Wow! So much in one little verse!!!

Hebrews 11:6(NKJV)

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

As you know I have written many times about how important faith is to God.  This verse really puts that into context doesn't it?  It is IMPOSSIBLE to please God without faith.  The verse goes on to say that there are a couple of things that one who comes to God must believe. 

The first thing is that one must believe that there actually is a God.  The second thing we must believe is that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.  How does He reward them?  Many ways I am sure.  But the biggest reward I can think of is the comfort of that deep personal relationship with God.  That absolute feeling of security knowing that God has your back! 

Does that mean everything will always turn out right?  Nope.  But it means that I know with certainty that God has the end covered for me and my family.  Hmm.  That certainty is just another word for faith isn't it?  :)

God is…complete!!!

As I continue my word study I am finding that it is hard to draw a lesson from some of the words.  Complete is one of them.  Here are some verses.  Read through them and I'll offer some thoughts.

Philippians 1:3-6(NKJV)

I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 

always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 

for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, 

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; 

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Hebrews 13:21(NKJV)

make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 15:1(NKJV)

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous: seven angels having the seven last plagues, for in them the wrath of God is complete.

If I were to draw one overriding impression from these verses it is that God likes to see things through.  If God gives us a vision of His will then God will always give us what is necessary to complete the vision.  The problem too often is that we give up instead of seeing it through.

The other thing I see here is in Revelation.  For those who reject the idea of God sending anyone to hell I would suggest that they reconsider.  Revelation specifically says that God's wrath will be complete!  That doesn't sound like letting people slide to me. 

The Bible and the Law

As a financial adviser I found this interesting.  Here is something that was written a couple of thousand years ago in the Bible and it is exactly what the law is in the US today!

Hebrews 9:15-17(NKJV)

And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

For where there is a testament, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 

For a testament is in force after men are dead, since it has no power at all while the testator lives. 

What is another name for a testament?  A will (to keep it simple I am not including trusts here).  This is a legal document that governs the disposal of your assets when you die.  Your will has absolutely no legal power while you are alive.  But at the instant of death, it becomes the document that winds up all of your affairs here on earth.

Isn't it interesting that the Bible got it right so far ahead of time?  :)

One of the single most powerful passages Scripture in the whole Bible, in my opinion!

I love this passage of Scripture.  Another foundational passage as it were.

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

God gives us all we need to be "thoroughly equipped for every good work".  So let there be no doubt, if you are constantly seeking God's will in your life and you are letting Him direct you, He will lead you to succeed in the good works He has inspired you to undertake. 

That doesn't mean that everything will go smoothly and everything will be easy.  As I wrote the other day, some life lessons can only be learned from adversity and so we have to know how to take adversity in stride.  We just need to keep in mind that adversity doesn't necessarily mean not ever, it just means not yet.

Now what is the key to dealing with not yet?  Come on now.  I've written about it so often I know you all know the answer.  All together now.

"Take joy in your tribulations!"  And why do we take joy in our tribulations?  "Because it is an outward expression of our inner faith!" 

Never forget and never doubt for a minute, if you are a "Child of God", God has your back!  If you aren't a "Child of God" then not so much.

There are many who would argue that we are all "Children of God" because God made us all.  According to Scripture that is incorrect.  Take a look.

John 1:12(NKJV)

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: 

Receive who?  Jesus!  According to all I have read in Scripture, there is one way and only one way that you become a "Child of God".  That is by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. 

Have you done that yet?  Have you asked Jesus to come in to your life and lead you?  It's easy.  Why not do it right now?  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."

Hmm. A clue!

I think it was Dr. Robert Schuller who wrote a book called "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  Here is at least part of the answer.

Hebrews 5:8(NKJV)

though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 

Here the author is speaking about Jesus.  Think about what the author is saying.

God has a lesson He wanted Jesus to learn.  Now this is God's kid we are talking about here.  He loves His kid.  He doesn't want His kid to suffer needlessly.  So why didn't God just make it easy on Jesus and impart the lesson to Him in a way that didn't involve suffering?

One of my long held beliefs is that there are just some life lessons that cannot be learned any other way than through adversity.  I don't know why it has to be that way but I think this verse confirms that belief.  Even Jesus, the Son of God, had to learn some lessons the hard way.  If Jesus had to learn it that way, why should we be any different? 

Make sense?

Now since we can't avoid learning some of the lessons of life through adversity let's talk about how we should respond in the tough times. 

Let's go to one of my foundational verses for the answer.  As I have said many times I believe this is God's success plan all rolled in to one.  And it begins with how we handle adversity.

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

I'll bet many of you can say this before I even type it.  "Taking glory" in our tribulations is an outward, physical manifestation of our inner faith.  It's the concrete way that we show that 

 we truly believe that God has our back and things will ultimately work out for the best. 

It takes faith to do that!  It takes faith to see the worst of humanity going on around us and still believe that God has our back.  It takes faith to believe that God will always keep His promises.  It takes faith. 

And isn't that what the Christmas season is really all about?  Faith that the little baby born on Christmas day all those years ago would grow up to become the Savior of the world.  Faith that Jesus is who He and God said He is.  Faith that Jesus would lead us to a deeper and everlasting relationship with God!

Thank you so much Jesus for doing so!

Once again I have to disagree with Paul.

Here is what Paul wrote in Hebrews (Hebrews is attributed to Pauline authorship but there is quite a bit of disagreement within the Christian world on that point). 

Hebrews 6:4-6(NKJV)

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 

and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 

if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

It seems to me that Paul is saying that if one falls away for a time and then wants to return to the family of God it will not be allowed.  In fact Paul says it is impossible for that to happen. 

Now let's compare that to what Jesus said. 

Matthew 12:31-32(NKJV)

“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. 

Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Who ya going to believe?  I will side with Jesus every time.

But let's go a little deeper.  Is Paul trying to purposely deceive?  I don't think so.  One of the things I have noticed in Paul's writings is that he is a bit like a little Jewish mother, he is really good at trying to lay guilt trips on people to manipulate them. 

This is purely speculation on my part but I think this is an emotional manipulation on Paul's part.    Paul seems to be saying how can you fall away after tasting all the goodness of being part of the family of God?  Don't expect to be welcomed back. 

But think it through.  That is an awfully unforgiving attitude isn't it?  In fact it is the opposite of Jesus' real message isn't it?  Jesus said "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him…..".  Jesus didn't put any time limit on it nor did Jesus say hey this is a onetime offer did he? 

To me this is another example of why we need discernment as we study God's Word.  Man adds and man subtracts from God's Word.  Almost always with good intentions.  I'm sure Paul had the very best of intentions in this case even though he directly contradicts Jesus. 

I caught our Pastor doing something like this in a class a couple of years ago.  He made a statement that while well intentioned simply wasn't Scripturally correct and I called him on it in front of the class.  When I explained the error he agreed and we moved on, no big deal.  It was funny though because for the rest of the night if he was getting ready to say something close to the edge he would glance over at me like he was thinking "oh crap is he going to correct me again?".  :)

So how do we discern which is which?  First and foremost rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance.  That is one of His primary purposes.  In addition try this Bible study rule that I use.  I am always looking for confirmation of a principal or belief in both the Old Testament and the New Testament.  And I always put the words of Jesus above all others! 

"senses exercised to discern both good and evil." What does that mean???

 

Hebrews 5:12-14(NKJV)

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 

For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 

But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

I find a couple of things interesting about these verses.  First I like that it distinguishes those who are "babes" in the word verses those who are of "full age" in the word.

In my opinion this is talking about those who like to quote a single verse here or there but they don't really understand the full meaning of Scripture because they haven't really dug in and studied it.  Theirs is more of a cursory reading and understanding of Scripture. 

A great example of that is the whole "thou shall not judge" thing.  We hear it all the time like that one Scripture is the complete and final word on the subject.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  These Scriptures are a perfect example.

We are told that we need to exercise our senses to discern both good and evil.  What does that mean exactly.  It means we have to practice recognizing the difference between good and evil.  That requires repeated judgements does it not? 

One might ask "isn't evil readily recognizable?".  In some cases sure it is.  For example the evil of a mother purposely injecting her child with a deadly disease is easily recognizable to everyone.  Even a "babe" would recognize it.

On the other hand we have many in the Christian community that insist that it is not the fault of the poor that they are poor, that the whole system is against them and there is nothing they can do about it.  Those who do this think they are being compassionate. 

It takes a person of "full age" Scripturally to recognize this as stealing people's hope and understand that stealing peoples hope is one of the most evil things you can do to someone in my opinion. 

The last thing I will call your attention to is this:  "those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

Notice it doesn't mention anything about feelings.  We are to use the reason (intellect) that God gave us to recognize good and evil!

Good intentions are not enough!

They say beginning is half the battle.  That may be but it ain't over until it is completed. 

2 Corinthians 8:10-11(NKJV)

And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 

but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 

How come Paul left out Power as a fruit of the Spirit?

To me this is an example of why the Bible has to be read and interpreted in its entirety.  I think this first verse along with the verses about the meek inheriting the earth go a long way in explaining why some people think that Christians should be pacifists.

Take a look at the first verse.  From the title of this blog entry you can probably guess what I think is missing from the "fruits of the Spirit" that Paul is writing about.  Take a look.

Galatians 5:22-23(NKJV)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 

gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 

These all tend to the side of meekness.  Why do you think that is?  Why did Paul focus on that? 

Now let's look at a verse from 2 Timothy.

2 Timothy 1:7(NKJV)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

Power, love, and a sound mind.  Power, not meekness. 

Now let's look at something Jesus actually said.

Matthew 10:34-39(NKJV)

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 

and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’  

He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 

And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 

He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.

Think about what Jesus is saying there.  He has called us all to take sides.  Notice Jesus didn't say "can't we all just get along?".  He said flat out you are either for Him or against Him.  Jesus calls on all of His followers to stand with Him and against those who are against Him.  It takes a strong (power) person to stand with Jesus against family and friends. 

My question is which fruits of the Spirit are more likely to help you succeed in the mission that Jesus has given us.  My answer would be all of them.  And that is where I differ with those who think that all Christians should be pacifists.  They seem to leave no room for the option of both.  They believe that the world will be won over by love alone.  They think we can "kill them with kindness" as it were.

Here is my take on it.  We need to try to win them over with the fruits of the Sprit that Paul talks about.  However we need to do it from a position and Spirit of Power because Jesus has called us to be Spiritual warriors on His behalf.  That takes power and strength! 

"For indeed He does not give aid to angels…"

I so love studying Scripture.  I've read the Bible more times than I can remember and yet there is always something new jumping off the page at me.  This I believe is one of the ways the Holy Spirit speaks directly to us.  Things jump off the page with new meaning even though I had read them many times before.  Way too cool!

So here is the Scripture I am talking about today. 

Hebrews 2:14-18(NKJV)

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 

and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 

Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Wow, Jesus doesn't help the angels but He does help us.  That's pretty incredible!  One more reason to let your faith shine in my opinion! 

"The rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to say.

We are all familiar with the Scripture that says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".  But how many of us can quote the beginning of the verse?  I think that by focusing just on the end of the Scripture a big part of the message is getting lost.

Let's take a look.

Philippians 4:10-13(NKJV)

But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did care, but you lacked opportunity. 

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

To be content, no matter where you are at that particular time in life.  To be content.  Doesn't mean you have to settle for where you are at.  Doesn't mean you shouldn't always strive to improve.  Just means that we need to be content where we are.

I think it is just another way of affirming our faith.  By being content we show confidence in God's promises that things will get better. 

God is…Eternal Life

Matthew 25:46(NKJV)

And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Mark 10:29-31(NKJV)

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 

who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Luke 18:29-30(NKJV)

So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 

who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

The term eternal life does not appear in the Bible until the New Testament.  I wonder why that is?  I had never realized that before.  It led me to do some reading and found that this is a subject that is widely debated. 

In fact as I read about it the whole concept of Heaven and Hell is a bit sketchy in the OT.  There are some vague mentions of the concept but that is it.  In my research I did however get one question answered that I had always wondered about.

In the OT it does mention all those dead rising up and ascending in to Heaven with Jesus for Judgement.  I had always thought of that as happening at the second coming of Jesus.  However I read one commentary that puts that event at the first ascension in to Heaven.  I hadn't thought of that. 

Interesting!

Hmm, and who decides what is foolish?

 

Titus 3:9(NKJV)

But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. 

Notice it doesn't say avoid all disputes, just foolish ones. 

So who decides what is foolish?  This type of thing always makes me uneasy.  The contemporary parallel is the push to ban "fake news".  So who gets to define fake news? 

Why does it make me uneasy?  Let me give you an example.  Back in the day people were burned at the stake by the church for such "fake news" views as the earth is round.  Back in the day it was "settled science" that the earth was flat.  To say otherwise could have been considered a "foolish dispute". 

That is why it makes me nervous. 

My solution?  Not sure that I have one.  Here is what I started to write.  "Stay grounded in the Word and prayer; and let the Holy Spirit be your guide.".  Sounds good doesn't it?  But then I thought to myself, wasn't that what all of the church leadership was doing back in the day when they were burning people at the stake?  Weren't they praying about it and letting themselves be led by the Holy Spirit? 

Hmm.  Something to ponder.

"Lay hold of eternal life"

1 Timothy 6:12(NKJV)

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 

1 Timothy 6:18-19(NKJV)

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 

storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

Love the sound of that.  Want to know why?  Because it puts us in control of whether we are saved or not.  We don't have to wait to be given eternal life, we can lay hold of it!

Have you laid hold of it yet?  All you have to do is ask Jesus to guide you.  "Dear Jesus…."

Same God-Redux

As you know this in one of my favorite themes.  Debunking the belief that we all serve the same God.  Here is a verse that specifically says otherwise. 

1 John 2:23(NKJV)

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

Seems pretty simple to me.  ANY religion that denies that Jesus is the Son of God is not worshipping the same God as Christians do. 

Jesus will judge the living and the dead?

I have always found this a bit confusing. 

2 Timothy 4:1(NKJV)

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 

Here is where it confuses me.  On the one hand we are taught that when we die, if we have accepted Jesus, we go to Heaven.  But the wording above makes it seem like when we die we all wait in the ground for Jesus to return and only then do we go to Heaven. 

So which is it?  And more importantly does it really matter?  For me at least, as long as I get there eventually that is all that matters! 

And based on the totality of what I have read in Scripture I still think we go right to Heaven. 

We shall see!  :)

Why do we study Scripture? 

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

9:07 AM

2 Timothy 3:16-17(NKJV)

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 

that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Boom!  

Misunderstanding or purposeful misrepresentation?

On Yahoo I often see stories like "look how disgustingly wealthy these pastors are", stories like that.  It makes me wonder if the person has ever read Scripture.  Do they just not understand Scripture or are they being purposely deceitful???

Take a look at a couple of Scriptures on the subject.

Mark 10:29-31(NKJV)

So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 

who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 

But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Luke 18:29-30(NKJV)

So He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 

who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Here are two Scriptures, there are many more, that make the point that our reward will be here on earth as well as later in Heaven.  Many of the pastors these articles single out have done what the Scriptures talk about.  They have given up everything to serve God.  God has told them that they will be rewarded 100 fold now as well as eternal life in the future. 

Now if God says it will happen like this then why would some call it evil?  Are they ignorant of Scripture or are they doing Satan's work? 

Satan's work?  Isn't that a bit hyperbolic?  Not at all.  God's plan is for us to follow Him and prosper.  Remember Satan is the master of deception.  If he, through others, can convince Christians that it is evil to prosper, isn't that doing Satan's work disrupting God's plan? 

God is….revealed

I really didn't get a lot out of this one.  Here is a definition of reveal.

reveal

1. to make known; disclose; divulge:

to reveal a secret.

2. to lay open to view; display; exhibit.

From <http://www.dictionary.com/browse/revealed>

Here are a couple of verses of God is revealed.

1 Samuel 3:21(NKJV)

Then the Lord appeared again in Shiloh. For the Lord revealed Himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Isaiah 56:1(NKJV)

Thus says the Lord:      “Keep justice, and do righteousness,     For My salvation is about to come,     And My righteousness to be revealed.

I will continue to be open to revelation from the Holy Spirit about the message here. 

Signs of the Apocalypse…or not?

As many of you know, I am not a big fan of trying to predict when Jesus will return.  Scripture tells us that Jesus doesn't even know when exactly it is going to happen.  Therefore I think it is futile to try and pinpoint it. 

I do realize however that Scripture tells us to be vigilant and ready.  In that regard I look for big picture things that I think will be hard to miss to let us know we are getting close.  One of them is the prophesy of the two witnesses who will witness in Jerusalem in defiance of the anti-christ.  I just think that is going to be hard to miss. 

Here is another Scripture I ran across today that I think will be hard to miss. 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4(NKJV)

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 

not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 

who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.

Now couple that with the two witnesses who are defying the anti-christ and it is really going to be hard to miss.

This next one actually seems to be starting now.  Have you noticed in the last year or so that there are more and more calls to go to a cashless society?  Isn't that a way to control who can buy and sell and who can't? 

Revelation 13:16-17(NKJV)

He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 

and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

Right now the beast has not been revealed and this won't happen until he is but it sure seems to be putting the system in place to make it happen.  With cash anyone can trade with anyone else.  You can't control it. 

But what if all transactions have to be electronic like through a debit card.  Are you free to do business with anyone you chose?  You are until whoever controls the system tells you you can't!  It's that simple.

But as I ponder all of these things I realize that being a pre-Trib guy, I won't be around for any of this anyway!  :)

Limits to charity? Is that Christian?

There are some in the body of Christ who seem to think that charity should be limitless.  I agree and disagree at the same time.  I agree from the standpoint that those of us who are followers of Christ should always be giving people.  Giving of our time.  Giving of our talents.  And giving of our money.

On the other hand I believe Scripture is very clear that on a case by case basis, there are some who do not deserve charity.  Now the example I use is from 1 Timothy 5.  In it Paul is referring specifically to widows but I think it can be used as instruction of a wider principal.  Here is what I am talking about.

1 Timothy 5:9-14(NKJV)

Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 

well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

---------------------

OK, Paul clearly puts a limit on which widows deserve charity.  Therefore the principal that there are some who do and don't deserve charity is established.  But would could be a justifiable reason for denying that charity?  Paul goes on to explain.

----------------------

But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 

having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 

And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 

Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 

-----------------------

Isn't it interesting that the issue here is idleness and the bad things that leads to.  My point is that there is nothing wrong with limits on charity at the individual level.  I think those providing the charity have every right to determine who qualifies for that charity.  Make sense? 

LOL, this made me chuckle!

Check out this description of what is allowed for bishops vs. deacons.  :)

1 Timothy 3:1-9(NKJV)

This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 

not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 

one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 

(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 

not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 

Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 

holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 

Not given to wine vs. not given to much wine.  Who determines the value of much?  :)

"…that by them you may wage the good warfare…"

For those who say that war is evil and never the answer I would ask this question.  Then why does Paul use the term "good warfare"?  Hmm? 

1 Timothy 1:18-20(NKJV)

This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 

having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 

of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Always accepting, never admonishing…is that Biblical?

This is an issue that I ponder quite often.  There are many Christians that interpret "love they neighbor" and "Jesus is love", etc to mean we should be all accepting of everything because after all, who are we to judge.  As I have written before I think that is an incorrect interpretation of Scripture.   

Here is some Scripture that seems to speak to this point.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15(NKJV)

But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us. 

For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 

nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 

not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 

For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 

Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 

And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 

Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Hmm. 

Will God actually hold people accountable in the end?

There are a lot of people out there who think that in the end, God will let everybody slide and everybody gets to go to Heaven because God is all about love.  I suggest to you that Scripture says these people are going to be severely disappointed. 

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3(NKJV)

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night. 

For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. 

2 Thessalonians 1:3-10(NKJV)

We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other, 

so that we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, 

which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer; 

since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, 

and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, 

in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, 

when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed.

I don't see anything there that indicates God is going to let people slide, do you?

Once again, wouldn't this require a judgement? :)

Sorry.  I couldn't resist.  As you know the misuse of the Scripture "Do not judge" is one of my pet peeves.  Here is just another example to demonstrate that that one Scripture is not a total prohibition on judgement among Christians. 

1 Thessalonians 5:21(NKJV)

Test all things; hold fast what is good. 

If we are to "hold fast what is good" it requires us to make a judgement as to whether something is good or evil does it not?  Hmm?

Notice the beginning of the verse.  "Test all things".  Test them how?  Simple.  Test them against Scripture! 

Pre-Tribulation or Post Tribulation-Where do you stand?

I have always been a pre-trib guy meaning I believe the rapture will occur before the 7 years of tribulations. 

I had not noticed this before but apparently this is one more thing that Paul and I disagree on.

1 Thessalonians 4:15-18(NKJV)

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 

Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. 

Therefore comfort one another with these words.

OK just for clarification I believe that the rapture, those alive taken up to Heaven, happens before the tribulation and before Jesus returns to earth.  Paul seems to be saying hear that Jesus comes back to earth first, then the dead go to Heaven, and the after that the living are raptured to Heaven.

Hmm, so where did I get my view from?  I'll have to keep an eye out for Scriptures to back up my view.  Again, that is what I love about the study of Scripture.  Always something new to learn!

Hmm, I had never thought of this before

I had never thought of this before.  My faith brings me tremendous comfort.  I guess it just never really occurred to me that our faith also brings comfort to others. 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-8(NKJV)

But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—

therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 

For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

Spirit, Soul, and Body

We have two different verses here that talk about the spirit and the soul.  What is the difference?  I know that to me they see quite similar.


1 Thessalonians 5:23(NKJV)
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 




Hebrews 4:12(NKJV)
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 


spirit
1. the principle of conscious life; the vital principle in humans, animating the body or mediating between body and soul.
2. the incorporeal part of humans:
present in spirit though absent in body.
3. the soul regarded as separating from the body at death.
4. conscious, incorporeal being, as opposed to matter:
the world of spirit.
5. a supernatural, incorporeal being, especially one inhabiting a place, object, etc., or having a particular character:
evil spirits.
6. a fairy, sprite, or elf.
7. an angel or demon.
8. an attitude or principle that inspires, animates, or pervades thought, feeling, or action:
the spirit of reform.
9. (initial capital letter) the divine influence as an agency working in the human heart.
10. a divine, inspiring, or animating being or influence. Num. 11:25; Is. 32:15.
11. (initial capital letter) the third person of the Trinity; Holy Spirit.
12. the soul or heart as the seat of feelings or sentiments, or as prompting to action:
a man of broken spirit.
13. spirits, feelings or mood with regard to exaltation or depression:
low spirits; good spirits.
14. excellent disposition or attitude in terms of vigor, courage, firmness of intent, etc.; mettle:
That's the spirit!
15. temper or disposition:
meek in spirit.
16. an individual as characterized by a given attitude, disposition, character, action, etc.:
A few brave spirits remained to face the danger.
17. the dominant tendency or character of anything:
the spirit of the age.
18. vigorous sense of membership in a group:
college spirit.
19. the general meaning or intent of a statement, document, etc. (opposed to letter):
the spirit of the law.
20. Chemistry. the essence or active principle of a substance as extracted in liquid form, especially by distillation.
21. Often, spirits. a strong distilled alcoholic liquor.
22. Chiefly British. alcohol.
23. Pharmacology. a solution in alcohol of an essential or volatile principle; essence (def 3).
24. any of certain subtle fluids formerly supposed to permeate the body.
25. the Spirit, God.


Now let's look at the definition of soul.


soul
1. the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.
2. the spiritual part of humans regarded in its moral aspect, or as believed to survive death and be subject to happiness or misery in a life to come:
arguing the immortality of the soul.
3. the disembodied spirit of a deceased person:
He feared the soul of the deceased would haunt him.
4. the emotional part of human nature; the seat of the feelings or sentiments.
5. a human being; person.
6. high-mindedness; noble warmth of feeling, spirit or courage, etc.
7. the animating principle; the essential element or part of something.


That is clear as mud isn't it?  Let me take a stab at it.


The spirit is what animates our bodies and gives us life here on earth.  It dies when we do.  The soul on the other hand is what lives on. 

Am I correct?  I'm not sure.  I will be looking for Scripture to confirm this.