Randy Bell
10 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

Randy Bell | What is Grace?

 

Grace: Jesus came to save man from sin
Matthew 1:21 (KJV) “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

God’s focus of love offers true grace and is designed to “save his people from their sins.” The Law reveals the sin, and Christ came to save us from rebellion to His law. True freedom or liberty is offered to all narrow road followers of Jesus.

Some have mistakenly twisted this promise to believe Christ came to free men from God’s standard of right and wrong, with the freedom to chase after sin without consequence. This is madness and living in slavery to sin.

If you were saved from drowning, you would not keep living in the state of drowning, and have the lifeguard swim next to you and pull you up every few hours. No, he would drag you out of the water to safety. Do you think the Almighty God defines “save his people from their sins” as only freeing them from the consequences of eternal hell, but leaving everyone in the misery of perpetual sin?

Not even a lifeguard will do that to a drowning swimmer. Why would anyone think God will torment people in this way?

If the plan of God is to “save his people from their sins” what would that mean? It does not say “save his people from hell” the consequences of their sin, but “from their sins.”

Sin is the destroyer of mankind. Sin is the water that drowns people for all eternity. Sin is what God hates. Sin is what God wants to save all people from, not leave them drowning under it.

False grace is the idea that God does not save us from sin, but saves us from His moral law. False grace is so destructive to mankind that God warned us in the Bible that this error would plague us until He comes back in judgment.

“Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people. I say this because some ungodly people have wormed their way into your churches, saying that God’s marvelous grace allows us to live immoral lives. The condemnation of such people was recorded long ago, for they have denied our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” [Jude 1:3-4 (NLT)]

Instead, grace is the opposite of this lie! Grace propels us to live righteous lives. The Greek word is  <G5463> (chairo); graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) :- acceptable, benefit, favour, gift, grace (-ious), joy, liberality, pleasure, thank (-s, -worthy). Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

We only know what is moral from God’s Word. His Law has not changed today. What was immoral in the Old Testament, was immoral in the New Testament times, and is still immoral today. NO CHANGE!

Is it time for you to leave false grace behind, along with your disobedience to God’s moral law, and find God’s freedom from sin? Jesus died to save you from your sin.

Grace: living by the power of Holy Spirit

Revelation 13:8 (WEY) “…the Book of the Lamb who has been offered in sacrifice ever since the creation of the world.”

God had a long-standing, carefully crafted plan from the very beginning to save man from his sin. God sticks with His plans. God’s love drives Him to fulfill His promises. But His plan included thousands of years to prepare the way for His son to be presented as the sacrifice for sin. This was God’s mercy to Israel until His son would be offered up for sin.

The religion He established through Moses was an elaborate set of sacrificial rituals to make known the horrors of sin. Israel lived under this ritual law to pound into their minds the evil of sin and the desperate need of forgiveness.

From the day Adam and Eve sinned, the curse of sin and death plagued mankind. People drown under their sin. Even today, without Christ, we all were drowning under this terrible living death.

But Jesus came to earth 2000 years ago to be the final sacrifice and replace all rituals. “With his own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—he entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.” Hebrews 9:12 (NLT)

Israel was offered salvation from two things:
1/ Slavery of sin and,  2/ Slavery of Old Testament rituals for sin

But another problem was many Jews decided the sacrifices were not sufficient and turned to legalism, the belief that salvation is gained by good works. The Pharisees were great legalistic hypocrites constantly trying to gain favor with God by a balancing act of doing certain things that they thought were good that earned them heaven and God’s favor, in spite of breaking God’s Law. The temple sacrifices were the only thing God gave them for sin, but they added legalism to try and gain their way to heaven.

The only way the Pharisees could do this was to ignore certain laws that they were breaking and emphasize the ones they liked and followed. That is why they were hypocrites.

The laws they broke were seen by Jesus and their good deeds did not erase their sin. Jesus did not condemn them for obeying all God’s laws, but for breaking His laws. They should have remembered, only a sacrifice of blood could erase their sin. They did not have faith, the law could not save them, nor did their good works help.

Today many try to define legalism as faithful obedience to God’s Word. This is false! If that was true Jesus would be legalistic! This is not legalism, this is exactly what God does and will continue to do in every Christian until all is finalized on Judgment Day.

His prophetic promise is very clear. “And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. 27  And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NLT)

The sad thing is, legalism is practiced by some churches today by using rituals to try and bring forgiveness instead of faith in the cross of Jesus. There is no ritual that can do anything for you today!

The Lord Jesus proclaims to us, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19 (NLT)

The narrow road follower of Jesus has God’s grace empowering them, and does not need or trust in any rituals, nor suffers under the slavery of sin. No church needs to practice rituals. Christ died once for all.

Now we walk in the Spirit of life. Christ’s sacrifice was more than enough to completely set us free!

Grace: The law is fulfilled in each believer through the power of love

Matthew 5:18 (NLT) “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.”

“‘Till heaven and earth pass.’ This expression denotes that the law never should be destroyed till it should be all fulfilled. It is the same as saying, everything else may change-the very earth and heaven may pass away-but the law of God shall not be destroyed, till its whole design shall be accomplished.” – Notes on the New Testament Explanatory and Practical.

Under the Old Testament Law, sin and forgiveness, blood sacrifice, and the horrible cost of sin was constantly pounded into the psyche of Israel. They were sinners, God was Holy. They could not come close to God because of their sin, which God hated. But He loved them and offered forgiveness through blood sacrifice.

Their lives were persistently reminded of sin. Sin and it’s burden were always on their minds. They were sick of sin, and killing animals over and over to cover their sin. The Old Testament rituals were a bloody circle of death and spiritual cleansing over and over and over and over. But the cross of Jesus changed everything. He was sacrificed for everyone so the ritual law was finished.

Now there is no purpose for rituals in the church. All the temple worship rituals are finished, and Christians must not copy any of them. “After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.” John 19:28 (KJV)

Christ accomplished every detail in the task of paying for all sin, for all men, forever. He completely fulfilled the Bible promises and prophecy that gave us salvation from sin. God offers a New Testament to replace the old temple and rituals. A new temple is given.

“The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” Romans 8:3-4 (NLT)

Even the smallest detail of ritual law is over. The ritual law was fulfilled in the temple, but was finished in Christ’s body at the cross. Today, God fulfills his moral law through God’s new temples, the bodies of every narrow road follower of Jesus. As real as the old rituals were used for God’s glory, the new temples are made holy for His Word to be fulfilled in us! “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” Romans 13:8 (NLT)

Instead of rituals made by men, we live our lives in constant sacrifice, pouring out our lives by actually offering our own body, soul and spirit to serve God all day long. We pour out our lives instead of the blood of lambs and goats. No more blood is needed. This is real spiritual worship.

Have you become a true narrow road follower of Jesus? Romans was written for this very reason. “I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” Romans 12:1 (AMP)

God’s law is fulfilled in us everyday! “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Galatians 5:14 (KJV)

By God’s mighty grace flooding our souls we do fulfill the law.

Grace: the purpose of the Law and grace

What is the purpose of God’s law? Simple, to tell us what is right and what is wrong. To tell us how to love God and how to love people. God has that responsibility and authority to do this for His created world. The Law tells us what to do, and what not to do. What is good, and what is bad. “Why, then, was the law given? It was given alongside the promise to show people their sins…” Galatians 3:19 (NLT)

Christ did not erase the moral law, neither does grace.

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved. So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” Matthew 5:17-20 (NLT)

For example, in the Old Testament Law God commanded Israel, “No lies about your neighbor.” Exodus 20:16 (MSG) Grace did not erase the Law and give Christians permission to lie today.

We see an example in the book of Acts. “But Peter said, Ananias, ‘why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?’” Acts 5:3 (KJV)

There is no change in God’s moral law. “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” Revelation 21:8 (NLT)

A lie is sin in the Old Testament, and a sin in the New Testament. The Law is not abolished, weakened, or changed by grace. A liar will still be judged. At Judgment Day liars will be condemned to eternal death in hell.

This is the same for the immoral, thieves, etc. Even if the United States of America declares sin is okay it does not change God’s mind. Nor does it matter if your uncle, mother or friend decides God is old fashioned and wrong. Sin is determined by the law of God and grace does not oppose or contradict the law.

“Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God.” Romans 3:19 (NLT)

Any preacher, teacher, or Christian who teaches that grace allows us to “ignore the least commandment” contradicts the Lord Jesus. When you contradict Him, you deny Him. The very Greek word used means “ to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate :- deny, refuse.” – Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

What is the purpose of grace? Grace has nothing to do with God changing His mind and making excuses for Christians to continue sinning, while condemning the world for doing the very same acts. That would make God unjust and a hypocrite.

But you see, the religious leaders of Israel in Jesus’ day, were the hypocrites. They did not obey God’s law. They made a big deal about themselves being righteous, when in fact, they disobeyed God constantly. Jesus was clear, “The teachers of religious law and the Pharisees are the official interpreters of the law of Moses. So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach.” Matthew 23:2-3 (NLT)

False grace makes excuses for a sinful life, in the name of being a Christian.

Grace: How to be great in God’s Kingdom

The purpose of real grace then has everything to do with changing the narrow road follower of Jesus so they can “practice and obey.” Our Lord is clear, “For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20 (NKJV)

Righteousness is doing what is right, not just believing in what is right. The Pharisees already tried that, and what did that get them?

Our Lord says our righteousness must EXCEED, and the Greek word used means SUPER EXCEED. This is like the difference between a penny and a billion dollars.

Grace is like a river of living water pouring through our lives pushing, shoving, and moving us to far exceed all other people by our righteous living. Remember the great promise that sets Christians apart from all of humanity is “I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations.” Ezekiel 36:27 (NLT)

This is why the apostle John dares to say, “Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin.” This is not possible in human effort or willpower, this is a miracle! But, all those who keep on sinning do not know God. They do not know His salvation. They do not know His forgiveness. We are not just saved from hell. We are saved from sin!

Let’s read this carefully together 1 John 3:7-10 (NLT)

7  Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.

8  But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

9  Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

10  So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

No matter how much tolerance is proclaimed inside and outside the church, DO NOT be deceived. No matter how much grace is preached that is supposed to ALLOW sin to dwell in people’s lives, DO NOT be deceived. “When people keep on sinning,” even if they confess and ask forgiveness over and over everyday, they are NOT saved!

For a short time as they wrestle with repentance, this may happen. But this is not a long extended lifestyle. If your religion is made up of this enslavement to sin, you are not going to heaven, and you DO NOT know God. Those who keep on sinning BELONG TO THE DEVIL.

Christ Jesus destroys, destroys, and destroys this work of the devil in all born again believers.

Paul asks, “Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus …” [Romans 6:1-3 (NLT)]

The proof, the evidence, that you have met Jesus, and are God’s own child is simple, you can’t keep on in your old sins. Your new heart stops you. This new grace of the Holy Spirit inside floods you with holy desires, and powerful strength to obey the living God.

The child of the devil is a sin machine, no matter what he believes about his eternal end. That was the problem with the Pharisaic rabbis of Jesus day and the reason they tried to gain salvation by balancing their righteous acts against their unrighteous sin.

This is the huge difference between a true Christian and everyone else, because we are not sin factories anymore. That is why John writes, “But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate.” “If” is not the same as “since”! Since all the people of the world without Christ are “sin factories”, they constantly sin, rebel, and do acts of wickedness continually ignoring Christ and His commands.

But the born again are not “sin factories” and do not live in the perpetual life of sin and darkness. So “if” a Christian fails and commits a sin, but then asks for forgiveness, and repents… they are restored to life in the Spirit. But you must understand a true believer does not sin because they have to, if they sin it is a choice, an act of outright rebellion or deception and ignorance, NOT slavery.

Our righteousness is far more and greatly exceeds the “children of disobedience”. The child of God is a love machine because of the powerful work God does inside us and sticks with fellow Christians in the local church and fulfills God’s will together with His spiritual family.

Grace, marvelous “grace (God’s unmerited favor) has surpassed it and increased the more and superabounded…” Romans 5:20 (AMP) and “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.” Philippians 2:13 (AMP)

“But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.” Romans 6:22 (NLT)

Thank you Jesus for grace! It empowers every true believer to will and work for God’s delight. We are the light of the world.

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Randy Bell
9 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

How Do I Ask Others To Forgive Me?

Guidelines For New Believers: The Biblical Way of Asking  Forgiveness From Another

The Lord Jesus calls His narrow road followers to live a life far above what the world thinks is normal. Relationships are important to God and He demands the narrow road follower of Jesus does everything in his power to restore broken relationships. You see this in the Lord’s foundational teaching to his disciples. Read this carefully.

I-askForgiveness“This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you,  abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” [Matt 5:23-24 (MSG)]

Notice we cannot say we are okay with God when someone can point their finger at us and say, “This person offended me, they wronged me and never made it right.” Jesus demands his followers take the hard road and go back to that person.

evangelism1/ So before you ask someone to forgive you for wronging them, examine yourself. Even get help from a friend and pinpoint what you did that was wrong. Then and only then ask these important questions and carefully answer them:

  • Is there a change I need to make in my behavior? If this is a recurring attitude or bad habit, I need to address it.
  • Should I make restitution for what I did? If my action cost them something or damaged something, I need to replace or pay them compensation.
  • Have I thought through my action now and relived my offense through their feelings and viewpoint?
  • Can I say I have fully forgiven them for any wrong they did to me? Even if you feel they have been the chief problem it does not matter, you can and must answer to God for your actions.

evangelism2/ Then while preparing yourself to make things right… Choose your wording and make sure it does not imply blame to them or others? No excuses. Ask yourself, “Am I trying to justify my offenses in any way?” Remember:

  • Go over your wording carefully and make sure it does not imply blame to them or others?
  • Make no excuses for your words or deeds. Ask yourself, “Am I trying to justify my offenses in any way?”
  • Write out your words and make sure they are very specific.
  • Frame your words carefully showing genuine sincerity and humility. For example your beginning is important, “I have acted foolishly and damaged the trust of our relationship. God has convicted me that my outburst of anger towards you this morning…”
  • Next clearly say “…I was wrong…”
  • Then make sure you finish with the question, “Could you please forgive me?” Then in humility wait for their answer.

evangelism3/ These are important questions to ask yourself after requesting forgiveness…

  • Am I prepared to continue to respond correctly even if they will not forgive?
  • How can I sincerely thank them if they do forgive me?
  • Could I dare ask them to help me and reveal further “blind spots” I have that damage them and others?

evangelismSuggested Prayer to Develop a Spirit of Forgiveness

Lord Jesus, I ________________ [your name], do purpose in my heart, by Your grace, to believe that everything that happens to me You allow for a specific purpose—for my good. I know You promise me that all things, no matter how bad they seem, will work out for my good by your loving hand [Romans 8:28]. So by faith I will seek You for that purpose. I will not allow others to take [steal] my joy, by bitterness, but to forgive them as You have forgiven me.

Let these Bible verses give you support and faith in God. Memorize them and allow them to strengthen you in your days of trouble.

“…Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” Daniel 1:8

Beware “…lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” Hebrews 12:15

And remember, in this context, bitterness is simply the result of not seeing suffering from God’s perspective. Use the hurts of your past to remember what it cost the Lord to forgive you.

Let’s read Matthew 18:21-35 (NKJV):
21  Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
22  Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
23  Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
24  And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.
25  But as he was not able to pay, his master commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made.
26  The servant therefore fell down before him, saying, ‘Master, have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
27  Then the master of that servant was moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt.
28  But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he laid hands on him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
29  So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’
30  And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
31  So when his fellow servants saw what had been done, they were very grieved, and came and told their master all that had been done.
32  Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
33  Should you not also have had compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you?’
34  And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him.
35  So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.”

evangelismNo matter how hard it seems to forgive and ask for forgiveness, God demands the follower of Jesus to forgive others every wrong no matter how big it seems or how deep the hurt because every sin we have committed was an offense against our holy God. He offers forgiveness by the sacrifice of the death of Jesus.

Use the hurts of your past to know how others feel when you offend and sin against them, and let that drive you to sorrow, repentance, and restitution. Make things right so that no one can point their finger at you and say you sinned against them and never tried to make it right.

Double check and make sure the following qualities (Gal. 5:22-23) are in yourself as you determine to forgive and love those who even made themselves your enemies:

  • LOVE [God’s way is giving to others without expecting anything in return]
  • JOY [God’s way is reproducing Christ’s character]
  • PEACE [God’s way is a conscience clear of all offense to God and man]
  • PATIENCE [God’s way is responding to irritations with enduring love]
  • GENTLENESS [God’s way is the spirit of understanding]
  • GOODNESS [God’s way is Christ-like actions and responses no matter what]
  • FAITH [God’s way is fulfilling God’s purposes without knowing the future results]
  • MEEKNESS [God’s way is yielding all my rights to God]
  • SELF-CONTROL [God’s way is developing moral freedom in every circumstance]

Please, please, please remember the importance of rebuilding your relationships! Jesus tells the narrow road follower of Jesus, “go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.” [Matt 5:23-24 (MSG)] If you want a relationship with God it means you fix your relationships with others.

But if they will not forgive you, after a biblical attempt was made, then he commands, “I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?” Matthew 5:44-46 (NKJV)

As you see Jesus never said any of this would be easy, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT! We are “sons of the Father” of Heaven and we always do MORE than the people around us. This is why we are on the narrow road that few find or follow.

evangelism

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Randy Bell
5 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

Does God Tolerate Sin?

Can I ask you a question? HOW DOES GOD SHOW HIS PATIENCE?

Today because of the ignorance of God’s hatred of sin, and His nature of holiness, love, almighty power and grace for the Christian, many in the church have no clue of what God’s amazing patience toward them entails.

TolerateSinHere is the truth that many miss, God’s love without failure; compels, pushes, controls, and empowers the narrow road follower of Jesus to walk in righteousness, not live in constant sin. For example, the apostle Paul states, “Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.” [Romans 6:18 (NLT)]

John adds, “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” [1 John 3:9 (NKJV)]

But I hear from so many people of the church proclaim the very opposite. They argue for sin in their lives and believe God is forgiving them constantly while in horrible rebellion to Him.

They quote scripture to make it sound okay to sin all the time. They never see the cross as salvation from sin, but only from hell.

But the bottom line is this, God does not tolerate sin in His followers, but instead frees real Christians from living under it’s horrible slavery! Paul writes, “…you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)” Romans 8:9 (NLT)

Olympic athletics are never perfect, but that never stops them from getting as close as they can. No one is perfect, because we all have sinned. But that does not give you a license to practice sin. Only hypocrites do that. There is a big difference between “If you should sin” and when people “keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil…” [1 John 3:8 (NLT)]

Between those two statements is the amazing power of God’s grace. You must fully understand…

God does not tolerate sin, He frees real Christians from living in it!

When we go back to the Old Testament prophet Malachi we find an amazing principle that God shows up when His people sin. He does not stay silent.

Do you remember this statement from the Bible? “You make God tired with all your talk. “How do we tire him out?” you ask. By saying, “God loves sinners and sin alike. God loves all.” And also by saying, “Judgment? God’s too nice to judge.” [Mal 2:17 (MSG)]

Using this statement from God’s Word, what sin would God tolerate in a believer? What sins are free to be lived with so God can show tolerance, patience, or love? Paul says NONE! Let’s read more from the Bible…

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.”

PLEASE NOTE: [Judgment is given by a Judge who has authority over us to give punishment or reward. Let’s continue]

7  “He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile.11 For God does not show favoritism.” [Romans 2:4-11 (NLT)]

The warning from these words proves God’s only kindness was the offer of salvation through the GOOD NEWS! But if refused, anyone who continues to “live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness” will be eternally suffering in hell.

God is tireless in His mercy, and His patience means that He does not destroy people instantly and cast them into HELL! But instead, refrains Himself with great love to allow the lost time to turn from their lives of spiritual crime and REPENT, which means turn from their wickedness to God’s new way of life, by actually FOLLOWING CHRIST as a true disciple of obedience.

Our God kept His covenant with Abraham and patiently dealt with the Jews. Pay attention to the following scripture and see how God showed His patience. “Yet for many years You had patience with them,  And testified against them by Your Spirit in Your prophets. Yet they would not listen; Therefore You gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands. 31  Nevertheless in Your great mercy You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them; For You are God, gracious and merciful. [Neh 9:30-31 (NKJV)]

As you see, the LORD did not sit back and tolerate sin but showed His patience by first sending preachers to call them to repentance. But when they refused to obey, He sent nations to overthrow their safe lives, enslave them and kill some. AND NOTE, this is called mercy, BECAUSE HE DID NOT UTTERLY DESTROY THEM!

YOU MUST ONCE AND FOR ALL UNDERSTAND GOD’S GRACE

But you must understand Christians have a different relationship with God then the world, the Old Testament saints and the Jews had with Him. In Christ, we are born again! So Paul can say these words with great joy.

“For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us…” [2 Cor 5:14 (AMP)]

The King James version uses the word “Contrains” = from <G4862> (sun) and <G2192> (echo); to hold together, i.e. to compress (the ears, with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figurative to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy :- constrain, hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken with, throng. —Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

So this means that the Holy Spirit so loves the Christian, that He controls the true born again saint with floods and floods of grace that drive, force, push, empower, strengthen, and straighten out their life to live holy and righteous. Just like a parent will not let their little child run out into traffic, God’s fatherly love will not let you out of His sight. He pursues and protects you from living in sin.

He works on Christians like he did with Israel, but with one MAJOR exception.  

He promised Israel the day would come when He would miraculously alter His people to free them from the slavery to sin. Ezekiel proclaimed,“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and YOU WILL KEEP MY JUDGMENTS AND DO THEM.” [Ezek 36:26-27 (NKJV)]

2000 years ago God fulfilled this through the cross and the miracle of being born again. Today true Christians still have this reality!

He miraculously changes the true Christian believer by His grace and you live in obedience. This is why Paul clearly explains the grace from God’s Holy Spirit inside the born again Christian. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” [Phil 2:13 (NLT)]

cropped-evangelism.jpgSO THIS MEANS BELIEVERS CANNOT GET AWAY FROM HIS LOVING HAND OF CORRECTION!

Let’s read from the book of Hebrews. “After all, your fight against sin has not yet meant the shedding of blood, and you have perhaps lost sight of that piece of advice which reminds you of our sonship in God: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives’.”

“7-9 Bear what you have to bear as “chastening” – as God’s dealing with you as sons. No true son ever grows up uncorrected by his father. For if you had no experience of the correction which all sons have to bear you might well doubt the legitimacy of your sonship. After all, when we were children we had fathers who corrected us, and we respected them for it. Can we not much more readily submit to a heavenly Father’s discipline, and learn how to live?” 

“10-13 For our fathers used to correct us according to their own ideas during the brief days of childhood. But God corrects us all our days for our own benefit, to teach us his holiness.”

“Now obviously no “chastening” seems pleasant at the time: it is in fact most unpleasant. Yet when it is all over we can see that it has quietly produced the fruit of real goodness in the characters of those who have accepted it in the right spirit. So take a fresh grip on life and brace your trembling limbs. Don’t wander away from the path but forge steadily onward. On the right path the limping foot recovers strength and does not collapse.” [Heb 12:4-10 (Phillips NT)]

Immature saints, like little kids, need a lot of correction and discipline. God patiently grabs a hold of the new Christian and carries him through the fight against living in sin. “While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. 11 At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.” [Heb 12:11 (MSG)]

Once you are well trained, a mature believer, just like a mature adult in human terms, you are not always fighting sin, but walking in obedience. There is an end to the endless battles because the Holy Spirit is put inside you to “cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” The fruit of the Spirit is “peace”!

cropped-evangelism.jpgGOD PROVES TO US HE LOVES US BY HIS STRONG ARM OF REBUKE

Do you think God treats local churches differently than the ancient Jews? Try reading Revelation 2 and 3 and put the name of your church at the beginning of each spiritual evaluation letter that Christ sent to those seven churches. It will wake you up.

“Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].”  [Rev 3:19 (AMP)]

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” [Rev 3:19 (NKJV)]

If you study Revelation 2 and 3 you will see Christ telling church after church: shape up, repent, or else! He will not allow sin in His people. And if He warns them that he will abandon them, then it proves they were a church in name only, but in truth, they were lost without salvation.

Make sure you understand the word REBUKE = TELLS YOU WHAT YOU ARE DOING WRONG. Vine’s Words: Convict, Convince, Fault, Faultless, Rebuke, Reproof, Reprove Usage Notes: English Words used in KJV:

reprove 6
rebuke 5
convince 4
tell (one’s) fault 1
convict 1
[Total Count: 17]

of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish :- convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove. —Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

And understand the word CHASTEN = PUNISH YOU Chasten, Chastening, Chastise, Chastisement, Instruct, Instruction, Instructor—Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary
from <G3816> (pais); to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by implication) discipline (by punishment) :- chasten (-ise), instruct, learn, teach. —Strong’s Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary

He promises to keep Christians in freedom with rebukes and chastening. The Bible states, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” [Romans 8:28 (NLT)]

Yes God has His hand constantly on His people, blessing, rebuking, correcting, and training every minute of every day.  Paul was convinced “that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”  Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

Our Lord is making us like Jesus! His plan is always to mature us to be in the image of Christ. You cannot stay in rebellion and sin all your Christian life. You cannot block His hand of love if you are born again! His grace causes deep real change inside every real believer.

cropped-evangelism.jpgIF YOU CAN LIVE IN SIN AND RESIST THE GUILT, AND GOD DOES NOT STEP IN TO STOP YOU, REMEMBER, YOU ARE GOING TO HELL!!!!

Never forget these words from the Lord Jesus. “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.22 On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’23 But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” [Matt 7:21-23 (NLT)]

If this describes you, I beg you to wake up and cry out for forgiveness right now!

ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE THAT THE LORD’S PATIENCE IS PERSISTENT CORRECTION

Paul explains to the new church at Corinth the seriousness of sin while gathered together for communion. He says, “Anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master irreverently is like part of the crowd that jeered and spit on him at his death. Is that the kind of “remembrance” you want to be part of? 28 Examine your motives, test your heart, come to this meal in holy awe.

29 If you give no thought (or worse, don’t care) about the broken body of the Master when you eat and drink, you’re running the risk of serious consequences. 30 That’s why so many of you even now are listless and sick, and others have gone to an early grave. 31 If we get this straight now, we won’t have to be straightened out later on. 32 Better to be confronted by the Master now than to face a fiery confrontation later.” [1 Cor 11:27-32 (MSG)]

The Lord does not sit back in “patience” and allow us room to sin [see verse 30 above].

DON’T WAIT FOR GOD TO ACT IN SOME OBSCURE WAY, HE ALREADY ORDERED THE CHURCH TO ACT ON HIS BEHALF!!! THE LORD DEMANDS THAT THE CHURCH QUICKLY ACT TO CORRECT A SINFUL MEMBER, NOT SIT BY AND TOLERATE THEM WITH LOVE.
For example:

“It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles–that a man has his father’s wife! 2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.”

“For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus…”

“In my previous letter I said, “Don’t mix with the immoral.” I didn’t mean, of course, that you were to have no contact at all with the immoral of this world, nor with any cheats or thieves or idolaters – for that would mean going out of the world altogether!”

“But in this letter I tell you not to associate with any professing Christian who is known to be an impure man or a swindler, an idolater, a man with a foul tongue, a drunkard or a thief. My instruction is: ‘Don’t even eat with such a man.'”

“Those outside the church it is not my business to judge. but surely it is your business to judge those who are inside the church – God alone can judge those who are outside. It is your plain duty to ‘put away from yourselves that wicked person’.” [1 Cor 5:1-5 (NKJV) 1 Cor 5:9-13 (Phillips NT)]

Now we need to clarify the whole idea of judging. Our culture screams you cannot judge which it gives them the freedom to make excuses for their sin. So let’s make this clear.

To judge means to act in punishment NOT just discern or agree with God that someone is sinning against God.

[bctt tweet=”To judge means to act in punishment NOT just discern or agree with God that someone is sinning against God.” username=”RandyMBell”]

Instead, we the church are ordered to not sit quietly by while a church member is sinning, but the leadership of the church is to rise up, verify the truth, and if this person is sinning – rebuke them, and if they will not repent, throw them out of all church gatherings.

God demands that we take swift action and JUDGE, that judgment being, removing them from all church gatherings and not even personally go to lunch with them.

And God demands that we take swift action and JUDGE a Christian. God is the one who gives the Christians the authority to judge fellow believers when needed. Americans hate this! But this is His way of quickly correcting and purifying the church, just like God gives the government the authority to judge criminals (Romans 13).

If we do not act as God’s hands of punishment, we are puffed up, which means, proud and arrogant, by claiming superiority to God Almighty and deciding whether we are to obey Him or not. Or so proud we dare to think that we are more loving than God.

You must remember that God the Father, corrects his children for doing wrong, and the church is His hands, just like government is His hands [Romans 13] for punishing the criminals in our nation, and parents are His hands for punishing their children [Ephesians].

The Lord demands swift justice and wants swift punishment. If the church is so fearful of obeying God because members will quit and just go to a different church that welcomes them, they have disobeyed God. Please God, not man!

cropped-evangelism.jpgHOW QUICKLY DOES GOD WORK TO CORRECT US WHEN WE SIN?

1/ When we sin, the Holy Spirit dwelling in us uses His grace to pump strong desires in us to repent and releases the needed strength to fulfill His will, so this immediately fires up our conscience with conviction and guilt… [Phil 2:13]

2/ If we do not listen, which means confess and clear our conscience, we resist God’s grace and a root of bitterness starts in us. [Heb 12:15] Paul warns in 1 Timothy this will shipwreck our faith when we do not clear our conscience. He says, “Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked.” [1 Tim 1:19] The evidence of shipwreck is quickly experienced. Our relationships quickly sink and become tense with unforgiving attitudes festering through bitterness. So our Father begins using His Word to convict us, plus shuts down all peace within and out. “And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts.” [Colossians 3:15] And with people, “When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them” …. [Prov 16:7]

3/ If we do not listen, He sends His preachers with messages to convict and turn us back to Him… Preach the word of God. “Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.” [2 Tim 4:2]

4/ If we harden our hearts and do not listen, physical issues as mentioned in 1 Corinthians, listlessness and sickness by taking communion without honoring the body through confessing sin begin…

5/ If we still make excuses and still do not listen, He sends our authorities [as mentioned in Hebrews] to scourge and punish us [like parents to children] and to pressure us to wake up. They will react to the symptoms of our rebellion, the sins which pour out of our new attitudes and actions poisoned by bitterness. Consequences may include one or more of the following: being removed from our local church, conflict, and punishment by our parents, strong opposition and conflict with our spouse, and governmental or job-related conflicts.

6/ If we still stubbornly refuse to listen, Jesus warned God would turn us over to Satan [the Matthew 18 effect], and Paul agreed and ordered the church to turn the unrepentant over to Satan, which means the tormentors from hell will be unleashed to torment us until we repent.

7/ But if you still do not repent…Paul stated in 1 Corinthians some even died early because of their strong rebellious disregard for the cross of Christ!

This is God’s words of warning NOT my ideas. BUT again I remind you, if you see God is distant, leaving you alone, with no guilt or consequences for your sin, YOU ARE LOST AND YOUR TIME WILL COME ON JUDGMENT DAY because Christ scourges everyone He loves!

REFUSING TO REPENT AFTER A SHORT TIME LEAVES EVIDENCE OF BEING A FALSE CHRISTIAN

In First Corinthians, Paul strongly rebuked the church at Corinth for having such immorality being lived out right inside their fellowship that even the pagan Romans would not allow it. He demanded that they confront the church member, demand repentance and if he would not change to remove him from the church.

Paul shows us that God has patience for his people, but not for sin. He expected a swift response by the followers of Jesus when sin was exposed.

About a year or so he wrote a second letter to them, “This third time I am really coming to you in person. Remember the ancient law: ‘By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established’. 2-4 My previous warning, given on my second visit, still stands and, though absent, I repeat it now as though I were present – my coming will not mean leniency for those who had sinned before that visit and those who have sinned since.” [2 Cor 13:1-4 (Phillips NT)]

If the guilty party refused to respond he would question their eternal life. So he pressed them “…Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.” [2 Cor 13:5 (NLT)]

I know this is not what our culture has trained you to think like, but narrow road followers of Jesus, leave the world culture and live by the direction and culture of God’s Word. We are a counter-cultural community inside this world we live in.

Are you patient with sin, or patient like God calls us to be, patiently pursuing God and loving your Christian brothers enough to help them live like Jesus? It is a tough and tender road of obedience.

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Randy Bell
4 May 2016

StraightTalk Articles

How To Read And Understand The Bible

I’ve noticed a real error of many Christians, a habit of when they come to a portion of scripture they do not like, they decide they can ignore and trivialize that teaching of God by saying it is not literal, not for today or simply proclaim in their self-expertise that it is an allegory.

This, of course, gives them complete freedom from obeying it and they can create a new meaning that fits their fancy. No one does this with the newspaper, but they probably should, since many are being proved to lie and spew out political and social propaganda.

But God’s Word is the historic revelation from the all-knowing God, and He demands that you accept it as literal fact. Paul warns Christians to take the Bible seriously. “Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved [tested by trial], a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing—rightly handling and skillfully teaching—the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 Amplified Bible

The Bible is God’s Word. Not an interpretation of what some zealous men think God says, but His very Words! The Bible is not a religious piece of literature, but a direct revelation from the mouth of the Living God. It is a supernatural book!

The Scripture itself claims this in 2 Tim. 3:16: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…”

The only God is all-powerful and able to communicate with man. He not only is able, He has through His written Word, the Holy Bible. To understand the Bible is to understand what God wants a man to know at this time. To understand the Bible is to comprehend God’s will and direction for the purpose of becoming a faithful friend and child of God.

Therefore, it is imperative that we read the Bible the same way we read a newspaper, history book or a math book. This is the only valid way to understand God and His Word. We must study it at face value, literally accepting all the natural and normal sense of the text.

Obviously, we must analyze it to discover what it’s expressions and terms meant to the original audience. For example, in Matthew 6:12 Jesus says “forgive us our debts” which today we would think means “Forget about our financial debts.” But He means sin.

Discover the Authors Intended Meaning

mind211“The main thing to keep in mind here is that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of private opinion. And why? Because it’s not something concocted in the human heart. Prophecy resulted when the Holy Spirit prompted men and women to speak God’s Word.” [2 Peter 1:20-21 (MSG)]

This must be clear, the Bible has only one meaning, but many applications. The meaning is not up to our interpretations, of what we each think it means to us. The author, God, had a specific meaning the moment He inspired human authors to pen the words and our duty is to discover that interpretation. Never substitute what you think it should say!

Instead, investigate the context of every scripture and make sure you do not masquerade your pet theology as truth or develop your spiritual whims by replacing the obvious literal meaning with supposed deeper hidden meaning, as all cults and false teachers do by using their books to explain away what God says.

And you cannot turn the Bible into an allegory and therefore release yourself from the literal commands and statements of the Bible to make the Word say anything you want. You must understand the ancient cultural context in many cases to understand what is written. But, you cannot bind it to the culture of those ancient days it was written and therefore free yourself to disobey its “archaic moral values or commands.” God is timeless.

Be clear on one more thing, the Bible does not have contradictions. If a contradiction appears to you, continue to analyze all possibilities using other portions of scripture to help you understand God’s Word. 

Remember the Bible is written in Hebrew and Greek, not English or any other modern language. There are not direct equivalent words for every ancient Greek or Hebrew text. Bias and choices are made by the Bible translators and to find the answers you will need a good concordance.

You will find supposed contradictions melt away with a deeper search to understand the Word. Psalm 119:160 warns, “The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.” Find the sum of all the passages that deal with an issue before you claim to understand what God is saying.

Always Allow Scripture to Interpret Itself

mind211In our day, we have found that media can manipulate anyone’s words with small sound bites. Just a few words out of its context can make an enemy sound like a real idiot. But, when a further inspection is done to really find out what the person said in the full speech or written article a whole new light of meaning emerges. It is the same with scripture.

Always allow God to define what he means, the Bible is a great dictionary of itself. You must find the meaning of words and ideas inside it. Always compare the portion you are trying to understand with other passages of similar content or themes.

“A text without a context is no more than a pretext” is a famous axiom. This demands that we find the point and direction of the entire book of the Bible being studied. Then, focusing on the context of the specific portion being examined with knowing who is being spoken to, the historical backdrop, and the immediate circumstances will help you see the true meaning of what God is teaching.

Proof-texting builds an interpretation on the superficial reading of the passage and then taken out of context to an absurd conclusion never intended by God.

Define Figures of Speech

mind211According to the book, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student, a figure of speech is “any deviation either in thought or expression, from the ordinary and simple method of speaking…” and it is a “form of speech artfully varied from common usage.” [Instit. Orat. IX, I. 11, cited by Edward P. J. Corbett, Classical Rhetoric for the Modern Student (New York: Oxford Press, 1971), page 640] Such an expression whether it is a simile, metaphor or an idiom is always used to artfully visualize a thought or idea.

A simile is easy to recognize and very useful. Rev. 1:14 is a simple example: “His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire;…” The comparison of simile helps John describe what he really saw, “white like wool, as white as snow” but His hair was not really wool; “His eyes like…fire” but not really a flame but very bright and glowing which helps all his readers understand the glorious appearance of the Lord Jesus.

The metaphor also compares, but with an implication, not using connecting words [like, as]. A good example is Rev. 12:4 “His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.” A physical dragon did not stand before Mary when she gave birth to Jesus in Bethlehem.

The context must be used to find the figure of speech’s meaning. Or a comparison of other scriptures. We find the definition given in verse 9, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Satan tried to devour the child, through Herod who sent soldiers to kill every baby in town, the literal fact behind this metaphor.

Idioms are used even today as expressions of comparison but distorting the literal words to intensify the point. When Jesus confronted Paul for the first time, found in Acts 26:14, Paul describes the incident like this, “And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ “ Notice the words Christ used were not literal, but an expression of Paul’s resistance to God’s will, like an ox kicking against the prodding of a farmer when using the beast to plow a field.

Another type of Biblical figure of speech is a substitution, where a writer replaces the normal word for a meaningful substitute to increase the impact of the statement. The Jews thought God so sacred to mistakenly even speak His name was sinful. Therefore, they would substitute the word heaven for God. They meant God but said heaven.

The Bible also uses a form of parallelism to amplify and clarify its message. This is common in poetic forms such as Psalms and Proverbs. Psalm 2:4 states:

“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;

The Lord shall hold them in derision.”

As you think about it, both lines say the same thought, and both amplify and expand that idea for greater impact. Like a poem, the Hebrew lines tend to have a flow not translatable into foreign languages.

God Wrote The Bible For Everyone to Understand

heart2112 Cor. 1:13 “For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end …”

God wrote the Bible for everyone to understand, not just scholars and preachers. This is why face value, basic reading is the only way an average Christian would understand God’s will.

For example, Biblical leaders and authors never gave any reason to think a secret, hidden meaning exists that only the Watchtower Society, or The Mormon Movement, or The Roman Catholic Institution would have the real answers exclusive to their secret knowledge.

Give the Bible to a person who does not know God, put them on a deserted island, and they will be able to understand God’s plan for mankind, God’s opinion on man’s sinful rebellion, and God’s solution and salvation for mankind. And I guarantee you, he will not believe any of these exclusive, separate religious ideas preached by cults or practices privately kept by some religious denominations.

Instead, the plain and simple reading of the Bible leads to plain and supernatural salvation through the sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.”

Mark 13:22 “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.”

Seek the Lord to turn from your sin, receive forgiveness and follow Jesus. “Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.” 2 Timothy 2:7 (NLT)

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