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Our Differences
September-11-2008
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When we come acorss a person in need we do
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Making peace to honor God
July-7-2008
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Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering yo
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| Commentaries are getting to long for the simplistic blog we use here. Some visitors have been having difficulty finding what brings them here from Google. We will start adding them page by page. Thanks for your patience.
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September 11, 2008
Our Differences
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When we come acorss a person in need we do not stop to ask ourselves if this person is a Christian, Jew, Muslim etc. Most people render assistance because they are inclined to do so. Recently there was an incident in the news that suggested an old man was left lying in the street after being hit by a car. Later, cameras on the street showed a number of people called 911. It also showed others standing there in shock. One of the first things we're taught about a person that has been in an accident is to Not move them. I believe most people wanted to assist but were afraid. Lawyers are waiting around every corner to sue someone that may be innocent of any wrong doing. What is one to do? However, that is not the main point because as soon as people gathered themselves they did go to assist this poor man.
The main point of this commentary is to point out that we as Christians should always be ready to help anyone in any way we can. I take this time to remind us all of the following from the Scriptures.
Luke 10: New American Standard Bible
25(AE)And a (AF)lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
26And He said to him, "What is written in the Law? How does it read to you?"
27And he answered, "(AG)YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
28And He said to him, "You have answered correctly; (AH)DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."
29But wishing (AI)to justify himself, he said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"
30Jesus replied and said, "A man was (AJ)going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among robbers, and they stripped him and beat him, and went away leaving him half dead.
31"And by chance a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32"Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
33"But a (AK)Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion,
34and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him.
35"On the next day he took out two [a]denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.'
36"Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"
37And he said, "The one who showed mercy toward him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."
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July 7, 2008
Making peace to honor God
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Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
If we only took the time to make peace with those we have offended the world would be a much better place. How many times have you heard people say; "So and so is supposed to be a Christian and do you know what he (did, said etc.) to (me, my friend, my neighbor)..." It is not a very good testimony to God when we leave things unsaid or undone regarding those who harbor resentment against us.
One of the first things I did when I became a believer at age 29 was to go back and apologize and make peace with as many as I could find that I had wronged in life. You may not always be able to reconcile with people. However, it is important that you try your best to do so. How can we pray to God knowing we have wronged others and never sought their forgiveness?
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June 22, 2008
Orthodoxy of Culture and Orthodoxy of Christianity
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Orthodox beliefs should always be based on Scripture. We should be careful to avoid going beyond what the Bible actually teaches.
1 Cor 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another.
Ask yourself if what you believe is a matter of opinion (cultural orthodoxy) or a matter of Scripture (Christian orthodoxy). There are many examples we can site. Churches often have rules about dress and conduct that have nothing to do with Biblical teaching. We've all seen that if we've been involved in various Churches.
We should not run around worrying if we meet the standards of a given Church or a set of doctrines unless it is clear that it is found in Scripture.
1 Cor 4:3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
Some of the things you find on this website may be deemed "outside the orthodoxy of the Church" but should be examined without prejudice in the light of Scripture. The same holds true in some Churches. Be cautious about judging. Nevertheless, we are commanded to judge. Use your God given discernment and trust God to sort out the things you cannot grasp.
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May 6, 2008
In the beginning was the Word
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John 1:1-3
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made.
This is one of my favorite passages. This is the only other place we're started out with the phrase "In the beginning." It is interesting to note the original Greek word for "word" is logos. You can see that it is closely related to the word logic but translated ‘word."
A word is an expression we use to convey meaning. It would not be out of line to say "In the beginning was the logical expression of God's meaning. All things were made through logical meaning and without logical meaning was not anything made that was made."
The term "word" just doesn't seem to do the subject justice until we consider the ramifications of the term "word." Without words (or some representation or expression to convey thought) there is no way to communicate. It would be as if we were all isolated individuals with no way to communicate to and with one another.
I also find it very useful to consider Genesis 1:1 thru 26 where "God said" and then fill in the blank. The term "God said" shows that all things we see around us were created by the "word." Even if you are tempted to discount the presentation of Genesis it is interesting to remember that Einstein said "He (God) does not throw dice" when referring to quantum mechanics and its inability to bring us any closer to the secret of the "old one" (God). http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein
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April 26, 2008
Who should we fear?
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Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
I was Active Duty at an Air National Guard unit for just under 23 years. During that time my unit was involved in many conflicts. Here are are the conflicts in date order to give you an idea. The invasion of Grenada, The invasion of Panama and the removal of Manuel Noriega. The first Gulf War. Bosnia & Kosovo. Afghanistan.
The Psalm above was very close to my heart. They say there are no atheists in a fox hole. While that may be an over statement I can vouch, from first hand knowledge, that people certainly do regard God with a more reverent or open minded attitude. Even if you do not face the imminent danger of death during a war or conflict we all will face death one day. There is really nobody to fear but God Himself. Are you right with God today? Have you been faced with trials and struggles? Do you turn to God or away from God? "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
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April 25, 2008
Steadfast in Trials
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James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Many people believe that becoming a Christian will remove all the trials from life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gold gives us the ability to stand up to the trials of life. In return we receive the "crown of life" if we did it for the love of God. Do we love God? I ask myself that frequently. After all, that is the highest commandment.
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April 23, 2008
Our Words
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Matthew 12:36-37
"I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
It is an awesome thing to remind ourselves that our words carry such weight. It is important to not only keep our word with our fellow man but watching our words before God. How many of us say Jesus as an exclamation point rather than to refer to our savior? How many of us ask God to damn this or that without thinking? More than that, saying you will do something and then not doing does not honor God. There are more ways to take the Lord's name in vain than we think.
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March 29, 2008
Who chooses who?
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John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide...
Jesus chose the apostles and by extension we point out that God chooses us, we do not choose him. Before coming to Christ we are dead men walking. The dead cannot make a choice.
Ephesians 2:1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins...
Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins...
Many well meaning Christians spend enormous energy trying to make people see the truth of Christ. Before you become frustrated and burned out you should realize it must be God working, not you. Try to see where and with whom God is working and join Him. Otherwise they may tear you to pieces. Remember they are spiritually dead, not physically dead.
Matthew 7:6 "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.
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March 4, 2008
Angel of Light?
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1 Corinthians 11
13For such men are (AC)false apostles, (AD)deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. 14No wonder, for even (AE)Satan disguises himself as an (AF)angel of light.
Whoever believes that false teachers are horrible people should consider this passage carefully. I’ve met very pleasant people who deny Christ and teach things incorrectly about Him. Those that teach “another Christ” or believe contrary to the Gospel are the ones to worry about, not
Those who teach evil and those who deny Christ are easy to spot. It is the slight perversion of the nature of Christ we must fight against. Jesus was either God come in the flesh or he was not. If he were a mere angel then he would not be our Savior.
The first thing you should ask anyone knocking at your door or engaging you in conversation about their beliefs is what they believe about Jesus Christ. Anything short of Him being God in flesh is not the Christ of Christian teaching. It is just that simple.
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March 1, 2008
Faith Assurance and Cinviction
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Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen
Christians often exude assurance when it comes to our faith. This if often considered “over confidence” by those outside the faith and of weak faith. However, according to this passage it is normal for the Christian to exude both “assurance” and “conviction” when it comes to their faith.
Another debate that constantly rages is between faith and knowledge or science. When it comes right down to it Christians must admit we believe by faith. For those that disagree it is best to counter by asking a question to those that disagree. Simply asking them to explain why they believe what they believe should work well. You will often find their reason for believing in what they believe is less reasonable than the reasons you have for your faith. There is much to be said on the subject of “faith” and “reason” but that will have to wait for another time.
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February 28, 2008
The law of sin and death
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Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.
God’s laws are like natural laws. You cannot make them go away. If you jump off a high building you will be injured or die. The only way around this is by a miracle of God. Freedom in Jesus Christ is that miracle that saves us from certain eternal death and damnation. We all jumped off that metaphoric high building on the day we were born into this world. The only thing that can save us from the penalty of the law is faith in Jesus Christ.
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February 12, 2008
Galatians 6
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Galatians 6
Doing Good to All
1Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5for each one should carry his own load. 6Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Comments on 1-5
Be gentle with others caught up in sin. Realize your sins may be different but are equally offensive. Do your best to carry your own burden but when you need help you should be able to unburden yourself with a friend. Do not think too highly of yourself.
Comments on 7-10
Sowing and reaping may not occur in this life. Do not expect to see the evil suffer for their deeds here nor the Godly receive their reward here. Never give up. Do good to all but especially your fellow Christian.
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February 11, 2008
Prverbs 23:7
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Proverbs 23:7
For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
The passage in context is:
"6(F)Do not eat the bread of a (G)selfish man,
Or desire his delicacies;
7For as he thinks within himself, so he is.
He says to you, "Eat and drink!"
But (H)his heart is not with you. "
It is the duty of the Christian to think of others and not selfishly. The selfish man thinks inwardly while the man of God thinks outwardly towards God. There is no power from within, only from God to make real personal change.
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February 10, 2008
John 1:1
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John 1:1 - 5
1(A) In the beginning was(B) the Word, and(C) the Word was with God, and(D) the Word was God. 2He was in the beginning with God. 3(E) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4(F) In him was life,[a] and(G) the life was the light of men. 5(H) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
It is interesting to note that the term Word is actually logos in Greek. Logos is the root word for our word logic. It would not be out of line to say that God created the universe through logic. This would line up nicely with information physics. Information physics says that sub-atomic particles are built on what is best described as information rather than material.
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February 10, 2008
Ephesians 1:13-14
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In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
Notice the words "heard" and "believed" are the two essential elements of gaining access to heaven (here called "inheritance"). Without fait in Christ it is not possible to possess a gurantee of inheriting entrance to heaven.
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