice, p. 204)
So, there is no real conflict between mainstream Christian beliefs and the plain meaning of this parable. A person who has truly experienced God’s saving grace will willingly, unselfishly and joyously do what he or she can to help others in need.
Different people have different amounts of wealth and different abilities to help others. It does not matter that some people do more than others. It does matter that we diligently do what we can (Luke 12:48).
Related verses: Leviticus 19:9-10, 25:35, Deuteronomy 14:28-29, Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Isaiah 58:6-7, Psalms 41:1-3, Proverbs 11:25, 14:21, 19:17, 22:9, 28:27, Isaiah 58:10-11, Matthew 5:42, 6:1-4, 19:21, Luke 3:10-11, 6:38, 11:41, 12:33-34, 21:1-4, Acts 20:35, Romans 12:6-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 13:1-13, 2 Corinthians 9:6-7, Galatians 2:10, 1 Timothy 5:16, 6:17-19, Hebrews 13:3, 13:16, James 1:27, 2:2-9, 2:15-16, 1 John 3:17-18 …”
Source:
https://www.christianbiblereference.org/jparable.htm
Peace to you
UnSolved Mystery – Possible Hope for Charity Doctrine Practicing non-Christians or Unbelievers
“… Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:24, NKJV)
The above is not the opinion of that Servant but also that is affirmed by the Lord in that “He Reaps where He has not Sowed too” where Sowing may refer to the “Sowing of the Gospel Seed” in Verse below:
“… But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. …” (Matthew 25:26, NKJV)
“… Also, by this which this servant dared to say, “Thou reapest where thou sowedst not,” we understand that the Lord accepts the good life of the Gentiles and of the Philosophers. …” – 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)
Source [ Patristic Bible Commentary, Catena Aurea, Matthew 25:14 – 30, P. 853 ]:
Conclusion
I’m “not” 100% sure if this is the correct interpretation but St. Jerome records it clearly in his quote above but if true, this could mean “unbelievers or non-Christians” who practiced the “Charity Doctrine” may be saved on the ‘Salvation on Judgment Day’ (which is 1000 years after the First Resurrection Christian Salvation first, Revelation 20:4 – 6 compare with Revelation 20:11 – 15 which only occurs after the 1000 years are finished according to Revelation 205’s “… 5(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection …” (NIV))
These Judgment Day verses below may specifically describe such “unbelievers” (or “Surprised Sheep”) who did the “Charity Doctrine” toward “the LEAST of Christ’s Brothers and Sisters” (referring to Christians according to His Definition in Matthew 12:49) which can only refer to mortal Jews during the Millennial Reign (Isaiah 65:20, Revelation 20:4 – 6).
Example: Those who economically and racially play out Christians may go into the “Everlasting Fire” as someone remarked, ‘… If someone without the Charity Doctrine is cast into Eternal Hell, what’s the Big Deal as he didn’t share nor care? (by relative measure*) …’
“… 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)
*Relative Measure means the “poor , blind, maimed” (those disadvantaged in life financially or physically who couldn’t do all these) may be shown mercy likewise according to Christ’s Mysterious Words below too during this timeline, Verses:
“… 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.’ ” …” (Luke 14:21 – 24, NKJV)
Please notice the word “Poor”, “maimed” and “lame” in Verses above where Christ Spoke this Parable just after asking a Rich Pharisee to “Give Food” to the “Poor” to be “Repaid at the Resurrection of the Just”, Verses:
“…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)
Only God Knows if these interpretations are true but regardless the CHARITY DOCTRINE is at the HEART of the GOSPEL and GOD’s JUDGMENT as CHRIST HIMSELF SPEAKS in these “Bible Verses as it is Written”.
Peace to you
Please be careful of Christianity which does NOT have the Charity Doctrine – Mystery of Who Fears God?
“… 34Then PETER opened his mouth and said: “In TRUTH I perceive that GOD shows no partiality. 35But in EVERY NATION WHOEVER FEARS HIM and WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS is ACCEPTED BY HIM. …” (Acts 10:34 – 35, NKJV)
Note: The usage of “God” here is in general as Apostle St. Peter is speaking of ‘people who have never heard of the Gospel nor of Christ too’ (Context here in reply to Cornelius).
So let God Alone Decide how far He Accepts or not but regardless it shows how important the Charity Doctrine Acts are for Righteousness as discussed next agreeing even with “Judgment Day” Verses likewise which are all Charity Doctrine Acts only of what we did when the least were “… Hungry, Naked, Thirsty, Homeless …” according to the Relative Measure given (Matthew 25:31 – 46, Luke 12:46 – 48, Luke 21:1 – 4). Example of a possible Subcase for this Acceptance for those who ‘never heard of the Gospel/Law’ even:
“… 14for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, 15who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) 16in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. …” (Romans 2:14 – 16, NKJV)
Which “work of righteousness” does the BIBLE specifically point to that “Cornelius did” (in this Context, the other definitions are possible but this DEFINITION OF FEARING GOD is FIRST as IT IS WRITTEN)?
(The Bible Writes it in order above), Verses:
“… 1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [a]Regiment, 2a devout man and one who FEARED GOD with all his household, who GAVE ALMS GENEROUSLY to the people, and PRAYED to GOD ALWAYS. 3About [c]the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and YOUR ALMS [Charity] have come up for a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He[d] will tell you what you must do.” 7And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 30So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and YOUR ALMS [Charitable Giving] are remembered in the sight of God. …” (Acts 10:1 – 8, 30 – 31, NKJV)
P/S: The one who “Fears God” but “does “not” do “righteousness” is not accepted by Him, as the Lord Remarked:
“… 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. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was [j]founded on the rock. 49But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it [k]fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 49, NKJV)
Note: Christ Commanded the “Charity Doctrine” (the word “Alms/Charity” in Verse below and so please be careful of any Christianity which Ignores Christ’s Command in this):
“… [ 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)
God Himself Said in the Old Testament that KNOWING HIM is CHIEFLY via the CHARITY DOCTRINE in Verses below so clearly as ‘it is Written’:
“… 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. …” (Jeremiah 22:15 – 17, NASB)
Peace to you
Which Direction is Perfect Christianity?
Charity according to what you are given as relative measure Counts as the poor widow only had two coins which may not have fed any (or a person or two, in Luke 21:1 – 4) but she gave the most Christ Says indicating that He is “not” looking at the Results but relative to what we have, how we give ourselves for Charity to do Gospel Works (1 Corinthians 9:14 – 15, 18) to Helping others (Matthew 10:8). That’s the Charity Doctrine (Acts 2:44 – 45, Acts 4:32) for Eternal Life especially toward those who have earthly goods (1 John 3:16 – 18, Romans 2:7, 1 Timothy 6:17 – 20).
This makes the race of faith fair for everyone. Please remember that Judgment Day Verses only Speak of Charity (in Matthew 25:31 – 46), the phrase Treasure in Heavens has only been given for Charity (Luke 12:31 – 35) and Charity has been the only thing Christ has Said which can “Clean All” (both inward and outward Sanctification in Luke 11:39 – 41). We know that this is the highest Way to follow Christ because He Himself Said that the “Perfect” Way to Follow Him includes the Charity Doctrine Aspect of “… Sell what you have and give to the Poor …” (in Matthew 19:21 – 24) which was Contrasted to the “Basic type of following Christ which just keeps the other Commandments without Charity Doctrine for Eternal Life” (in Matthew 19:16 – 20) as Christ Repeated it in Essence in the Parable of the Good Samaritan as the answer to “how to Love God and your neighbor” (the two Greatest Commands, Mark 12:29 – 31 ) for “What to do for Eternal Life?” (in Luke 10:25 – 37).
The other aspect of the Charity Doctrine is the Doctrine of Renunciation (Luke 14:33) where these become like the poor to follow Christ Perfectly (highest relative measure, Matthew 19:21 – 24) or have ‘left something significant for Christ be it Wife, Husband, Father, Mother, House, Land, etc. to attain to the “Hundredfold” Reward too (Matthew 19:27 – 30).
A big conversion group could be a big thirty-fold type of Christianity unless these aspects are practiced (Matthew 13:8). Yes, Last but not least, in the Book of Revelation, we find one of the highest Hundredfolds mentioned clearly as belonging to a “144 000 Virgin Jewish men”. How many “Virgin Jewish men have converted many people” among the famous in Church History? Whether they are ‘tribulation saints or special Jewish men from all timeline’, one thing is for sure: they have “renounced the World in some way for Christ as they are said specifically to be virgins meaning that “left wife” context of Christ earlier in Matthew 19:27 – 30 can include renouncing marriage for Gospel Work by choosing not to marry too’, as Revelation 14:1 – 5 and Revelation 7:4 – 8 describes them.
No matter how many people we convert we cannot be these “144000 chosen Virgin Jewish Men” who are described to be next in the Throne Room of God Hierarchy where only the Four Living Creatures and the 24 Elders are there and only they can sing a New Song to God as they are soooo special that they are the “Firstfruits” of Salvation itself who have the privilege of “… Following the Lamb wherever He goes …” (This is their reward for “Perfect Renunciation of everything and having God only in their heart” as the Renunciation of Women being Virgin & Unmarried clearly shows this aspect) as these Verses Describe them as Christ’s Favourite as follows: “… 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 14:3 – 4, NKJV).
Please notice carefully many of these New Testament Verses are all directly by Christ Himself and so it’s best to Preach and try to practice (despite our selfishness and weaknesses) what Christ Directly Taught most which is the Charity Doctrine even as Love towards our enemies too (e.g. Luke 6:27 – 36).
Eternal Life and Charity Doctrine Commands Mystery
Question
What did Christ Answer Directly for one to obtain Eternal Life?
Reply
1) When asked about “What to do to inherit Eternal Life?” Christ approved the Rich Man’s reply Keep the Commandments including the Love your neighbor as yourself command which is the Charity Doctrine Command (Matthew 19:16 – 20) and encouraged him toward the “Hundredfold Perfection” which involves heavily on the Charity Doctrine Aspect of “Sell what you have and Give to the Poor” (Matthew 13:8, Matthew 19:21 – 24) and ending it with the affirmation of the “Hundredfold” Reward (mentioned in Matthew 19:29, NKJV) to those who have “Renounced the World for Christ’s Sake” in some way (Matthew 19:27 – 30).
2) When asked “What to do to inherit Eternal Life?” in another instance Christ approved the Reply “Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself” and explained that “Love your neighbor as yourself” is the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle shown by the Good Samaritan (a Samaritan representing someone with imperfect theological understanding) as opposed to the “Priest and Levite” who skipped this Charity Doctrine part though they generally may have kept the other Commandments implying Beautifully that (in Luke 10:25 – 37).
iii) The Good Samaritan attained to Eternal Life which Christ Approves likewise that “…37And he said, “He who SHOWED MERCY on him.” Then JESUS SAID to him, “GO AND DO LIKEWISE.”…” [Luke 10:37 – 38, NKJV)] where some Samaritans were also known to be idolaters or as someone who didn’t know God in Christ’s Own Definition in John 4:22.
Yes, The phrase “…22You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship …” (John 4:22, NKJV) 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).
Conclusion
Whatever the case, the Charity Doctrine Command encompasses the “Two Greatest Commands” and no other Command kept is greater as Christ Himself Said it in Verses next & the verse after it also proves that it fulfills “All Law” and also that “how much we love God” is not proven by other Commands or Sacrifices (such as worshipping, fasting, prayers etc. as Christ nor the apostles never mentioned any of these to “the Greatest Command of Love God”) but Loving God is clearly Spoken with the phrase “Love of God” or equivalent in the Context of “Loving our fellow men more with the Charity Doctrine Commands of Sharing these tangible earthly goods be it secular, needs of spiritual goods” in Verses below:
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
Comment: No other act of Holiness or anything ever is greater as it has never been said to fulfill “all Law” (not some Law).
“… 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)
iii. How much we Love God to fulfill the Greatest Commandment is proven by how much we practice the Charity Doctrine toward our fellow men and it’s equivalent to “Martyrdom” as the phrase “lay down our lives” puts it equal in Verses below
“… 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)
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 …”.
“… 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)
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
Note: If any Protestants think these Quotes have been tampered with by Roman Catholics, how can we even be sure that New Testament Scripture was likewise not tampered with? Also if God let these Catholics to preserve Scripture, He can let them to preserve this quote as well, right? Please note that 2 Clement or other St. Clement of Rome’s writings or those attributed to him do “not” contain any Prayers to Virgin Mary nor the saints or equivalent which gives a stronger indication that Catholics did “not” alter anything even if they don’t believe nor following everything accurately.
We believe that these four things are sufficient for Eternal Life and gives the Greatest Rewards as part of the Doctrine of Sanctification in these New Testament ( also, there are Heavenly Rewards “from God the Father” for these acts but only if it is “done in secret” according to Christ ):
1) Prayer and fasting (e.g. Matthew 6:5 – 6, Isaiah 58:5 – 9)
2) Keeping Holy by not giving in to Temptation (e.g. James 1:12)
3) Charity Doctrine Lifestyle (e.g. Luke 11:39 – 41, Luke 12:31 – 35)
Last but not least, if any other works of faith are Greater than Almsgiving, than why is Judgment Day Verses by CHRIST HIMSELF ONLY SPEAKING OF ALMSGIVING or CHARITY DOCTRINE ACTS of “… When I was hungry, thirsty, naked, homeless etc. …” And our response to that in action only? (Based on Relative Measure of more is given more is required, Luke 12:46 – 48 revealing this as the Will of the Father):
“… 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)
Matthew 25:31 – 46 above itself proves that Almsgiving is better than Prayer and Fasting as 2 Clement’s quote earlier rings as it alone Fulfills the Two Greatest Commands (Mark 12:29 – 31) and “All Law” each time it is done (Galatians 5:14).
Peace to you
Mystery of Foolish Virgins – Not enough Oil in the Lamp as insufficient Good Works by Christ to Church Fathers to Martin Luther’s Quotes
1) It cannot be that all these Church fathers quote and even the First Protestant Blessed Martin Luther’s Quote is Wrong, right?
Martin Luther can err in Doctrine (e.g. regarding prophecy and all that) but to err in interpreting the “Wise vs Foolish Virgin” parable, can one be saved? If can, then we can likewise Preach the same as he did and be saved too, right?
Virginity refers to “Holiness” as everyone agrees and the number “five” refers to most likely Continence or keeping Holy in the “five senses” aspects. Please notice carefully that even the “unsaved five foolish virgins” were also “holy” likewise, can you see it? So the Doctrine of Holiness alone is insufficient for a True Christian.
It seems like the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God ceases to Dwell in Foolish Virgins when they cease to do Good Works or do “not” do sufficient of it as their lamps did “have little oil” (most likely referred to some amount of Good Works) but not enough of it.
Also the ‘earthly transaction’ of ‘go buy oil for yourselves’ (Verse in image too, Matthew 25:8 – 9) proves this Context stronger that this refers to ‘alms and help given to the poor/needy’ (by ‘Relative Measure’, Luke 21:1 – 4 by which the ‘Oil Content is Greater when it is acquired via a Greater toil of Faith with lesser support or equivalent’) as First Christianity has unanimously taught (as even the Roman Catholics & Orthodox persons also maintain teaching the same till today, not changing this Doctrine from the Church Fathers).
2) Christ’s Direct Words regarding “Light” and “Lamp” points only to “Good Works (of the Charity Doctrine Type)”
“… 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)
Comment: 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?
“… 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)
Comment: The Original Bible didn’t come with Chapter and Verse separations and the Verses above clearly quotes the “… 33“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY …” as the key of the heart for the reason “… 34“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35“Be dressed in readiness, and KEEP YOUR LAMPS LIT. …”.
iii) Christ Spoke of the “Eye as the Lamp of the Body” as referring to the Jewish Idiom of “Good Eye” which refers to a “Generous Person” strengthening this Context as He Himself even quotes it in the Context of comparing it to “Serving God or Money” in Verses below ‘in full’:
“… 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)
“… 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 First Christianity Champion Teaches likewise regarding the usage of “unrighteous mammon” (“money”) into “alms/Charity or sharing/equivalent”; yes, who are the “Children of Abraham”?
“… 8. In fine, He calls those the CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM whom He sees to be LABORIOUS IN AIDING and NOURISHING THE POOR. For when Zacchæus said, “Behold, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have done any wrong to any man, I restore fourfold,” JESUS answered and said, “That salvation has this day come to this house, for that he also is a son of Abraham.” [3545, Luke 19:8, 9.] For if Abraham believed in God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness, certainly he who gives alms according to God’s precept believes in God, and he who has the truth of faith maintains the fear of God; moreover, he who maintains the fear of God CONSIDERS GOD IN SHOWING MERCY TO THE POOR. For he labours thus because he believes — because he knows that what is foretold by God’s word is true, and that the Holy Scripture cannot lie — that unfruitful trees, that is, unproductive men, are cut off and cast into the fire, but that the MERCIFUL ARE CALLED INTO THE KINGDOM. He also, in another place, calls laborious and fruitful men faithful; but He denies faith to unfruitful and barren ones, saying, “If ye have NOT BEEN FAITHFUL in the UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, who will commit to you that which is true? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?” [3546, Luke 16:11, 12] …” – Blessed St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, a pre-eminent Latin writer of Western Christianity until Jerome and Augustine, Martyr for Christ (c. 200 AD – c. 258 AD, Point 8, Treatise viii. On Works and Alms)
Source:
https://biblehub.com/library/cyprian/the_treatises_of_cyprian/treatise_viii_on_works_and.htm
Note for Protestants (like me): St. Cyprian does “not” have any Prayers to Virgin Mary nor to the saints or equivalent in his writings.
3) Church Father Quotes also Prove that the “Oil” Speak of “Good Works”
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)
4) A Key Protestant John Wesley the Founder of Methodist Churches also Prophesied an End Time “Prosperity” Gospel Type of Christianity which risks to be unsaved
To quote: From another Combined Christian Source highlighting the Crux Part:
“… How then is it possible that Methodism, that is, the religion of the heart, though it flourishes now as a green bay tree, should continue in this state? For the Methodists in every place grow diligent and frugal; consequently they increase in goods. Hence, they proportionably increase in pride, in the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the pride of life. So, although the form of religion remains, the spirit is swiftly vanishing away (2 Timothy 3:5). Is there no way to prevent this? this continual declension of pure religion? We ought not to forbid people to be diligent and frugal; we must exhort all Christians, to gain all they can, and to save all they can: this is, in effect, to grow rich! What way then, I ask again, can we take that our money may not sink us to the nethermost hell? There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If those who gain all they can, and save all they can, will likewise give all they can, then the more they gain, the more they will grow in grace, and the more treasure they will lay up in heaven,”. …” – Blessed John Wesley, Founder of Methodism
Source: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/kevin-deyoung/the-pastor-and-the-community-mark-dever/
Emphasis: Please notice how Blessed John Wesley’s Prophecy above regarding those who “Deny God’s Power” but have a “Form of Godliness” within Christianity refers not to denying some Pentecostal gifts but rather that it refers to the LACK of the CHARITY DOCTRINE of GIVING MONEY without which he says they may SINK INTO THE NETHERMOST HELL (Luke 12:31 – 35 is referred to indirectly by John Wesley because Christ Spoke of “Give to Charity” & get “Treasure in Heavens” which are the phrases John Wesley is using here):
“… having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! …” (2 Timothy 3:5, NKJV)
“… So, although the FORM OF RELIGION REMAINS, THE SPIRIT IS SWIFTLY VANISHING AWAY (2 Timothy 3:5). Is there no way to prevent this? this continual declension of pure in effect, to grow rich! What way then, I ask again, can we take that OUR MONEY may NOT SINK US to the NETHERMOST HELL? There is one way, and there is no other under heaven. If those who gain all they can, and save all they can, will likewise GIVE ALL THEY CAN, then the more they gain, the more they will GROW IN GRACE …” – Blessed John Wesley, Founder of Methodism
5) The First Protestant Martin Luther’s Quotes on “Oil” as “Good Works”
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’.
So, are all of them wrong and ‘Prosperity Christianity’ right?
If we preach this wrongly and people miss Heaven, would we be in Heaven too?
Which protestant dares to say Martin Luther or John Wesley preached this wrongly or missed preaching the real meaning of this Parable?
Isn’t Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words so clear and points to this meaning likewise as ‘it is Written’ as even Judgment Day Verses (Matthew 25:31 – 46) also likewise Speak of “Charity Doctrine only” in regards to “… When I was Hungry, Thirsty, Homeless … etc…”.
Please also note that Christ Denies an “End Time Christianity” which did “… Prophesying, Miracles including Casting out Demons …” (Matthew 7:20 – 24) and thus it cannot refer to the “Church Fathers” nor to “Martin Luther nor John Wesley”. Can you see it please even with Church History?
Thus the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ is to Preach these quoted Verses as it is Written for which there is no condemnation.
In the end, please don’t forget that it is the “Good Samaritan” with the Charity Doctrine who is saved according to Christ in Luke 10:25 – 37 and not the ‘priests, levite etc who ignored doing this Charity Doctrine though they may have more accurate theological accuracy than this Samaritan’ yes as Christ Himself Said it ‘as it is Written’.
Peace to you
Purpose Driven Life – What are we Created for?
“… 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For 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)
The will of the MOST BLESSED FATHER = Purpose of why we are created = “…. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works …” according to Verses above though we are “not” saved by it.
So we are fulfilling God’s Will and Purpose in our lives when we do “Good Works” and vice versa.
Some Christians think that the “Good Works” referred to in these Verses is ‘… singing songs/ worshipping, prayer etc. …’ which is included in this general definition (true) but for the “Rich Christians” the “Good Works” which is specifically mentioned are these four “Charity Doctrine Acts” of “… 18Let THEM DO GOOD, that they be RICH IN GOOD WORKS, READY TO GIVE, WILLING TO SHARE, …” in the Context of “ETERNAL LIFE”, Verses:
“… 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)
Peace to you
Relative Measure Mystery of the Disciple Tabitha to the Saying of the Desert Fathers of the Church
“… It was revealed to Abba Anthony in his desert that there was one in the city who was his equal. He was a doctor by profession, and whatever he had beyond his needs he gave to the poor and every day he sang the Sanctus with the angels. …” – The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
Source: http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/tag/st-anthony-the-great/
The Work of a “Disciple of Christ” (Tabitha was a True Woman of God):
“… 36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named [i]Tabitha, which is translated [j]Dorcas. This woman was FULL OF GOOD WORKS and CHARITABLE DEEDS which she did. …” (Acts 9:36, NKJV)
She must have had “her oil in her lamps full” with the Power of the Holy Spirit to do these “Good Works/Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” as that’s the End Goal of the “Preaching of the Word of God too for the Salvation Context” according to this famous verse below as well:
“… 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17that the MAN OF GOD may be COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. …” (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17, NKJV)
Peace to you
Revisited Summary – Is Charity Doctrine a must for Salvation?
St. Augustine (in quote in image) clearly refutes a Christian Heresy whilst mentioning the “REDEEMING by ALMS/CHARITY” part of Theology too.
Christian Conversions which are “LAWLESS” are Denied (Matthew 7:20 – 24). Can it refer to those without the Charity Doctrine Focus?
It is possible as focusing on self-prosperity is very dangerous because it doesn’t fulfill the “Love your neighbour as yourself” which fulfills “All Law”.
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
Simple Biblical Logic regarding why the Charity Doctrine is of Utmost Importance: If Loving one’s neighbour fulfills “all Law” and not “some Law”, so ‘breaking it’ causes a ‘proportionate equivalence of BREAKING ALL LAW or LAWLESSNESS’ likewise, right?
Did you know that the only Definition by Christ Himself as to how to fulfill the “Love your neighbour as yourself” is the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25 – 37) which is nothing else than the CHARITY DOCTRINE? In other words, it is Christ Himself Who Defined this “Love your neighbour as yourself” as doing the Charity Doctrine even toward your enemies (e.g. Jew vs Samaritan) by taking care of them for “free” by providing their “needs” in any way.
Can you see it please?
If any Christian couldn’t do the Charity Doctrine (by Relative Measure) of being poor or other reasons, God Knows, let God Deal but the General Principle by Christ’s Direct Words prove that it’s a must for a “True Faith” as discussed next.
Conclusion
Yes, perhaps that’s why Christ Mysteriously Echoed the Answer to the Question “…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 notice that this Answer (in Luke 10:25 – 37) was by CHRIST HIMSELF directly with “NO INTERPRETATIONS” and it agrees also with HIS OWN MOST BLESSED WORDS again in the JUDGMENT DAY VERSES likewise (in Matthew 25:31 – 46) which are all about CHARITY DOCTRINE ONLY again, quoted below (so Preaching and Doing this is OBEYING CHRIST FOR WHAT HE REQUIRES for ETERNAL LIFE – can you see it please ‘as it is Written’?):
“… 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)
“… 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)
Peace to you
The Scariest Possibility
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161083919307784&id=651792783
“… 4Simon the [b]Cananite, and JUDAS ISCARIOT, WHO ALSO BETRAYED HIM. 5THESE TWELVE JESUS SENT OUT and COMMANDED them, saying:
… 7And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven [c]is at hand.’ 8Heal the sick, [d]cleanse the lepers, [e]raise the dead, cast out demons. …” (Matthew 10:4, 7 – 8, NKJV)
Safe Route Scripturally: I don’t participate in “Signs & Wonders” or if someone Says “… God told me or equivalent …”. Why? Because I cannot be sure either way 100% and so I do “not” judge them to be wrong but at the same time don’t judge them to be right either to avoid any Blasphemies against the Lord or worst still if unchecked, the possible unforgivable Blasphemy against the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God even (Matthew 12:31 – 32, Jeremiah 23:34 – 40). These 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!’ 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)
Please notice carefully that Christ Clearly only “Knows” a Christianity which “Preaches & Does His Commands” (Written Commands as Matthew 7:24 Testifies) and DENIES the PROPHESYING, MIRACLE WORKING, CASTING OUT DEMONS ONE which is Contrasted as being “Lawless” for not “Obeying HIS COMMANDS”. This is why we do “not” nullify any New Testament Commands which are Written especially the Charity Doctrine Verses which are Directly from Christ too (e.g. Luke 12:31 – 35, Luke 10:25 – 37, Matthew 19:21 – 29, Luke 16:9 – 12).
We only Focus on Teaching one to Believe in Christ and “Obey His Commands” (those Written Bible Verses) from the Topic of “Holiness to the Charity Doctrine”.
Source Post for image:
Peace to you
Fasting and Prayer Mystery – It is Best with the Charity Doctrine
Source Post:
Here’s a Brief Explanation please:
1) This Verse below clearly Reveals that “God does NOT listen” to anyone who “does not do the Charity Doctrine to the Poor”:
“… 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor Will also cry himself and not be heard. …” (Proverbs 21:13, NKJV)
2) Please also note that “Fasting” and “Prayer” is the Highest Form of “Prayer” than ‘just praying’ only (Matthew 17:19 – 21) below:
“… 19Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” … 21[f]However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 17:19, 21, NKJV)
But even then, in these set of Verses below, we see clearly that “they fasted (accompanied with Prayer so much)” but yet God NEVER welcomed their “prayer + fasting” one of the chief reasons being because they never Practiced the “Charity Doctrine” as God Himself Declares this clearly 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)
So even Fasting and Prayer is best or most heard when it is with the Charity Doctrine.
Peace to you
Is the Charity Doctrine Really Important?
This Verse clearly Reveals that “God does NOT listen” to anyone who “does not do the Charity Doctrine to the Poor”:
“… 13Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor
Will also cry himself and not be heard. …” (Proverbs 21:13, NKJV)
In Christ’s Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus, we saw that this ignoring in “Hell” takes place after they are dead and the rich man will be Prosperous on earth first (please see Luke 16:19 – 31).
So, doesn’t this Verse also imply that how much we listen to the poor (and try to help them if we can, by “Relative Measure”, Luke 21:1 – 4), that’s how much God is Going to listen to us too especially in the Spirit World as Christ Implied that Meaning in Luke 16:19 – 31’s Rich Man and Lazarus Story and even in the JUDGMENT DAY VERSES also? (Please see Matthew 25:31 – 46).
Peace to you
Led by the Same Spirit Mystery
In the entire New Testament, I couldn’t find the phrase “… WALK IN THE SAME SPIRIT? …” though I could find the phrase “Led by the Spirit” in other Verses except for this one Verse:
“… Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the CHILDREN OUGHT NOT TO LAY UP FOR THE PARENTS, BUT THE PARENTS FOR THE CHILDREN. 15And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved. 16But be that as it may, I DID NOT BURDEN YOU. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17DID I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU by any of those whom I sent to you? 18I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not WALK IN THE SAME SPIRIT? Did we not WALK IN THE SAME STEPS? …” (2 Corinthians 12:14 – 18, NKJV)
So, what’s the difference?
1. For the things signified by the phrase “led by the Spirit”, God can lead one person to do a way and another even to part ways or oppositely as the famous SHARP DISAGREEMENT between Apostles Paul and Barnabas took place (Acts 15:39).
2. But for the things signified by the phrase “… WALK IN THE SAME SPIRIT? …” together with the phrase “… Did we not WALK IN THE SAME STEPS? …” in this same Verse, the Context was FINANCE.
Can you see it?
This means that ‘no alternate option’ exists such as Prosperity Gospel but only the WALK in the SAME STEPS of NO PROSPERITY TYPE of GOSPEL remains but one that fulfills the “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” among all those who are Spirit Led as the Verse here (in 2 Corinthians 12:14 – 18) clearly describes as “it is Written”, right?
How can we claim to “WALK in the SAME STEPS” if we do “Prosperity type of Living with Gospel money” as this Verse Commands the exact opposite Lifestyle to be SPIRIT LED, right?
This Verse is quoted in the only Context of “not” being Burdensome Financially as much as possible which is certainly not true for the Prosperity Gospel where it overly burdens such followers to be overly exhausting the funds first for their personal gain, right? Verses again highlighting this Financial Context/Living clearly for being “Spirit Led”:
“… And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the CHILDREN OUGHT NOT TO LAY UP FOR THE PARENTS, BUT THE PARENTS FOR THE CHILDREN. … I DID NOT BURDEN YOU. … 17DID I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOU by any of those whom I sent to you? 18I urged Titus, and sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not WALK IN THE SAME SPIRIT? Did we not WALK IN THE SAME STEPS? …” (2 Corinthians 12:14 – 18, NKJV)
This same Lifestyle Financially to live out the Charity Doctrine Aspect as the Spirit of the Lord leads each one is not just for pastors/leaders but also any believer as it’s described in Verses below:
“… 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. … “… 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. …” (2 Thessalonians 3:6 – 10, 13 – 14, NKJV)
Please notice that this “COMMAND” (not an option) was given in the “Name of Lord” and Apostle St. Paul clearly declares to keep away from any “Brother” (signifying a Christian) who does “NOT” keep this Command/Tradition. So, doesn’t that imply that we should keep away from any Prosperity Christian or equivalent teachings of no hard work of Working Hard to DO GOOD WORKS but enjoying the Prosperity part for self beyond needs extravagantly?
Nothing wrong in receiving help if one cannot work or become disabled by any circumstance but to be disorderly in this seems to be serious especially since 2 Corinthians 12:14 – 18 earlier uses the words “Led by the SAME SPIRIT” strongly to prove a the FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE part of God’s Workers so clearly, isn’t it?
Regardless, we don’t need to judge those who do it differently but these Verses certainly do “not” favour them by “relative measure” and also the ‘Safe Route Scripturally’ is to obey these New Testament Verses in any little way that we can to be FINANCIALLY INDEPENDENT and PROVIDE FOR OTHERS and DO GOOD WORKS which is the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE.
Peace to you
How do we know whether we are Gaining “Treasures” (Money) from a “Lying Tongue” or not?
Self Check Questions (example):
1. For the money I charge my services, am I giving that level of knowledge/skill level?
2. Did I get the business I don’t deserve just because I bribed or bought alcohol or vices to someone in charge or equivalent?
3. Am I merchandising sinful things which are related to vices and addictions? Example even music that promotes say drunkenness or flirting or equivalent.
4. Am I cheating people by overly pricing things (“middle man deceptions”) though legal but will God Endorse it as Pure by His Standards or consider me “lying”? (“Lying” in this particular aspect to make superior profits is often called ‘business smart’ but it’s certainly not smart in the Eyes of Scripture).
5. If I were exactly the same person with the same skill sets etc. but was of a different race or nationality, would I still be in my position/job by merit? (God Knows, no one can trick Him)
Such Questions may prove whether or not we actually deserve the Treasure or money/Salary that we get or if we are just living a lie due to benefitting from unspoken racial bias or equivalent. This Verse proves it clearly that not always everything is right in this World:
“… 11I 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)
This Verse may Condemn us in the ‘Spirit World’ if so:
Proverbs 21:6 in a few Translations:
New International Version
A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.
New Living Translation
Wealth created by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist and a deadly trap.
English Standard Version
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
Berean Study Bible
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.
King James Bible
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
New King James Version
Getting treasures by a lying tongue Is the fleeting fantasy of those who seek death.
New American Standard Bible
The acquisition of treasures by a lying tongue Is a fleeting vapor, the pursuit of death.
So better to be on the discriminated side than on the discriminating side in any way as that’s the Safe place here Scripturally.
Peace to you
Christ Clearly Teaches that the Prosperity Faith is the Little Faith
Bible Verses (not opinions of men, “as it is Written”):
“… 13Now someone [j]in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.” 14But He said to him, “[k]You there—who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over the two of you?” 15But He said to them, “Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for NOT EVEN when ONE IS AFFLUENT does his life CONSIST OF HIS POSSESSIONS.” … 21 So is he who LAYS UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF, and is NOT RICH TOWARD GOD. … 28Now if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you? YOU OF LITTLE FAITH! 29And DO NOT SEEK what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30For [t]all these things are what the nations of the world [u]eagerly seek; and your Father knows that YOU NEED THESE THINGS.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 12:13 – 15, 21, 31 – 35, NASB)
Can you see it Written in Verses above please?
Conclusion
The “Little Faith” Christ Calls it in Verses above has the following Characteristics:
“… for NOT EVEN when ONE IS AFFLUENT does his life CONSIST OF HIS POSSESSIONS. …” (Luke 12:15)
“… 21 So is he who LAYS UP TREASURE FOR HIMSELF, and is NOT RICH TOWARD GOD …” (Luke 12:21)
“… YOU OF LITTLE FAITH! 29And DO NOT SEEK what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. 30For [t]all these things are what the nations of the world [u]eagerly seek; and your Father knows that YOU NEED THESE THINGS …” (Luke 12:28 – 30)
If CHRIST Says DO NOT SEEK (just like DO NOT MURDER or DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY), then why do we bug Him repeatedly with Prayer SEEKING even these NEEDS worse still even WANTS and PROSPERITY?
“… 31“But SEEK HIS KINGDOM, and THESE THINGS will be ADDED TO YOU. … 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. …” (Luke 12:31, 33 – 35)
It’s clear that this is what Christ Himself calls as BIG FAITH Vs LITTLE FAITH according to whether one lives out the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE Vs HOARDING NEEDS + WANTS for SELF SUSTENANCE in Verses above as this is the only CONTEXT here “as it is Written”.
So whenever we convert many people, we may be only leading them into a “little faith” if “prosperity and claim blessings type of faith is taught” and a much much smaller congregation with “big faith” if they LIVE OUT THE CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE in “Relative Measure” (as the example of the Poor Widow also proves in Luke 21:1 – 4).
Personally, my faith also belongs to the “Little Faith” Category by relative measure but I do “not” deny the Word of God in these Verses and hope to improve a little God Willing to Fulfill His Will in this (as Christ Directly Spoke this and not any man) without which my faith may remain a “little faith” too.
The Command to “not” hoard Treasure/Wealth was not Given to Abraham/Job etc. (Also remembering that they shared heavily too, fulfilling 1 Timothy 6:10) and by “Relative Measure” (as no one else almost was living out a faith like that in their times) but such a COMMAND APPLIES NOW TO THE NEW TESTAMENT TIMES, Verses:
“… 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)
Note: please notice the Words “LAST DAYS” in the phrase “… EAT YOUR FLESH LIKE FIRE. You have HEAPED up TREASURE in the LAST DAYS. …” which proves that if it’s done in the past, it’s not a sin but now it is:
“… 30Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, …” (Acts 17:30, NKJV)
Comment: The phrase “… EAT YOUR FLESH LIKE FIRE …” means they are going to the “Lake of Fire, right?” (Please note that Apostle St. James is writing to WARN the CHRISTIAN RICH and not the unbelieving rich as you can clearly read this context first in the earlier chapters in James even).
Where is the threshold? Only God knows and that’s why He Commanded the Rich to Live out the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE in the Context of INHERITING ETERNAL LIFE in Verses below:
“… COMMAND those who are RICH … Let 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)
The “Faith with Contentment” (for only Clothes and Food, beyond which anything is a bonus & thus must be shared with at least a person, 1 Timothy 6:17 – 19), Acts 2:44 – 46) without which there is NO ONE HEART and ONE SOUL Level of FAITH UNITY is clearly Written as the “True Faith” in Verses below:
“… 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)
“… 32Now the multitude of those who BELIEVED were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL; neither did anyone say that ANY of the THINGS he POSSESSED was HIS OWN, but they had ALL THINGS in COMMON. … 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for ALL who were POSSESSORS of LANDS or HOUSES SOLD them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they DISTRIBUTED to each as ANYONE had NEED. 36And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. …” (Acts 4:32, 34 – 37, NKJV)
An important point in theology is this: Just because we cannot do it, doesn’t mean it’s impossible as these First Christians Lived it. Also no one who loves money admits or realizes that they love money (and that’s why this is hardest to catch even in ourselves but covetousness or ‘Love of money’ is equivalent to idolatry or breaking of the 1st to 2nd Commandments level which can cause us to “not” inherit the Kingdom of God according to Verses below):
“… For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor COVETEOUS man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. …” (Ephesians 5:5, NKJV)
Yes Prophet Habakkuk himself hymns out this Great Faith which doesn’t have even its needs fulfilled as “a Greatest Faith” in Verses below because it’s hardest to have faith in ‘having least’ while it’s easiest to have faith when we have plenty of money, Verses :
“… 17Though the fig tree may not blossom,
Nor fruit be on the vines;
Though the labor of the olive may fail,
And the fields yield no food;
Though the flock may be cut off from the fold,
And there be no herd in the stalls—
18Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation. …” (Habakkuk 3:17 – 18, NKJV)
Peace to you
Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit Possibilities in Theological Arguments and how to avoid it?
Firstly, please be careful of the use of rebuking the “spirit” inside a person as that’s how the Pharisees committed the unforgivable Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit of God (Mark 12:30) Verse 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 12:28 – 30, NKJV)
So please just discuss with “Verses” how our points can be wrong or how you are right “without the need of commenting on the spirit inside a person” as either of us could be wrong (if the Verses Says so) and thus we can at least avoid the Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Regarding Speaking against the “Prosperity Gospel”
We are not judging them as individuals but discussing the errors of the Prosperity Gospel. We are attacking their theology and not them. The names and photos are important (as the photo is not ours but from a “Reformed Classical Protestant Theological page”) as it shows that such a “Prosperity Theology” really exists right now and by Mr. Benny Hinn’s confession video itself (in link in post above, whom you endorse as a man of God) he said that the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God is “Grieved” and “Angry” at this misuse of His Name for the Prosperity Gospel ways. And that’s why we highlight it out of care that the others may please change their theology as they are wasting the giving of many Christians by this theology.
Please find Mr. Benny Hinn’s confessions regarding this in link below:
Thank you
Heart Matter – What Determines our “Eternal Home”?
Please observe carefully the “Bible Verse” in image by “Christ Himself” when He Reveals which “work” factor for “faith” determines one’s “Eternal Home (Dwelling)” namely it’s not prayer, fasting, or other acts etc. mentioned in this Context here (though those can affect heavenly reward) but it’s the “Charity Doctrine” as this must pertain to the “Heavenly Treasure” Verse below too likewise (both ‘by CHRIST HIMSELF’):
“… 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)
Compare Against Living Out the “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” for “Eternal/Unfailing Heavenly Treasure/Home” which is so important because this REVEALS one’s HEART according to CHRIST HIMSELF (that’s the ‘Why’)
“… 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)
Notice that “… SEEK HIS KINGDOM …” is directly tied up to the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle of “…. 3“SELL YOUR POSSESSIONS and GIVE TO CHARITY; …” in these Verses by Christ Himself. So any complete Gospel Message must include it likewise as it affects our “Eternal Home” & “Unfailing Treasure in Heaven” and like it or not, our “HEART” is tied up with it as God in Flesh, Lord Jesus Christ Himself Reveals our heart in this Doctrine as it is Written in these New Testament Verses here as “… 34“For where your treasure is, there YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO. …”.
“… There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD. …” (Proverbs 21:30, NKJV)
‘… You only spend money on the things you Love and that’s why that reveals one’s heart as Christ links “Heart” to the “Charity Doctrine” Likewise…’
Peace to you
Prosperity Gospel Danger – Loss of Reward or Salvation or both?
Let God Decide.
Firstly, notice that this “unjust steward” is a “Christian” as ‘he is a believer/steward’.
However, if any pastor or anyone says that it doesn’t matter what you do with your money and that you will be saved, Christ Says the Opposite in these “Bible Verses”:
“… [1He also said to His disciples ]: “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and an accusation was brought to him that this man was [a]WASTING HIS GOODS. 2So he called him and said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ 3“Then the steward said within himself, ‘What shall I do? For my master is taking the stewardship away from me. I cannot dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4I have resolved what to do, that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5“So he called every one of his master’s debtors to him, and said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6And he said, ‘A hundred [b]measures of oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ So he said, ‘A hundred [c]measures of wheat.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ 8So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. 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 16:1 – 13, NKJV)
In Another Easier English Translation:
“… 1Jesus told this story to his disciples: “There was a certain rich man who had a manager handling his affairs. One day a report came that the manager was wasting his employer’s money. 2So the employer called him in and said, ‘What’s this I hear about you? Get your report in order, because you are going to be fired.’ 3“The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. 4Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ 5“So he invited each person who owed money to his employer to come and discuss the situation. He asked the first one, ‘How much do you owe him?’ 6The man replied, ‘I owe him 800 gallons of olive oil.’ So the manager told him, ‘Take the bill and quickly change it to 400 gallons.a’ 7“‘And how much do you owe my employer?’ he asked the next man. ‘I owe him 1,000 bushels of wheat,’ was the reply. ‘Here,’ the manager said, ‘take the bill and change it to 800 bushels.b’ 8“The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. 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? 13“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 16:1 – 13, NLT)
Conclusion
The Context is: “… WASTING HIS GOODS …” in Luke 16:1 above (i.e. Wasting what God has Given us by not using it to benefit others nor giving it freely and also by using portion of ‘God’s Goods’ for things which are “NOT NEEDS” but “luxury or equivalent”. Can you see it please as it is Written?)
We don’t need anyone to explain a ‘new context’ (including you don’t need me to do that) for these Verses because CHRIST HIMSELD already make it clear that in this Parable ‘what He Means’ (and hence all other opinions to twist it are lies) is USE YOUR WORLDLY MONEY/MAMMON or EARTHLY THINGS TO VBENEFIT OTHERS FREELY as much as possible (which is THE CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE COMMAND by CHRIST HIMSELF) so that we DO NOT WASTE “God’s GOODS” which He has Given us, as these parts of the Verses above ‘Conclude Likewise as it is Written’ (so no ‘true faith exists which can be done against these 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)
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 Word “Aionion” translated as ‘Eternal here (same Word)’ in “EVERLASTING HOME” (Luke 16:9) is used in “Eternal Punishment” vs “Everlasting Life” in Matthew 25:46 as well. So the consequences of missing in this Doctrine are “Eternal”. Are you risking people’s life likewise by not teaching this Doctrine by Christ Himself?
Also, the same phrase “Eternal Home” (Luke 16:9) together with the phrases “… 11Therefore IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN FAITHFUL IN THE UNRIGHTEOUS MAMMON, WHO WILL COMMIT TO YOUR TRUST THE TRUE RICHES? …” (Luke 16:11, NKJV) or “… 11And IF YOU ARE UNTRUSTWORTHY ABOUT WORLDLY WEALTH, who will trust you with the TRUE RICHES OF HEAVEN? …” (Luke 16:11, NLT) indicates either a ‘loss of Salvation’ or ‘Loss of Reward’.
So let us please Preach Responsibly about this Charity Doctrine and let us “not” be deceived against these Verses by CHRIST HIMSELF DIRECTLY as “it is Written”.
Peace to you
Mystery of the Hundredfold Christianity – Which is Biblical Faithfulness?
Comment for Quote Image:
‘… There’s no command to gather in a Church. The early believers gathered in houses and shared everything. They lived together and that’s the “assembling together” Which is Spoken in the Book of Hebrews. So safety is ok as even the apostles ran from one place to another and hid from authorities but at times were caught till it was time for their martyrdom. So, trying to live on is okay as long as it’s to benefit others with the Gospel. The Afghan situation is circumstancial as they’re forced to suffer by persecution and I believe if Christians in other places were forced by their government to die for their faith, they would as well. I admire the Afghan’s Christians’ stand for Martyrdom but it’s out of context to compare with against Church Attendance faithfulness during this COVID 19 Pandemic. And so relative measure settles these points. Also, by staying home and instead of attending Church such Christians are helping to stop the spread of the COVID 19 Virus which say via Church attendance could cause someone else to be infected or be dead due to it which is “not” loving one’s neighbor as oneself. …’.
1) The “Assembling Together” Church Verse
“… 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 – 24, NKJV)
2) The “Assembling Together” Church Verse above is Described in Verses below to include the “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle DAILY and not once in a week meetup where after that, the rich return to their expensive lifestyle without sharing with the poorer Christians within their home. If we cannot afford to do it to many, just do it to one poorer person and you are already fulfilling this Verse and “Relative Measure” (as per the poor Widow’s Giving, Luke 21:1 – 4 may put you pleasing to God in this), Verses:
“… 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)
3) Willing Martyrdom for Christ
The only thing Bible Verses have equated as “EQUAL to LAYING DOWN YOUR LIFE for the GOSPEL” as “CHRIST LAID DOWN HIS LIFE FOR US” is for one to live out the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE by WORKING and PROVIDING for the PHYSICAL NEEDS (and also Spiritual Needs) not by charging a fee from those who receive it but GIVING IT FOR FREE as these “Bible Verses” Seal it as follows:
“… 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)
Please notice carefully THIS LOVE (“Agape/Love of God” which is Greater than Faith itself according to 1 Corinthians 13:13) is DESCRIBED IN ACTION TO BE EQUAL TO “MARTYRDOM” (as the phrase “… OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN …”) Means is nothing else than Living out the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE which is Put as the Answer to the question which follows as “…17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, … let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …”. This is what is Written.
So if anyone was a willing martyr for Christ not out of circumstances forced upon them or not, it would be evident by their earlier lifestyle before any persecution to live out the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE according to what one is given (“Relative Measure”) as these New Testament Bible Verses Confirm as “it is Written”.
Isn’t it Incredible that the “CHARITY DOCTRINE COMMAND” is the only Command which I know in Holy New Testament Scripture which Fulfills both aspects of “… Not forsaking the assembling together …” (Hebrews 10:23 with Acts 2:42 – 27) and of partaking of “Martyrdom Equivalent in … Laying down one’s life for the Brethren by working and providing for other’s physical/material needs …” (1 John 3:16 – 18)? Perhaps that’s why it fulfills “All” Law/Torah for those who Practice this Level of “Love your neighbor as yourself”, Verse:
“… 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)
No man can nullify any Verse. A big congregation may just be a big gathering of a thirty-fold when these Perfection Commands are not practiced as Christ Himself Said in Verses below regarding such a “Renunciation Lifestyle”, Verses (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)
Note: Did you also notice that to attain to the “HUNDREDFOLD” Level of Inheritance of His Kingdom, Christ does “not” point to Number of Converts or all that but only these aspects of Renunciation by Living out the “Leaving” (not Gaining of “Wife, Family, Houses, Lands, etc. WILLINGLY and not by Force” to finance/fulfill some GOSPEL COMMANDS).
Yes, the “Left House” context includes sharing it in Common with other fellow believers turning it into a ‘real Church’ for the benefit or need of others as Acts 2:44 – 46 (quoted earlier clearly describes this) and is clear in Verses below too likewise:
“… 32Now the multitude of those who BELIEVED were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL; neither did anyone say that ANY of the THINGS he POSSESSED was HIS OWN, but they had ALL THINGS in COMMON. … 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for ALL who were POSSESSORS of LANDS or HOUSES SOLD them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they DISTRIBUTED to each as ANYONE had NEED. 36And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. …” (Acts 4:32, 34 – 37, NKJV)
So in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words in Matthew 19:27 – 29 earlier, these are the “Hundredfold” Fruit Christians (Matthew 19:29, Matthew 13:8) who will become “First” in His Kingdom no matter how “last” or small in number they might be on earth because very few can live a Life of Love and Faith to this extent by Relative Measure as He Said the “last shall be First” whilst discussing this Context in Matthew 19:29 as the FIRST CHRISTIANITY example in Acts 2:44 – 46 and Acts 4:32 prove this Same Context True Likewise.
Peace to you
Mystery of Worthless Prayers and Mouth Blessings
Bible 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. 18But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without [f]your works, and I will show you my faith by [g]my works. …”
– Blessed Apostle St. James the Just, First Bishop of Jerusalem (James 2:14 – 18, NKJV)
“… Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” …”
Did you notice that the “Bible” (not me) calls such a “PRAYER or MOUTH BLESSINGS as WORTHLESS as signified by the phrase “… but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? …”
“… 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. …”
Conclusion
Example: If any Christian or denomination or Church is ‘really concerned’ about the ‘plight of Afghan Christians or Persecuted Christians in China or India’, they should do one of the following for if not, I am pretty sure that our prayers have “no” value:
If we have done any of the above in some way, our Prayers have value and vice versa. Blessed are the Churches and Christians that heavily do such Ministry and really keep people alive with literal food + meals etc.
God Says this clearly in the Ancient Verses below which I sometimes call the “Charity Doctrine Prayer”:
“… 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)
Yes “Godliness” (including Holiness + righteous acts) does “not” work nor bear the right fruit if coupled with “faith for money type of false teachings” instead of the Biblical Doctrine of “Contentment”, Verse:
“… 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)
It is very clear in verses above that Faith with Holiness (or Godliness) only works with Contentment. No Love of Money is to be Mixed with Faith and Faith to do Good Works is Primary.
Sickness for Some Christians – Does it even matter?
1) Old Testament Example: Prophet Elisha
Prophet Elisha was Prophet Elijah’s successor who inherited the “double portion Anointing” and did spectacular miracles etc. (e.g. 2 Kings 2:9) but yet he “died of sickness” instead of the ‘peaceful death in sleep’. Strangely though he died of sickness, his ‘dead bones’ when touched another ‘dead man’, that ‘dead man was resurrected to life’, Verses:
“… 14Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die. 20Then Elisha [h]died, and they buried him. And the raiding bands from Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. 21So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet. … (2 Kings 13:14, 20 – 21, NKJV)
2) New Testament Example: Timothy the Evangelist
Timothy the Evangelist was Apostle Paul’s favourite son of the faith whom the Bible Praises many times (e.g. 1 Timothy 1:2, so Timothy’s true faith itself couldn’t heal him from his frequent illness as verses below describe):
“… No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. …” (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV)
So true faith is “contentment”, that is, if you get healing good but if you don’t get healing it doesn’t matter either.
Peace to you
Wicked have no Sickness till Death and die a Peaceful Death Bible Verses
Strangely, these Bible Verses also describe that the “WICKED” have “NO PANGS in their DEATH” meaning they “die peacefully” and “have healthy bodies prior too”, Verses:
“… 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. …” (Psalm 73:3 – 7, NKJV)
So these Verses clearly prove that “having a healthy body or dying in the sleep or without illness” is NOT necessarily a sign that ‘God is with them or healing them’ but rather are “time and chance” order so that “none” can “predict” who is the “RIGHTEOUS Vs WICKED” based on these “OUTWARD LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES” as these Verses further clarify:
“… There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that THERE ARE JUST MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE WICKED; again, THERE ARE WICKED MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE RIGHTEOUS. I said that this also is vanity. …” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, NKJV)
Please notice carefully from Verse above the following:
“… THERE ARE WICKED MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE RIGHTEOUS. …” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, 2nd part)
“… THERE ARE JUST MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE WICKED …” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, 1st part)
Conclusion
Please don’t read people as Righteous Vs Wicked based on “how rich they are” or “how successful they are” or “how healthy they are” or “how many people follow them etc.” as these are based on “Time & Chance” (Probability) so that “no” one can Predict God’s Move as it’s mixed with these Injustice too in the current evil World, Verses:
“… 11I 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)
Regardless of the Situation, the only thing Written for sure we must pursue in this Ecclesiastes book itself for which it is predictable is to DO GOOD WORKS TOWARD OTHERS as long as we can FOR GOD, Verse:
“… I know that NOTHING IS BETTER FOR THEM than to rejoice, and to DO GOOD IN THEIR LIVES, …” (Ecclesiastes 3:12, NKJV)
In the End on Judgment Day, God Rewards the Sufferings of the Righteous Perfectly and so “none of their terrible earthly sufferings is lost but REWARDED GREATLY”, example Verse in Principle:
“… 11Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. 12Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:11 – 12, NKJV)
The ‘opposite surprise’ in ‘Hell’ awaits the Wicked as Christ’s Parable of the “Prosperous Rich Man and Lazarus” also concur on this point perfectly (Luke 16:19 – 31). So please remember to DO GOOD and FULFILL GOD’S WILL in our lives accordingly and don’t harm the righteous.
Peace to you
Substance Abuse – Weed, Drugs and Alcohol Analogy – Will Christians Practicing these inherit the Kingdom?
Some Christians think that being “Drunk” and “being high on weed/drugs” is not that big of a sin but in Verses below we find that “Drunkards” do “not” inherit the Kingdom of God:
“… 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)
Personally I think that “being Drunk” and “being high on drugs/weed” is a similar thing because it gets them “high” and Verses above make it clear that the Most Blessed Holy Spirit of God Rejects such Defilement of the Body which is the Spiritual Temple.
For example please note that “Weed” (a type of drug) and “alcohol” are both from “plants” and their common ground of substance abuse is that it gets those who partake it to “get high”.
Drinking alcohol is allowed in Scripture if it’s a little and not for leisure but say food digestion and even as a “medicine” as per Verse below:
“… No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. …” (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV)
Please note that a “deacon” (lower spiritual position than a bishop) can drink alcohol but “not much” of it as per Verse below:
“… 8Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE, not greedy for money, 9holding the [f]mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. …” (1 Timothy 3:8, NKJV)
Interestingly, in this ‘same chapter’ (same Context), the Bible uses a slightly different phrase from “… NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE …” (Applied to a Deacon) which is contrasted against the phrase “… 3NOT [B]GIVEN TO WINE, …” Which is applied to the “higher” Spiritual Position of a “Bishop” as follows:
“… 2A BISHOP then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3NOT [B]GIVEN TO WINE, not violent, [c]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not [d]covetous; …” (1 Timothy 3:2 – 3, NKJV)
The meaning is clear namely:
It’s clear that the “Spiritually Higher” direction to please God in this direction is to completely abstain from any Alcohol. Timothy was only instructed to give up such a pursuit due to “Medical” reasons for his “illness” which forces him to take Alcohol (“Wine”) for that sole purpose.
This is an Ancient Biblical Wisdom not just for “Spiritual Kings” (as per the position of “Bishop” here) to abstain completely for Alcohol by choice but also something which was applied to “Earthly Biblical Kings of Israel” of the past which unfortunately was not well taken by some of them too as Verse below reveals:
“… It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; …” (Proverbs 31:4, NKJV)
As the Verse Says, this “Alcohol” and “Weed/Drug” habits are certainly “not” for “Kings” and each Christian has a chance to be a “King or a Priest in His Kingdom” (Revelation 5:10, 1:6) and so let us take heed not to lose this “Inheritance of the Kingdom” for a lack of discipline in these areas.
That’s why I am against songs which promote such “Alcoholism or Substance Abuse and Drug/Weed” abuse especially when even so called Christian artists participate in it.
If any Christian disagrees, the best Judgment for them to put where their mouth is would be that their “own sons and daughters” may become “drug addicts and drunkards” which is perfectly fair Judgment since they said “it’s not a big deal”. Can you see it? So if they don’t want their “own children” to have these habits, isn’t it hypocrisy that they sing and teach it to others all for the sake of an applause from the world or to make more money? Such is their fakeness indeed.
Last but not least, if any Christian says that just like little alcohol is allowed, so little amount of weed/drugs can be allowed by God, then in this same Verse (1 Corinthians 6:9 – 11), it’s also mentioned about “murder” and “adultery” too. So is likewise little/few “murders” and “adulteries” allowed by God likewise? Such is the folly of such ungodly arguments. Please don’t be deceived.
Some Christians ask, “… How come you mix with Unbelievers who do the same but keep away from Christians only if they practice these sins …?
Because we strive to Obey the Verses below which teaches to only keep away and don’t greet a “Brother” (so called “Christian”) if he practices any of these sins but if an unbeliever does it, we do NOT JUDGE them at all as God Will JUDGE THOSE OUTSIDE the Church and so we don’t practice any LAWLESS JUDGING against these New Testament Scriptural Command either which is so clear in Verses below:
“… 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)
So please be careful of “Lawless” Christianity both in not speaking against such sin and in judging Unbelievers which is clearly not our business to do as God’s Will.
True Love Warns AGAINST SIN.
A Christianity which does “not” Speak against Sin is a “Lawless Christianity” which risks to be Denied by Christ according to Matthew 7:21 – 24.
Peace to you
The Real Slayer of Faith – Love of Money
Source Post (please click for easier reading):
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10161038859732784/
The strangest faith is “faith to get more money”. No such thing exists in Scripture. The Verse (in image) Says that it causes an automatic “… Erring from the faith …” or “… straying from the faith …” (as some translations render) which doesn’t sound like they’re saved, right? Let God Decide but from Blessed Abraham to Blessed Job, none of them had any “Faith for Money” but were made rich even when they didn’t ask for it and shared & lived the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle extravagantly, example Verses next.
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)
Conclusion
“Love of Money” is Satan’s Trump card.
No matter how hard we sing, pray, bible-read, fast or do other righteous acts, if the “Love of Money” is Within us, we are still “erring/straying from the faith” as this Verse proves:
“… For 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. …” (1 Timothy 6:10, NKJV)
Please remember that some think that they don’t love money but in fact we may actually do. The opposite to “Love of Money” is to “share, do good works, 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)
No wonder Christ Taught this to the Opposite of Loving Money which is “Almsgiving”, 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)
Yes “Godliness” (including Holiness + righteous acts) does “not” work nor bear the right fruit if coupled with “faith for money type of false teachings” instead of the Biblical Doctrine of “Contentment”, Verse:
“… 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)
Yes even the “… Desire to be Rich …” is enough to slay one’s faith as Verses above describe. Please notice the phrase “… Desire to be Rich …” which is different from the “Love of Money” Verse earlier and both are related. Please don’t be deceived as no one can prove a “new faith” against “What is Written in New Testament Scripture”. Indeed, a “few” find it.
Peace to you
Does God Love some more than others?
Yes, God Loves All while they are sinners but He doesn’t love all equally. For being Loved there is a degree. Not all are loved equally as Christ Himself loved disciple John more (John 13:23, probably that’s why he is the only Apostle who never died a Martyr). So God Decides that but the general idea is that He loves those who do His Will more be it Enoch or Paul. Also the “amount we love God back” is proven by how much we “obey His Commandments” according to Christ Himself John 14:15 as “… If you love Me, Keep My Commandments …” (John 14:15).
To quote from another source:
“… Jude exhorts his readers, “Keep yourselves in God’s love” (Jude 21), leaving the unmistakable impression that someone might not keep himself in God’s love. The Lord Jesus commands his disciples to remain in his love (John 15:9), adding: “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love” (John 15:10). …”
Even the thirty-fold, sixty-fold Vs Hundredfold Reward (Matthew 13:8) would “not” make sense if God Loved all Believers equally for if then, all would get the same reward in heaven which is not the case either as there are “least” Vs “greatest” in His Kingdom too according to whether one “did & taught His Commands” as He Himself Declared in Matthew 5:19.
Usually such a Love is toward a one who Loves others the most and hence God’s Love is what he is Reciprocating in his life back toward others. This Biblical Truth is most clearly seen in this Verse which Reads that “… God Loves a Cheerful Giver …” (2 Corinthians 9:7) which also implies that He Loves least those who “don’t give, are stingy, live selfishly for themselves without the Charity Doctrine or equivalent”. For if God Loved the Giving Christian and the Hoarding Prosperity Christian equally, then this Verse in 2 Corinthians 9:7 has no meaning.
Peace to you
Relative Measure Mystery
The “Apostolic Level” of “Relative Measure” in “Faith” is revealed in the Bible Verse below:
“… as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; AS POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH; as HAVING NOTHING, and yet possessing all things. …” – Blessed St. Paul, the Great Apostle of Christ (2 Corinthians 6:10, NKJV)
Comment: The phrase “… AS POOR, YET MAKING MANY RICH; as HAVING NOTHING …” implies the “Relative Measure” that the “Giving of both Gospel things and Earthly Things” is Greatest when it’s free and when the Person giving it receives ‘no Earthly Blessings in return for it’ as the words “… AS POOR … and HAVING NOTHING .. ” means. Mysterious isn’t it as it is Written?
Spiritual Babes Mystery – Which Direction should a Christian Mature toward a Perfection of Faith?
Question
Spiritual babes refer to the poor Christian while Prosperity Christians refer to the most matured Christians among us.
Reply
Spiritual Babes refer to any “imperfect” fulfillment of Faith.
Firstly, the “spiritual babes” Verse refers to these two context only:
i) Those who are still “carnal” (any one of the fleshy sins including love of money) to the one who enjoy associating with certain Christian leaders only such as “I am of Paul/ Apollos” (or “certain denominations only”), Verse:
“… 1And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to BABES in Christ. 2I fed you with MILK and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and [a]behaving like mere men? 4For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? …” (1 Corinthians 3:1 – 4, NKJV)
ii) The Verses below also mention spiritual “milk” (for “babes”) in the Context of newly learning to do “Good Works” too among other things which proves the opposite namely, a “Plenty of Good Works emphasizing Christianity” i.e. the “Charity Doctrine Teaching Christianity” (by relative measure, please remember the poor widow, Luke 21:1 – 4) belongs to a “Matured Christianity” likewise as per Verses below:
“… 1Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, 2as NEWBORN BABES, desire the PURE MILK of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby, 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. … 12having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by YOUR GOOD WORKS which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. …” (1 Peter 2:1 – 3, 12, NKJV)
In Analogy too, a “baby” only thinks of itself and not much about others. Thus a “baby” is the opposite of the “Charity Doctrine” too likewise which is easy to see. Some giving may seem big in amount but in essence it’s very small when compared to ‘how much abundance’ they got first as Christ Himself Measures (and so we must measure likewise too) in Luke 21:1 – 4 regarding the Poor Widow’s Giving (or in Luke 12:46 – 48 as well).
Conclusion – who are the most mature in faith or those closer to the Perfection of Faith?
Christ Demonstrates in Context to a “Rich Young Law Keeping Person who kept all the Torah” (so he is an example of a “prosperity person being rich + keeping All Torah”, in Matthew 19:20) that to be Spiritually “Perfect” it’s in the direction of “Sell all and give to the Poor”, 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, GIVE to the POOR, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, FOLLOW ME.” …” (Matthew 19:20 – 21, NKJV)
Please take note that I have NOT fulfilled this Verse either but the Point of being “Spiritually Mature” (or “perfect” Faith as Christ Calls it here, only His Definition matters) is toward the direction of “… Sell all and Give to the Poor …” and so we mature according to the Level in which to attain to this True Spiritual maturity of Faith likewise.
Peace to you
Sister Wife Mystery – Renunciation of Marriage for the Gospel
Firstly, many translations do “not” translate this Verse in 1 Corinthians 9:5 literally simply because the Greek term “Sister Wife” was a ‘new term’. The KJV almost got it below:
“… Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? …” 1 Corinthians 9:5, KJV)
Source: https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/9-5.htm
The actual Greek here is “Sister Wife” which translators find it difficult and thus they ‘interpret’ it as ‘a sister, a wife’ while most even SKIPP the ACTUAL WORD OF GOD here “SISTER’ and ‘only translate a believing wife’ where the word “believing” does NOT exist in Greek here. Please refer to the “Interlinear” in link above too to see this ‘easily’.
I am not making it up as that’s what is literally Written but since it was a new term by Apostle Paul (because it was a new concept not found in Greek Culture itself but only in Christianity now), Apostle St. Paul actually coined this new term “Sister-Wife” to depict this “Renunciation” as Apostle St. Peter declared that he had left “all” (including wife, house, etc.) to “Follow Christ” in the “Hundredfold” Way in Verses 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)
Apostle St. Peter already renounce even “his wife” as he “left all” (including “his wife”) as per the literal meaning in Verses above as Christ Declares too for the “Hundredfold” Reward (Matthew 13:8, Matthew 19:29). So, it cannot be that these same apostles are said by Apostle Paul to have ‘wife’ again in 1 Corinthians 9:5.
In fact, the fact that Apostle Paul uses the phrase “Sister Wife” instead of the the usual term “his woman/ his Wife” ( as per the usual rendering in Koine Greek elsewhere in the Bible too) signifies that this must be a ‘new meaning/term’ implied. To say “his woman/his wife” would mean that only and no need to add the word sister in front. So the alternate view to take it to mean ‘sister or wife’ prevails in modern Christianity but these early Church father quotes show that the intended meaning was entirely different and means the “Wife who after renounced has no more marital relations but only as a Sister to assist in the Gospel” was actually done as CHURCH HISTORY ultimately proves this meaning, to quote:
“… Allow me to provide a fast-moving kaleidoscope of witnesses to the practice of clerical celibacy during the 3rd, 4th and 5th centuries; time does not allow us to analyze the passages at leisure, but the abundance of prominent witnesses should leave no doubt in our minds that clerical celibacy was so firmly and so universally established at the time, that the Church simply took it for granted that this is how it must be.
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (died ca. 215) believed that Paul was married and took his wife with him during his apostolic ministry. But he believes that Paul must have lived with her as brother and sister, without marital intercourse. Clement says this because he also believed that the other apostles, if they were married, did not have conjugal intercourse with their wives. If the apostles did take a woman with them during their ministry, he states, “women were not treated as wives but as sisters, to serve as interpreters with women whose duties kept them within their homes, and in order that, through these intermediaries, the doctrine of the Lord could penetrate the women’s quarters without the apostles being blamed or unjustly suspected by people of ill will” (GAS 52, 220; Cochini, 80).
AMBROSIASTER (ca. 366-84) reminds us that Christ did not desist from choosing Peter as chief of the apostles just because Peter had a wife and children; in the same manner the Church chooses married men today as priests. But, Ambrosiaster adds, the apostles lived in perfect continence with their wives; following this precedent, he continues, priests today do not have intercourse with their wives (CSEL 50, 414-16; Cochini 82).
ST. AMBROSE (333-397), one of the four “great” doctors of the Church, urged his priests to persevere in perfect chastity: “You who have received the grace of the sacred ministry in an integral body and with an incorruptible purity and who are alien to the conjugal community itself know that the ministry must be immune from offense and stain and must not be subjected to any injuries from possible conjugal relations. …Learn, O priest, O deacon … to present your pure body to the celebration of the mysteries” (PL 16, 104b-5a; Cochini 236).
ST. AUGUSTINE (354-430), another of the great doctors, urged husbands, when separated from their wives by force of circumstances, to live chastely. To encourage them he tells about the members of the clergy who were ordained against their will (inviti), but who kept the rule of chastity thereafter, as imposed on them by ordination. He recalled how Ambrose had been elected suddenly as bishop, and how he himself was made bishop of Hippo. And once ordained the obligation to practice continence followed:
That is why we inspire these men … (and) give them as an example the continence of these clerics who were frequently forced against their wills to carry such a burden. Nevertheless, as soon as they have accepted it, they carry it, faithful to their duty until death. …If a great number of the Lord’s ministers accepted all of a sudden and without warning the yoke imposed on them, in the hope of receiving a more glorious place in Christ’s inheritance, how much more should you avoid adultery and embrace continence, for fear, not of shining less in the Kingdom of God, but of burning in the Gehenna of fire” (CSEL 41, 409; Cochini 289-290).
ISIDORE OF PELUSIUM (died ca. 435) wrote to Deacon Isidore explaining 1 Cor 9:5: If women accompanied the apostles, “it was not in order to procreate children or to lead with them a common life but, in truth, to assist them with their goods, to take care of feeding the heralds of poverty.” If Paul called them sister-women, it is “because by the word ‘sister’ he wanted to show that they were chaste, while describing their nature with the word ‘women'” (PG 78, 865d-68c; Cochini 81). Note here his interpretation of the “sister-woman” passage of 1 Cor 9:5; Paul, says Isidore, used the term to indicate a brother-sister relationship.
I pause here to observe that some contemporary translators use the word wife in this passage. The New Catholic Study Bible, for example, reads like this: “Don’t I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips?” That translation is misleading. Scripture professionals of the early Church beg to differ. Clement of Alexandria (died ca. 215), Tertullian (died ca. 220), Jerome (died ca.420), Isidore of Pelusium (died ca. 435) and others, all state that Paul refers here to a brother-sister relationship (see Cochini 81 ff.).
May I add that if we look at the passage in context, Paul argues here not about conjugal life, but about a right to receive support for his living from the community, by reason of his apostolic work; support which would include meals and other services. He forgoes that right voluntarily, he says, out of a feeling that he wishes to be a burden to no one. The context is not at all about conjugal relations, but about services provided by a “sister-woman,” or if you will, a “sister-wife” (adelphaen gynaika). Today we would call her a housekeeper. A correct translation reveals that Paul refers here to sister-companions or sister-wives of the apostles: if the actual wives of the apostles went with them, they went as sister-women, not as conjugal partners. …”
Source: https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm?recnum=7052
Comment: For those protestants who do not believe Catholic sources, please remember that the Bible itself was preserved by them. So, how can you be sure that they didn’t modify that either?
Conclusion
Apostle St. Paul used it to mean that some of the apostles took their “wives” as “sisters” now (meaning no more marital relationships) but they are brought for the sake of ministering to women only as First Christianity also testifies in quotes above.
Regardless, Christ Spoke of “leaving Wife” for the “Hundredfold” (in Matthew 19:29) and that’s enough for the Context even and Apostle St. Paul also argues likewise that he refrained from taking even a ‘sister wife’ in 1 Corinthians 9:5 to attain to a Greater “Reward” from the Gospel Work proving this Context True regardless as “it is Written”.
Peace to you
Relative Measure – First and Last Mystery
It doesn’t matter what you do as long as you do “your work” (secular or spiritual or even a simple household chore or running errands to help another) for “the Lord” & that’s the Charity Doctrine aspect here where in Sadhu Sundar Singh’s Spiritual Vision (described below), it determined how a ‘common Christian man with secular work only’ exceeded even ‘his own pastor/minister’ in the Heavenly Kingdom (which is perfectly fair as if that man was given the ability to do the pastoral work, he would have exceeded them all likewise for his ‘work with little leisure lifestyle’ to benefit others*), to quote:
“… A minister who looked on himself as an
exceedingly learned and religious man died
at a ripe old age. And without doubt he
was a good man. When the angels came to
take him to the place appointed for him by
the Lord in the world of spirits, they brought
him into the intermediate state, and left him
into whatever grade he has merited by his life
and faith. You are not quite ready yet for
that upper grade, so you will have to remain
here for a while and learn some of the things
that our fellow -workers are appointed to
teach. Then, when the Lord commands us,
we will, with great pleasure, take you with us
to that higher sphere.” He said, ” I have
been teaching people all my life about the
way to reach heaven. What more have I
to learn ? I know all about it.” Then
the instructing angels said, ” They must go
up now, we can’t detain them, but we will
answer your question. My friend, do not
be offended if we speak plainly, for it is for
your good. You think you are alone here,
but the Lord is also here though you cannot
see Him. The pride that you displayed
when you said ‘ I know all about it ‘ prevents
you from seeing Him and from going up
higher. Humility is the cure for this pride.
Practise it and your desire will be granted.” After this one of the angels told him, ” The
man who has just been promoted above you
53 was no learned or famous man. You did not
look at him very carefully. He was a
member of your own congregation. People
hardly knew him at all, for he was an ordinary
working man, and had LITTLE LEISURE FROM HIS WORK. But in his workshop many knew him
as an INDUSTRIOUS and HONEST WORKER. His
Christian character was recognised by all who
came in contact with him. … His
promotion depends, not on favouritism, but
on his spiritual worthiness. His life of
prayer and humility, while he was in the
world, prepared him to a great extent for the
spiritual world. Now he is rejoicing at
having reached his appointed place, and is
thanking and praising the Lord, Who, in His
mercy, has saved him, and given him eternal
life.” …” – Blessed Sadhu Sundar Singh (Visions of the Spirit World, Pages 51 – 53)
Source (in image too):
or
https://archive.org/details/VisionsOfTheSpiritualWorldBySadhuSundarSingh-1926-UploadedBy
Is this Biblical? Yes according to “New Testament Verses” below:
1) Whatever the Work, if you do it for the Lord (be it secular or spiritual), it merits a “heavenly inheritance” equally by relative measure only
“… 23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. …” (Colossians 3:23 – 25, NKJV)
2) This is the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle which Scripture equates it to “martyrdom” or “laying down your life” to those who Practice it
Everybody likes to aim for the Greatest Love because they think it’s about receiving. Truth is, to follow Christ in this aspect of demonstrating the Greatest Love, only this Bible Verse quotes it and explains it in full as follows (both by Blessed Apostle St. John so the Context ties up as well):
“… 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)
Can you see it?
Scripture interpreting Scripture for the equivalent phrases “lay down your life” Speaks of the “Charity Doctrine” toward the “Brethren” by sharing “this world’s goods” literally and tangibly as “living this Greatest Love of All” probably even dying whilst doing so as the case of EPAPHRODITUS reveals in Verses below:
“… 25Yet I considered it necessary to send to you EPAPHRODITUS, MY BROTHER, FELLOW WORKER, and FELLOW SOLDIER, but your messenger and THE ONE WHO MINISTERED TO MY NEED; 26since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27For INDEED HE WAS SICK ALMOST UNTO DEATH; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and HOLD SUCH MEN IN ESTEEM; 30because FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST HE CAME CLOSE TO DEATH, [h]not regarding his life, to SUPPLY WHAT WAS LACKING IN YOUR SERVICE TOWARD ME. …” (Philippians 2:25 – 30, NKJV)
Peace to you
Prosperity is Opposite to Servanthood
How does this Verse apply in our daily work? Is it any type of work?
“… 23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality. …” (Colossians 3:23 – 25, NKJV)
Comment: I looked at a boss and his workers working till night but that’s not fulfilling this Verse unless:
1) The person works hard intentionally for the Lord (which is normally reflected to benefit others as Christ Alone is Perfectly Selfless but we emulate Him in a tiny bit way) and not for Prosperity or luxury.
2) Willing hard work to benefit others as the case of EPAPHRODITUS reveals in Philippians 2:25 – 30.
3) The worker was actually fulfilling this verse because he was actually doing the hard work part of say ‘doing the construction’ (‘hard labour’ while the boss was just aiding the lighter part) and by the end of the day this ‘extra working hours’ meant ‘no extra pay for the worker or probably just a simple extra drink + meal’ while for the boss it meant a ‘few hundreds or few thousands in extra profit.
4) The Boss has a racial/nationality advantage and that’s why he is able to get the business as even if the worker advertised himself, the others won’t contact him directly (as God Knows clearly such unwritten/unsaid racial/nationality bias practices).
5) Working hard when it gives ‘high income for each hour worked’ is not really hard work by relative measure unless that income is significantly given to others or shared with those who suffer financially in principle of Luke 21:1 – 4 too.
6) Working hard for things to give it for free as Christ Said, “freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, 1 Corinthians 9:14 – 15, 18) is what merits the Most Reward of His Kingdom as this Verse Testifies in Principle too and that’s why Judgment Day Verses (Matthew 25:31 – 46) also are all about “Charity Work” only” (as one ‘Gives for free to Charity’, which marks the True Work of Love in Action).
7) The Wicked people use others to work hard for them (calling it ‘work smart’) taking advantage or ‘racial/economic bias or equivalent’ and that’s why if others with the skill advertise themselves they won’t get it but only if it’s with such wicked business flows (unfair control by them having advantage in numbers/economic power first) which is most cursed since it’s the opposite of the “Love your neighbor as yourself” which fulfills all Law (Galatians 5:14) as they discriminate those who they use and this is the key example of “Deceptive Work”:
“… The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. …” (Proverbs 11:18, NKJV)
Elsewhere the Bible calls it the “Prosperity of the Wicked” which leads straight to “Hell” though “no sickness even on earth & even having more than one’s heart could wish”:
“… 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. …” (Psalm 73:3 – 7, NKJV)
So some people condemn the politicians for being like that but actually in their own daily work, by relative measure they are way WORSE in this aspect (God Knows all).
This is the Ultimate Sin of Pride because without “Pride” (within) you cannot treat other humans like that just so that you can be prosperous. God’s Standard is you share as much as you can back to your workers “as you would do to yourself” (as one’s conscience itself will judge them one day).
“… 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)
“… 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.’ … …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:35, 38, 40, NKJV)
iii) Relative Measure 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)
“…. 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. 48But he WHO DID NOT KNOW, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be BEATEN WITH FEW. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 12:47 – 48, NKJV)
Conclusion
Salvation does not depend on our works at all but our Reward in Heaven does where the Work of “Serving” (especially when free) is rewardable most by “Relative Measure” and that’s how God is Fair to All Perfectly toward the Rich vs Poor or Literate vs Illiterate etc.
“… But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:11, NKJV)
This is the “Gold Refined in Fire” which the earthly Prosperous Christian Church of the past did “NOT” have which Christ Counsels to but by “willing life of sacrifice IN WORKS”:
“… 115“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. ’ …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 3:14 – 22, NKJV)
“… 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)
Peace to you
Advocating more for things that are Easier is Dangerous Theology
Beautifully Put (in image) as Christian Conversions without the Charity Doctrine Focus to help these people but focusing on self-prosperity is very dangerous because it doesn’t fulfill the “Love your neighbour as yourself” which fulfills “All Law”.
“… For all the law (Torah) is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” …” (Galatians 5:14, NKJV)
Simple Biblical Logic regarding why the Charity Doctrine is of Utmost Importance: If Loving one’s neighbour fulfills “all Law” and not “some Law”, so ‘breaking it’ causes a ‘proportionate equivalence of BREAKING ALL LAW or LAWLESSNESS’ likewise, right?
Do you know that the only Definition by Christ Himself as to how to fulfill the “Love your neighbour as yourself” is the “Parable of the Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:25 – 37) which is nothing else than the CHARITY DOCTRINE? In other words, it is Christ Himself Who Defined this “Love your neighbour as yourself” as doing the Charity Doctrine even toward your enemies (e.g. Jew vs Samaritan) by taking care of them for “free” by providing their “needs” in any way.
Can you see it please?
I am “anti-abortion” but I believe that we need to focus more on helping those who are actually living among us.
If they don’t repent or change, it’s between them and God but we are cleared if we tried beyond words and in action as the ministry focus toward such people with lower moral compass such as “prostitutes (harlots) & tax collectors (finance sinners)” is Revealed by Christ Himself as follows when they repent:
“… Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to Him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that TAX COLLECTORS and HARLOTS ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD before you. …” (Matthew 21:31, NKJV)
Peace to you
Olam may not be Forever or it can be Forever
Personally, I stand in the middle and let God Decide it One Day but here I present the case how it may not be forever here based on the “Messianic Jewish Perspective” (Christian Jews) of understanding the “Hebrew Word Olam in their Mother Tongue” as “Age-During or to the Age and not forever”.
This reasoning among some Bible Scholars is given in the images attached regarding the Hebrew Word “Olam” which is often translated as “Forever” instead of its possible “literal meaning of age”. The author is a Messianic Jew Christian and a world renowned foremost expert too.
God of the Age or Age-during God does not mean He is not God Forever but highlights His God-Ship from “Olam to Olam” or “age to age” similar to the phrase “God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob” does not limit God being God for Israel only but ‘highlights it’ & ‘not limits it’ as ‘He is God and Father of All Creation’ (Romans 3:29).
Olam (Hebrew, Old Testament Original Language) = Aeon (Koine Greek, New Testament Original Language) = Age (English) = “An unknown limited time-period with a beginning and an end”
Example of a Trustworthy Spiritual World Vision and First Christianity Orthodox Quote Revealing this Same Truth, to quote:
Will the Wicked be in Hell forever* or to the “ages” (Aeons)?
To quote:
“THE SOUL OF A ROBBER
A robber died and entered the world of spirits… On this one of the angels said, “If spirits of this kind were not kept down in the darkness or the bottomless pit, then they would cause immense harm wherever they might go. This man’s conscience is so dead, that even after he has reached the world of spirits, he fails to recognize that, by murdering and robbing in the world, he has wasted his own spiritual discernment and life. He killed and destroyed others, but in reality, he has destroyed himself. God alone knows if this man, and those who are like him, will remain in torment for ages or forever.” … A kind of lightless fire burns forever and torments these souls, but neither are they altogether consumed, nor does the fire die out. A spirit who was watching what had just happened said, “Who knows but that in the end this may not be a cleansing flame?” …”
Source: https://reluctant-messenger.com/sadhu-sundar-singh.htm
*for ever an ever = more accurately, to the ‘ages of Ages’ or ‘to the aeons of Aeons’ (e. g. Even the Maximum Judgment Sentence in Revelation 20:10) – the ‘same phrase’ to which St. Irenaeous himself has stated that it refers to the ‘aeons’ only, in his own words (definition) below:
“… we ourselves, when at the giving of thanks we pronounce the words, “To Aeons of Aeons” do set forth these Aeons. And, in fine, wherever the words Aeon or Aeons occur, they at once refer them to these beings. …” – 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, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter III, Book I)
Translation Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book1.html
So, Sadhu Sundar Singh’s “ages” (Greek “Aeons” – long but unknown limited duration of time concept) is the similar as First Christianity’s understanding of it as St. Irenaeous of Lyons (c. 130 AD – 202 AD) Orthodox Quote above agrees, Source:
Focus Phrase proving this claim:
“… we [Christian, True Believers] pronounce the words, “To aeons of Aeons” do set forth these aeons…” – 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, ‘Against Heresies’, Chapter III, Book I)
Translation Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book1.html
Did St. Irenaeous mean that too? It’s possible but we can’t be 100% sure either.
Source Post:
https://www.anonymouschristian.org/blog/spirit-world-the-intermediate-state-mystery/
My point is that since it’s “possible”, I don’t throw words either way to be on the Safe Side and let God Decide in the end.
Peace to you
Secret to Biblical Holiness
1) Question
How to keep myself from sinning?
Reply
If we guard our mouth (by speaking only Bible Verses and things that edify each other such as Good Works), the Bible assures that we can “control the whole body also from sin” in Verse below (in image too):
“… 2For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a [a]perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3[b]Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. …” (James 3:2 – 3, NKJV)
“… . 25But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. 26If anyone [e]among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 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 1:25 – 27, NKJV)
2) What kind of “Speech” to avoid talking?
“… Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” ..”.” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV)
“… 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. …” (1 Timothy 6:5 – 8, NKJV)
“… 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. 31Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, [i]clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. …” (Ephesians 4:29 – 32, NKJV)
iii) No “dirty jokes” or equivalent
“… ; 4neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. …” (Ephesians 5:4, NKJV)
“… 9Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be [d]humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” …” (Luke 18:9 – 15, NKJV)
3) There are four things of “Biblical Righteousness” which pertain to the “Doctrine of Sanctification” namely:
iii) Fasting
4) Example Verse for each:
“… 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)
“… Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 26:41, NKJV)
iii) Fasting
“…27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. 28And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer [e]and fasting.” …” (Mark 9:27 – 29, 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)
Peace to you
Parable of the Three Measures of Meal
Many interpretations of this Parable are possible. Examples:
1) Kingdom of Heaven’s Reward of Inheritance
If the there “measures of meal” refers to the “thirty, sixty, Hundredfold fruits”, then it can mean not just Charity Doctrine but also any work (secular or spiritual) which done for the Lord merits a reward of inheritance in His Kingdom (according to Colossians 3:23 – 25). In light of this view, the efforts we put itself is already enough for these Fruits of the Spirits to mature in it and not the earthly tangible results as relative measure principle by Christ in regards to the poor Widow’s 2 coins giving which couldn’t tangibly have fed much compared to the rich’s giving but was still the most (in Luke 21:1 – 4). The phrase “all leavened” most likely means “all these ones are saved or attain to their inheritance accordingly” if this is the case as there are “least” to “greatest” in His Kingdom as per Matthew 5:19 – 20.
2) Christ Centered Universalism Possibility
If the “three measures of meal” refers to “time”, some Christian Universalist interpretation is also possible where they see it as “all leavened” to mean “all men” will eventually be Saved in “three Aeons/3 ages” (the current one, the next Millennial Reign age and the after the Judgment Day age” or variants on this timeline idea) but not in the same times or “ages/aeons/olams” (as some endure age-during chastisement first by viewing this Original Bible Word literally which is possible) as 1 Timothy 2:6’s “Ransom for all in due times (plural-Kairois Divine times in Greek)” together with “God as Saviour of All men especially those who believe” (in 1 Timothy 4:10) and Christ’s Own Words in John 12:32’s “… And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. …” (John 12:32, KJV).
Conclusion
Whether it is either of these interpretations or both can be true at the same time via a Parable or is it another interpretation which is right (as the Verses do not interpret these), only God Knows and we can speculate but let God Decide.
Peace to you
Christ Celebrated Hanukkah the Feast which was due to Maccabees
Please remember that this “same Maccabees” is the one who taught “Purgatory” concept in that “one could do Almsgiving and Prayers on behalf of the dead so that some of them may be loosed from their sins” in Verses below from the same historical book which records this ‘Hanukkah festival and deliverance event which Christ Celebrated according to John 10:22’ (Verse in image too):
“… 43 And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, 44 (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,)
45 And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. 46 It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins. …” (2 Maccabees 12:43 – 46, DRA)
Source:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Maccabees%2012%3A43-46&version=DRA
Here’s a simple question:
If Maccabees was a false prophet or did the above wrongly, why is Christ even taking time to celebrate a fake Jewish Feast called the “Feast of Dedication” or “Hanukkah” which is NOT found in Old Testament Scripture of the Torah NOR the prophets because it recently occurred just before the time of Christ?
If Maccabees could do such a mistake of “Prayer for the Dead” and NOT “Prayer to the dead” (which is non-existent in Scripture) and be saved and even used miraculously by God as even the lights of the Menorah miraculously stayed lit ( As the story goes, a small quantity of oil to light the Temple’s menorah miraculously lasted eight days ) when Maccabees was used by God to deliver from the enemies, to the point that Christ Himself recognised this “uncanonical Jewish Feast” in John 10:22 – 23, then if others do the same, why would they be condemned?
For me, I see the Prayer and Almsgiving part as pleasing God first by caring toward others. And regarding the Prayer requests for the dead to be relieved on the other side, I strongly believe that we should let God Alone Decide and accept His Decision either way. No harm in asking God or trying as even Maccabees did likewise.
Also, Christ Himself Declares in Verse below that the “Law (Torah) and Prophets” were until “John” (referring to “John the Baptist”) and not until “Prophet Malachi only” which could include even “Maccabees” since Christ Celebrated this Feast of Dedication by making Himself present at Jerusalem’s Temple during this time as John 10:22 – 23 records:
“… The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. …” (Luke 16:16, NKJV)
“… 22Now it was the FEAST OF DEDICATION in JERUSALEM, and it was winter. 23And JESUS WALKED IN THE TEMPLE, in Solomon’s porch. …” (John 10:22 – 23, NKJV)
I am “not” 100% sure if Purgatory is true but even the “Shepherd of Hermas” Scripture Visions in First Christianity do Testify of it likewise and so I keep an open mind about it “not” taking any risks to Blaspheme God either way letting Him Alone decide regarding these Hidden Things.
Interesting Comments
Peace to you
Mysteriously the Bible Describes the Greatest Love of All as a Friend and as the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle type of Christianity to Emulate Christ’s Love for us in Action
Source Post (please click link for easier reading):
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161116811927784&id=651792783
Bible Verses:
“… And now abide FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three; but the GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE. … ” (1 Corinthians 13:13, NKJV)
“… 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)
“… 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)
Can you see it?
Scripture interpreting Scripture for the equivalent phrases “lay down your life” Speaks of the “Charity Doctrine” toward the “Brethren” by sharing “this world’s goods” literally and tangibly as “living this Greatest Love of All” probably even dying whilst doing so as the case of EPAPHRODITUS reveals in Verses below:
“… 25Yet I considered it necessary to send to you EPAPHRODITUS, MY BROTHER, FELLOW WORKER, and FELLOW SOLDIER, but your messenger and THE ONE WHO MINISTERED TO MY NEED; 26since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. 27For INDEED HE WAS SICK ALMOST UNTO DEATH; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. 28Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. 29Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and HOLD SUCH MEN IN ESTEEM; 30because FOR THE WORK OF CHRIST HE CAME CLOSE TO DEATH, [h]not regarding his life, to SUPPLY WHAT WAS LACKING IN YOUR SERVICE TOWARD ME. …” (Philippians 2:25 – 30, NKJV)
With those we can as the First Church did it as follows:
“… 44Now all who BELIEVED were together, and had ALL THINGS in COMMON, 45and SOLD their POSSESSIONS and goods, and divided 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 to the church daily those who were being saved. …” (Acts 2:44 – 47, NKJV)
“… 32Now the multitude of those who BELIEVED were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL; neither did anyone say that ANY of the THINGS he POSSESSED was HIS OWN, but they had ALL THINGS in COMMON. … 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for ALL who were POSSESSORS of LANDS or HOUSES SOLD them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they DISTRIBUTED to each as ANYONE had NEED. 36And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. …” (Acts 4:32, 34 – 37, 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)
Peace to you
Suffering and Persecution and Tribulations not Prosperity
The Bible Reveals that “all” (not some) Christians will suffer some type of persecution for their faith (e.g. unfair treatment, business loss, low relative wages, lack of opportunities, outcast by family and friends etc.):
“… Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. …” (2 Timothy 3:12, NKJV)
Please notice carefully that the Verse above reveals that if a Christian doesn’t suffer Persecution (e.g. gets too much self-prosperity type of lifestyle) then it’s probably such ones “never lived Godly” especially in terms of “money” (Relative Measure).
Yes that’s the only way to “Enter Heaven” to get its inheritance:
“… strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.” …” (Acts 14:22, NKJV)
“… 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)
Please take note that this does NOT refer to an “Oppressive Prosperity Christianity” which also persecutes others and is greedy for money and blessings as True Christians never have any hidden agenda to persecute others (Christians or otherwise) but are genuinely generous to all without partiality to the best they can.
Peace to you
Mystery of the Lamp in the Parable of the 5 Wise and 5 Foolish Virgins – Good Eye Mystery
Christ Spoke of the “Eye as the Lamp of the Body” as referring to the Jewish Idiom of “Good Eye” which refers to a “Generous Person” strengthening this Context as He Himself even quotes it in the Context of comparing it to “Serving God or Money” in Verses below ‘in full’:
“… 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)
Compare with the Verse below which uses the same phrase Christ Used namely “Good Eye” (Matthew 6:22, Proverbs 22:9) literally which is sometimes translated as “a Generous Person” idiomatically:
“… The GOOD of EYE — he is blessed, For he hath given of his bread to the poor. …” (Proverbs 22:9, Young’s Literal Translation, YLT)
“…9He who has a [c]GENEROUS EYE will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor. …” (Proverbs 22:9, NKJV)
Comparison focus:
“… If therefore your EYE is GOOD, …” (Matthew 6:22) = “… The GOOD of EYE …” (Proverbs 22:9)
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 (from a Christian Jewish Perspective agreeing perfectly to this):
“… 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/
Conclusion
Please be careful of “Good Works” that do “not” arise from the “Good Eye” of “Generosity” be it “spiritual or secular work” (Colossians 3:23 – 24) where the intention is mixed with some “money making intentions or equivalent” which may represent what the ‘foolish virgins’ missed out because all perfect Good Works are “free” as “freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8, 1 Corinthians 9:14 – 15, 18) as that’s the direction the “Wise Virgins” do their work.
As Brother Yuhisern Yehohanan also rephrased it:
Lamp = Is the ability to be generous , as Christ told that the lamp of the body is the good eye , which in Hebrew is an idiom that meant a generous person , where Christ uses it to compare serving GOD or money [ Matthew 6:22-24 ] .
Oil = The actual good works [ Colossians 3:23-24 ] .
Light = All this could only happen with the power of Lord Holy Spirit .
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Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids
Matthew 25:1-13 | New Living Translation
25 “Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids[a] who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, 4 but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. 5 When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 “At midnight they were roused by the shout, ‘Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!’
7 “All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. 8 Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’
9 “But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’
10 “But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. 11 Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’
12 “But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’
13 “So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.
END
Peace to you!
Secret of Entering Heaven and a Challenge to any Christian who denies the Charity Doctrine
1) Charity Doctrine is a “Doctrine of Sanctification” taught by Christ Himself
“… [ 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)
2) 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)
Note: Please notice that “Alms = CHARITY DOCTRINE” and Blessed Apostle St. Paul did it for “Purification” (Doctrine of Sanctification).
3) Judgment Day Verses all talk about Charity Doctrine only
“… 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)
4) Charity Doctrine is the Answer to “… What to do for Eternal Life? …” by Christ Himself in Verses below in the Parable of the Good Samaritan
“… 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)
This is a “Command” to the “Rich” to do the “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” in the Context of Obedience for “Eternal Life”, Verses:
“… COMMAND those who are RICH … Let 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)
Conclusion – The Challenge to any Christian who denies the Charity Doctrine:
If any false teachers do “not” believe in these Verses, please ask them NOT TO DO ONE CHARITY DOCTRINE in their remaining lives and just do “praying, fasting and singing to God” to put their foot where their mouth is while we will continue teaching these Commands and let’s see “who is Saved” in the end.
If any of them do the Charity Doctrine but do not preach nor teach it, then that’s plain hypocrisy and self contradiction.
God Wants us to remember that we are not saved by Good Works but we will do these Charity Doctrine Good Works toward those who are predestined to Eternal Life as that’s the meaning of Saved by Grace in Full:
“… 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)
Peace to you
Fallacy in Theology – The Thief on the Cross case as shown in image
Explanation
This is relative measure , the thief could not be baptized and could not do good things as he was about to die , therefore he was in a special position .
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“… And 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. 48 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 12:47 – 48, NKJV)
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The only act of righteousness the thief could do is confessions. If you could do more , more will be required as The King of Kings Says in Verses above pointing to “Relative Measure”.
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“… 14 Blessed are those who [a]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)
Here’s a challenge to those who still disagree: like the thief on the Cross, only do confession in your life and no other Works of Faith especially don’t do the Charity Doctrine at all. Let’s see if you are Saved One Day as that will prove your case true or false.
Please don’t be deceived.
Peace to you
If “Confession of Lord, Lord” alone was enough toward those who had “more relative measure”, then why are they denied below?:
“… 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. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was [j]founded on the rock. 49But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it [k]fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46 – 49, NKJV)
Peace to you
Charity Doctrine Mysteries – How come some people were healed of almost impossible diseases which have no cure?
Perhaps they practiced the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle in Secret as these Verses Reveal (as God’s Promise is sometimes Conditional):
“… 1BLESSED is HE WHO CONSIDERS THE [A]POOR; The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.2The Lord will preserve him and keep him alive, And he will be blessed on the earth;You will not deliver him to the will of his enemies. THE LORD WILL STRENGTHEN HIM ON HIS BED OF ILLNESS; You will [B]SUSTAIN HIM ON HIS SICKBED. …” (Psalm 41:1 – 3, NKJV)
The Septuagint Reads similarly:
“… 1(40:1) For the end, a Psalm of David. Blessed is the man who thinks, on the poor and needy: the Lord shall deliver him in an evil day. 2(40:2) May the Lord preserve him and keep him alive, and bless him on the earth, and not deliver him into the hands of his enemy. 3(40:3) May the Lord help him upon the bed of his pain; thou hast made all his bed in his sickness. …” (Psalm 40:1 – 3, Brenton Septuagint Translation)
Source:
https://biblehub.com/sep/psalms/41.htm
Comments:
Strangely, these Bible Verses also describe that the “WICKED” have “NO PANGS in their DEATH” meaning they “die peacefully” and “have healthy bodies prior too”, Verses:
“… 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. …” (Psalm 73:3 – 7, NKJV)
So these Verses clearly prove that “having a healthy body or dying in the sleep or without illness” is NOT necessarily a sign that ‘God is with them or healing them’ but rather are “time and chance” order so that “none” can “predict” who is the “RIGHTEOUS Vs WICKED” based on these “OUTWARD LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES” as these Verses further clarify:
“… There is a vanity which occurs on earth, that THERE ARE JUST MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE WICKED; again, THERE ARE WICKED MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE RIGHTEOUS. I said that this also is vanity. …” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, NKJV)
Please notice carefully from Verse above the following:
“… THERE ARE WICKED MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE RIGHTEOUS. …” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, 2nd part)
“… THERE ARE JUST MEN TO WHOM IT HAPPENS ACCORDING TO THE WORK OF THE WICKED …” (Ecclesiastes 8:14, 1st part)
These can be in the Context of “Persecuted” for “Righteousness” Sake meriting great Heavenly Rewards as these Verses agree:
“… 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)
Conclusion
“… 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)
No one can “claim any such blessings” as even if one Verse promises it toward someone “who helps the poor” (Charity Doctrine actions required, Psalm 41:1 – 4 here) because another verse also reveals that a righteous can suffer like the wicked in sickness too (Ecclesiastes 8:14) and that a wicked too can die with “no” pain on Earth (Psalm 73:3 – 7).
This leaves only one possibility which is to be CONTENT in ALL CIRCUMSTANCES accepting it either way which is the “True Faith” without which “GODLINESS” (Holiness, Prayer, Fasting, Almsgiving) does not work or does not produce “Great Rewards/Gain” in Heaven:
“… 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)
Please notice that CHRIST HIMSELF assured that “not” all Sickness are due to “sin” but can be given for Greater Reward or God’s Glory when its purposes are fulfilled such as healing in Verses below:
“… 1Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3JESUS answered, “NEITHER THIS MAN NOR HIS PARENTS SINNED, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. …” (John 9:1 – 3, NKJV)
We also know of Timothy, the Evangelist and a true son of faith was never Healed of his illness nor does Apostle St. Paul himself prays for it to go away but rather asks him to mitigate its effects via Earthly Medicine of “wine”:
“… No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities. …” (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV)
Why? To some, it has been granted to “suffer for His Sake” beyond believing only where their Glory will be thus Greater, Verses:
“… 17For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. …” (1 Peter 3:17, NKJV)
“… For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, …” (Philippians 1:29, NKJV)
Living the Charity Doctrine is the Best “Faith Lifestyle” from the income/labour we earn as Ecclesiastes Reveals:
“… 9What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? 10I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end. 12I know that NOTHING IS BETTER for them than to REJOICE, and TO DO GOOD IN THEIR LIVES, 13and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. …” (Ecclesiastes 3:9 – 13, NKJV)
God also clearly States in Verses below the link between the “Charity Doctrine Acts such as feeding the HUNGRY, helping the POOR, NAKED etc.” and how GOD ANSWERS only those who did that with “… 8Then YOUR LIGHT shall break forth like the MORNING, YOUR HEALING shall spring forth speedily, …” and “… 9Then YOU SHALL CALL, and THE LORD WILL ANSWER; YOU SHALL CRY, and He will say, ‘HERE I AM.’ …” in Verses below likewise:
“… 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)
Even among the “Sanctified” this “Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” causes not equal blessedness but “MORE BLESSEDNESS” in the Context of “Inheritance of His Kingdom” toward those who do ‘Actual Daily Work, earn Money and Provide for those with them’ as this Apostolic Way is Revealed in the Acts of the Apostles below:
“… 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 20:32 – 35, NKJV)
Peace to you
Safe Route Scripturally – Are we Robbing God?
Summary: No point in a Tithes Doctrine if it’s not for the Charity Doctrine toward the Pastor and the Poor.
Bible Verse:
“… Bring ALL THE TITHES into the storehouse, That there may be FOOD IN MY HOUSE, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. …” (Malachi 3:10, NKJV)
Please note carefully that God Requires the “Tithe” to be Given as “Food” for the priests and the poor (Orphans and Widows) for it to be Counted to fulfilling the Famous Verse above to get its Promise. The fact that “tithes” money are to be used for Charity/Food type of works is reiterated in the Law/Torah too, Verse:
“… 28“At the end of every third year you shall bring out the TITHE OF YOUR PRODUCE of that year and store it up within your gates. And the LEVITE, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, and the STRANGER AND THE FATHERLESS and the WIDOW who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do. …” (Deuteronomy 14:28 – 29, NKJV)
In other words two things are clear in Malachi 3:10 for those who believe in the Tithe Doctrine:
1) Tithes are for “Food” (Charity Doctrine) for the needs of the Priest (Levite), stranger (foreigner, poor), fatherless (orphans) and widow.
2) The phrase “food in My House” means any real Church must provide this food to its needy in its local community with the Tithes money.
Nowhere it is stated that the Tithes Money can be used for “Prosperity” Pursuits as the Prosperity Gospel errs. In short “tithes” money cannot be used for “beyond needs” and when that’s done, it “breaks” the Command of God for tithes in these Verses.
So it’s almost no point in keeping tithes Doctrine if it’s used beyond needs for luxury or prosperity even by pastors (let God Judge those who take tithes according to these Verses as we lovingly just warn) and if the remaining tithes beyond a pastor’s needs is “not” given to the “poor” these Verses hint a double Judgment likewise as “Robbing God” when it’s not used for “food” (needs) either.
Please don’t be deceived by the Prosperity Gospel type of tithe doctrines which ignore these “Charity Doctrine Aspects” which are clearly Commanded by God Himself in these quoted Verses as “it is Written”.
Source Post (Other details):
https://www.facebook.com/651792783/posts/10160482644192784/
An obedience done wrong is just disobedience. The degree in which such cases have their Collected tithe money used for “food” (or “needs only”) is the degree of obedience of such churches to God and their tithes money used for “Pastor’s luxury purchases to luxury church activities” may account for disobedience likewise if we understand these Verses as it is Written. Please don’t take any such risks with money collected in the Name of God because that’s consecrated money and we ought to honour God’s Command on it as even in ancient times, “no” Levites had any prosperity as they live renouncing the World (if they live with “tithes money”), example Verses:
“… 20Then the LORD SAID TO AARON: “You shall have NO INHERITANCE IN THEIR LAND, NOR SHALL YOU HAVE ANY PORTION AMONG THEM; I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel. 21“Behold, I HAVE GIVEN THE CHILDREN OF LEVI ALL THE TITHES IN ISRAEl as [i]an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting. …” (Numbers 18:20 – 21, NKJV)
“… But the LEVITES [Priests, Pastors equivalent*] shall perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting, and they shall bear their iniquity; it shall be a STATUTE FOREVER [Olam, Aeonian], throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel THEY SHALL HAVE NO INHERITANCE. …” (Numbers 18:23, NKJV)
*My comment for clarity in Principle of applying it today but it’s still “forever” (Olam/Aeonian, to the age as God Decides).
Other related Verses in principle proving that this command is not to be messed with:
“… 9Therefore LEVI HAS NO PORTION NOR INHERITANCE with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, just as the Lord your God promised him.) …” (Deuteronomy 10:9, NKJV)
“… 11then there will be the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. There you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, YOUR TITHES, the heave offerings of your hand, and all your choice offerings which you vow to the Lord. 12And you shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your sons and your daughters, your male and female servants, and THE LEVITE who is within your gates, SINCE HE HAS NO PORTION NOR INHERITANCE WITH YOU. …” (Deuteronomy 12: 11 – 12, NKJV)
Such a Promise or “Blessing” to support a “Pastor or Priest” only works if it’s towards those who have “Renounced the World” (having “no” Inheritance which also implies that if the more they have, giving to them may not have any blessings in return but Judgment only if we are not careful) according to this clear “CONDITION” in Verses below:
“… 27You shall NOT [E]FORSAKE THE LEVITE who is within your gates, for he has NO PART NOR INHERITANCE WITH YOU. 28“At the end of every third year you shall bring out the tithe of your produce of that year and store it up within your gates. 29And the LEVITE, BECAUSE HE HAS NO PORTION NOR INHERITANCE WITH YOU, and the STRANGER AND THE FATHERLESS and THE WIDOW who are within your gates, may come and eat and be satisfied, that the Lord your God may BLESS YOU IN ALL THE WORK OF YOUR HAND WHICH YOU DO. …” (Deuteronomy 14:27 – 29, NKJV)
The Blessing of God in “… the Lord your God may BLESS YOU IN ALL THE WORK OF YOUR HAND WHICH YOU DO. …” in Verses above is only under the condition that the “Tithes” is shared toward “Levites (Pastors) who have Renounced the World” (“… the LEVITE, BECAUSE HE HAS NO PORTION NOR INHERITANCE WITH YOU, …”) together with toward the “… STRANGER (foreigner) AND THE FATHERLESS and THE WIDOW …”.
Comment: So if such pastors haven’t Renounced the World as God Gives this condition “… the LEVITE, BECAUSE HE HAS NO PORTION NOR INHERITANCE WITH YOU, …”, then can they really receive “tithes”? I don’t know but let God Decide. However what I know is if we are going to take the “tithe money”, Scripture is clear that this condition of “renouncing” the World first is very important as that’s the “Reason” God Himself Allows them to live on tithe (or firstfruits).
Just because something has been done a long time and has big numbers with it (such as Praying to Virgin Mary by Roman Catholics), similarly these Protestant churches collecting tithes and living on it for Prosperity and NOT FOR THE CHARITY DOCTRINE reasons of “FOOD” (“NEEDS ONLY“) and even for those who didn’t renounce the World like the Levites also ‘before having the right to receive any tithes’ may just be likewise just wrong as these Verses clearly Testify as it is Written but may God have Mercy on whomever He Wills.
In short, we are not just “Robbing God” when we don’t tithe (if we choose to practice it) but also when we don’t do it according to the Command God gave in Holy Scripture regarding it namely for “food” (“needs only”) and when we don’t give it to the “poor, foreigner, widow” and toward a priest/Levite who hasn’t Renounced the World either (or at least some Renunciation) but worst still, those who use it for “Prosperity”.
Peace to you
Comment: “Food” can also mean “spiritual food” being given for free via Churches (as an addition in meaning without removing the first meaning of Scripture as literal food) and so this means churches must be teaching “Bible for free” by using the cost from ‘tithes money’ if this interpretation is taken. Sadly, even “Bible courses” are charged and almost none taught for free in Church Premises. What if God is Angry? If we teach “Bible for free toward the public in our churches” and if others still reject the Gospel or don’t want to attend, it’s not our fault but if we didn’t do this for free financing ourselves with the tithes money, then will we too escape the Judgment of God? (just thoughts for pondering).
The Greatest False Teaching was Prophesied in regards to Error in Money Doctrine
Bible Verses which Prophesy this:
“… 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 20:30 – 35, NKJV)
Conclusion
No Righteous Man in the Bible ever became Rich by collecting money in the Name of God. Only false teachers are Prophesied to be like that in verses above.
Yes, “prosperity” with money collected in the name of God is “dishonest gain” as no one (from Abraham to Job) ever became rich via money collected in the name of God but were rich only via secular work of farming etc. which God Blessed them & they shared extravagantly in return.
Apostle St. Paul “Prophesied” clearly regarding the dangerous Christian pastors to come who will draw disciples to themselves (have many converts because people love money & so look for such prosperity preachers) but will be missing this “example” (which 1 Peter 5:3) mentions too as to not have “dishonest gain” is described in Verses below:
“… 1The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: 2SHEPHERD the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but [a]willingly, NOT FOR DISHONEST GAIN but eagerly; 3nor as being [b]lords over those entrusted to you, but BEING EXAMPLES TO THE FLOCK; 4and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the CROWN OF GLORY that does not fade away. …” (1 Peter 5:2 – 4, NKJV)
It’s already “dishonest gain” if tithes or offerings are not used according to ‘God’s Commands in Bible Verses regarding it’ and used also partially for “prosperity”, right?
Real Shepherds who didn’t go for “Prosperity dishonest gains” stand to receive the “CROWN OF GLORY” and so please don’t lose it for dishonest teaching in regards to money. Since the Bible Verses must be fulfilled and “many” must be deceived in this area including “Lawlessness” in regards to “Money” (Matthew 7:20 – 24, Acts 20:30 – 35), it must be a ‘Popular Christianity’ and the one that fits the bill most is a ‘Prosperity Christianity’ and so may the true pastors & churches of God not be tainted with it.
Yes, 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 6:3 – 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. …”.
Based on these “Bible Verses” (and not opinions of men), have we really “fought the Good Fight of Faith” as these Verses Describe it Chiefly in the “Context of Money Doctrine?”
“… 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. …”
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 (metaphor of “Cup and Dish” 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)
Did you notice how beautifully Christ Links the “Inward Cleansing” (Doctrine of Sanctification by Obeying His Word to do ALMSGIVING) is the Doctrine of Sanctification that even the Pharisees missed & the LORD COMMANDS to DO?
In short, this CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE or COMMAND by the LORD JESUS CHRIST is thus Indispensable to a True Christian so that as Christ Promises this Reward of Sanctification as “… 41But rather GIVE ALMS of [l]SUCH THINGS AS YOU HAVE; then indeed ALL THINGS ARE CLEAN TO YOU. …” (Luke 11:41). If anyone Contradicts this Command of Christ, please remember Apostle Paul’s Warning above:
“… 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 ” (1 Timothy 6:3, NKJV)
Charity Doctrine is all about the Doctrine of Giving, Sharing and taking care of each other including Enemies
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?).
Have we “given money” to our “Enemies”?
Only then Christ Gives this “Great Reward”:
“… 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. …”
In short, Christ assures that only those who are chosen to be the “… Sons of the Most High …” will be able to “Love their enemies with the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” in some way in Verses above ‘as it is Written’.
In short, Christ assures that only those who are chosen to be the “… Sons of the Most High …” will be able to “Love their enemies with the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle” in some way in Verses above ‘as it is Written’. What is this Reward? only those ones participate in the “First Resurrection” to be the ‘Greatest Creation of God’, Verses:
“… 4And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years. 5But the REST OF THE DEAD did not live again until the thousand years were finished. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the FIRST RESURRECTION. OVER SUCH THE SECOND DEATH has NO POWER, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a THOUSAND YEARS. ….” (Revelation 20:4 – 7, NKJV)
“… 34JESUS ANSWERED and said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35But those who are counted worthy to attain that AGE (Aeon/Olam), and the resurrection from the dead (Revelation 20:4 – 6), NEITHER MARRY NOR ARE GIVEN IN MARRIAGE; 36nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. …” (Luke 20:34 – 36, NKJV)
It’s only a “Giving” when it is “Free” while the rest is “wages” type of Reward (please don’t be confused by the difference of these two types where the “Free” type has the Highest Rewards as these Verses Reveal):
“… 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)
“… freely you have received, freely give …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:8
The “Do Good and Lend” doesn’t mean we Give Money only but also other acts such as “Giving your talents (expertise, skill, knowledge) for free toward others including benefitting our Enemies” in order to fulfill this Verse in some way. Yes, enemies too and not our Church members or families or friends or those who love us back only as Christ Himself Remarks Beautifully in Verses below:
“… 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)
Please “Give Wisely” to “Fulfill God’s Will” in these aspects too. Please remember that these Verses are ‘Directly from the Lord Himself and thus are best obeyed than opinions of men’:
“… But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. …” (Acts 5:29, NKJV)
Peace to you
Charity Doctrine Good Works and its Link to Eternal Life in the New Testament
1) Doing Good Works for Eternal Life
Nothing wrong in seeking “Glory and Immortality whilst doing Good Works” according to these Verses
“… eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; …” (Romans 2:7, NKJV)
“… 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)
3) Primary Good Works = Charity Doctrine Lifestyle
“… 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)
“… 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)
Conclusion
“… 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For 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)
The will of the MOST BLESSED FATHER = Purpose of why we are created = “…. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works …” according to Verses above though we are “not” saved by it.
P/S: Is Conversion the Most Important Doctrine?
A big congregation may just be a big gathering of a thirty-fold when these Perfection Commands are not practiced as Christ Himself Said in Verses below regarding such a “Renunciation Lifestyle”, Verses (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)
Note: Did you also notice that to attain to the “HUNDREDFOLD” Level of Inheritance of His Kingdom, Christ does “not” point to Number of Converts or all that but only these aspects of Renunciation by Living out the “Leaving” (not Gaining of “Wife, Family, Houses, Lands, etc. WILLINGLY and not by Force” to finance/fulfill some GOSPEL COMMANDS).
Yes, the “Left House” context includes sharing it in Common with other fellow believers turning it into a ‘real Church’ for the benefit or need of others as Acts 2:44 – 46 (quoted earlier clearly describes this) and is clear in Verses below too likewise:
“… 32Now the multitude of those who BELIEVED were of ONE HEART and ONE SOUL; neither did anyone say that ANY of the THINGS he POSSESSED was HIS OWN, but they had ALL THINGS in COMMON. … 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for ALL who were POSSESSORS of LANDS or HOUSES SOLD them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they DISTRIBUTED to each as ANYONE had NEED. 36And Joses, who was also named Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated Son of Encouragement), a Levite of the country of Cyprus, 37having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet. …” (Acts 4:32, 34 – 37, NKJV)
So in Christ’s Own Most Blessed Words in Matthew 19:27 – 29 earlier, these are the “Hundredfold” Fruit Christians (Matthew 19:29, Matthew 13:8) who will become “First” in His Kingdom no matter how “last” or small in number they might be on earth because very few can live a Life of Love and Faith to this extent by Relative Measure as He Said the “last shall be First” whilst discussing this Context in Matthew 19:29 as the FIRST CHRISTIANITY example in Acts 2:44 – 46 and Acts 4:32 prove this Same Context True Likewise.
Last but not least, in the Book of Revelation, we find one of the highest Hundredfolds mentioned clearly as belonging to a “144 000 Virgin Jewish men”. How many “Virgin Jewish men have converted many people” among the famous in Church History? Whether they are ‘tribulation saints or special Jewish men from all timeline’, one thing is for sure: they have “renounced the World in some way for Christ as they are said specifically to be virgins meaning that “left wife” context of Christ earlier in Matthew 19:27 – 30 can include renouncing marriage for Gospel Work by choosing not to marry too’, Verses (Revelation 7:4 – 8 and below too):
“… 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)
The other getting closer to God Principle in Scripture must certainly be analogous to these traits which the “Bible Specifically Praises” in these Verses (Revelation 14:1 – 5) and by Christ Directly regarding the “Hundredfold” too (Matthew 19:29, Matthew 13:8) as First Christianity has taught likewise as described in previous posts as well.
If Roman Catholics were entrusted by God to preserve Holy Scripture as Protestants believe that their Bible is Preserved likewise by their preservation, so similarly God can use them to preserve these two quotes by these two earliest Christian saints who have “no” prayers to Virgin Mary or equivalent but they said this revealing that the difference in level of inheritance between the “thirty-fold, sixty-fold and Hundredfold” is so diverse that we should do our best for it lest we miss it eternally:
for example:
“… As the presbyters say, then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of Paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour will be seen, according as they shall be worthy who see Him. But that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundredfold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold; for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second class will dwell in Paradise, and the last will inhabit the city; and that on this account the Lord said, “In my Father’s house are many mansions:” …” – Blessed St. Papias, Bishop of Hierapolis, an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of the Blessed St. John the Apostle (c. 60 AD – c. 163 AD)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/papias.html
“… And as the presbyters* say, Then those who are deemed worthy of an abode in heaven shall go there, others shall enjoy the delights of paradise, and others shall possess the splendour of the city; for everywhere the Saviour shall be seen according as they who see Him shall be worthy. [They say, moreover], that there is this distinction between the habitation of those who produce an hundred-fold, and that of those who produce sixty-fold, and that of those who produce thirty-fold [Matthew 13:1 – 8, Matthew 13:18 – 23]: for the first will be taken up into the heavens, the second will dwell in paradise, the last will inhabit the city; and that was on this account the Lord declared, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” For all things belong to God, who supplies all with a suitable dwelling-place; even as His Word says, that a share is allotted to all by the Father, according as each person is or shall be worthy. And this is the couch on which the guests shall recline, having been invited to the wedding. The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved, and that they advance through steps of this nature… For in the TIMES of the KINGDOM, the righteous man who is upon the earth shall then forget to die. … John, therefore, did distinctly foresee the FIRST “RESURRECTION of the JUST,” [Revelation 20:4 – 6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 – 18, Luke 14:14] and the inheritance in the kingdom of the earth; and what the prophets have prophesied concerning it harmonize [with his vision, e.g. Isaiah 65:20 – 23, Isaiah 11, Revelation 20:7 – 10]. For the Lord also taught these things, when He promised that He would have the mixed cup new with His disciples in the kingdom. …” – Blessed St. Irenaeous of Lyons, a Hearer of Blessed St. Polycarp who is an Apostolic Father being the Disciple of Blessed St. John who wrote the Book of Revelation (c. 130 AD – c. 202 AD, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 5, Chapter Chapter XXXVI, Points 1 – 2, 3-partial)
Source: http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book5.html
Note: “presbyters” usage here St. Irenaeous refers to those who were direct disciples of the Apostles only as he writes in the above “…The presbyters, the disciples of the apostles, affirm that this is the gradation and arrangement of those who are saved …”.
iii) Here’s an example from “Agrapha” Quotes (not found in the Bible but via writings of Church Fathers etc.) where it is Said that Christ Himself Taught regarding Renouncing Marriage for those chosen for it where these could be examples of the “… 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)
“… 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)
What did Christ Mean? The “Agrapha” quote below may explain it quoting Christ on it as follows:
“… 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
Fascinating indeed, may God’s Will be Done either way even if we didn’t know about it or err about it.
Does God Answer Prayers without the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle?
If not, how does such Prayers get Answered and who answers it giving such “Prosperity”?
1) Some prayers are answered by Satan as the Bible describes a “Prosperity of the Wicked” in Verses below which is not from God for sure as He doesn’t reward wickedness
“… 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. … ” (Psalm 73:3 – 7, NKJV)
“… 8Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9And he said to Him, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” …” (Matthew 4:8 – 9, NKJV)
2) The Principalities and Powers of evil in the high places (called “gods” in Verses next) also show ‘partiality to the wicked by making them prosperous’ and more importantly please notice carefully that THEY IGNORE THE CHARITY DOCTRINE aspect of “… 3[c]DEFEND THE POOR and FATHERLESS; Do justice to the AFFLICTED AND NEEDY. 4Deliver the POOR AND NEEDY; …” in Verses below:
“… 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
5They do not know, nor do they understand;
They walk about in darkness;
All the foundations of the earth are [d]unstable.
6I said, “YOU ARE [E]GODS,
And all of you are children of the Most High.
7BUT YOU SHALL DIE LIKE MEN,
And fall like one of the princes.”
8Arise, O God, judge the earth;
For You shall inherit all nations. …” (Psalm 82:1 – 8, NKJV)
Please notice the phrase “… you shall die like men, …” (Psalm 82:7 above) proves that the ones God Calls them as “… You are [e]gods, And all of you are children of the Most High. …” (Psalm 82:6 above) are most likely not humans but angelic powers.
The Judgment of “… they will die like men …” (Psalm 82:7 above) because they tried to block and not support this “Charity Doctrine” causing the “poor” and “needy” to starve to death or suffer in many ways is equivalently they will literally “.. starve to death …” too on that day as “men” as Promised in Verse above as Prophesied in Verse below in front of their own worshippers, to quote:
“… The LORD will be terrifying to them, for He will STARVE ALL THE GODS OF THE EARTH; and all the coastlands of the nations will bow down to Him, everyone from his own place …” (Zephaniah 2:11, NKJV)
Please notice the phrase “… STARVE ALL THE GODS OF THE EARTH …” carefully as Prophesied in Verse above when His Judgments at that time Begin. The Septuagint reads similarly as follows:
“… 11The Lord shall appear against them, AND SHALL UTTERLY DESTROY ALL THE GODS OF THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH; and they shall worship him every one from his place, even all the islands of the nations. …” (Zephaniah 2:11, Brenton Septuagint Translation, LXX)
Yes good and bad angelic powers do fight in the realm, example Verses:
“… 12Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.” …” (Daniel 10:12 – 14, NKJV)
“… For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. …” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV)
3) Fasting and Prayer did “not” work until these Charity Doctrine Lifestyle is observed first as God Revealed to Prophet Isaiah in Verses below and His Principles do not change.
“… 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
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.
Conclusion
Please read the entire Chapter in Psalm 82 below and see that “no” other “God’s Will” is mentioned proving the Importance of this Doctrine in our daily living. So any Christianity which DOES NOT do THIS CHARITY DOCTRINE WILL OF GOD is siding with Satan as God Clearly instructs to “… 3[c]DEFEND THE POOR and FATHERLESS; Do justice to the AFFLICTED AND NEEDY. 4Deliver the POOR AND NEEDY; …” (Psalm 82:3 – 4, NKJV) while in contrast the Prayers of the Wicked is answered by the “evil gods” as they show partiality as God Thunders “… 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? …” (Psalm 82:1 – 2, NKJV)
Please remember that Judgment Day Verses only mention the Charity Doctrine of what we did to each other when one is “… Hungry, Thirsty, Homeless, …” etc. according to the Relative Measure that we are given (Matthew 25:31 – 46, Luke 12:46 – 48).
God Sent Angels when this Unbeliever Prayed – Why? Charity Doctrine Lifestyle
In fact, in the Bible, the only thing God has ever accepted from a non-Christian even sending an angel to meet his is because he did the “ Charity Doctrine toward Christians and others even before knowing Christ (so his Relative Measure for Mercy is very high) “ as the famous example of Blessed Cornelius shows below:
“… 1There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian [a]Regiment, 2a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who GAVE ALMS GENEROUSLY to the people, and prayed to God always. 3About [c]the ninth hour of the day he saw clearly in a vision an angel of God coming in and saying to him, “Cornelius!” 4And when he observed him, he was afraid, and said, “What is it, lord?” So he said to him, “Your prayers and YOUR ALMS [Charity] have come up for a memorial before God. 5Now send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. 6He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He[d] will tell you what you must do.” 7And when the angel who spoke to him had departed, Cornelius called two of his household servants and a devout soldier from among those who waited on him continually. 8So when he had explained all these things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 30So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and YOUR ALMS [Charitable Giving] are remembered in the sight of God. …” (Acts 10:1 – 8, 30 – 31, NKJV)
I know that Cornelius eventually became a Christian but please notice that Cornelius was not a Jew nor a Christian but yet his “ALMS” (Charity giving of money to those who need it) was accepted before God. Cornelius could not have had a perfect prayer to God because he was “not” a Jew “nor” a Christian but yet it was accepted somewhat due to his almsgiving lifestyle of generosity.
Peace to you
How can Love Cover Sins? – The Reason why the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle is Important
1) Love Covers the “Judgment” of Sins causing “forgiveness” as Christ Himself Taught this
“… 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)
“… But love covers all sins. …” (Proverbs 10:12, NKJV)
Yes, … Love covers all sins ..” —> from Judgment. Love in Action = Charity Doctrine Lifestyle according to Verses below:
“… 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)
Comment: Please notice carefully THIS LOVE (“Agape/Love of God” which is Greater than Faith itself according to 1 Corinthians 13:13) is DESCRIBED IN ACTION TO BE EQUAL TO “MARTYRDOM” (as the phrase “… OUGHT TO LAY DOWN OUR LIVES FOR THE BRETHREN …”) Means is nothing else than Living out the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE which is Put as the Answer to the question which follows as “…17But WHOEVER HAS THIS WORLD’S GOODS, and SEES HIS BROTHER IN NEED, … let us NOT LOVE IN WORD or IN TONGUE, BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH …”. This is what is Written.
2) However, when the “judgment of sins is removed”, our sins are still there and so the removal of sins is by the “Blood of Christ only” causing “a new creation” to form within us till the Resurrection
“… And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. …” (1 John 2:2, NKJV)
“… Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. …” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NKJV)
“… 18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [f]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. …” (Romans 8:18 – 22, NKJV)
“… Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. …” (1 John 3:2, NKJV)
Peace to you
Charity Doctrine Mystery in the Life of the Righteous
These Verses below are sometimes quoted partially but when quoted in “full” we see that the BIBLE’s definition of a “RIGHTEOUS” man is closely linked to the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE practice of BEING MERCIFUL in action and LENDING (Giving) MONEY to others to help them and this DOING GOOD is included with the PROMISE to DWELL FOREVER, Verses:
“… 25I have been young, and now am old;
Yet I have not seen the RIGHTEOUS forsaken,
Nor his descendants begging bread.
26He is [E]EVER MERCIFUL, AND LENDS;
And his descendants are blessed.
27Depart from evil, and DO GOOD;
And DWELL FOREVERMORE. …” (Psalm 37:25 – 27, NKJV)
The Septuagint reads similarly:
“… 25(36:25) I was once young, indeed I am now old; yet I have not seen the RIGHTEOUS forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread. 26(36:26) He is MERCIFUL, and LENDS CONTINUALLY; and his seed shall be blessed. 27(36:27) Turn aside from evil, and DO GOOD; and DWELL FOR EVER. …” (Psalm 37:25 – 27, Brenton Septuagint Translation).
Source:
https://biblehub.com/sep/psalms/37.htm
Regarding the phrase ‘… not seen … his descendants begging bread. …’ this does NOT mean that “beggars or the poor” are evil simply because CHRIST HIMSELF Taught Clearly that what the world saw as a BEGGAR in LAZARUS was the one who made it to heaven too, 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. … 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)
Conclusion
This Perfection of the Charity Doctrine Lifestyle is Taught by Christ Himself where He Teaches not to share with those who love us only but even “giving money (or lend) toward ENEMIES too and NOT HOPE IT BACK in return” in Verses below:
“… 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)
Peace to you
Sound Doctrine Mystery – What to Focus on Preaching?
Source Post:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10161169710487784&id=651792783
Bible Verses:
“… 1But as for you, SPEAK THE THINGS which are proper for SOUND DOCTRINE: 2that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, TEACHERS OF GOOD THINGS— 4that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. 6Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded, 7in ALL THINGS SHOWING YOURSELF to be a PATTERN OF GOOD WORKS; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,[a] 8sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of [b]you. 9Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, 10not [c]pilfering, but showing all good [d]fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. …” (Titus 2:1 – 10, NKJV)
Conclusion
The Bible Verses above is very clear that SOUND DOCTRINE is all about keeping HOLY on the OUTSIDE and INSIDE together with the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE of DOING GOOD WORKS.
Example Related Verses:
i) Sound Doctrine for Holy on the Outside
“… 14Pursue PEACE with all people, and HOLINESS, without which no one will see the Lord: …” (Hebrews 12:14, NKJV)
ii) Sound Doctrine for Holy on the Inside
“… [ 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)
*ALMS = CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE
iii) Sound Doctrine for Good Works
“… 15and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.16All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [c]instruction in righteousness, 17that the MAN OF GOD may be COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK. …” (2 Timothy 3:16 – 17, NKJV)
So there’s nothing wrong in Preaching Good Works as part of the Doctrine of Grace as that’s what “Sound Doctrine” consists of according to these Verses.
In the same way “our Holiness” does “not” Save us, neither does our “Good Works” save us either but that doesn’t mean we don’t Preach Holiness for the Sanctification part of the Doctrines of Grace and the same is true for the “Almsgiving” part as it’s Taught not by man but by the Most Blessed Saviour Himself for “Sanctification of All (Inside & Outside)” in Luke 11:39 – 41.
Peace to you
Glory of the Resurrection is Closely Tied to Sufferings
“… 10that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11if, by any means, I may attain[b] to the resurrection from the dead. …” (Philippians 3:10 – 11, NKJV)
Not just the “Power of His Resurrection” needs to be “Known” but also the “Fellowship” of “His Sufferings” as per this Verse in Image, related Verses:
“… 17For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. …” (1 Peter 3:17, NKJV)
“… For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, …” (Philippians 1:29, NKJV)
Conclusion
Even when Asked about the Greatest in Heaven, Christ Pointed not just to being like Children only but a Child who also “Serves others” which is the CHARITY DOCTRINE LIFESTYLE and also SUFFERS whilst doing so as per Verses below when ‘Combined as these Speak of this Same Context/Topic’ as follows:
“… Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 18:4, NKJV)
“… 26But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. 27For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. 28“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” …” – The KING, Most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 22:26 – 30, NKJV)
iii) The Willing Suffering for Christ and His Gospel in some way Factor
“… 37They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.” 38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” 39They said to Him, “We are able.” So JESUS SAID TO THEM, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.” …” (Mark 10:37 – 40, NKJV)
Summary
How much we Love God to fulfill the Greatest Commandment is proven by how much we practice the Charity Doctrine toward our fellow men and it’s equivalent to “Martyrdom” as the phrase “lay down our lives” puts it equal in Verses below
“… 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)
The Greatest Reward of this is that even the “Resurrection Body” differs in “Glory” according to how we lived our lives according to these aspects as Apostle Paul Mysteriously Echoed:
“… 39All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind [f]of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.40There are also [g]celestial bodies and [h]terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory. 42So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. …” (1 Corinthians 15:39 – 44, NKJV)
Peace to you
END
Peace to you!
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