Ignoring God – Why God never hears nor heals our land?

Because of our “sins”:

“Behold, the LORD’S hand is not so short
That it cannot save;
Nor is His ear so dull
That it cannot hear.

But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God,
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1 – 2, NASB)

*Which sins? Including these ones (but not limited to these only):

“For your hands are defiled with blood
And your fingers with iniquity;
Your lips have spoken falsehood,
Your tongue mutters wickedness.

No one sues righteously and no one pleads honestly.
They trust in confusion and speak lies;
They conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity.” (Isaiah 59:3 – 4, NASB)

In the direct context above (subsequent verses), please ‘notice’ the sins of “your lips have spoken falsehood” (e.g. false teachings/doctrines, false preaching) and “they trust in confusion and speak lies” (e.g. in New Testament Context, regarding ‘confusion’ —-> God spoke that He is ‘not’ the ‘Author of Confusion’ in 1 Corinthians 14:33 in the first context of —–> the next verse where ‘women are to be silent in the churches’ in 1 Corinthians 14:34).

It is also said that “all” churches of God ‘obey’ it in 1 Corinthians 14:33 – 34 itself (a Biblical characteristic for a ‘church of God’ literally given here; does our ‘local church’ obey these? Then, why should I attend it? Will it please God? Should we obey God or men who teach their ‘opinions’ which are contrary to it? Acts 5:29).

I can probably visit the local churches as an act of Love ‘once in a while or according to my custom (opinion)’ in a similar manner to apostle Paul (as 1 Corinthians 11:1 allows the imitation of apostle Paul) in attending Jewish Synagogues which are ‘not’ churches of God due to disobedience in rejecting the Messiah and New Testament revelation (an attitude of ‘choice’ allowed based on Acts 17:2).

The ‘double dot’ on ‘some’ manuscripts containing this verse (bible scholars will know what I am referring to) does ‘not’ mean an ‘exclusion’ of this verse but rather, the ones containing the ‘double dot’ only ‘change the position of this verse’ (1 Corinthians 14:34) within this same passage (chapter). If the ‘double dot’ means omission of this verse, why in the manuscript where the ‘double dot’ is found itself the verse still exists and is not removed?

Scholars who argue that that verse (1 Corinthians 14:34) shouldn’t be included in the Bible are obviously wrong in light of the overwhelming evidence of the Major Manuscripts which contain it when compared against the obscure ones which due to some ‘recent’ discovery of some ‘small’ number of copyist ones which contain that ‘double dot’. Please note that these ‘double-dot’ manuscripts themselves do NOT omit the verse NOR state to omit it and in fact, all of these ‘double dot manuscripts’ contain that verse!

Here is the ‘real’ fact some of these scholars won’t tell you: In each of the ‘double dot manuscript’, the context or verse for 1 Corinthians 14:34 “exists” but it ‘differs’ from the ‘other Major Manuscripts’ only in one aspect —-> namely, ‘placement’ (nothing else). Placement? The verse is ‘located’ at a ‘different place’ within this same passage (or chapter as we know it today, in 1 Corinthians 14). This only proves that the copyists were contemplating whether to place 1 Corinthians 14:34 just after 1 Corinthians 14:33 (as the Major Manuscripts do) or at a ‘later position’ in this same passage. Either way, the Context all applies & there is ‘no’ confusion when these are understood ‘properly’.

The other fact is that I am yet to find a Bible which does “not” contain 1 Corinthians 14:34. This is because all the manuscripts which are “used” to translate the Bible (different copyist ones) all contain 1 Corinthians 14:34 including the ‘recent double-dot ones’ and thus it is “found in the Bible” without ‘omission’ till today.

It is written that ‘he who is faithful in little will be faithful in much’ (Luke 16:10) even in the context of obedience too. So, obeying even the ‘smallest’ rule (which most may consider insignificant) makes a ‘great difference’ as the ‘reward’ is as ‘follows’ (Context that the verse below refers to ‘all’ Law and Prophets is Matthew 5:17 – 18, consecutive verses):

“Whoever then shall break one of the least of these commandments and shall teach others the same, he will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens; but whoever shall keep and shall teach them, he will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 5:19, BLB)

Most Christians think that if they don’t break the 10 Commandments, they are doing very well in obeying God.

What they don’t realize is that the Pharisees were pretty good in keeping the 10 Commandments too as when their sins were mentioned in Matthew 23, only a vague sign of breaking the ‘commandment relating to being a false witness (of God)’ seems to be evident.

In fact, if it means so, ‘any’ false teaching puts any of us to break that Command too!

Nevertheless, the Pharisees were seriously ‘disconnected’ from God despite being ‘obedient tithe-payers & 10 Commandment keepers’ due to “other sins” which we ‘often’ think that are ‘not so important’ such as:

Their ‘hypocrisy’ (Matthew 15:7), ‘their teaching of man-made rules, commandments of men of things not found in Scripture resulting in vain worship’ (Matthew 15:9) , ‘their rejection of more important doctrinal matters than tithes’ (Matthew 23:23), ‘their public prayers at Church/Synagogue or on the streets’ (Matthew 6:5) and even ‘their false doctrines’ (Matthew 16:6, Matthew 16:12), to mention a few.

If the breaking of ‘such’ Commands together with their rejection of Christ is enough for them to be ‘rejected’, how safe are we likewise in our Christian denominations which ‘ignore’ New Testament Commands claiming that ‘it is outdated’?

Here’s a simple Biblical analogy:Did the 10 Commandments or the Law of Moses ever become outdated during the later times in the previous age?

No! Similarly, “no” command given under the New Covenant in this current age can be outdated either. God’s Laws are Universal and is not subject to human culture or opinions in any way. His Commands hold for a Covenant under that age.

The only way for a command to ‘not’ apply to a New Testament “Gentile” believer is when New Testament verses under the Authority of God points to these things as being ‘not applicable’ such as ‘tithes or circumcision’ (both of which pre-dates the Law of Moses but was enforced through the Law of Moses) and it is “not” carried forward for Gentiles when the consideration for the 603 commands (excluding the 10 Commandments, Context in Acts 15:1, Acts 15:5, Acts 15:19 – 21) speaks clearly.

The point is this: Apostle Paul warned of ‘very serious consequences’ (1 Corinthians 14:38, 1 Thessalonians 4:8) for even the ‘written’ commands which he delivered as of the Blessed Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37, 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 2, Context) such as 1 Corinthians 14:34 which ‘many Christians’ would consider ‘not important’.

Do we realize that apostle Paul spent a lot of his time writing these so called non-important commands? Let that sink in.

Here are some edifying facts with Scripture regarding these matters:

(i) No more male nor female

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.” (Galatians 3:26 – 29, NASB)

The context of ‘no more male or female’ or ‘Jew or Gentile’ (Galatians 3:28) is in the set of verses above ‘as sons of God’ (Galatians 3:26), ‘as being baptized into Christ’ (Galatians 3:27) and ‘heirs according to the promise’ (Galatians 3:29).

Apostle Paul wrote both 1 Corinthians 14:34, 1 Timothy 2:12 and the above as well. The topic here is ‘not spiritual leadership’ and apostle Paul did NOT quote the above in any ‘spiritual leadership’ context and thus it cannot be ‘twisted’ to ‘cancel’ out the other New Testament verses’ nor can it refer to their claim that ‘women can be spiritual leaders’ (a direct contradiction to 1 Timothy 2:12 and other verses). It only refers to the things (or aspects) mentioned in the verse above ‘as it is written’ (nothing more, nothing less).

Also, the other phrase (in analogy) which occurs in this verse is ‘neither Jew nor Gentile’ which clearly comes with “different” obedience to the Law aspect too (e.g. a Gentile cannot be circumcised but a Jew or half-Jew can, Galatians 5:2, Acts 16:3).

Here’s an example of Jewish believer (Acts 21:20 – 21) vs Gentile believer difference in obedience in New Testament Scripture (agreeing with Acts 15:29 too):

For a Jewish believer (e.g. apostle Paul himself):

“And when they heard it they began glorifying God; and they said to him, “You see, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of those who have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law;

and they have been told about you (Paul), that you are teaching all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children nor to walk according to the customs.

“What, then, is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.

“Therefore do this that we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow;

take them and purify yourself along with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads; and all will know that there is nothing to the things which they have been told about you, but that you (Paul) yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Law.” (Acts 21:20 – 24, NASB)

To the “Gentile” Believers, a ‘different obedience’ (“no” such thing):

“But concerning the Gentiles who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should abstain from meat sacrificed to idols and from blood and from what is strangled and from fornication.” Then Paul took the men, and the next day, purifying himself along with them, went into the temple giving notice of the completion of the days of purification, until the sacrifice was offered for each one of them.” (Acts 21: 25 – 26, NASB)

And thus, it is ‘similar different obedience’ with respect to ‘male or female’ which occurs in that verse too (Galatians 3:28) with respect to other New Testament verses as well!

Regarding ‘slave nor free man’ (Galatians 3:28), the Bible doesn’t approve slavery but speaks that ‘despite’ the slavery done by Roman Law, you may ‘love your enemy’. The only freedom the Bible speaks of is that which is fought under the Way of Love under this New Covenant as the ‘hate your enemy’ part is ‘cancelled by Christ’ (e.g. non-violent, non-resisting of evil Principles, Matthew 5:39 & Matthew 5:44) through words (where you may speak up) as demonstrated to work even in recent times by a great civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King and even Mahatma Gandhi too following Biblical principles in this aspect proving that it’s possible though not guaranteed.

(ii) Regarding – No teaching nor authority over a man

“But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.” (1 Timothy 2:12, NASB)

Whatever command apostle Paul “wrote” is the “command of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 14:37) and ‘not his opinions’ unless mentioned otherwise. Yes, whenever apostle Paul writes ‘his opinion’ he mentions it clearly distinguishing it from the ‘command of the Lord’ (e.g. 1 Corinthians 7:25).

The verse in Timothy above is ‘not’ just for ‘married women or wives’ but ‘all women’. How do we know that?

Simple really; Firstly, 1 Corinthians 7 is a passage discussing husband-wife vs virgin etc. It is a distinct context in 1 Timothy 2 simply because the ‘consecutive verses’ (context) reveals this clearly:

1 Timothy 2:1 – 7 speaks of apostle Paul’s mandate to Preach the Gospel detailing as to ‘why we should pray for all men’ in light of knowing this.

1 Timothy 2:8 speaks of a command to ‘men’ (gender specific).

1 Timothy 2:9 – 12 speaks of commands toward ‘women’ (gender specific too).

For example, if 1 Timothy 2:12 speaks only of married woman (“not” mentioned anywhere in this entire chapter but some still believe that, weird indeed), so does the rule in 1 Timothy 2:9 or 10 apply only to married women and it can be ‘broken’ just like 1 Timothy 2:12 which can be ‘broken’ for non-married women? If you believe such non-written things, “you” may ‘teach’ apostle Paul or God one day too regarding ‘what is right’. Good Luck.

1 Timothy 2:13 – 14 speaks of the ‘reason’ as to why God made men the leader. The topic or context here is Adam (man) vs Eve (woman) and not ‘marriage’ (husband vs wife) as the word “marriage” itself is NOT found in this chapter at all!

This Rule (1 Timothy 2:12) certainly applies in the context of marriage as a ‘subset’ of ‘Man-Woman Rules’ too as even 1 Peter 3:1 implies an example of such a Godly behaviour with “no” words even when the husband is ‘wrong’.

1 Timothy 2:15 promises that any woman who ‘obeys it’ will be ‘saved through child-bearing’ (“not” salvation but that she will deliver the baby safely & not come to death —> a ‘blessing’ for those who ‘obey’).

(ii) Is Prayer alone enough?

“and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14, NASB)

No; please consider the verses surrounding it mentioning “His Statutes & Commands” too (in Principle):

“Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place.

“For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever (‘unto the age’), and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually (‘all the days’).

“As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.’

“But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, then I will uproot you from My land which I have given you, and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.” (2 Chronicles 7:15 – 20, NASB)

(iii) His Word can Heal and Save from Destruction

“He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:20, NASB)

What would the opposite be?

(iv) Why should we keep His Commands?

To remain in His Love:

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:10, NASB)

(v) God hears us when ‘His Word’ is in us (a condition) so that ‘we may ask only according to His Will’

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:7, NASB)

“This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14, NASB)

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3, NASB)

(vi) Proof of Love

Our proof of Love ‘toward God’ is when ‘we obey His Commands’ (and not a proof of God’s Love toward us which is Unconditional despite we being ‘sinners’, different things Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:10):

“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 14:21, NASB)

Please note that God only ‘discloses or reveals’ Himself to the ‘one’ who ‘keeps/obeys’ His “Commandments” as the verse above also clearly states (a reward for obedience).

(vii) Beyond Believing

Some Christians think that ‘believing Him is enough’. It is a great step but there is ‘more’. After ‘believing’ comes ‘obedience’ (where we ‘continue in His Word’) and through it we become ‘His disciples’ indeed as mentioned in verse below (from “believers” to “disciples”):

“So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine;” (John 8:31, NASB)

(viii) Treasure and Keep His Words of Wisdom

“inside your heart too” = ‘within you’, in Principle, verses:

“My son, keep my words
And treasure my commandments within you.

Keep my commandments and live,
And my teaching as the apple of your eye.” (Proverbs 7:1 – 2, NASB)

(ix) Even the Earlier Covenant’s Commands had its blessings likewise

Yes, the Commands are different in some aspects but the ‘principle of blessing’ NOT just for the ‘one who obeys’ but also for the benefit of the land (‘others’) around him too is evident from these verses (so those who obey are the ones who ‘think about others too’ because by their obedience blessing may come upon others in the land as well & vice versa):

“It shall come about, if you listen obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul,

that He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil.

“He will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.

“Beware that your hearts are not deceived, and that you do not turn away and serve other gods and worship them.

“Or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you.

“You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” (Deuteronomy 11:13 – 18, NASB)

How frequently was the ‘Old Covenant’s Laws taught’? Please see the ‘next’ verse below and shouldn’t we preach the New Covenant verses even more frequently in our vicinity likewise?

“You shall teach them to your sons, talking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up.

“You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,” (Deuteronomy 11:19 – 20, NASB)

(x) To whom does God look upon?

A necessary condition —> the one who “hears & trembles” at “His Word” —> not those who ‘ignore or speak against His Word’:

“For My hand made all these things, Thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.” – God (Isaiah 66:2, NASB)

Don’t worry about others when they ‘reject you’ for ‘obeying or trembling at His Word’:

“Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at His word: “Your brothers who hate you, who exclude you for My name’s sake, Have said, ‘Let the LORD be glorified, that we may see your joy.’ But they will be put to shame.” – God (Isaiah 66:5, NASB)

(xi) Fruit of Obedience

Obedience to God’s Word produces Right Behaviour in us.

God’s Word includes His Law, Rules & Commands too.

(xii) Contentious to ‘what is written’ – A Bad Attitude

“But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.” (1 Corinthians 11:16, NASB)

(xiii) Ignoring God’s Command & Knowledge

When we ignore God’s Knowledge through His Word, we get “destroyed” and “forgotten”:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” (Hosea 4:6, NASB)

Logic of Judgment:

The “same” ignoring of His Word (Command, Knowledge etc.) is returned to us as we face our “own ignoring” (‘reaping what we sow’ first, Galatians 6:7, in this case, referring to “our ignoring of God’s Word”, facing it either at here or in afterlife Judgments or both).

Escape?

Repentance and may God have Mercy!

(xiv) Why is understanding Judgment important?

Only then we realise how wicked we are and how Great God’s Mercy is despite our sins when He Forgives us eventually (Meaning of “Mercy upon All” – post Judgment Context, Roman 11:32, James 2:13).

Ignorance is not bliss, ignorance is destruction

(xv) Losing our rights

We must “not” cast “His Words” away and Judgment for that – we have “no” right to declare “His Statutes” nor speak of “His Covenant”.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble;
I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

But to the wicked God says,
“What right have you to tell of My statutes
And to take My covenant in your mouth?

“For you hate discipline,
And you cast My words behind you.” (Psalm 50:15 – 17, NASB)

We must take “His Words” —> “Seriously”.

Conclusion

‘By our disobedience, we author our own doom’ – Anonymous

“There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” (Proverbs 14:12, NASB)

Please note that ‘trusting God’ includes trusting & ‘obeying His Word’ and “not” our opinions which are against His Written Word thinking that ‘we can do great things for Him contrary to His Word’.

Aren’t we ‘leaning on our own understanding’ when we don’t obey ‘His written’ Word?

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5, NASB)

The Great Denial echoes (regarding “many” in ‘His Name’, calling Him ‘Lord, Lord’ too —> Christians?) who have ‘great ministry works’ (Casting out demons, prophecies and even miracles or wonders) but ‘lawlessness’ (done NOT according to His Word, His Will, His Way) :

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.

“Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’

“And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 7:21 – 23, NASB)

Regarding calling Him ‘Lord’:

“Why do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?” – Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 6:46, NASB)

P/S: Where do your teachings come from?

The Devil can ‘never’ teach obedience and the antichrist is described as a ‘lawless one’ even deceiving with ‘signs and wonders’.

Here is that ‘curse’ of believing the ‘false’ whenever we ‘don’t Love His Truth in His Word instead’:

“Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things?

And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed.

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way.

Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming;

that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders,

and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved.

For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false,

in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:5 – 12, NASB)

All these help us understand how Great His Love really is because despite Judgments & our disobedience, He still Loves us and will save us eventually (post Judgment context – Romans 11:32 & James 2:13 as ‘Mercy Triumphs over Judgment’ ending it and it will be shown to ‘all’ the ‘guilty’ in the ‘whole world’ eventually too) all ‘as it is written’:

“For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” (James 2:13, NASB)

“For God has shut up (‘imprison’) all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:32, NASB)

“Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.” (Romans 3:19, KJV)

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10, NASB)

“and He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2, NASB)