These are some of my favorite Bible verses.
Psalm 91: 9-16
If you make the Most High your dwelling-
even the LORD, who is my refuge-
then no harm will befall you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
for he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread upon the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
"Because he loves me," says the LORD,
"I will rescue him; I will protect him,
for he acknowledges my name.
He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life will I satisfy him
and show him my salvation.
Psalm 119: 73-
Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
May those who fear you rejoice when they see me,
for I have put my hope in your word.
I know, O LORD, that yours laws are righteous,
and in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
Let your compassion come to me
that I may live, for your law is my delight.
May the arrogant be put to shame for
wronging me without cause,
but I will meditate on your precepts.
May those who fear you turn to me,
those who understand your statutes.
May my heart be blameless toward
your decrees that I may not be put to shame.
Psalm 121: 3-8
He will not let your foot slip-
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber or sleep.
The LORD watches over you-
the LORD is your shade at your right hand:
the sun will not harm you by day.
nor the moon by night.
The LORD will keep you from all harm-
he will watch over our life;
the LORD will watch over your coming
and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 127: 1-2
Unless the LORD builds the house
its builders labor in vain
Unless the LORD watches over the city,
the watchmen stand guard in vain.
In vain you rise early and stay up late,
toiling for food to eat-
for he grants sleep to those he loves.
Psalm 139
O LORD, you have searched me and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise,
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down,
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you know it completely, O LORD.
You hem me in- behind and before;
you have laid your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there.
If I arise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
For you created my innermost being:
you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,
your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, O God.
How vast is the sum of them.
Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
When I awake, I am still with you.
Jeremiah 21: 15-
"Does it make you a king to have more cedar?
Did not your father have food and drink?
He did what was right and just, so all went well with him.
He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well.
Is that not what it means to know me?" declares the LORD.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
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Apocalyptic Literature
Sons of God and Daughters of Men
The Book of Enoch chapters 1-34
The Book of Enoch 1 chapters 35-70
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Salvation Is For All
I'm pretty sure I can safely say that all christian faiths teach that
(1) you have to confess Jesus as Lord and that he died for your sins in order to be saved.
(2) and if you don't you will go to hell and burn forever and forever.
(3) free will
(4) Baptism (though it is different depending on denomination)
Am I wrong?
But everything varies from there, from one denomination to the next, so what happen?
How can it be? Some churches even teach that they are the only ones right and everyone else is going to hell, even those who attend other churches will burn in hell forever and forever.
So...What is your belief? Do you believe that? Is that Good News? Is that the Gospel Jesus preached? Is that the Gospel taught by Paul?
Is it really possible that the good news isn't really all that good! Or, are they telling lies to us?
I don't know about you, but I really don't consider it good news, if my loved ones are going to burn forever and forever. How could I possible rest in the Lords peace knowing he would do that to the people I loved.
I can rest in his peace because I know the truth and the truth has set me free!
Let me share what I have found in the Scriptures, then you let me know what you think!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world(3180) that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes(4409) in him shall not perish(660) but have eternal life.
(NIV Hebrew-Greek Study Bible)
(3180)world: earth, world system, whole universe, adornment
(4409)to believe, put one's faith in, trust, entrust
(660)to destroy, kill, cause to lose
That should be fairly familiar to you. Do you think when he says "that whoever believes in him shall not perish" that he means, you will not go to hell if you believe he died for your sins or could there be more to it?
Lets look at John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn(3212) the world, but to save(5392) the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed(4409) in the name(3950) of God's one and only Son.
(NIV Hebrew-Greek Study Bible)
(3212)to decide, consider, to judge, pass judgment on
(5392)to save, rescue, deliver, to heal
(4409)to believe, put one's faith in, trust, entrust
(3950)name, title, reputation
So looking at the scripture above John 3:17, what does it say we are to believe in, in order to not be condemned (judged). We are to believe in him and in his name (the name of God's one and only Son).
So what does that mean? I think that it means we are to believe He can do what His Word says He will do. We will talk about His name in a later post.
So what does His Word say he will do concerning salvation? Lets find out!
'Salvation Is For All', them is fighting words to a "Christian". I wonder why.
I want to show you what I think the Bible says about salvation.
First lets start with what Jesus said on the cross.
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
I would like to point out he did not say "forgive them if they believe, confess, get baptized and go to church "
And he doesn't say "When they change their ways"
Okay so some are going to say, yeah but there are other scriptures.
Romans 5: 6-8
You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
through for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Now I can't speak for all "Christians" but I have noticed that once some believe they are a "Christian" they start judging other people as though they themselves were never sinners and never sinned. We forget that Christ died for the ungodly and not for the righteous man or a good man but for sinners.
Hebrews 2: 9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,
now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death,
so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
1 Peter 3: 18
For Christ died for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God.
The Bible says that God demonstrates his own love for us this way: while we were powerless and still sinning Christ died for us all.
1 John 1:2
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.
He is the atoning sacrifice for the whole world.
1 Corinthians 15: 22
For as in Adam all die,
so in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in his own turn:
Christ, the firstfruits;
then, when he comes,
those who belong to him.
Romans 5: 12-14
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,
and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-
for before the law was given, sin was in the world.
But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,
even over those who did not sin by breaking a command,
as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
Because of Adam's sin all became sinners and the result of sin is death. You don't have to believe you are a sinner, you don't have to believe you will die. You don't have a choice in this, according to the Bible we are all sinners, and death reigns over us. And in the same way Christ took our iniquity and you don't have a choice in this either.
Romans 5: 15-16
But the gift is not like the trespass.
For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,
how much more did God's grace and the gift
that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.
Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin:
The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation,
but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
The gift of God is greater than the trespass of Adam. The verses above may be a little confusing because now it says 'many' and not 'all' but if you carefully read Romans 4 & 5 as if it is a math problem you will see that 'the many' = 'all'.
If Adams trespass caused all to be sinners then how much more did Christ act of righteousness do
for the (same) all (same sinners).
Romans 5 : 17-19
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man,
how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of
grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men,
so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The results of Christ righteousness was justification that brings life for ALL MEN.
Through the obedience of Jesus Christ the many will be made righteous.
Jesus Christ righteousness and obedience was not less(<)than the sin of Adam.
This is not up to you, you have not been asked if you want justification or if you want to be righteous.
There are however reasons to believe and confess Jesus and we will talk about them later.
Colossians 1: 19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him
to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 3: 11
...but Christ is all and is in all.
I have to say this, If Christ is all and is in all, why would he burn himself in hell forever and ever?
That is another post, but I wanted to give you something to think about.
Colossian 1:19-20 says all things, whether on earth or in heaven
It doesn't exclude anyone here, but lets keep looking!
1 Timothy 2: 3-4
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-
the testimony given in its proper time.
You could possible become confused because here it says that God "wants". This might sound a little weak to you, like he wants it but can't really accomplish that, but he does want it. Well don't take God as a feeble I wish it was so God.
Psalm 24: 1-2
The earth is the LORD's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
Isaiah 45: 23-25
By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all intergrity
a word that will not be revoked,
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
They will say of me,
'In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength'
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.
Isaiah 25:6-
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine- the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces;
he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth
The LORD has spoken.
Acts 2: 39
"The promise is for you and your children and
for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Isaiah 29: 18-
In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,
and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
Isaiah 29: 24
Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding,
those who complain will accept instruction."
Isaiah 32: 3-
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
The mind of the rash will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
No longer will the fool be called noble
nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
Zephaniah 3: 8-9
"Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify.
I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and
to pour out my wrath on them- all my fierce anger.
The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.
Then will I purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD
and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
Ezekiel 18: 4
For every living soul belongs to me,
the father as well as the son- both alike belong to me.
The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Do you think you are the soul who doesn't sin?
Matthew 9: 10-13
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners"
came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'
For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Luke 17: 20-21
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,
Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
nor will people say, 'Here it is' or 'There it is', because the kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 18: 26-27
Those who heard this asked, 'Who then can be saved?"
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
John 5: 25
"I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come,
when the dead will here the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live."
2 Corinthians 5: 14-21
For Christ's love compels us,
because we are convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died. And he died for all,
that those who live should no longer live for themselves,
but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
I know this might sound a little off subject. Did you notice we have been given the 'ministry of reconciliation'
and he has committed to us the 'message of reconciliation'. And what does it say the ministry or message of reconciliation is?
That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20: 1-16
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out early in the morning to hire men
to work in his vineyard.
He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day
and sent them into his vineyard.
About the third hour he went out and saw others
standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard,
and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and
the ninth hour and did the same thing.
About the eleventh hour he went out and
found still others standing around.
He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here
all day long doing nothing?'
"Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said
to his foreman,'Call the workers and pay them their wages,
beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came
and each received a denarius.
So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more.
But each one of them also received a denarius.
When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said,
'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden
of the work and the heat of the day.'
" But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you.
Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go.
I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.
Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?
Or are you envious becaue I am generous?
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
John 6: 45
"It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'
Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."
John 6: 51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 12: 32
"But, I when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
Psalm 82: 6-8
"I said, 'You are "gods," you are all sons of the Most High.
But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler."
Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
Who did Jesus pray for in the Olive Garden, just before he was arrested?
I want to take a moment and share with you the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17
First Jesus prays for himself,
then for those God gave him,
for those who will believe and
then for the world.
JESUS PRAYS, 1-5 FOR HIMSELF
“Father, the time has come.
Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people
that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth
by completing the work you gave me to do.
5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence
with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6-19 FOR THOSE YOU GAVE ME
6 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me.
-- so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.
None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world,
so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them,
for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but
that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20-24 FOR THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE
20 My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23I in them and you in me.May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know
that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and
to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25-26 FOR THE WORLD 25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them
As you can see he didn't forget anybody.
Hebrews 8:10-12
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the LORD.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness, and remember their sins no more."
Hebrews 10:9-10
Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will."
He sets aside the first to establish the second.
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice
of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10: 13-14
Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Titus 2: 11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope
-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good.
1 Peter 4: 6
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,
so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body,
but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Acts 10: 28
.....But God has shown me that
I should not call any man impure or unclean.
Acts 11: 9
The voice spoke from heaven a second time,
'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'
1 Timothy 4: 9-10
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive),
that we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Especially of those who believe, not Only those who believe.
Jude 10: 22-23
Be merciful to those who doubt;
snatch others from the fire and save them;
to others show mercy, mixed with fear-
hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Isaiah 42: 16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
Acts 24: 15
and I have the same hope in God as these men,
that there will be a resurrection of both
the righteous and the wicked.
2 Samuel 14: 14
Like water spilled on the ground,
which cannot be recovered, so we must die.
But God does not take away life; instead,
he devises ways so that a banished person
may not remain estranged from him.
1 Corinthians 3: 10-
By the grace God has given me,
I laid a foundation as an expert builder,
and someone else is building on it.
But each one should be careful how he builds.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
his work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light.
It will be revealed with fire, and
the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss;
he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
So, if everyone is saved then who is going to hell?
And why does the Bible say we are to believe and confess Jesus?
Search Engine Submission - AddMe
(1) you have to confess Jesus as Lord and that he died for your sins in order to be saved.
(2) and if you don't you will go to hell and burn forever and forever.
(3) free will
(4) Baptism (though it is different depending on denomination)
Am I wrong?
But everything varies from there, from one denomination to the next, so what happen?
How can it be? Some churches even teach that they are the only ones right and everyone else is going to hell, even those who attend other churches will burn in hell forever and forever.
So...What is your belief? Do you believe that? Is that Good News? Is that the Gospel Jesus preached? Is that the Gospel taught by Paul?
Is it really possible that the good news isn't really all that good! Or, are they telling lies to us?
I don't know about you, but I really don't consider it good news, if my loved ones are going to burn forever and forever. How could I possible rest in the Lords peace knowing he would do that to the people I loved.
I can rest in his peace because I know the truth and the truth has set me free!
Let me share what I have found in the Scriptures, then you let me know what you think!
John 3:16 For God so loved the world(3180) that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes(4409) in him shall not perish(660) but have eternal life.
(NIV Hebrew-Greek Study Bible)
(3180)world: earth, world system, whole universe, adornment
(4409)to believe, put one's faith in, trust, entrust
(660)to destroy, kill, cause to lose
That should be fairly familiar to you. Do you think when he says "that whoever believes in him shall not perish" that he means, you will not go to hell if you believe he died for your sins or could there be more to it?
Lets look at John 3:17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn(3212) the world, but to save(5392) the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed(4409) in the name(3950) of God's one and only Son.
(NIV Hebrew-Greek Study Bible)
(3212)to decide, consider, to judge, pass judgment on
(5392)to save, rescue, deliver, to heal
(4409)to believe, put one's faith in, trust, entrust
(3950)name, title, reputation
So looking at the scripture above John 3:17, what does it say we are to believe in, in order to not be condemned (judged). We are to believe in him and in his name (the name of God's one and only Son).
So what does that mean? I think that it means we are to believe He can do what His Word says He will do. We will talk about His name in a later post.
So what does His Word say he will do concerning salvation? Lets find out!
'Salvation Is For All', them is fighting words to a "Christian". I wonder why.
I want to show you what I think the Bible says about salvation.
First lets start with what Jesus said on the cross.
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
I would like to point out he did not say "forgive them if they believe, confess, get baptized and go to church "
And he doesn't say "When they change their ways"
Okay so some are going to say, yeah but there are other scriptures.
Romans 5: 6-8
You see, at just the right time,
when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man,
through for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Now I can't speak for all "Christians" but I have noticed that once some believe they are a "Christian" they start judging other people as though they themselves were never sinners and never sinned. We forget that Christ died for the ungodly and not for the righteous man or a good man but for sinners.
Hebrews 2: 9
But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,
now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death,
so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
1 Peter 3: 18
For Christ died for sins once for all,
the righteous for the unrighteous,
to bring you to God.
The Bible says that God demonstrates his own love for us this way: while we were powerless and still sinning Christ died for us all.
1 John 1:2
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,
and not only for ours
but also for the sins of the whole world.
He is the atoning sacrifice for the whole world.
1 Corinthians 15: 22
For as in Adam all die,
so in Christ all will be made alive.
But each in his own turn:
Christ, the firstfruits;
then, when he comes,
those who belong to him.
Romans 5: 12-14
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin,
and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-
for before the law was given, sin was in the world.
But sin is not taken into account when there is no law.
Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses,
even over those who did not sin by breaking a command,
as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
Because of Adam's sin all became sinners and the result of sin is death. You don't have to believe you are a sinner, you don't have to believe you will die. You don't have a choice in this, according to the Bible we are all sinners, and death reigns over us. And in the same way Christ took our iniquity and you don't have a choice in this either.
Romans 5: 15-16
But the gift is not like the trespass.
For if the many died by the trespass of the one man,
how much more did God's grace and the gift
that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many.
Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin:
The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation,
but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification.
The gift of God is greater than the trespass of Adam. The verses above may be a little confusing because now it says 'many' and not 'all' but if you carefully read Romans 4 & 5 as if it is a math problem you will see that 'the many' = 'all'.
If Adams trespass caused all to be sinners then how much more did Christ act of righteousness do
for the (same) all (same sinners).
Romans 5 : 17-19
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man,
how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of
grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men,
so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men.
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
The results of Christ righteousness was justification that brings life for ALL MEN.
Through the obedience of Jesus Christ the many will be made righteous.
Jesus Christ righteousness and obedience was not less(<)than the sin of Adam.
This is not up to you, you have not been asked if you want justification or if you want to be righteous.
There are however reasons to believe and confess Jesus and we will talk about them later.
Colossians 1: 19-20
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him
to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,
by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 3: 11
...but Christ is all and is in all.
I have to say this, If Christ is all and is in all, why would he burn himself in hell forever and ever?
That is another post, but I wanted to give you something to think about.
Colossian 1:19-20 says all things, whether on earth or in heaven
It doesn't exclude anyone here, but lets keep looking!
1 Timothy 2: 3-4
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved
and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,
the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men-
the testimony given in its proper time.
You could possible become confused because here it says that God "wants". This might sound a little weak to you, like he wants it but can't really accomplish that, but he does want it. Well don't take God as a feeble I wish it was so God.
Psalm 24: 1-2
The earth is the LORD's and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.
Isaiah 45: 23-25
By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all intergrity
a word that will not be revoked,
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
They will say of me,
'In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength'
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.
Isaiah 25:6-
On this mountain the LORD Almighty will prepare a feast of rich food for all peoples,
a banquet of aged wine- the best of meats and the finest of wines.
On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples,
the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever.
The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces;
he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth
The LORD has spoken.
Acts 2: 39
"The promise is for you and your children and
for all who are far off- for all whom the Lord our God will call."
Isaiah 29: 18-
In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll,
and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.
Isaiah 29: 24
Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding,
those who complain will accept instruction."
Isaiah 32: 3-
Then the eyes of those who see will no longer be closed,
and the ears of those who hear will listen.
The mind of the rash will know and understand,
and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.
No longer will the fool be called noble
nor the scoundrel be highly respected.
Zephaniah 3: 8-9
"Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day I will stand up to testify.
I have decided to assemble the nations, to gather the kingdoms and
to pour out my wrath on them- all my fierce anger.
The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.
Then will I purify the lips of the peoples,
that all of them may call on the name of the LORD
and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
Ezekiel 18: 4
For every living soul belongs to me,
the father as well as the son- both alike belong to me.
The soul who sins is the one who will die.
Do you think you are the soul who doesn't sin?
Matthew 9: 10-13
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners"
came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?
On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'
For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
Luke 17: 20-21
Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come,
Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation,
nor will people say, 'Here it is' or 'There it is', because the kingdom of God is within you."
Luke 18: 26-27
Those who heard this asked, 'Who then can be saved?"
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."
John 5: 25
"I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come,
when the dead will here the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live."
2 Corinthians 5: 14-21
For Christ's love compels us,
because we are convinced that one died for all,
and therefore all died. And he died for all,
that those who live should no longer live for themselves,
but for him who died for them and was raised again.
So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.
Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation;
the old has gone, the new has come.
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.
And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us,
so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
I know this might sound a little off subject. Did you notice we have been given the 'ministry of reconciliation'
and he has committed to us the 'message of reconciliation'. And what does it say the ministry or message of reconciliation is?
That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them.
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
Matthew 20: 1-16
For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out early in the morning to hire men
to work in his vineyard.
He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day
and sent them into his vineyard.
About the third hour he went out and saw others
standing in the marketplace doing nothing.
He told them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard,
and I will pay you whatever is right.' So they went.
"He went out again about the sixth hour and
the ninth hour and did the same thing.
About the eleventh hour he went out and
found still others standing around.
He asked them, 'Why have you been standing here
all day long doing nothing?'
"Because no one has hired us,' they answered.
"He said to them, 'You also go and work in my vineyard.'
"When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said
to his foreman,'Call the workers and pay them their wages,
beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.'
"The workers who were hired about the eleventh hour came
and each received a denarius.
So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more.
But each one of them also received a denarius.
When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner.
These men who were hired last worked only one hour,' they said,
'and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden
of the work and the heat of the day.'
" But he answered one of them, 'Friend, I am not being unfair to you.
Didn't you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go.
I want to give the man who was hired last the same as I gave you.
Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money?
Or are you envious becaue I am generous?
"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."
John 6: 45
"It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.'
Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me."
John 6: 51
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
John 12: 32
"But, I when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
Psalm 82: 6-8
"I said, 'You are "gods," you are all sons of the Most High.
But you will die like mere men; you will fall like every other ruler."
Rise up, O God, judge the earth, for all the nations are your inheritance.
Who did Jesus pray for in the Olive Garden, just before he was arrested?
I want to take a moment and share with you the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17
First Jesus prays for himself,
then for those God gave him,
for those who will believe and
then for the world.
“Father, the time has come.
Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people
that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth
by completing the work you gave me to do.
5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence
with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6-19 FOR THOSE YOU GAVE ME
6 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me.
-- so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.
None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world,
so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them,
for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but
that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20-24 FOR THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE
20 My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23I in them and you in me.May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know
that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and
to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25-26 FOR THE WORLD 25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them
As you can see he didn't forget anybody.
Hebrews 8:10-12
"This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the LORD.
I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God, and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,'
because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will forgive their wickedness, and remember their sins no more."
Hebrews 10:9-10
Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will."
He sets aside the first to establish the second.
And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice
of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Hebrews 10: 13-14
Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool,
because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.
Titus 2: 11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.
It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope
-the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior,
Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, to redeem us from all wickedness
and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good.
1 Peter 4: 6
For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,
so that they might be judged according to men in regard to the body,
but live according to God in regard to the spirit.
Acts 10: 28
.....But God has shown me that
I should not call any man impure or unclean.
Acts 11: 9
The voice spoke from heaven a second time,
'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'
1 Timothy 4: 9-10
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive),
that we have put our hope in the living God,
who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Especially of those who believe, not Only those who believe.
Jude 10: 22-23
Be merciful to those who doubt;
snatch others from the fire and save them;
to others show mercy, mixed with fear-
hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.
Isaiah 42: 16
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known,
along unfamiliar paths I will guide them;
I will turn the darkness into light before them
and make the rough places smooth.
These are the things I will do;
I will not forsake them.
Acts 24: 15
and I have the same hope in God as these men,
that there will be a resurrection of both
the righteous and the wicked.
2 Samuel 14: 14
Like water spilled on the ground,
which cannot be recovered, so we must die.
But God does not take away life; instead,
he devises ways so that a banished person
may not remain estranged from him.
1 Corinthians 3: 10-
By the grace God has given me,
I laid a foundation as an expert builder,
and someone else is building on it.
But each one should be careful how he builds.
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid,
which is Jesus Christ.
If any man builds on this foundation using
gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
his work will be shown for what it is,
because the Day will bring it to light.
It will be revealed with fire, and
the fire will test the quality of each man's work.
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss;
he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.
So, if everyone is saved then who is going to hell?
And why does the Bible say we are to believe and confess Jesus?
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Saturday, September 22, 2012
What Does The Bible Say About The Tongue
So why do we need to know anything about the tongue? The Bible has more than a few verses that talk about the tongue, how it is the rudder of our lives and that our harvest comes through the mouth, and how we can not control our tongue. I am pretty sure all this is very important information to know.
Also I want to explain my madness with the colors, underlines and bold lettering. There really is no rhyme or reason. I did try to put all scripture in Italics and what I say in this lettering. But mostly it is to attract your attention to what it is saying. I'm hoping it makes it easier to see the thought of the scripture. If it doesn't let me know and I will remove all the coloring.
Matthew 12:34-37
"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him,
and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment
for every careless word they have spoken.
For by yours words you will be acquitted,
and by yours words you will be condemned."
At some point in time we will have to give an accounting of every word we speak.
Lets look at what the Bible says about the tongue. You may have read the Freewill (NOT) and a lot of these verses may be included there also, but please pay attention (always) to each verse as if you have never read it before.
Matthew 15:18-20
"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart,
and these make a man 'unclean.'
For out of the heart come
evil thoughts,
murder,
adultery,
sexual immorality,
theft,
false testimony,
slander.
These are what make a man 'unclean',
but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean'."
Mark 7:15
Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him.
Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'
After he had left the crowd and entered the house,
his disciples asked him about this parable.
"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man
from the outside can make him 'unclean'?
For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body"
He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'
For from within, out of men's hearts, come
evil thought,
sexual immorality,
theft,
murder,
adultery,
greed,
malice,
deceit,
lewdness,
envy,
slander,
arrogance
and folly.
All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'."
Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality,
impurity,
lust,
evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry.
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger,
rage,
malice,
slander, and
filthy language from your lips.
Do not lie to each other,
since you have taken off your old self with its practices and
have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge
in the image of its Creator.
From this verse above I would suggest the earthly nature is the same as "out of a man's heart".
Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.
For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Isaiah 9: 17
....for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness.
The Bible is pretty clear that we will be judged by the things that come out of our mouth and that those things that come out of our mouths, come from our hearts and are evil.
James 3: 5-10
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body,
but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed
and have been tamed by man,
but no man can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,
and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be.
Proverbs 12: 14
From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
Proverbs 12: 18-19
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Psalm 4:4
In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Psalm 5: 6
You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.
Psalm 12: 3-4
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue
that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips --who is our master?
Proverbs 18: 6-7
A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Proverbs 18: 20-21
From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled;
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Jeremiah 1: 9-10
Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and
said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant."
Isaiah 55: 10-11
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do no return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yeilds seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 59: 21
As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD.
"My Spirit, who is on you, and
my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth,
or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants
from this time on and forever," says the LORD.
So what is this word that was put in our mouth and what does it mean 'it will not depart from your mouth'?
Proverbs 30: 5-6
Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Psalm 12: 6
And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times.
Jeremiah 23: 29
"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD,
"and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"
Isaiah 51: 16
I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow of my hand….
Romans 10: 8-13
The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,
that is , the word of faith we are proclaiming:
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord, and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture say, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-
the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
for, "Everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
The word that God put in our mouths is this: 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." And how do you do that?
Psalm 107:4-9
Some wandered in desert watelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he satisfies the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107 10-16
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
for they had rebelled against the words of God and
despised the counsel of the Most High.
So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron
Psalm 107: 17-22
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and
suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They lothed all food and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Psalm 107: 23-32
Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty water.
They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted hight the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage malted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and him in the council of the elders.
Psalm 3: 4
To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.
Psalm 4: 1
Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4: 3
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him
Psalm 5:1-3
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice,
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
This is part of a psalm of David, he obviously thought he needed to pray out loud and
he expected an answer.
Now I know we are talking about the tongue here but I have to include the following verses because they are important but have to do with the ear (also part of the earthly nature or out of the heart)
Romans 10: 14-
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.
For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and
the message is heard through the word of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I tell you that
no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says,"Jesus be cursed," and
no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit and if the Spirit of God is speaking thru you, you can not say "Jesus be cursed".
2 Corinthians 4:13
It is written: " I believed; therefore I have spoken."
With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,
because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead
will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
Matthew 10:19
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.
At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking,
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
.
Also I want to explain my madness with the colors, underlines and bold lettering. There really is no rhyme or reason. I did try to put all scripture in Italics and what I say in this lettering. But mostly it is to attract your attention to what it is saying. I'm hoping it makes it easier to see the thought of the scripture. If it doesn't let me know and I will remove all the coloring.
Matthew 12:34-37
"You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good?
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him,
and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment
for every careless word they have spoken.
For by yours words you will be acquitted,
and by yours words you will be condemned."
At some point in time we will have to give an accounting of every word we speak.
Lets look at what the Bible says about the tongue. You may have read the Freewill (NOT) and a lot of these verses may be included there also, but please pay attention (always) to each verse as if you have never read it before.
Matthew 15:18-20
"But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart,
and these make a man 'unclean.'
For out of the heart come
evil thoughts,
murder,
adultery,
sexual immorality,
theft,
false testimony,
slander.
These are what make a man 'unclean',
but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean'."
Mark 7:15
Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him.
Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'
After he had left the crowd and entered the house,
his disciples asked him about this parable.
"Are you so dull?" he asked. "Don't you see that nothing that enters a man
from the outside can make him 'unclean'?
For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body"
He went on: "What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean.'
For from within, out of men's hearts, come
evil thought,
sexual immorality,
theft,
murder,
adultery,
greed,
malice,
deceit,
lewdness,
envy,
slander,
arrogance
and folly.
All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean'."
Colossians 3:5-10
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:
sexual immorality,
impurity,
lust,
evil desires and
greed, which is idolatry.
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these:
anger,
rage,
malice,
slander, and
filthy language from your lips.
Do not lie to each other,
since you have taken off your old self with its practices and
have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge
in the image of its Creator.
From this verse above I would suggest the earthly nature is the same as "out of a man's heart".
Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart,
and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.
For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
Isaiah 9: 17
....for everyone is ungodly and wicked, every mouth speaks vileness.
The Bible is pretty clear that we will be judged by the things that come out of our mouth and that those things that come out of our mouths, come from our hearts and are evil.
James 3: 5-10
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body,
but it makes great boasts.
Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire,
and is itself set on fire by hell.
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed
and have been tamed by man,
but no man can tame the tongue.
It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,
and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be.
Proverbs 12: 14
From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things
as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
Proverbs 12: 18-19
Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Psalm 4:4
In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Psalm 5: 6
You destroy those who tell lies;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.
Psalm 12: 3-4
May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue
that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips --who is our master?
Proverbs 18: 6-7
A fool's lips bring him strife,
and his mouth invites a beating.
A fool's mouth is his undoing,
and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Proverbs 18: 20-21
From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled;
with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
The tongue has the power of life and death,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Jeremiah 1: 9-10
Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and
said to me, "Now, I have put my words in your mouth.
See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms
to uproot and tear down,
to destroy and overthrow,
to build and to plant."
Isaiah 55: 10-11
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do no return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yeilds seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire and
achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isaiah 59: 21
As for me, this is my covenant with them," says the LORD.
"My Spirit, who is on you, and
my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth,
or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants
from this time on and forever," says the LORD.
So what is this word that was put in our mouth and what does it mean 'it will not depart from your mouth'?
Proverbs 30: 5-6
Every word of God is flawless;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.
Psalm 12: 6
And the words of the LORD are flawless,
like silver refined in a furnace of clay,
purified seven times.
Jeremiah 23: 29
"Is not my word like fire," declares the LORD,
"and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?"
Isaiah 51: 16
I have put my words in your mouth
and covered you with the shadow of my hand….
Romans 10: 8-13
The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,
that is , the word of faith we are proclaiming:
That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord, and
believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture say, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-
the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,
for, "Everyone who call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
The word that God put in our mouths is this: 'Jesus is Lord', and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." And how do you do that?
Psalm 107:4-9
Some wandered in desert watelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.
They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.
He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he satisfies the thirsty and fill the hungry with good things.
Psalm 107 10-16
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
prisoners suffering in iron chains,
for they had rebelled against the words of God and
despised the counsel of the Most High.
So he subjected them to bitter labor;
they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron
Psalm 107: 17-22
Some became fools through their rebellious ways and
suffered affliction because of their iniquities.
They lothed all food and drew near the gates of death.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.
Psalm 107: 23-32
Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty water.
They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.
For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted hight the waves.
They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths;
in their peril their courage malted away.
They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.
Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and him in the council of the elders.
Psalm 3: 4
To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill.
Psalm 4: 1
Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Psalm 4: 3
Know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
the LORD will hear when I call to him
Psalm 5:1-3
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help,
my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice,
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
This is part of a psalm of David, he obviously thought he needed to pray out loud and
he expected an answer.
Now I know we are talking about the tongue here but I have to include the following verses because they are important but have to do with the ear (also part of the earthly nature or out of the heart)
Romans 10: 14-
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?
And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?
And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news.
For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"
Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message and
the message is heard through the word of Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:3
Therefore I tell you that
no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says,"Jesus be cursed," and
no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit.
No one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit and if the Spirit of God is speaking thru you, you can not say "Jesus be cursed".
2 Corinthians 4:13
It is written: " I believed; therefore I have spoken."
With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,
because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead
will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence.
Matthew 10:19
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.
At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking,
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Free Will (NOT)
FREEWILL (NOT)
JEREMIAH 10:23 I know, O Lord, that a man’s life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.
So do you really believe we have freewill, I did too until I researched the bible.
LUKE 22:3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve.
Do you think that Judas chose for Satan to enter him? Or what about Saul (in 1 Samuel)?
1 Samuel 18: 10
The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully upon Saul.
Also notice that the evil spirit is from God.
JOHN 5:19 Jesus gave them this answer:
“I tell you the truth,
the Son can do nothing by himself;
he can do only what he sees his Father doing,
because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
Did not even Jesus have free will?
JOHN 6:43-45 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered.
44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him,
and I will raise him up at the last day.
45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’
Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me.
How can we have free will if the Bible says "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him"? Do you still believe you made a free will decision or that it is up to you?
JOHN 6:64
64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.”
For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
JOHN 6:65
65 He went on to say, This is why I told you that
no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him.”
If "No One" can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him, then how can that be free will,
God must first draw (drag) you before you can even begin to think about coming to Jesus.
JOHN 15:16 -17
“You did not choose me,
but I chose you and
appointed you to go and
bear fruit-- fruit that will last.
Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name
17 This is my command: Love each other.
No free will in this scripture. You and I did not choose Jesus, He chose us. And He chose us to go and bear fruit. No just any fruit but fruit that will last. And our reward for producing fruit that will last is "the Father will give us whatever we ask in my (Jesus Christ) name". And how do you think we are to bear this fruit that will last? I think the answer is in the next verse when Jesus says "This is my command: Love each other."
ACTS 17:24-31
The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth
and does not live in temples built by hands.
25 And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything,
because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
26 From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and
he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
27 God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and
find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
28 ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’
As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
29 “Therefore since we are God’s offspring,
we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone-
- an image made by man’s design and skill.
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance,
but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with
justice by the man he has appointed.
He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.
ROMANS 8:6-7
The mind of sinful man is death,
but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
7 the sinful mind is hostile to God.
It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.
The mind of sinful man is death. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.
No...no free will here either. So if we don't have free will, why are we held accountable for "every idle word"?
ROMANS 9:14- 16
What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all!
15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and
I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.“
16 It does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy
Wow, "It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy"
ROMANS 9:17
. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose,
that I might display my power in you and
that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.”
How many believe Pharaoh will burn in hell?
ROMANS 9:18
18 Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and
he hardens whom he wants to harden.
God harden Pharaoh's heart, Pharaoh was prepared to release God's people but God harden Pharaoh's heart so that he wouldn't release them yet! Pharaoh probably believed he made the decision on his own.
But actually he obeyed God! God used Pharaoh to display his wrath and make his power known.
EXODUS 9: 16
But I have raised you up for this very purpose,
that I might show you my power and
that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.
EXODUS 10: 1-2
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart
and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these miraculous signs of mine
among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly
with Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know
that I am the LORD.
ROMANS 9:19-23
19 One of you will say to me; ”Then why does God still blame us?
For who resists his will? 20 But who are you, O man, to talk back to God?
“Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?”
21 Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay
some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
ROMANS 11:25
I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers,
so that you may not be conceited:
Israel has experienced a hardening in part until
the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
God has harden Israel in part. But only until the full number of the Gentiles has come in.
Free will?
ROMANS 11:25
26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
Well now we know "All Israel will be saved" because we sent all our tithe to the ministry, I think not.
Maybe because of free will and they all just decided on their own to turn from godlessness, I think not.
They will all be saved because "The deliverer will come and HE will turn godlessness away from Jacob."
ROMANS 11:32
For God has bound all men over to disobedience
so that he may have mercy on them all.
We have all been bound over to disobedience. None of us can obey God, because we have been bound to disobedience. I see no free will in this verse. Mercy sounds real good.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers,
so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,
who is the image of God.
Unbelievers have been blinded by the god of this age. This doesn't say sinners, it says unbelievers! Are you an unbeliever. Do you not believe what the Bible says God will do.
EPHESIANS 2:1-5
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and
of the rulers of the kingdom of the air,
the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
3 All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts.
Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
4 But because of his great love for us,
God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ
even when we were dead in transgressions--
it is by grace you have been saved.
It is by grace we have been saved even though we were dead in transgressions!
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
A gift of God, so that no one can boast.
So no, your free will did not save you. You did not make the choice to turn to Jesus. You did not freely choose anything. You were drawn (dragged) by God and you were given the free gift of grace by God, not by your works (free will?).. And he did this so that No One can boast "I did it". And yet if you believe in free will you are saying exactly that.
PHILIPPIANS 2:13
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.
God is working in you to will and act according to what he needs to happen.
And he is doing the same thing in everyone else, too. Even in those that we would consider sinners.
EPHESIANS 1: 4
For he chose us in him before the creation of the world
to be holy and blameless in his sight.
In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ,
in accordance with his pleasure and will-to the praise of his glorious grace,
which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
EPHESIANS 1: 11
In him we were also chosen,
having been predestined
according to the plan of
him who works out everything
in conformity with the purpose
of his will ,
in order that we,
who were the first to hope in Christ,
might be for the praise of his glory.
And you also were included in Christ
when you heard the word of truth,
the gospel of your salvation.
COLOSSIANS 2:13-14
When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature,
God made you alive with Christ.
He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code,
with it regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us;
he took it away, nailing it to the cross.
He forgave all of us our sins, even though we were yet sinners. God made us alive with Christ.
He forgave everyone all their sins while they were still sinning, before they were even aware they were sinners.
2 TIMOTHY 1:9
God, who saves us and called us to a holy life--
not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace
This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
Grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time! Had nothing to do with any of our desires or effort. Still thinking you have free will. Lets see what else we can't control.
JAMES 3:6-12
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and
have been tamed by man, 8 but no man can tame the tongue
. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.
My brothers, this should not be.
PROVERBS16:1-2
To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue.
2 All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.
PROVERBS 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:33
The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 20:24
A man's steps are directed by the LORD.
How then can anyone understand his own way?
Looks like we can not control the tongue. Which means you can not control if you confess Jesus as Lord unless you have been drawn (dragged) by God to do so.
We cannot determine or direct our steps or our decisions, both of which are needed to if you are to use freewill as we define it.
MATTHEW 15: 18-20
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart,
and these make a man unclean.
For out of the heart come
evil thoughts,
murder,
adultery,
sexual immorality,
theft,
false testimony,
slander.
These are what make a man unclean
but eating with unwashed hands does not make him unclean.
Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure.
Who can understand it?
I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind,
to reward a man according to his conduct,
according to what his deeds deserve.
Romans 7: 14-25
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
I do not understand what I do.
For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.
As it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me,
that is, in my sinful nature.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.
For what I do is not the good I want to do;
no the evil I do not want to do --this I keep on doing.
Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it,
but it is sin living in me that does it.
So I find this law at work: When I want to do good,
evil is right there with me.
For in my inner being I delight in God's law,
but I see another law at work in the members of my body,
waging war against the law of my mind and
making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members.
What a wretched man I am.
Who will rescue me from this body of death?
Thanks be to God-- through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law,
but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
Paul says of our own we can not even control "What I do"
ROMANS 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life
set me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:9
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature
but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you.
You are controlled either by 'the sinful nature' or the 'Spirit of God'.
ISAIAH 46: 10-13
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.
From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about; what I have planned, that will I do
Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness.
I am bringing my righteousness near, it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion, my splendor to Israel.
ISAIAH 45:22-25
Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
By myself I have sworn, my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
they will say of me, "In the LORD alone are righteousness and strength.
All who have raged against him will come to him and be put to shame.
But in the LORD all the descendants of Israel will be found righteous and will exult.
ISAIAH 33:22
For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver,
the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.
God is the one who will save us, He is the judge, lawgiver, king and Savior.
ISAIAH 42: 23-25
23 Which of you will listen to this or pay close attention in time to come?
24 Who handed Jacob over to become loot, and Israel to the plunderers?
Was it not the LORD , against whom we have sinned?
25 So he poured out on them his burning anger, the violence of war.
It enveloped them in flames, yet they did not understand;
it consumed them, but they did not take it to heart.
I hope by now you will at least consider the possibility that just maybe you don't have free will. There are tons of scriptures in the Bible that say we don't. Check it out for yourself.
Ecclesiastes 7:13-14
Consider what God has done:
Who can straighten what he has made crooked?
When times are good, be happy;
but when times are bad, consider:
God has made the one as well as the other.
Therefor, a man cannot discover anything about his future.
PSALM 54:6-7
I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
For he has delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
PSALM 53:2-3
God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if
there are any who understand, any who seek God.
Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt;
there is no one who does good, not even one.
So what's the deal? Are we just mindlessly going through life until we die? I don't think so.
God is our Father in Heaven! Our fathers (dads) on earth do not allow us as children to have our own free will. We are not allowed to come and go as we please, eat our desert before our meal, etc. You may or may not be given choices in the matter, depends on what it is. Oh and we are punished for not obeying.
Galatians 4:6
Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
the Spirit who call out, "Abba, Father."
So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son,
God has made you also an heir.
We are the children of the Most High God and as such He directs our path as any good father would do for his children. We are rebellious children! I know you think I'm just talking about sinners here, but I'm not, I'm talking about all of us, everyone who has ever been born on this earth with the exception of Jesus.
(and not to confuse matters but also Enoch. Jesus died for our sins, Enoch was no more, because God took him).
With no free will then what do we have?
Deuteronomy 30: 19-20
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and
that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore
to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
Deuteronomy 11:26-
See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse--
Proverbs 19:21
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 19:20
From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
Proverbs 12:14
From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.
Okay, so if we will eat the fruit of our mouth lets explore what the Bible says about the mouth, tongue and speaking.
What Does The Bible Say About The Tongue?
I want to take a moment and share with you the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17
First Jesus prays for himself,
then for those God gave him,
for those who will believe and
then for the world.
“Father, the time has come.
Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.
2 For you granted him authority over all people
that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.
3 Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God,
and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
4 I have brought you glory on earth
by completing the work you gave me to do.
5And now, Father, glorify me in your presence
with the glory I had with you before the world began.
6-19 FOR THOSE YOU GAVE ME
6 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world.
They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them.
They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.
10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them.
11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you.
Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-- the name you gave me.
-- so that they may be one as we are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me.
None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
13 I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world,
so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.
14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them,
for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.
15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but
that you protect them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
20-24 FOR THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE
20 My prayer is not for them alone.
I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.
May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know
that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am and
to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.
25-26 FOR THE WORLD 25 Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them
As you can see he didn't forget anybody.
Deuteronomy 30: 19-20
This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you
that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.
Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and
that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.
For the LORD is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore
to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
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