I wonder what Paul means by this?

I sometimes wish Paul was more plain is his writing.  He tends to be a bit "flowery" and I think that sometimes obscures his meaning.  Here is an example.

2 Corinthians 8:9(NKJV)

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

In what way did Jesus become poor?  He and His family, in an earthly sense weren't poor.  They received a lot of expensive gifts from the wise men when Jesus was born.  In addition the Bible seems to indicate that they were gainfully employed as carpenters.

Could it be that He became poor by becoming human?  If so then that may put a new twist on the whole the poor inherit the earth thing.  This will bear further study. 

"…exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation."

Here is Paul fulfilling part of my foundational verse; Romans 5:3-5.  Glory on our tribulations.  Paul uses joyful in place of glory but it is the same meaning.  As I've said before, I believe being joyful in our tribulations is simply an outward manifestation of our inner faith.   

2 Corinthians 7:4(NKJV)

Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

"…the ministry of reconciliation…."

 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19(NKJV)

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 

that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

What do you think that means?  How does one become reconciled to God?  Is it by continually lowering God's standards so as to attract more people?  Or is it maintaining the standards that God set and then explaining to others why it is in their best interest to submit to doing things God's way?

If you have been reading what I write for very long you already know which side of this question I am on.  God was very consistent throughout the Old Testament that He is a jealous God.  That is He will not tolerate divided loyalties; people who think they can worship the One True God and at the same time worship other gods. 

Jesus said very clearly that He did not come to bring peace.  He came to force people to choose. 

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.

 

So in my view the ministry of reconciliation is about bringing the truth to people and encouraging them to choose Jesus.  For those who don't want to choose let them know that "not choosing" is a choice.  It is a rejection of Jesus.  The only way to become reconciled to God is through accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior. 

Have you done that yet?  If not, why not do it right now?  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  Let Him know where you are at in life and what you are looking for.  Allow Jesus into your heart and let Him guide you.  "Dear Jesus……"

"Even though the outward man is perishing…."

Man, as I age this Scripture has new meaning. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18(NKJV)

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 

while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It's amazing how the body begins to break down over time.  Now I'm not deathly ill or anything.  I'm just talking about the normal process of aging.  Things begin to hurt for no reason.  Some of my joints don't work as well as they used to.  I'm not as flexible as I once was.

I thought it was just me.  Gail and I were talking the other day and it is happening to her too.  We are more careful when we bend over to pick things up.  We are more careful to make sure we don't fall, etc. 

But through it all the "inward man is being renewed day by day".  It still all goes back to the foundational verse in my life.  Romans 5:3-5.  Take joy in your tribulations!!!!!  It's just not that big of a deal in the greater scheme of things.  My grandson Rico has heard me say it so many times that it comes out of his mouth automatically as well.  No matter what happens, the response is "no big deal". 

Take joy in your tribulations!!!!!  Every day thank God for the blessings in your life and thank Him for each and every opportunity He gives you for growth (tribulations).  I believe it is that spirit that gives us the continued growth if the inward man. 

God is….Near

Just a reminder about this word study.  I couple of years ago I was contemplating the Character of God.  I was at some point in the Bible where there were multiple passages that started with God is near, God is peace, etc. 

God whispered in my ear and said "Hey, I bet this would be a good place to start in discerning my character.  I found that many of the words were only used a handful of times.  There was one word however that was used more than 30 times to describe God.  The next closest word as far as usage was only used 11 or 12 times.  I took that to mean that the word used way more than any of the others must indicate the biggest or most significant character of God.  I will reveal what that word is at the end of the God is series that I am doing.

So what I started doing is taking each phrase like God is near and reading every verse in the Bible that has the word near in it.  Many of the verses using near weren't applicable.  I have copied below a handful of verses that I thought were applicable.

One of the best things about building a relationship with God is that He will draw nearer to you as you draw nearer to Him.  He will be right there with you.  I have had experiences where I have felt like God had His hand on my shoulder and was whispering in my ear.  That is how near He can be! 

Let's take a look at some of the verses.  Some I will comment on and some I won't.

Exodus 19:14-15(NKJV)

So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and sanctified the people, and they washed their clothes. 

And he said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not come near your wives.”

This is an example of one that I thought wasn't applicable.  It had the word near but it really had nothing to do with God being near.

Exodus 24:2(NKJV)

And Moses alone shall come near the Lord, but they shall not come near; nor shall the people go up with him.”

In the Old Testament there was a bit of a separation from God.  Only Moses was allowed to go meet with God in person.  Now since Christ has paid the price for us all we can all come near to God.

Deuteronomy 4:7(NKJV)

“For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 

Psalms 75:1(NKJV)

    We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!      For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

Psalms 85:9(NKJV)

    Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,     That glory may dwell in our land.

Psalms 119:151(NKJV)

    You are near, O Lord,     And all Your commandments are truth.

Psalms 145:18(NKJV)

    The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,     To all who call upon Him in truth.

Notice this one.  God isn't near to everybody.  Only those who call on Him.  That is why it is so important to accept Christ and then spend time daily building that relationship with God. 

Isaiah 46:13(NKJV)

    I bring My righteousness near, it shall not be far off;     My salvation shall not linger.     And I will place salvation in Zion,      For Israel My glory.

Isaiah 50:8(NKJV)

    He is near who justifies Me;     Who will contend with Me?     Let us stand together.     Who is My adversary?     Let him come near Me.

Jeremiah 23:23(NKJV)

    “Am I a God near at hand,” says the Lord,      “And not a God afar off?

Lamentations 3:57(NKJV)

    You drew near on the day I called on You,     And said, “Do not fear!”

Malachi 3:5(NKJV)

    And I will come near you for judgment;     I will be a swift witness     Against sorcerers,     Against adulterers,     Against perjurers,     Against those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans,     And against those who turn away an alien—     Because they do not fear Me,”     Says the Lord of hosts.

James 4:7-10(NKJV)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Once again notice the order.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  We have to make the initial invitation and the ongoing effort to build that relationship.  God will not force Himself on us.  He has too much respect for our free will.

So dig into the word and start building that relationship.  You won't believe how cool and comforting it is to have God always right there covering your back!

"If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. "

In case anyone is still under the mistaken impression that God takes a "live and let live" attitude towards those who don't believe in Jesus. 

1 Corinthians 16:22(NKJV)

If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!

Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

I found this interesting.  There seems to be a cause and effect here.  Notice that we need to seek and try to draw near to God before He will draw near to us.  In other words God will not force himself on us.  He will always wait for an invitation.  We have to seek Him before He will reveal Himself to us. 

And although I don't have any Scripture to back this up right now I think that the amount of Himself that God reveals to us is in direct proportion to the amount of effort we put forth in seeking Him. 

James 4:7-10(NKJV)

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

On earth as it is in Heaven…

I have written before about what I think is the mistaken belief by many that we will all be rewarded equally in Heaven.  We are all saved by grace but our rewards in Heaven will be based on what we do for God.  Jesus said He goes to prepare a mansion for us but that doesn't mean we will all be living in the Penthouse Suite.  Some of us may find our rooms in the basement.  :)

I've then taken that belief about Heaven and transferred it to our lives here and now.  My basis for doing so is the Lord's Prayer.  You know, on earth as it is in Heaven.

Some believe that no matter what we do or do not accomplish here on earth, we should all be valued equally by society for our contributions or lack of contributions.  I believe that is incorrect.  First I believe it is incorrect because it doesn't follow the model of "on earth as it is in Heaven".  Secondly I think it is wrong because Scripture says so.  Read the following passage.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5(NKJV)

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 

For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 

But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. 

He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 

I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

So here we clearly have a situation where Scripture says one person's contributions are valued higher than another person's (and we are not talking about money here).  Now is this an isolated incident or is this the way things should be done?  Is it OK to value one person's contribution over another?

I believe it is.  Now let me be clear that I don't mean that we should be mean or look down on the person whose contributions are less valued.  Not at all.  I'm just suggesting that we should eliminate this silly belief that everyone's contributions should be valued equally.  Make sense? 

"Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews"

That is really hard to imagine for me.  Here you have the Son of God and He has to slink around and hide himself somewhat to avoid the Jews who were trying to kill Him?  There is a lesson to be learned here I think.  Read the text and I'll give you my take on the other side.

John 11:54(NKJV)

Therefore Jesus no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and there remained with His disciples.

OK, here goes.  Jesus could have called down the wrath of God on these people any time He wanted and they would have all been condemned and killed.  But Jesus chose not to do that.  Jesus chose to hide Himself instead.  Why would He do that?

I think one of the lessons we can learn here is that we have to think and act tactically.  In another part of Scripture, I think Jesus says it but I am not sure, we are told to be sly as a fox.  I think that is what Jesus is demonstrating here.  While Jesus had the power to crush His opposition Jesus held back.  He didn't do it right then.  They say sometimes timing is everything and I think that is part of what was going on here.  Make sense?

Diversity

I saw an article the other day that was debating what the value of diversity is in our country.  Those on the left seem to view diversity as one of the highest values.  Those on the right disagree.  We think diversity should be secondary to focusing on the things that unite us, not the things that make us different.

I normally try not to get very political here but I ran across this Scripture today and thought it was worth commenting on.  Take a look at what Scripture has to say about the issue.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6(NKJV)

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 

There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 

And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 

Now this is just my interpretation and I could be wrong but here is the way I see it.  In all three lines we see that diversity is mentioned in the first part of the line but then we are reminded that even though there is diversity, we are serving the same God.  So for me at least, this passages makes clear that unity is the dominant theme here, not diversity. 

Why does Paul bother me so much?

I think more than anything it is because he contradicts Jesus so much.  I have posted other examples but here is a new one that I just noticed.

1 Corinthians 11:20-22(NKJV)

Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 

For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 

What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Wasn't sitting down together and breaking bread a big part of Jesus ministry?  So why is Paul so against Christians breaking bread together?  Now look at the part highlighted in green.  How does breaking bread together show "that you despise the church and shame those who have nothing"?  Is Paul suggesting that Jesus despised the church and shamed those who have nothing?  Hmm?

Or how about this. 

1 Corinthians 11:13-16(NKJV)

Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 

Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 

But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given to her for a covering. 

But if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Since Paul asked I will answer.  Question 1 highlighted in yellow.  Yes Paul it is proper for a woman to pray with her head uncovered.  The important thing is that she is praying.  I doubt that God gives a rip whether she has her head covered or not. 

Paul himself tells us that God isn't bothered if we eat meat sacrificed to idols because God is more powerful than the idols so why does Paul think God would be so bothered by a woman's hair?

Second question, highlighted in green.  No Paul nature doesn't teach us that.  More importantly Jesus didn't teach us that either.  In all of the Biblical representations I have ever seen the men, including Jesus, are depicted with long hair.  So once again, is it Paul's opinion that Jesus was dishonoring God by having long hair?   

The number one question I want to ask God when I get to Heaven is "What is up with Paul? 

So we should remain willfully ignorant?

This seems like bad advice to me.  In my profession you could go to jail for being willfully ignorant. 

1 Corinthians 10:25-29(NKJV)

Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 

for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 

If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 

But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”  

“Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 

Scripture tells us the truth will set you free and yet here we have Paul telling us to avoid the seeing the truth.  Weird.

Do we need to be chameleons to win others to Christ?

That was really a rhetorical question.  I don't believe we need to be chameleons to win others to Christ.  What prompted this question was the following passage by Paul.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23(NKJV)

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; 

and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 

to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 

to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 

Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

I believe this is simply a matter of differing styles.  To me it would seem dishonest not to be who I am.  What you see is what you get.  That's not to say that I think Paul is being dishonest.  If I were to put a word on it I think this is just Paul's way of saying he empathized with lots of different people.

So is one way right and the other way wrong?  Not at all.  Different people are reached by different messages and methods.  The Gospel needs to be presented in many different ways to reach all people as we are commended to do. 

So I think the more important question is what can each of us do to reach more people for Christ in our own individual ways? 

I just don't understand Paul's reasoning.

Read through this and I'll comment at the end.

1 Corinthians 8:4-13(NKJV)

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 

yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 

But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 

For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 

And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 

But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

So here is my question.  Why would the weak brother perish from seeing someone else exercise the full freedom and benefits of knowing Jesus and knowing Scripture?  Paul just said that food does not commend us to God. 

Wouldn't it make more sense to use this as a teaching opportunity?  After all Scripture does tell us that the truth will set us free?  Why would Paul not take this opportunity to instruct someone on the truth instead of hiding it from them?  Hmm?

I find this admonishment from Paul weird.

We are told that sex between a husband and wife is a beautiful thing and a gift of God.  And yet we have Paul saying this.

1 Corinthians 7:1-7(NKJV)

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 

Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 

Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 

The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 

Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 

But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. 

For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

Seems to me that Paul is substituting what is his preference to what is good for mankind.  If Paul got his wish and all men could be like Paul and not touch woman the human race would die out wouldn't it?  :)

Once again, who you gonna believe, Paul or Jesus?

Here is another example of where I believe Paul is contradicting Jesus.  In these verses Paul is essentially shun and separate yourselves from these sinners. 

1 Corinthians 5:9-13(NKJV)

I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. 

Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 

But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 

But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.” 

Now let's compare that to these verse where Jesus spoke on the subject.

Mark 2:15-17(NKJV)

Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him. 

And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”

When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Who you gonna believe?  I chose Jesus!

We all know people like this don't we?

Romans 10:1-4(NKJV)

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. 

For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 

For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. 

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.

This verse makes me think of all those people who think they will pick and choose all the "good things" from all the world religions and throw them all together to make their own religion. 

"…he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved…"

One of the clearest examples of the concept that we are saved by faith but our rewards in Heaven are determined by our works.  So many people think that once saved we all get equal rewards in Heaven.  Nothing could be further from the truth!

1 Corinthians 3:5-15(NKJV)

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 

So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 

Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 

According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 

each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 

If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 

If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

"If it is possible…..live peaceably with all men"

I love the way Scripture puts this.

Romans 12:18(NKJV)

If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 

What I believe this is telling us is that sometimes it is out of our control whether we live peaceably with all men or not.  There are some men who it simply will not be possible to live peaceably with; because of their actions. 

If we have done all that we can to live peaceably with others then we have fulfilled our obligation.  It is not a sin to defend ourselves at this point.

After all, there is a reason that Jesus told us to arm up!

Luke 22:35-37(NKJV)

And He said to them, “When I sent you without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, did you lack anything?” So they said, “Nothing.”

Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. 

For I say to you that this which is written must still be accomplished in Me: ‘And He was numbered with the transgressors.’  For the things concerning Me have an end.”

The three most powerful words in the world!

1 Corinthians 1:8-9(NKJV)

who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

God is faithful! 

I have seen it over and over and over again in my life.  If you totally trust God, even when circumstances look like you shouldn't; God will always be faithful to His promises.  Always!

God is so cool!!!!!

Avoid them?

Is Paul really telling us to shun people? 

Romans 16:17-18(NKJV)

Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 

For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. 

One of my problems with this passage is that it can too easily be misused to crush valid disagreement.  Let's take Martin Luther for example.  He caused divisions and offended some.  But he also turned out to be correct.  Should he have been shunned? 

Or how about all of those people who refused to believe the earth was flat.  The church used to burn people at the stake who refused to believe the earth was flat.  The round earthers were proven to be correct.  Should they have been shunned?
 

Just wondering. 

Abound in hope!

Romans 15:13(NKJV)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Abound in hope.  I like the sound of that.  But notice that it isn't just any old hope.  It is hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  It's the hope in the promises of Jesus that give us the power to keep on keeping on. 

Not with just a glimmer of hope or a sliver of hope.  Abound in hope.  We serve a great God.  There is a surplus of hope to go around if we will just grab on to it!   

How did God know?

How did God know?

Friday, November 17, 2017

7:55 AM

I find it amazing how accurately God predicted human behavior.  Check this out.

Romans 14:1-4(NKJV)

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 

For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 

Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

While I don't despise vegetarians I do find them a bit weird.  And there are some militant vegetarians who are judgmental against those of us  of us who eat meat. 

Amazing how God predicted even that.

What a quandary!

And wouldn't you know.  It comes from something Paul has said.

Romans 13:1-2(NKJV)

Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 

So all of the people who resisted Hitler brought judgement on themselves?  I don't think so!

I just don't buy this.  It doesn't fit the character of God that I have come to know. 

The reason it creates a quandary for me is that it was said by Paul.  So on the one hand I have no problem discounting it as just more of Paul's weird sayings, but on the other hand Paul was hand-picked by Jesus to be a disciple so is it right to discount anything Paul says? 

Oh well.  Something to continue pondering!  :)

 

Rejoice, patient, steadfast!

Rejoice, patient, and steadfast.  Kind of a restatement of one of my foundational verses.  Words are in a little bit of a different order but pretty much the same message.

Romans 12:9-13(NKJV)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 

Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 

rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 

distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

"For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."

Romans 11:29(NKJV)

For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 

The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable; whether we respond or not is still up to us.  That is why I say "when God calls, answer the call!".

Do a lot of Christians misinterpret the meaning of peace? I think they do.

Here is why I believe it.  Take a look at these verses.

Isaiah 9:6(NKJV)

    For unto us a Child is born,      Unto us a Son is given;     And the government will be upon His shoulder.     And His name will be called     Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,     Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Romans 10:15(NKJV)

And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:      “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,     Who bring glad tidings of good things!” 

Ephesians 6:14-15(NKJV)

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

The Isaiah verse is the only verse in the whole Bible that refers to Jesus as the Prince of Peace.

The other two verses are the only two verses in the whole Bible that refer to Gospel as the "Gospel of Peace".  They are both written by Paul.

Now consider the words of Jesus.

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.

Jesus specifically says He didn't come to bring peace (the absence of violence kind of peace) but to bring a sword.  Jesus says He came to cause conflict.  Jesus came to force people to decide if they are for Him or if they are declaring themselves enemies of God.

Here is where I am going with this.  I think many people interpret "peace" in the first three examples as absence of war and fighting and persecution.  I think that these verses in large part contribute to the vision of Kumbaya Jesus.  I believe that is an incorrect interpretation.  

In the first place it would make Jesus a liar in the Matthew verses above and I don't believe that Jesus is a liar. 

The second reason is that the Gospel has many verses with Jesus telling of the persecution and suffering that will be endured for His name.  So for me at least, this dispels the "absence of violence and persecution" view. 

So what is meant by "Prince of Peace" and "Gospel of Peace".  I think it is referring to metaphysical peace.  The feeling of being at peace in your heart or at peace with the world.  And more to the point, at peace with God!  Make sense?

God is….Able

This one was pretty self-explanatory.  God can, or "is able" to do anything He wants because He is God the creator.  I think Paul sums it up bet.

Romans 9:20-21(NKJV)

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” 

Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?

Here are some other verses on able.

2 Chronicles 25:9(NKJV)

Then Amaziah said to the man of God, “But what shall we do about the hundred talents which I have given to the troops of Israel?” And the man of God answered, “The Lord is able to give you much more than this.” 

2 Chronicles 32:13-15(NKJV)

Do you not know what I and my fathers have done to all the peoples of other lands? Were the gods of the nations of those lands in any way able to deliver their lands out of my hand? 

Who was there among all the gods of those nations that my fathers utterly destroyed that could deliver his people from my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you from my hand? 

Now therefore, do not let Hezekiah deceive you or persuade you like this, and do not believe him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your God deliver you from my hand?’”

Daniel 3:17(NKJV)

If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-8(NKJV)

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 

Ephesians 3:20-21(NKJV)

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 

to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

What a wonderful assurance!

Nothing can separate us from God……except ourselves.  I find that very comforting.  I also find it a bit confusing.  Hard to understand why so many people do actually separate themselves from God.  Oh well.  Their loss! 

Romans 8:37-39(NKJV)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 

nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

What a bunch of gobbledygook.

As I have said before, sometimes Paul drives me nuts.  Romans chapter 7 is a great example.  It just sounds like a bunch of gobbledygook and justifications to me. 

Give it a read and see what you get out of it.

The essence of Christianity

Right here in one verse. 

Romans 6:23(NKJV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isn't that it in a nutshell?  The gift is eternal life in Jesus.  Meaning an eternal life with a personal relationship with Jesus and God.  Think about that.

Many times in my prayer life I am just overcome with a joy that knows no bounds as I thank God for all that He has done in my life.  I know it sounds kind of hokey but I can't describe it any other way.  There is just this unbound joy!

What just occurred to me is how powerful that unbound joy is even though right now we are separated by Heaven and Earth.  Just think how much more powerful it will be when we are actually right there with Jesus!