The Nazarene Jew Jeshua (Jesus Christ) put his own will aside and offered himself as a lamb for God, as a ransom for us all.
Now time has come that we should also let him and his heavenly Father see Who we want to follow and Who we want to have as our God. Jesus showed his love for his God, Who is the Only One God of Israel, the God of Abraham. He asked his followers to become one with his God like he is one with Jehovah God. Coming closer to the time of Great Tribulation it is time to show the world to who you want to belong. It is high time to show the world for what you care and what or whom you love.
Did you ever ask yourself for whom you would risk everything?
Today we still face this materialistic world. But we should know that time for this world is limited. Today there are still many people, kings, presidents, ministers, as leaders demanding people to follow them and who reign their country as if it belongs to them. But everything on earth belongs to the Divine Creator. When he created this world He had a purpose for it and it shall become a reality whatever man may try to do.
In the New Testament we do find Jesus telling many stories in the form of parables which should open our eyes and should let us think about the reign to come and to look for. He talks about a realm of heaven and calls us to put our hands to work and help get the ground prepared to receive the love of God.He gives many examples how faith without works is dead and how we should be careful not to loose the entrance to the Kingdom of God by not living up to God's Wishes or not fulfilling God's commandments.
When looking at the Scriptures we can see how we are challenged to train our eyes to look
beyond the problems and to see the promises of the world around us. And
we have been told, repeatedly, that the “reign of heaven” is small, even
hidden, but it is always at work. We are called to look for the hidden treasure and to go for Biblical truth and not to be of this world, loving all those materialist and perischable treasures.
Look around us we should see what is good and what is bad and learn from it. Though there are many who think by the death of Christ everybody is saved and does not have to do anything any-more, we should know that we for sure still have to do a lot of work. Every day we should work at ourself. Every hour of the day we should try to build up our Christlike character. that shall not so easy as so many think. It demands an effort.
Jesus asks us to come together and to meet each-other regularly to study the Word of God and to praise the Most High. Together we should form a unit, giving ourself as inhabitant of the realm of Christ. As partakers of his spiritual Body, we should feel united and work to keep everything around us pure and 'sanctified'.
Every one of the partakers of the Body of Christ should be wiling to give himself or herself to Christ Jesus, putting the own selfish I away.
Each person on this earth should be looking for the hidden treasures of God and should know that the “reign of heaven” is like a discovery that disrupts
all other priorities, and those who make the discoveries have their
entire lives shaped by them.
Those who love Jesus and want to have a good relationship with him and his heavenly Father should be prepared to put the earthly wishes aside and go for heavenly treasures. They should not be afraid for those of the world who do not want to know about God and who would laugh at those who want to give their life to God. But those who know better shall be happy to give their life to the One God and to present themselves as sons of the realm. For it is in the believe in Jesus that we want to go as partakers of the Body of Christ, willing to unite in his Church, which is the Church of God.
With the knowledge that there is the Unseen God Who has prepared the unseen realm and shall present the earthly realm to mankind, to those who are ready for it, we may have the assurance in the hope that one day the world shall have to face that reality of the Great Kingdom, which shall go above all kingdoms of the world.
Giving ourselves to Christ shall make our union sealed and secure.
Showing posts with label faith and works. Show all posts
Showing posts with label faith and works. Show all posts
Monday, 18 June 2018
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
When having taken a new direction in life, having become a Christian
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| English: Folio 18 recto, beginning of the Epistle to Thessalonians, decorated headpiece (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
He knew that in the presence of our God and Father, we never had to forget that our faith should be active, our love working hard, and our confidence in our the master teacher Jeshua enduring. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
He wants us to continually recall before God our Father the things we have done because of our faith and our work of/from faith. When under Christ, being in the faith, we should not only live in faith for ourselves, but share that faith and share the love of Christ with others. Therefore we should do the work because of our love and our continuing strength because of your hope or endurance of/from hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 1:3)
In the same way the Thessalonians their faith and way of living became an example to [model for] all the believers in Macedonia [the Roman province in which Thessalonica was located, present-day northern Greece] and Achaia [present-day southern Greece] (1 Thessalonians 1:7) we should become an example too.
Today, people around you have to be able to see how you stopped being of this world and stopped worshipping idols [ turned to God from idols] to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom God raised from the dead, and the sent one from God who who rescues us from the coming wrath. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
To be on the safe site, we have chosen to belong to the body of Christ and work at ourselves, making us holy, i.e. being set apart from the world, having the right godly attitude.
Always we should be keeping alert, and always thanking and praying to God. (Colossians 4:2)
Therefore we should act wisely, behaving towards people who are not believers, making the most of every opportunity. When you talk, you should always be kind [gracious] and pleasant [winsome; engaging; or wholesome; seasoned with salt] so you will be able to answer everyone in the way you should.4 Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that also you have a Master in heaven.2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.3 And at the same time pray for us also, that God may open a door to us for the Word (the Gospel), to proclaim the mystery concerning Christ (the Messiah) on account of which I am in prison; (Colossians 4:1-3 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Since you were in a way raised from the dead, by choosing for Christ and his resurrection, you should also aim at [aspire to; seek after; focus on] what is in heaven [the things above], where the one who did not do his own will but preferred to do the Will of God, is sitting at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)5 Behave yourselves wisely [living prudently and with discretion] in your relations with those of the outside world (the non-Christians), making the very most of the time and seizing (buying up) the opportunity.6 Let your speech at all times be gracious (pleasant and winsome), seasoned [as it were] with salt, [so that you may never be at a loss] to know how you ought to answer anyone [who puts a question to you]. (Colossians 4:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Having come under the grace of God, we should think only about [set our minds on; fix our thoughts on] the things in heaven [above], not the things on earth. Our aim should be to become like Christ, by his nailing at the stake, having nailed our old sinful self to the past and to death. As if we died, and our new life is kept [hidden] with Christ in God.
We should know that now having come into a new world, the one of Christ, we have to do our best to put all evil [earthly; worldly] things out of your life [to death]: sexual sinning, doing evil [impurity; defilement], letting evil thoughts control you [lust; passion], wanting things that are evil [selfish desires], and greed, which is ·serving a false god [idolatry]. Because of these things, God’s ·judgment [anger; wrath] is coming.3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
(Colossians 3:3-4 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
5 So kill (deaden, [a]deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),(Colossians 3:5-6 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
It may not always be easy to put the many bad things of the world aside, and to get these things out of your life: anger, bad temper [rage], hatred [malice; evil], saying things to hurt others [slander; blasphemy], and using evil words [abusive/filthy/obscene language] when you talk [from your mouth].
Let us be glad that we receive the ability to do away of our old self, our old sinful life [self; person; man] and the things we did before [its deeds/practices], now having begun to live the new life [put on the new person/man], in which we are being made new [renewed] in the true knowledge of God and are becoming like [according to the image of] the One who created us [Gen. 1:26–27].7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
(Colossians 3:7-8 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Today we see lots of people who do not like strangers living around them, they forgetting that when they allow them to get themselves to be known, they should not be strangers any more. In our new life there should be no difference between Jews and other believers or unbelievers in God, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or between people who are foreigners [barbarians], or Scythians [from the northern coast of the Black Sea, considered uncivilized and violent]. There is no difference between slaves and free people. But Christ is all that is important and should be in all believers [all and in all], having those who believe in him sharing the love of Christ with all others.
In the knowledge that God loves us and has prepared a body for us, giving us salvation and liberation form slavery and death, we should not enslave others nor bring fear and death over others. Now we received the ability to become God’s chosen, holy and beloved ones (Ex. 19:6; 1 Pet. 2:9] we should present ourselves to others as "newly clothed" ones full of acceptance and openness, with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with or making allowances for; being patient with each other, and forgiving each other, always letting the peace of Christ control [rule; arbitrate] our thinking [hearts], because we were all called together in one body [the church as the body of Christ] to have peace.10 And have clothed yourselves with the new [spiritual self], which is [ever in the process of being] renewed and remolded into [fuller and more perfect [a]knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.11 [In this new creation all distinctions vanish.] There [b]is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, [nor difference between nations whether alien] barbarians or Scythians [[c]who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all [[d]everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].
(Colossians 3:10-11Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
(Colossians 3:12-15 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition)
Always be thankful and remember that everything you do or say should be done to obey [or as a representative of; in the name of] the Lord Jesus. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus. (Colossians 3:15-17)
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Please do find to read:
- Facing our existence every day
- Looking for wisdom not departing from God’s Word
- Showing by the scriptures that …
- Christian values, traditions, real or false stories, pure and upright belief
- When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
- Leading with Fear: Gathering or Scattering?
- Today’s thought “Ability to assemble” (May 14)
- Today’s thought “Death by being taken captive” (May 15)
- Today’s thought “Clothing yourselves with the right attitude” (May 16)
- Today’s thought “Let’s be examples of disciples who spread the word about their Master” (May 17)
- Today’s thought by the French elections and right-wing populism in the world
- Human Nature: What does the Bible teach?
- The business of this life
- How to set your mind
- Running away from the past
- A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
- The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
- Unconditional love
- Be holy
- Doctrine and Conduct Cause and Effect
- The works we have to do according to James
Monday, 8 February 2016
The longer you wait
Not so many people are looking for God nowadays, but in case you are, are when you are wondering about that mysterious God, do not procrastinate.
Man has waited a long time, but God has waited even longer. He has shown His patience long enough. He has also allowed man to look for some systems to govern this world. But as we can see throughout history, man has not made something good out of it.
The words “sanctification” and "justification "have been under much debate recently in the church. This debate is less about the actual definition, and more about the ramifications behind how it is actually lived out in the Christian life.
There are preachers, priests and pastors, who want others to believe man is saved by the Blood of Christ and no does not have to do anything any more. They even say that works of faith is a blasphemy. but we would like them and you to have a closer look to what is really written in the Bible.
We should listen much more to the Words of God and come to understand His Plan with mankind and how we do have to fit in God's Plan.
There is God’s will of freeing us from sin, sending His only begotten beloved son. God wants us to become more like that Nazarene man Jesus who was authorized by God to do many miracles. Jesus showed the way to God and to sanctification. We either can see it or keep ignoring his teachings, preferring to hold strong to human writings instead of Godly writings.
Those who say we as Christians do not have to do any work any more should listen to the apostle Paul his writing to the Thessalonians
When we are willing to give ourselves to God and willing to learn about Him we shall come to get to know more about Him. Bit by bit we shall come to know Him better and we shall come to see how our faith in God also can change our attitude in life. That is what has to happen. As soon as we want to go for God we should be willing to give ourselves in the hands of God and letting Him change our inner being.
Our life shall not always go smoothly, also not when we have become a Christian. But when we keep going on the right path, in the process of waiting, spiritual transformation shall happen in our life.
If God always gave you what you want when you wanted it, he would not be such a good Father, but be like any worldly spoiling father, not preparing his children for this life on earth and not getting them to know the values of life. We also should remember that we still are of sinful nature and that not everything we want is the right thing or something good for us or good for others. Think about it. Considering our sinful nature, if you never had to wait, you also would never have a reason to trust God. We would do our own thing. We would never pray. We would not revere Him for His character. If we never waited, our lives would be much worse.
Therefore be patient and look forward to the higher promises of God. Follow Jesus as the Way to God and try to become like him. This will demand many efforts or works, but it shall be worth it.
Do not postpone and come to recognise who Jesus is, what he has done and Who his heavenly Father is and why that Eternal Spirit Who cannot be seen by man is so important for the whole world. Get to know why we should become children of Jesus ' heavenly Father.
Meditate on James 1:5-8 and on the second chapter about faith and works.
Please also look at our series on From Guestwriters:
Man has waited a long time, but God has waited even longer. He has shown His patience long enough. He has also allowed man to look for some systems to govern this world. But as we can see throughout history, man has not made something good out of it.
The words “sanctification” and "justification "have been under much debate recently in the church. This debate is less about the actual definition, and more about the ramifications behind how it is actually lived out in the Christian life.
There are preachers, priests and pastors, who want others to believe man is saved by the Blood of Christ and no does not have to do anything any more. They even say that works of faith is a blasphemy. but we would like them and you to have a closer look to what is really written in the Bible.
We should listen much more to the Words of God and come to understand His Plan with mankind and how we do have to fit in God's Plan.
There is God’s will of freeing us from sin, sending His only begotten beloved son. God wants us to become more like that Nazarene man Jesus who was authorized by God to do many miracles. Jesus showed the way to God and to sanctification. We either can see it or keep ignoring his teachings, preferring to hold strong to human writings instead of Godly writings.
Those who say we as Christians do not have to do any work any more should listen to the apostle Paul his writing to the Thessalonians
“3 For this is the will of God, [even] your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who know not God; 6 that no man transgress, and wrong his brother in the matter: because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. 7 For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. 8 Therefore he that rejecteth, rejecteth not man, but God, who giveth his Holy Spirit unto you.
9 But concerning love of the brethren ye have no need that one write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another; 10 for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more; 11 and that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your hands, even as we charged you; 12 that ye may walk becomingly toward them that are without, and may have need of nothing.” (1 Thessalonians 4:3-12 ASV)We have to make ourselves like Jesus. To do this we have a lifetime, but the longer we wait, the harder we’ll cling hopelessly to God and his promises.
When we are willing to give ourselves to God and willing to learn about Him we shall come to get to know more about Him. Bit by bit we shall come to know Him better and we shall come to see how our faith in God also can change our attitude in life. That is what has to happen. As soon as we want to go for God we should be willing to give ourselves in the hands of God and letting Him change our inner being.
Our life shall not always go smoothly, also not when we have become a Christian. But when we keep going on the right path, in the process of waiting, spiritual transformation shall happen in our life.
If God always gave you what you want when you wanted it, he would not be such a good Father, but be like any worldly spoiling father, not preparing his children for this life on earth and not getting them to know the values of life. We also should remember that we still are of sinful nature and that not everything we want is the right thing or something good for us or good for others. Think about it. Considering our sinful nature, if you never had to wait, you also would never have a reason to trust God. We would do our own thing. We would never pray. We would not revere Him for His character. If we never waited, our lives would be much worse.
Therefore be patient and look forward to the higher promises of God. Follow Jesus as the Way to God and try to become like him. This will demand many efforts or works, but it shall be worth it.
Do not postpone and come to recognise who Jesus is, what he has done and Who his heavenly Father is and why that Eternal Spirit Who cannot be seen by man is so important for the whole world. Get to know why we should become children of Jesus ' heavenly Father.
Meditate on James 1:5-8 and on the second chapter about faith and works.
Please also look at our series on From Guestwriters:
- Leading people astray!
- Restitution
- Comments to James remarks, about Faith and works
- Luther’s misunderstanding
- January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
- Our life depending on faith
- Romans 4 and the Sacraments
- Is Justification a process?
- Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer
- Faith itself not the cause of justification – Louis Berkhof
- Letter to the Romans, chapter 3
- Letter to the Romans, chapter 4
- Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans
- Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4
- Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
- James 2:14-23 — Justified Dynamic Faith & works
- James 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
- James 2:25. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
and read also other articles as:
- A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
- Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
- Christ’s ethical teaching
- Being Justified by faith
- Faith Alone Does Not Save . . . No Matter How Many Times Protestants Say It Does
- A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
- A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
- Faith and works
- Bearing fruit
- Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
- The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
- Be holy
- She who sows thistles will reap prickles
- Love for each other attracting others
- Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
Faith, storms and actions to be taken
Today it is very windy. Storms are coming over West Europe. With winds up to 150 km per hour and hail going against the windows we do hear a lot of noise.
In the past Jesus once stilled a storm and got the other men in the boat surprised, wondering who such a man could be that he had control over the weather. they were afraid of the storm but we can imagine that they also could get some fear from that man who could use his voice in such away that even wind and sea obeyed him. (Mark 4:41).
We have already read in Mark of Jesus doing many marvellous healings; a paralysed man, a leper, a man with a withered hand, etc., so that “his fame spread everywhere” (1:28): yet when he stills the storm and “the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (4:39) the disciples of Jesus then asked each other “Who then is this?”.
Jesus had asked those fishermen to follow him and they had trusted him, being convinced this was a special man sent from higher regions, namely the promised Messiah. though at that time they probably still thought he would come to fight the Romans and get them liberated from this worldly oppression.
Knowing the risks at sea, that storm seemed to have come like not foreseen or not announced. They were very familiar with the lake, so we can imagine that they also knew how the water was behaving. But that time it seemed so different and they were really frightened. Surely they had learnt when there was a risk of weather of this this nature they would not venture out. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this dramatic event, it was etched in their memory. It is described as “a great windstorm” and the “waves were breaking into the boat”.
As Jesus dramatically stills the storm, he asks, “Have you still no faith?” (verse 40). Faith is something which seems difficult to blend with mankind. People seem to have faith in lots of things, like being it dangerous to walk under a ladder, or to live on the 13th floor, having faith in a lot of people even making some of them into their gods. But having faith in God is a total different matter. who wants to believe in some one or something which can not be seen nor heard, nor felt?
Abraham is one example of faith we do have who showed what happens when a person has the right faith and does the right works. Lots of Christians do not want to believe we need to have works of faith, but in the Holy Scriptures we get many examples of people who showed their faith and got called righteous also because their works. We even find people like the prostitute Rahab and king David who had killed some one to have sex with his wife.
Though at moments going into the wrong the Old testament (and the New testament with Peter for example), shows us how they were taken by faith and regretted their wrongdoing. They repented and took the path of God.
Today we also see lots of people who live like the nation of Israel which had witnessed miracles, the plagues, walking through the sea on dry land and the destruction of the Egyptians armies at the hands of their all-powerful God – the one whose name / reputation was being established by these events, grumbling like their ancestors did against Moses [because of the lack of food (verse 2)]. Moses then could have said, “Have you still no faith?” and we also could ask those who got to know about those miracles and who received so many blessings if they still have no faith.
When we look at how the world is going we can see many who call themselves Christian, but have a life which is not worthy of a Christian. so called Christians do enjoy having sex with more than one person of the opposite or even same sex. Lots of them do not mind telling lies (so called for the good), or taking things from others (it is from work and as such does not belong to a person or would not do any harm, they say as excuse). They use public transport trying to avoid paying for their fair. They look for the cheapest bargain,no matter if their had to be children or other slaves working for it. they do not mind using articles with a big ecological footprint. Many of them also do not mind bullying others at work or in their club. They think they have to live today and not to worry about tomorrow.
Such attitudes we can hardly call an attitude of a real Christian.
Jesus in his parables also warns his listeners about the danger when we do not do the right works that we can miss the entrance of the gates of the Kingdom of God.
Are we willing to here that story or do we prefer to enjoy our life like we have ever done before? do we prefer to follow those teachers who mislead the world saying Christians are saved for ever?
We better listen to what is written in the Holy Bible and see that the storms of God’s judgements are starting to break out on this world. They are going to get worse. News bulletins are full of the detail of countries with problems and catastrophes.
We all need to really get to know our Lord and develop such a measure of faith that makes us certain God is in control whatever may come on this earth.
Meditate on James 1:5-8 and on the second chapter about faith and works.
Please also look at our series on From Guestwriters:
In the past Jesus once stilled a storm and got the other men in the boat surprised, wondering who such a man could be that he had control over the weather. they were afraid of the storm but we can imagine that they also could get some fear from that man who could use his voice in such away that even wind and sea obeyed him. (Mark 4:41).
We have already read in Mark of Jesus doing many marvellous healings; a paralysed man, a leper, a man with a withered hand, etc., so that “his fame spread everywhere” (1:28): yet when he stills the storm and “the wind ceased and there was a great calm” (4:39) the disciples of Jesus then asked each other “Who then is this?”.
Jesus had asked those fishermen to follow him and they had trusted him, being convinced this was a special man sent from higher regions, namely the promised Messiah. though at that time they probably still thought he would come to fight the Romans and get them liberated from this worldly oppression.
Knowing the risks at sea, that storm seemed to have come like not foreseen or not announced. They were very familiar with the lake, so we can imagine that they also knew how the water was behaving. But that time it seemed so different and they were really frightened. Surely they had learnt when there was a risk of weather of this this nature they would not venture out. Matthew, Mark and Luke all record this dramatic event, it was etched in their memory. It is described as “a great windstorm” and the “waves were breaking into the boat”.
As Jesus dramatically stills the storm, he asks, “Have you still no faith?” (verse 40). Faith is something which seems difficult to blend with mankind. People seem to have faith in lots of things, like being it dangerous to walk under a ladder, or to live on the 13th floor, having faith in a lot of people even making some of them into their gods. But having faith in God is a total different matter. who wants to believe in some one or something which can not be seen nor heard, nor felt?
Abraham is one example of faith we do have who showed what happens when a person has the right faith and does the right works. Lots of Christians do not want to believe we need to have works of faith, but in the Holy Scriptures we get many examples of people who showed their faith and got called righteous also because their works. We even find people like the prostitute Rahab and king David who had killed some one to have sex with his wife.
Though at moments going into the wrong the Old testament (and the New testament with Peter for example), shows us how they were taken by faith and regretted their wrongdoing. They repented and took the path of God.
Today we also see lots of people who live like the nation of Israel which had witnessed miracles, the plagues, walking through the sea on dry land and the destruction of the Egyptians armies at the hands of their all-powerful God – the one whose name / reputation was being established by these events, grumbling like their ancestors did against Moses [because of the lack of food (verse 2)]. Moses then could have said, “Have you still no faith?” and we also could ask those who got to know about those miracles and who received so many blessings if they still have no faith.
When we look at how the world is going we can see many who call themselves Christian, but have a life which is not worthy of a Christian. so called Christians do enjoy having sex with more than one person of the opposite or even same sex. Lots of them do not mind telling lies (so called for the good), or taking things from others (it is from work and as such does not belong to a person or would not do any harm, they say as excuse). They use public transport trying to avoid paying for their fair. They look for the cheapest bargain,no matter if their had to be children or other slaves working for it. they do not mind using articles with a big ecological footprint. Many of them also do not mind bullying others at work or in their club. They think they have to live today and not to worry about tomorrow.
Such attitudes we can hardly call an attitude of a real Christian.
Jesus in his parables also warns his listeners about the danger when we do not do the right works that we can miss the entrance of the gates of the Kingdom of God.
Are we willing to here that story or do we prefer to enjoy our life like we have ever done before? do we prefer to follow those teachers who mislead the world saying Christians are saved for ever?
We better listen to what is written in the Holy Bible and see that the storms of God’s judgements are starting to break out on this world. They are going to get worse. News bulletins are full of the detail of countries with problems and catastrophes.
We all need to really get to know our Lord and develop such a measure of faith that makes us certain God is in control whatever may come on this earth.
Meditate on James 1:5-8 and on the second chapter about faith and works.
Please also look at our series on From Guestwriters:
- Leading people astray!
- Restitution
- Comments to James remarks, about Faith and works
- Luther’s misunderstanding
- January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
- Our life depending on faith
- Romans 4 and the Sacraments
- Is Justification a process?
- Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer
- Faith itself not the cause of justification – Louis Berkhof
- Letter to the Romans, chapter 3
- Letter to the Romans, chapter 4
- Additional comments to the 3rd Letter to the Romans
- Additional comments to the Letter to the Romans 4
- Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
- James 2:14-23 — Justified Dynamic Faith & works
- James 2:24 – You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
- James 2:25. Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?
and read also other articles as:
- A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
- Our relationship with God, Jesus and eachother
- Christ’s ethical teaching
- Being Justified by faith
- Faith Alone Does Not Save . . . No Matter How Many Times Protestants Say It Does
- A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
- A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
- Faith and works
- Bearing fruit
- Observing the commandments and becoming doers of the Word
- The first on the list of the concerns of the saint
- Be holy
- She who sows thistles will reap prickles
- Love for each other attracting others
- Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
Wednesday, 27 January 2016
Pelagianism, abundant sex, no works and refugees
On the 27th of January we read in the Book of Genesis about Joseph, the 11th of Jacob's 12 sons and Rachel's firstborn, whose brothers sold him as a slave
into Egypt and how he revealed himself to his astonished brothers when they
came again to Egypt to buy food because of the continuing severity of
the famine.
We also have the remembrance day today of Pelagius (c.360–c.420), British or Irish monk, who denied the doctrines of original sin and predestination, defending innate human goodness and free will.
When we look at several stories in the Bible we can see that the characters of those stories are telling that they are speaking in the name of the Most High, that they are the sent one from the Elohim and/or that what happened had to happen.
When Joseph is visited by his brothers he tells them not to worry because it is the Most High Who sent him before them to preserve life. Later in history we also find a son of Joseph also being a sent one from God and also being there in the land to preserve life.. This time not for a real earthly famine, but for a spiritual famine.
With Joseph the son of Jacob there was also preserved for them a remnant on earth, so that also several survivors could be kept alive for them. Joseph sees the ‘big picture’ of God’s oversight!
Throughout history it has been difficult for many people to keep their eyes focused on the One God. they also had given preference to their own human doctrines instead of keeping to the words like they were meant in the Scriptures.
Having such human doctrines conquering the world made life not so easy for some religious people, monks and priests. The position of Jesus, also a remnant on earth, was a very delicate and often discussed one. Lots of Christians not only made the son of god into a god son, what is something totally different, but also looked at his ransom offer in a different way than described in the Bible.
For today we still see the wrong idea about what was the matter of debate in the 5th century. Pelagius his beliefs were opposed by St Augustine of Hippo and condemned as heretical by the Synod of Carthage in about 418.
In c.380, he had gone to Rome and became the spiritual guide of many clerics and lay persons. After 410, he preached in Africa, where Saint Augustine denounced his ideas, and later in Palestine. He maintained that man is master of his own salvation and rejected the idea of original sin. He countered criticisms from Augustine and Saint Jerome in his book De Libero Arbitrio in 416.and was excommunicated by Pope Innocent I in 417.
In many biblical accounts we can see how our Creator remarkably foresees the freewill actions of human nature and weaves it into his plan and purpose! The account of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt is just one example.
Throughout history we could see that God promised certain things and years later they did happen. Several times Jehovah ordered things to be done and we can see how wonderfully they fitted always in God's Plan.
Next month we are going to read in our bible reading sessions how the event in Egypt laid the foundation for the descendants of the sons of Jacob to become a nation (made up of 12 tribes). And how remarkable today is the action and reaction of the world with the reborn nation of Israel. But the world is blind to its significance, and what it portends.
Today still many do not want to accept what Jesus has done and who he really fits in the Plan of God. By saying he is God who died for our sins and that we are now saved for ever and have not do any works any-more, they not only forget that God cannot die, but also mislead people letting them think that because they are saved for ever they do not need to do any work to be able to enter in God's Kingdom.
This makes it that many Christians do not see any harm in certain actions taken against the refugees coming to Europe. For many Christians it is even best to halt them coming over here and becoming part of our nation.
The world has not only become blind to the wonder of the Creator and His creation, man has forgotten all the tasks Jesus has given to his followers. Many Christians do not seem to remember what is being told in the many comparisons or parables.
Reading the letters of Paul we can notice how the Romans, who had worshipped idols, gods of human imagination, got people who came to know God because "God has shown it to them". For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Letter to the Romans 1:19,20).
Several people have no shame today to give themselves over to degrading passions, for their males or females exchanged the natural relations for those contrary to nature. For years already we can see males, abandoning the natural relations with the female, having no objection to copulate with more than one partner form the same sex or even to have erotic fun with people from their own and from the other gender.
Inflamed in their desire toward one another, males with males, females with females, committing the shameless deed, they are very afraid for those who say we have to worship God and have to live according to God's Law. Everything what even smells of God is something they want to avoid. For them having a people coming into their country which possibly could want to have the others worshipping the only One True God makes them very afraid and gets them doing everything to keep such people out.
Strangely enough we do hear lots of people complaining that many churches have been turned in mosques, but they do not wonder why those places of worship came empty and got turned into prayer-houses for Muslims.
As they do not see fit to recognize God we may assume it is God Himself Who gave our people over to a debased mind, to do the things that are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greediness, malice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malevolence.
Those gossipers have become fools (verse 22). They have become greater fools today, but in a different way. What we read from verse 28 fits our situation so aptly,
Lots of them do not acknowledge the Real One God. With their debased mind they also want others to believe we should not take care of those poor people, should not give them a roof above their head, nor should we feed them.
Those who call themselves Christian should think about what Jesus taught and at what he asked from his followers. they should take distance from those who are filled with all manner of unrighteousness and in contrast should be
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Please do find to read:
+++
We also have the remembrance day today of Pelagius (c.360–c.420), British or Irish monk, who denied the doctrines of original sin and predestination, defending innate human goodness and free will.
When we look at several stories in the Bible we can see that the characters of those stories are telling that they are speaking in the name of the Most High, that they are the sent one from the Elohim and/or that what happened had to happen.
 |
| Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed by Pharaoh, watercolor by James Tissot (c. 1900) |
With Joseph the son of Jacob there was also preserved for them a remnant on earth, so that also several survivors could be kept alive for them. Joseph sees the ‘big picture’ of God’s oversight!
Throughout history it has been difficult for many people to keep their eyes focused on the One God. they also had given preference to their own human doctrines instead of keeping to the words like they were meant in the Scriptures.
Having such human doctrines conquering the world made life not so easy for some religious people, monks and priests. The position of Jesus, also a remnant on earth, was a very delicate and often discussed one. Lots of Christians not only made the son of god into a god son, what is something totally different, but also looked at his ransom offer in a different way than described in the Bible.
For today we still see the wrong idea about what was the matter of debate in the 5th century. Pelagius his beliefs were opposed by St Augustine of Hippo and condemned as heretical by the Synod of Carthage in about 418.
In c.380, he had gone to Rome and became the spiritual guide of many clerics and lay persons. After 410, he preached in Africa, where Saint Augustine denounced his ideas, and later in Palestine. He maintained that man is master of his own salvation and rejected the idea of original sin. He countered criticisms from Augustine and Saint Jerome in his book De Libero Arbitrio in 416.and was excommunicated by Pope Innocent I in 417.
In many biblical accounts we can see how our Creator remarkably foresees the freewill actions of human nature and weaves it into his plan and purpose! The account of Joseph and his brothers in Egypt is just one example.
Throughout history we could see that God promised certain things and years later they did happen. Several times Jehovah ordered things to be done and we can see how wonderfully they fitted always in God's Plan.
Next month we are going to read in our bible reading sessions how the event in Egypt laid the foundation for the descendants of the sons of Jacob to become a nation (made up of 12 tribes). And how remarkable today is the action and reaction of the world with the reborn nation of Israel. But the world is blind to its significance, and what it portends.
Today still many do not want to accept what Jesus has done and who he really fits in the Plan of God. By saying he is God who died for our sins and that we are now saved for ever and have not do any works any-more, they not only forget that God cannot die, but also mislead people letting them think that because they are saved for ever they do not need to do any work to be able to enter in God's Kingdom.
This makes it that many Christians do not see any harm in certain actions taken against the refugees coming to Europe. For many Christians it is even best to halt them coming over here and becoming part of our nation.
The world has not only become blind to the wonder of the Creator and His creation, man has forgotten all the tasks Jesus has given to his followers. Many Christians do not seem to remember what is being told in the many comparisons or parables.
Reading the letters of Paul we can notice how the Romans, who had worshipped idols, gods of human imagination, got people who came to know God because "God has shown it to them". For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse” (Letter to the Romans 1:19,20).
Romans 1:19-25 Complete Apostles' Bible (19) Because that which is known of God is manifest among them, for God has shown it to them. (20) For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things made, both His eternal power and Divinity, so that they are without excuse. (21) Because, having known God, they did not glorify Him as God, or give thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their senseless heart was darkened. (22) Professing to be wise, they became fools, (23) and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for a likeness of an image of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and reptiles. (24) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of the own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies among themselves, (25) who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.Also today there are people claiming to be wise but became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God with the likeness of an image of mortal human beings. As in the time of the apostles we may say that now also it is God Who gives them over in the desires of their hearts to immorality, that their bodies would be dishonoured among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God with a lie, and worship in front of graven images or even do not worshipping at all but look up at all sorts of gods or idols.
Several people have no shame today to give themselves over to degrading passions, for their males or females exchanged the natural relations for those contrary to nature. For years already we can see males, abandoning the natural relations with the female, having no objection to copulate with more than one partner form the same sex or even to have erotic fun with people from their own and from the other gender.
Inflamed in their desire toward one another, males with males, females with females, committing the shameless deed, they are very afraid for those who say we have to worship God and have to live according to God's Law. Everything what even smells of God is something they want to avoid. For them having a people coming into their country which possibly could want to have the others worshipping the only One True God makes them very afraid and gets them doing everything to keep such people out.
Strangely enough we do hear lots of people complaining that many churches have been turned in mosques, but they do not wonder why those places of worship came empty and got turned into prayer-houses for Muslims.
As they do not see fit to recognize God we may assume it is God Himself Who gave our people over to a debased mind, to do the things that are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greediness, malice, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malevolence.
Those gossipers have become fools (verse 22). They have become greater fools today, but in a different way. What we read from verse 28 fits our situation so aptly,
Romans 1:28-32 Complete Apostles' Bible (28) And just as they did not approve to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do the things which are not fitting; (29) having been filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, greed, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness; they are whisperers, (30) slanderers, hateful to God, insolent men, proud, braggarts, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; (32) who, having known the righteous judgment of God, that those practicing such things are worthy of death, not only do them, but also approve of those who practice them.We notice that there are many who claim to be Christian but do not the works according to their faith and who oppose those people who fled from the war zones in the East, to come to stay here until the situations becomes more peaceful.
Lots of them do not acknowledge the Real One God. With their debased mind they also want others to believe we should not take care of those poor people, should not give them a roof above their head, nor should we feed them.
Those who call themselves Christian should think about what Jesus taught and at what he asked from his followers. they should take distance from those who are filled with all manner of unrighteousness and in contrast should be
“filled with all manner of” righteousness, which increases as we feed on God’s word every day.Let us also remind that Faith without works is death.
+
Please do find to read:
- January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
- Salvation and Righteousness
- Elul Observances
- God’s wrath and sanctification
- A god who gave his people commandments and laws he knew they never could keep to it
- Outflow of foundational relationship based on acceptance of Jesus
- Back from gone #4 Your inner feelings and actions
- Being Religious and Spiritual 8 Spiritual, Mystic and not or well religious
- Cognizance at the doorstep or at the internet socket
- Good and bad things in this world
- Establish your hearts blameless in holiness
- Myth 12: The Hyper-Grace Gospel Makes People Lazy
- Faith Alone Does Not Save . . . No Matter How Many Times Protestants Say It Does
- A Living Faith #3 Faith put into action
- A Living Faith #6 Sacrifice
- Humbleness
- A race not to swift, nor a battle to the strong
- The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong
- Being of good courage running the race
- Bearing fruit
- To Soar In The Spirit You Have To Be Hard Core
- Our stance against certain religions and immigrating people
- Religion, fundamentalism and murder
- Daring to speak in multicultural environment
- As Christ’s slaves doing the Will of God in gratitude
- 2014 Religion
- Disobedient man and God’s promises
- From pain to purpose
- Trusting, Faith, Calling and Ascribing to Jehovah #17 Sorts of prayers
- God’s forgotten Word 5 Lost Lawbook 4 The ‘Catholic’ church
- Daily Spiritual Food To prepare ourselves for the Kingdom of God
- Evangelisation, local preaching opposite overseas evangelism
- When not seeing or not finding a biblically sound church
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