There have been some new questions come in. We will deal with them soon. But for now let's consider this lesson, then consider the questions next week.
Tolerance. It seems like a great word. It implies kindness, acceptance, even patience. But it is not a biblical word or concept. God has always been a specific God. He makes the rules and expects us to follow them. And, of course, more than rules, He wants our hearts. But in the New Testament he said, "broad is the way that leads to destruction....narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." I would suggest that those who follow the narrow way should not be "tolerant" of the broad way as hard as that may sound to us.
So what is the broad way? There is not room here to fully describe it, but Romans 1:18-32 gives us some ideas. Here is a little of it: "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men......uncleanness, in the lust of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies....even the women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful......." Here is another hard statement to the Corinthians, a corrupt society where just about "anything goes" and everything was "tolerated", (kind of reminds us of our society, doesn't it?). 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God."
We can see that God is quick to condemn sinful practice and sinful thinking. And tolerance of the "broad way" is not God's way. The Bible is not soft on these things and neither should we be.
In a soon to be published lesson we will address the first of these specific sins, that of homosexuality. This will not be a popular position by today's standards, but it will be right out of the Bible. Be patient and open minded with me here. Thanks for reading; you are important!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Follow-up to last lesson
God has done His part and more. He has created us, given us much in this life, given us a spirit and His Spirit, His Word, forgiveness through Jesus' sacrifice, and everlasting life. Now we must do our part. What does the Bible say for us to do? I could never give a complete answer, but here are a few things:
Luke 5:7, Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi and said, "Follow Me." We must follow Jesus.
1 Corinthians 11:24, Jesus taught His disciples to take the Lord's Supper, "Do this in remembrance of Me." We are to take the Lord's Supper. I do it every week.
Hebrews 10:24, "let us consider one another....not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." We are taught to assemble with other Christians.
Acts 17:10-11, the Bereans "searched the scriptures daily." We should study our Bibles.
James 5:16 says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Pray.
1 John 2:10, "He who loves his brother abides in the light.." We must love our brother.
James 1:22, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only." We must be doers, not just hearers or talkers or dreamers or whatever.
James 1:27, "Pure 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."
I'm sure this could go on and on, but let's don't. None of us is perfect, but let's try to be; to be more like Jesus, to "do" what He wants us to do. Hey, thanks for reading, for joining me here. Feel the love.
Luke 5:7, Jesus saw a tax collector named Levi and said, "Follow Me." We must follow Jesus.
1 Corinthians 11:24, Jesus taught His disciples to take the Lord's Supper, "Do this in remembrance of Me." We are to take the Lord's Supper. I do it every week.
Hebrews 10:24, "let us consider one another....not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together." We are taught to assemble with other Christians.
Acts 17:10-11, the Bereans "searched the scriptures daily." We should study our Bibles.
James 5:16 says, "The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." Pray.
1 John 2:10, "He who loves his brother abides in the light.." We must love our brother.
James 1:22, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only." We must be doers, not just hearers or talkers or dreamers or whatever.
James 1:27, "Pure 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."
I'm sure this could go on and on, but let's don't. None of us is perfect, but let's try to be; to be more like Jesus, to "do" what He wants us to do. Hey, thanks for reading, for joining me here. Feel the love.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Question on Judgment
So I received a question on Judgment. Why is it that all people, even Christians, will be judged when this life is over? Shouldn't Christians be automatically saved?
I want to start by saying some disclosures like, hey, I don't claim to know everything, and likely God hasn't revealed everything regarding judgment and Heaven. But, still, the Bible gives us answers so let's look at some (there must be a thousand ways to answer this, but here is mine):
Yes, there is a judgment coming:
Matt. 5:22 "Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."
"Day of Judgment"--Matt. 10:15 and 2 Peter 2:9
1 John 4:17 "We may have boldness in the Day of Judgment."
Read Matt. 10:31-46 where it concludes, "But these will go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
But if Christians have been saved, will they, and why will they, have to face judgment? (Before giving some verses, let me interject that ALL of the epistles (letters) from Romans on through the New Testament are written to Christians. So when we read warnings to not fall away, beware of sin, etc., the lesson is to those who have become Christians.)
A Christian can be tempted, can go back to sin and be lost--1 Cor. 10:12-13.
James 1:12-27--Even the Christian can fall; we must endure temptation.
2 John 8--"Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward."
And finally, the book of Hebrews gives many warnings to the Christian: 2:1, "lest we drift away." 3:12, "departing from the living God." 5:1, "you have become dull of hearing." 10:26, "If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins."
Thus, after we have become Christians, we must still resist temptation. We must continue to follow Jesus rather than Satan. And we must stand before God in the final judgment. But if we are sincerely trying to follow Jesus, we don't have to fear judgment. Note 1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."
My conclusion to all of this is that there must be a balance. Yes, we are saved by the blood of Jesus, the grace of God. But we must do our part as well.....and will be judged on whether we did so. He says, "Ask and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and...." We must do our part. Perhaps in the next posting we will look at specific things that we are to do. But meanwhile, thanks for reading and sharing these thoughts with me. Love and peace......
I want to start by saying some disclosures like, hey, I don't claim to know everything, and likely God hasn't revealed everything regarding judgment and Heaven. But, still, the Bible gives us answers so let's look at some (there must be a thousand ways to answer this, but here is mine):
Yes, there is a judgment coming:
Matt. 5:22 "Whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment."
"Day of Judgment"--Matt. 10:15 and 2 Peter 2:9
1 John 4:17 "We may have boldness in the Day of Judgment."
Read Matt. 10:31-46 where it concludes, "But these will go into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
But if Christians have been saved, will they, and why will they, have to face judgment? (Before giving some verses, let me interject that ALL of the epistles (letters) from Romans on through the New Testament are written to Christians. So when we read warnings to not fall away, beware of sin, etc., the lesson is to those who have become Christians.)
A Christian can be tempted, can go back to sin and be lost--1 Cor. 10:12-13.
James 1:12-27--Even the Christian can fall; we must endure temptation.
2 John 8--"Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward."
And finally, the book of Hebrews gives many warnings to the Christian: 2:1, "lest we drift away." 3:12, "departing from the living God." 5:1, "you have become dull of hearing." 10:26, "If we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins."
Thus, after we have become Christians, we must still resist temptation. We must continue to follow Jesus rather than Satan. And we must stand before God in the final judgment. But if we are sincerely trying to follow Jesus, we don't have to fear judgment. Note 1 John 5:13, "These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life."
My conclusion to all of this is that there must be a balance. Yes, we are saved by the blood of Jesus, the grace of God. But we must do our part as well.....and will be judged on whether we did so. He says, "Ask and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and...." We must do our part. Perhaps in the next posting we will look at specific things that we are to do. But meanwhile, thanks for reading and sharing these thoughts with me. Love and peace......
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Question--Afterlife
I received a question from Steve. Here's the gist: "I was looking at the Catholic channel and they were talking about Purgatory. I've never heard non-Catholics talk about Purgatory. Anyway, the Catholic bishop was saying (I thought) St. Paul talked about it...that through Purgatory a person can go to heaven and have not accepted Jesus Christ while on earth....that believers can pray for the soul in Pergatory to be accepted? into heaven."
First, know that Purgatory is not a Bible word or Bible concept. It cannot be found in the Bible. The Catholics have their own Bible and set of beliefs that have evolved over centuries. And frankly, if it isn't in the Bible, I don't want it. But, for what it is worth, my understanding of the doctrine is that if a believer dies and has unforgiven sins (not of a major type, such as murder) then Purgatory is where the dead person's sins are removed through the prayers of the living. As for Paul referring to or inferring anything regarding Purgatory, he didn't. Here are a few pertinent Bible teachings.
About the after life:
Jesus' story about Lazarus--(Luke 16:23)--'Rich man in torments in Hades'--'Great gulf between the rich man and Lazarus.'
Jesus on the cross said (Luke 23:46) to the thief, "today you will be with me in Paradise"
1 Thes. 4:13-18 tells us that "God will bring with Him those who sleep (dead) in Jesus." Chapter 5 continues with how Jesus is coming back on the "day of the Lord."
We really don't know a lot about the after life though we read a lot about Heaven, particularly at the end of the book of Revelation. But Purgatory, praying for the removal of other people's sins after they have died? No!
About straying from the Bible:
2 Timothy 3:16-17--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God....that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 John 9--"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God."
Revelation 22:18-19--"If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
So, the answer is for us all to just follow the teachings of Jesus and His followers in the Bible.
Thank you for reading! Written with love.
First, know that Purgatory is not a Bible word or Bible concept. It cannot be found in the Bible. The Catholics have their own Bible and set of beliefs that have evolved over centuries. And frankly, if it isn't in the Bible, I don't want it. But, for what it is worth, my understanding of the doctrine is that if a believer dies and has unforgiven sins (not of a major type, such as murder) then Purgatory is where the dead person's sins are removed through the prayers of the living. As for Paul referring to or inferring anything regarding Purgatory, he didn't. Here are a few pertinent Bible teachings.
About the after life:
Jesus' story about Lazarus--(Luke 16:23)--'Rich man in torments in Hades'--'Great gulf between the rich man and Lazarus.'
Jesus on the cross said (Luke 23:46) to the thief, "today you will be with me in Paradise"
1 Thes. 4:13-18 tells us that "God will bring with Him those who sleep (dead) in Jesus." Chapter 5 continues with how Jesus is coming back on the "day of the Lord."
We really don't know a lot about the after life though we read a lot about Heaven, particularly at the end of the book of Revelation. But Purgatory, praying for the removal of other people's sins after they have died? No!
About straying from the Bible:
2 Timothy 3:16-17--"All scripture is given by inspiration of God....that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2 John 9--"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God."
Revelation 22:18-19--"If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
So, the answer is for us all to just follow the teachings of Jesus and His followers in the Bible.
Thank you for reading! Written with love.
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