I am going through a time in my life where I am feeling the condemnation of all my sinful acts and errors. I have terribly hurt the people in my life that I love the most. I cannot defend my actions and if I dwell on them, I feel weighted down by my past sin. I think that in our world there are too many people who have come to this same condition in their own lives and it makes me so sad just to think that there is that much pain in the world. Looking back I know that I strayed from God's will in so many instances and in my pride I stopped listening to God and turned to my own thoughts.
Romans 1:28
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Because I did not keep my life's focus on God, he allowed me to stray from him. This was to teach me that my way is wrong, and that I should have put my trust in God.
Romans 7:15
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
After turning away from God, I found myself giving in to my fleshly desires more and more. Even when I knew that what I was considering was wrong, I would disregard that fact because I had an evil desire in my heart to do what I wanted instead of following God's advice. Of course my conscience would make me ashamed of myself afterwards. Then I would listen to the lies in my head that said "There is no turning back, you cannot be forgiven, just give in to your desires." I wasted so many years in turmoil and guilt. Instead of trying to start over, I ran down the path of destruction and indulged in every wrong thing. I had foolishly tricked myself into believing that I had done something that was so bad that God could not forgive it and I could not make up for doing it. In thinking that, I was unknowingly assuming that God's grace was limited and that Jesus' sacrifice on the cross could be insufficient to pay the price for any and all of my sins! I was putting a limit on God, making him smaller and less effective in my own imagination. But God is great, and though he is full of justice, he is also full of love and grace and is ready, willing and able to forgive all sins!
Psalms 51:1-19
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath–sheba.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
The Reasoning of Psalm 51
David had sinned by lusting after Bath-sheba, committing adultery with her, and then planning the death of her husband. These are a multitude of sins, David needed to turn back to God and ask forgiveness. In verse 1 David identifies God as having lovingkindness and mercy, and asks that God would use those qualities to blot out his sins. Verse 2 continues asking to completely wash away the filthiness associated with sin. David admits his guilt in verse 3, and tells about how his "sin is ever before" him because his conscience will not let him forget what he did wrong. This is the filthy residue of sin that makes David ask God to wash it away.
Apparently verse 4 has been highly debated. Some think it proves that the title is incorrect, some think that it means that David values his guilt in the eyes of God above any possible guilt he has in the eyes of others. It is also said that because David was king of Israel, legally there was no one but God himself that could convict David of what he had done wrong.
In verse 5, David proclaims the fact that all mankind was born into sinful nature which we know as the curse of Adam.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible
Behold, I was shapen in iniquity. A genuine penitent will hide nothing of his state; he sees and bewails, not only the acts of sin which he has committed, but the disposition that led to those acts. He deplores, not only the transgression, but the carnal mind, which is enmity against God.
Verse 6 tells us the need to be wise and true of heart, to change our sinful nature from the inside and let it flow outward affecting the rest of our life. Many will come to God and ask for forgiveness, but without addressing the inward problems that caused you to give in to your sinful nature, you will be likely to repeat your mistakes and will not learn the lesson God wants to teach you. David asks God to purge him with hyssop, this was the ceremonial cleansing for lepers, hyssop was also used to sprinkle sacrificial blood on the doorposts as on the passover. To wash him whiter than snow referred to an inner cleansing, not just a superficial outward cleansing. Now David asks God to hide his face from his sins, it reminds me of his earlier statement that his sins were ever before him (he replayed them in his mind always). David wants God to forget his sins, and not to think on them ever again, to blot them out. David asks for a fresh, new, clean heart and spirit, that only God can give him. In verse 11, he is asking God to not send him away, but to allow David to stay in God's presence. When we take our focus off of God we fall into temptation and sin again. God, return us to how we were when we first fell in love with you and our hearts were filled with love and awe for you.
Verse 13, David promises to teach other sinners God's ways and convert them to God. David wants to show appreciation of God's grace and keep others from sinning as he did before. Now David gives a deeper admission of his sins, regarding his role in the death of Uriah (and/or his adultery with Bath-sheba) as bloodguiltiness. David wants to rejoice in his salvation and redemption, to praise God for cleansing him of sin. David describes the concept that God is more interested in the change in a man's heart from bad to good, than in any sacrifice he may offer of worldly goods. God doesn't want us to purchase our forgiveness, he gives it freely and asks us to follow in His ways. Verse 18 displays David's concern as the ruler of Israel that God would bless his kingdom and the work David was doing. He did not want Israel to suffer because of his sin. He wanted to lead Israel into a righteous relationship with God, so that their sacrifices would be pleasing to God.
My Personal Conclusion
We are all sinners, and the penalty for our sin is greater than we can ever repay. Only by the grace of God can we be cleansed of this sin by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Only with the Holy Spirit can we experience the renewing and cleansing of our hearts and souls to enable us to walk the path of righteousness. Only by keeping our focus on God can we stay in his presence and win the fight against temptation and sin. When we start to relax in our faith we make concessions to our fleshly nature, which lead us down the path to sin and destruction. Fellowship and prayer are key elements to give us the support we need to stay faithful to God.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Judge Not?!?
Matthew 7:1 (KJV)
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Luke 6:37 (KJV)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
John 7:24 (KJV)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Bulldog's rewording:
Avoid judging by appearances, this leads to prejudice.
Judge Not?!?
Okay, this is probably one of the most frequently used bible quotes: "Judge not, lest ye be judged." What should this mean to me as a Christian?
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Judge not ... - This command refers to rash, censorious, and unjust judgment. See Rom_2:1. Luke Luk_6:37 explains it in the sense of “condemning.” Christ does not condemn judging as a magistrate, for that, when according to justice, is lawful and necessary. Nor does he condemn our “forming an opinion” of the conduct of others, for it is impossible “not” to form an opinion of conduct that we know to be evil. But what he refers to is a habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every palliating circumstance, and a habit of “expressing” such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily when formed. It rather refers to private judgment than “judicial,” and perhaps primarily to the customs of the scribes and Pharisees.
When I chose this topic I began with the idea in mind that we should avoid being judgemental to others, because I know from personal experience how hurtful it can be to know others are speaking or thinking badly of you. I tend to feel indignant towards the hypocrasy of many church-goers who profess to love their neighbor, yet who quickly fall into the temptation of talking poorly of them behind their backs, or worse yet to their faces. It goes back to the high school mentality of forming "clicks" and judging by appearances. Many people have used the term "cookie cutter Christian" to embody the many Christians who tend to come off as "elitest" or "holier than thou" when they themselves are no perfect person.
Matthew 7
04 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
05 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
These verses give me a sense of indignation and righteous anger, yet during my bible search, God touched my heart and humbled me with the following scripture!
Romans 14
01 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
02 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
03 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
04 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
05 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
06 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
07 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
08 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
09 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Bulldog's summarization:
Whew, that was a mouthful! To sum up, in a group of people, there will always be differences of opinions. As Christians, we need to be accepting of others and avoid being argumentative and hurtful. This chapter is mainly about the liberty we have as Christians and how we should temper or restrict that liberty with good judgment so as not to cause others to misjudge us or to question their own faith. I have always struggled with feelings of resentment for those who have hastily judged me poorly, however, now I feel humbled by the fact that I am held responsible for conducting myself in a manner that will not cause others to jump to such judgement.
I hope that as I am, you also will be left with a lot to think about. Please, feel free to comment.
Judge not, that ye be not judged.
Luke 6:37 (KJV)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
John 7:24 (KJV)
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Bulldog's rewording:
Avoid judging by appearances, this leads to prejudice.
Judge Not?!?
Okay, this is probably one of the most frequently used bible quotes: "Judge not, lest ye be judged." What should this mean to me as a Christian?
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible
Judge not ... - This command refers to rash, censorious, and unjust judgment. See Rom_2:1. Luke Luk_6:37 explains it in the sense of “condemning.” Christ does not condemn judging as a magistrate, for that, when according to justice, is lawful and necessary. Nor does he condemn our “forming an opinion” of the conduct of others, for it is impossible “not” to form an opinion of conduct that we know to be evil. But what he refers to is a habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every palliating circumstance, and a habit of “expressing” such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily when formed. It rather refers to private judgment than “judicial,” and perhaps primarily to the customs of the scribes and Pharisees.
When I chose this topic I began with the idea in mind that we should avoid being judgemental to others, because I know from personal experience how hurtful it can be to know others are speaking or thinking badly of you. I tend to feel indignant towards the hypocrasy of many church-goers who profess to love their neighbor, yet who quickly fall into the temptation of talking poorly of them behind their backs, or worse yet to their faces. It goes back to the high school mentality of forming "clicks" and judging by appearances. Many people have used the term "cookie cutter Christian" to embody the many Christians who tend to come off as "elitest" or "holier than thou" when they themselves are no perfect person.
Matthew 7
04 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
05 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
These verses give me a sense of indignation and righteous anger, yet during my bible search, God touched my heart and humbled me with the following scripture!
Romans 14
01 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
02 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
03 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
04 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
05 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
06 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
07 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
08 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
09 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Bulldog's summarization:
Whew, that was a mouthful! To sum up, in a group of people, there will always be differences of opinions. As Christians, we need to be accepting of others and avoid being argumentative and hurtful. This chapter is mainly about the liberty we have as Christians and how we should temper or restrict that liberty with good judgment so as not to cause others to misjudge us or to question their own faith. I have always struggled with feelings of resentment for those who have hastily judged me poorly, however, now I feel humbled by the fact that I am held responsible for conducting myself in a manner that will not cause others to jump to such judgement.
I hope that as I am, you also will be left with a lot to think about. Please, feel free to comment.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Respect your Government
Daniel 2 (KJV)
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Bulldog's Rephrasing:
God removes kings, and He appoints kings, the power is His.
Respect your Government
This can be a very touchy subject. A Christian may say to themselves, "This government is so corrupt, why should I obey it? Shouldn't I do everything I can to change it?" but what does the bible have to say about this attitude? Well, according to Daniel and other bible references, God has appointed our government officials. In the USA, many will retort, "But we the people have appointed our own government officials!" Do yo really think that God has no control of these matters? Would you believe that mankind's majority vote has greater power than the almighty God and Creator of all things? Does that mean we should not vote? No, it means that we should put our trust in God that regardless of how many people vote, and whether the voters are Christian or not, God will be the one who places the correct government official into office. Does that mean that all government officials are doing God's work? No, it means that God is entrusting His work to them and that they will be judged by Him for failing or succeeding to carry out His will. As we go further into this study you will come to see that we as Christians should obey and respect our government, with the exception of going against what God says is right and wrong.
Romans 13 (KJV)
01 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
02 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
03 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
04 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
05 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
06 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
07 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Bulldog's Rephrasing:
Everyone should submit to the authorities placed above them. Because these authorities were appointed by God. Whoever resists authority, resists the order that God has put in place, and this will bring damnation from God. Because rulers are meant to bring God's justice, not terror to the innocent. If you will be faithful and do that which is good you will have no reason to fear the government, you should be praised by your community. But if you do evil, be afraid; because God has appointed your government, with the sword of justice, to be a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon those who do evil. This is why you should subject yourselves to the laws of your government, not only because of the punishment offered, but also for the sake of your own conscience. So pay your taxes and be upstanding citizens, because your government are God's ministers, attending continually on God's wrath to evil-doers. So, render all payments, custom, fear, and honor to those in power who demand it.
I suppose some Americans would listen to this and say that this is lying down pathetically and letting corrupt politicians walk all over you. Don't forget God put them in power, and don't forget God can strip them of all power. Also, remember that in the end all will be judged by God. Also, don't forget that in America we have the privilege of being allowed to argue our beliefs and opinions legally. This does not give us the liberty to break the law in order to right a wrong. I believe also, that God wants us to avoid incessant bickering and arguing in public, as this makes for a poor example to others. If you have a problem with something, think hard and make a humble statement about why you believe something is wrong, but do not argue, especially when your words will fall on deaf ears!
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
Bulldog's Rephrasing:
God removes kings, and He appoints kings, the power is His.
Respect your Government
This can be a very touchy subject. A Christian may say to themselves, "This government is so corrupt, why should I obey it? Shouldn't I do everything I can to change it?" but what does the bible have to say about this attitude? Well, according to Daniel and other bible references, God has appointed our government officials. In the USA, many will retort, "But we the people have appointed our own government officials!" Do yo really think that God has no control of these matters? Would you believe that mankind's majority vote has greater power than the almighty God and Creator of all things? Does that mean we should not vote? No, it means that we should put our trust in God that regardless of how many people vote, and whether the voters are Christian or not, God will be the one who places the correct government official into office. Does that mean that all government officials are doing God's work? No, it means that God is entrusting His work to them and that they will be judged by Him for failing or succeeding to carry out His will. As we go further into this study you will come to see that we as Christians should obey and respect our government, with the exception of going against what God says is right and wrong.
Romans 13 (KJV)
01 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
02 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
03 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
04 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
05 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
06 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
07 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Bulldog's Rephrasing:
Everyone should submit to the authorities placed above them. Because these authorities were appointed by God. Whoever resists authority, resists the order that God has put in place, and this will bring damnation from God. Because rulers are meant to bring God's justice, not terror to the innocent. If you will be faithful and do that which is good you will have no reason to fear the government, you should be praised by your community. But if you do evil, be afraid; because God has appointed your government, with the sword of justice, to be a minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon those who do evil. This is why you should subject yourselves to the laws of your government, not only because of the punishment offered, but also for the sake of your own conscience. So pay your taxes and be upstanding citizens, because your government are God's ministers, attending continually on God's wrath to evil-doers. So, render all payments, custom, fear, and honor to those in power who demand it.
I suppose some Americans would listen to this and say that this is lying down pathetically and letting corrupt politicians walk all over you. Don't forget God put them in power, and don't forget God can strip them of all power. Also, remember that in the end all will be judged by God. Also, don't forget that in America we have the privilege of being allowed to argue our beliefs and opinions legally. This does not give us the liberty to break the law in order to right a wrong. I believe also, that God wants us to avoid incessant bickering and arguing in public, as this makes for a poor example to others. If you have a problem with something, think hard and make a humble statement about why you believe something is wrong, but do not argue, especially when your words will fall on deaf ears!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Why so much hate?
Proverbs 9:8 (KJV)
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Bulldog's rewording:
If you correct a scornful person, they will hate you: correct a wise man and he will love you.
Why so much hate?
The 60's generation screamed out to the world "Make Love, Not War!" Maybe their method of communication was a little wrong, since they showed a tendency to define Love as sex, while those of us who study the bible know there are four different kinds of Love and sex falls into only one of those four definitions. I will leave the discussion of the word Love here, because it is worthy of more in depth discussion another time. Our topic today is Hate, why is there so much of it in our world today? Why does it seep into every aspect of our lives? Is there some way to get rid of it?
Please bear with me, now it is time for a lengthy quote from the Bible:
Leviticus 19:11-18
11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
I believe the focal point of these verses is verse 17 "Thou shalt not hate...", the rest is discussing the causes/circumstances of hate and the effect or end result of hate. For the causes or circumstances leading to hate we have: lying, stealing, cheating, turning from or disrespecting God, unjust judgment, gossip, etc. Many of these things can also be considered to be the end result or effect of hate because hate creates a vicious cycle that returns to consume the person who started it.
Here is another long quote:
Matthew 5:43-48
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
This is Jesus' redefinition of "Love thy neighbor". I think people have lost touch with the fact that Jesus was not some pansy, pushover, lovey-dovey, wimp of a man. He was a strong male role model that asked his followers to live the tough life of a man who did not backtalk, did not grumble, did not hate back, instead he showed love and consideration even to those who showed hate to him! Even on the cross he asked God to forgive those who crucified him! He is telling us to strive for perfection, using Jesus as an example! Yes, we will fail in many ways because we are human, but he is faithful to be with us and pick us up when we fall!
Big finish now:
James Chapter 3
01 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
02 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
03 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
04 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
05 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
06 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
07 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
08 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
09 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Bulldog's rewording:
My family in Christ, don't get confused and follow different masters. Because all of us make mistakes. If anyone could manage to not have a slip of the tongue, they would have to be perfect, and they could then control their whole body. Learn from the example of horses, we put bits in their mouths and are able to control their whole body with that bit. Think on the example of the ships, that however large they are, and no matter how fast or powerful they are, yet they are turned about with a very small helm (or rudder), wherever the captain wants it to go. Like these examples, our tongue is a small part of our body, that can do great things (for good, or for evil). Think about how a small flame can grow to an immense fire. The tongue is a fire, a small example or the origin of all the evils in this world: so the tongue can pollute the whole body, and sets fire to the course we tread in life. This fire has it's origin in hell and burns eternally. Though every kind of beast, and bird, and serpents and other things in the sea can be tamed by mankind, the tongue is not tamed by mankind! It is unruly evil, full of deadly poison! Why is it that we can bless God, and curse mankind with the same tongue? We should not use our tongues to speak both good and evil, but should work towards controlling ourselves to speak only good! Does a fountain pour out both drinking water and salt water? Can fruit trees provide any fruit, or only the fruit it was meant to produce? We were meant to produce good fruit. Who is wise and knowlegeable? Let them prove it with good conversation with the meekness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, don't profess to be wise! Those who argue about wisdom and knowledge and attempt to prove something are using earthly wisdom tainted with evil. Envy and strife causes confusion and leads to evil! But the wisdom of God is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be reasoned with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy! And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those that make peace.
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
Bulldog's rewording:
If you correct a scornful person, they will hate you: correct a wise man and he will love you.
Why so much hate?
The 60's generation screamed out to the world "Make Love, Not War!" Maybe their method of communication was a little wrong, since they showed a tendency to define Love as sex, while those of us who study the bible know there are four different kinds of Love and sex falls into only one of those four definitions. I will leave the discussion of the word Love here, because it is worthy of more in depth discussion another time. Our topic today is Hate, why is there so much of it in our world today? Why does it seep into every aspect of our lives? Is there some way to get rid of it?
Please bear with me, now it is time for a lengthy quote from the Bible:
Leviticus 19:11-18
11 Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
12 And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning.
14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.
15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD.
17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.
18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
I believe the focal point of these verses is verse 17 "Thou shalt not hate...", the rest is discussing the causes/circumstances of hate and the effect or end result of hate. For the causes or circumstances leading to hate we have: lying, stealing, cheating, turning from or disrespecting God, unjust judgment, gossip, etc. Many of these things can also be considered to be the end result or effect of hate because hate creates a vicious cycle that returns to consume the person who started it.
Here is another long quote:
Matthew 5:43-48
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
This is Jesus' redefinition of "Love thy neighbor". I think people have lost touch with the fact that Jesus was not some pansy, pushover, lovey-dovey, wimp of a man. He was a strong male role model that asked his followers to live the tough life of a man who did not backtalk, did not grumble, did not hate back, instead he showed love and consideration even to those who showed hate to him! Even on the cross he asked God to forgive those who crucified him! He is telling us to strive for perfection, using Jesus as an example! Yes, we will fail in many ways because we are human, but he is faithful to be with us and pick us up when we fall!
Big finish now:
James Chapter 3
01 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
02 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
03 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
04 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
05 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
06 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
07 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
08 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
09 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
Bulldog's rewording:
My family in Christ, don't get confused and follow different masters. Because all of us make mistakes. If anyone could manage to not have a slip of the tongue, they would have to be perfect, and they could then control their whole body. Learn from the example of horses, we put bits in their mouths and are able to control their whole body with that bit. Think on the example of the ships, that however large they are, and no matter how fast or powerful they are, yet they are turned about with a very small helm (or rudder), wherever the captain wants it to go. Like these examples, our tongue is a small part of our body, that can do great things (for good, or for evil). Think about how a small flame can grow to an immense fire. The tongue is a fire, a small example or the origin of all the evils in this world: so the tongue can pollute the whole body, and sets fire to the course we tread in life. This fire has it's origin in hell and burns eternally. Though every kind of beast, and bird, and serpents and other things in the sea can be tamed by mankind, the tongue is not tamed by mankind! It is unruly evil, full of deadly poison! Why is it that we can bless God, and curse mankind with the same tongue? We should not use our tongues to speak both good and evil, but should work towards controlling ourselves to speak only good! Does a fountain pour out both drinking water and salt water? Can fruit trees provide any fruit, or only the fruit it was meant to produce? We were meant to produce good fruit. Who is wise and knowlegeable? Let them prove it with good conversation with the meekness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, don't profess to be wise! Those who argue about wisdom and knowledge and attempt to prove something are using earthly wisdom tainted with evil. Envy and strife causes confusion and leads to evil! But the wisdom of God is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be reasoned with, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy! And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those that make peace.
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