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Everyone’s Favorite Bible Verse: "Judge Not"
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Feb 8, 2022 14:21:22   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
The most popular Bible verse among the churched and unchurched alike is Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” Or, more realistically, it’s usually quoted as, “Don’t judge.”

In contrast, Jesus tells us that we are to judge, but gives His guidelines by which we are to do so.

Anytime a Christian begins to suggest that there is a proper morality, or ethical approach to life, they are hit with “Don’t judge!”

This two-word phrase has become a mantra for the irreligiously pious and it has been repeated so often that, for many, it’s now simply a way of life...

"Don’t judge others who believe differently than you."
"Don’t judge the family member that is embracing homosexuality."
"Don’t judge the friend who is thinking of leaving the church."
" Don’t judge those who self-harm."
" Don’t judge those who use drugs."

Why? Because you don’t know what their life is like.

The question is, - since this directly connects to a verse from Scripture (and this is largely what is said to support its flagrant use), is that what Jesus meant? Are Christians commanded to not judge others?

If we were to stop at those first two words, we could make Matthew 7:1 say anything. In fact, if that were all that Jesus said on the matter, then we could possibly infer that this is exactly what he meant. Thankfully, there is more to the story.
Always place Jesus words in their Biblical context.

Before going further in Matthew, take a brief detour into the Gospel according to John, specifically John 7:24:

“Do not judge according to outward appearances, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Here, is from from Jesus a clear statement that doesn’t say NOT to judge, but that WHEN you judge, you should judge with righteous judgment. In the context of John 7, Jesus is speaking at the feast of tabernacles and the Jews are opposing him, because he has been healing on the Sabbath. Others have accused him of being possessed by a demon. In response, Jesus is telling them, that they are judging him on the basis of actions and outward appearances and not on the basis of his teaching.

This is where v.24 comes in.

So, what’s the point?

The point is that when Jesus responds to them in v. 24 he uses an imperative, i.e. a command. He is literally telling the people that they ARE to judge, but to judge righteously. Now, if this is the case in John, how does that affect the passage in Matthew? Well, there are only two options: 1). Jesus is contradicting himself,
or 2). Matthew 7 hasn’t been properly understood.

Return to Matthew 7, and look at the first two verses,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

If we just continue reading beyond the favored “Don’t judge” line, clarification is already provided. Jesus is not telling us not to judge, but, much like John 7:24, that we need to be aware of the way in which we judge, for that is the way in which judgment will return upon us.

How do I know this?

If it’s not clear in English (which I believe that it is) each active verb in the Greek of this passage is connected linguistically to a passive. In essence, the action of the individual is awaiting an equal reaction from God.

Verses 3-4 provide the hyperbolic image of a person trying to tell a friend that they have a piece of lint in their eye, while the individual “judging” has a 2×4 stuck in their own eye! This imagery proves the point rather bluntly, “You can’t presume to judge someone else with your own problems in the way!” But as clearly as this point is conveyed, it is often still applied incorrectly, for once again we must let scripture interpret scripture in what Jesus has said in John 7.

For many, the “log-in-the-eye” analogy only further proves the practice of never judging the actions of anyone, - because we can’t see clearly enough to do so, but again, that would only work if there was nothing else said within the passage.

Verse 5 continues the guidance,

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

You see, Jesus still isn’t saying, “don’t judge your neighbor.” Rather, he’s saying that before you judge your neighbor you must deal with your own issues. By considering the instruction of John 7:24 alongside Matthew 7:1-5, the summary is:

“Before you can judge another person rightly, you must first address the state of your own unrighteousness.”

How do we do that? We cannot make ourselves righteous but can receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. Only through the lens of His righteousness and His word can anyone judge another rightly.

Recognize that many people who espouse the “Don’t judge” doctrine, do so precisely because they feel they were unfairly judged, usually within the context of a church. - But the misuse of a text by one group does not preclude its proper use by another.

A helpful guide to maneuvering this minefield is found in the closing statement of v.5. When you are able to see clearly, then you can remove the lint from your friend.
Notice that the analogy for judging rightly is one that helps the other person.

For most, when who hear the term “judging” think in legal terms, and picture a judge in a courtroom pronouncing a sentence with a gavel. If ever on the receiving end of that form of judging, there is a rightly recoil from the experience, and if that is the image carried forward when delivering a judgment, the end result will always hurt rather than help.

Enter into the operation to glorify God, never to belittle or humiliate another, to speak truth, but to speak truth in love. It is to judge in such a way that maintains respect for other individuals, for the analogy of Jesus in Matthew 7, is to judge someone else in an act of compassion, not in violence.

Judgment is not an inherently negative action if it is carried out in accordance within biblical parameters. The doctrine of “Don’t judge!” sounds loving at face value, but, if it is allowed to extend to its natural extreme, it will leave others unwarned, and in vulnerable positions that can be destructive and even deadly to them.

Nowhere in Scripture does the Bible tell Christians not to judge. To say it does is to twist the truth into an error that sounds just true enough to deceive multitudes of people.

In contrast, Jesus tells us that we are to judge, but gives the guidelines by which we are to do so. If you are in a situation wherein you are unsure if casting judgment is the appropriate action, retreat and examine those guidelines, be in prayer about your intentions so that there are no “beams” in your eye, then proceed with humility and the desire to help, not hurt.

God, working through you, can save a life.


Adaptation from
Clark Bates, http://www.exejesus.com

Reply
Feb 8, 2022 18:49:20   #
Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall
 
Zemirah wrote:
The most popular Bible verse among the churched and unchurched alike is Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” Or, more realistically, it’s usually quoted as, “Don’t judge.”

In contrast, Jesus tells us that we are to judge, but gives His guidelines by which we are to do so.

Anytime a Christian begins to suggest that there is a proper morality, or ethical approach to life, they are hit with “Don’t judge!”

This two-word phrase has become a mantra for the irreligiously pious and it has been repeated so often that, for many, it’s now simply a way of life...

"Don’t judge others who believe differently than you."
"Don’t judge the family member that is embracing homosexuality."
"Don’t judge the friend who is thinking of leaving the church."
" Don’t judge those who self-harm."
" Don’t judge those who use drugs."

Why? Because you don’t know what their life is like.

The question is, - since this directly connects to a verse from Scripture (and this is largely what is said to support its flagrant use), is that what Jesus meant? Are Christians commanded to not judge others?

If we were to stop at those first two words, we could make Matthew 7:1 say anything. In fact, if that were all that Jesus said on the matter, then we could possibly infer that this is exactly what he meant. Thankfully, there is more to the story.
Always place Jesus words in their Biblical context.

Before going further in Matthew, take a brief detour into the Gospel according to John, specifically John 7:24:

“Do not judge according to outward appearances, but judge with righteous judgment.”

Here, is from from Jesus a clear statement that doesn’t say NOT to judge, but that WHEN you judge, you should judge with righteous judgment. In the context of John 7, Jesus is speaking at the feast of tabernacles and the Jews are opposing him, because he has been healing on the Sabbath. Others have accused him of being possessed by a demon. In response, Jesus is telling them, that they are judging him on the basis of actions and outward appearances and not on the basis of his teaching.

This is where v.24 comes in.

So, what’s the point?

The point is that when Jesus responds to them in v. 24 he uses an imperative, i.e. a command. He is literally telling the people that they ARE to judge, but to judge righteously. Now, if this is the case in John, how does that affect the passage in Matthew? Well, there are only two options: 1). Jesus is contradicting himself,
or 2). Matthew 7 hasn’t been properly understood.

Return to Matthew 7, and look at the first two verses,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

If we just continue reading beyond the favored “Don’t judge” line, clarification is already provided. Jesus is not telling us not to judge, but, much like John 7:24, that we need to be aware of the way in which we judge, for that is the way in which judgment will return upon us.

How do I know this?

If it’s not clear in English (which I believe that it is) each active verb in the Greek of this passage is connected linguistically to a passive. In essence, the action of the individual is awaiting an equal reaction from God.

Verses 3-4 provide the hyperbolic image of a person trying to tell a friend that they have a piece of lint in their eye, while the individual “judging” has a 2×4 stuck in their own eye! This imagery proves the point rather bluntly, “You can’t presume to judge someone else with your own problems in the way!” But as clearly as this point is conveyed, it is often still applied incorrectly, for once again we must let scripture interpret scripture in what Jesus has said in John 7.

For many, the “log-in-the-eye” analogy only further proves the practice of never judging the actions of anyone, - because we can’t see clearly enough to do so, but again, that would only work if there was nothing else said within the passage.

Verse 5 continues the guidance,

“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

You see, Jesus still isn’t saying, “don’t judge your neighbor.” Rather, he’s saying that before you judge your neighbor you must deal with your own issues. By considering the instruction of John 7:24 alongside Matthew 7:1-5, the summary is:

“Before you can judge another person rightly, you must first address the state of your own unrighteousness.”

How do we do that? We cannot make ourselves righteous but can receive the imputed righteousness of Christ. Only through the lens of His righteousness and His word can anyone judge another rightly.

Recognize that many people who espouse the “Don’t judge” doctrine, do so precisely because they feel they were unfairly judged, usually within the context of a church. - But the misuse of a text by one group does not preclude its proper use by another.

A helpful guide to maneuvering this minefield is found in the closing statement of v.5. When you are able to see clearly, then you can remove the lint from your friend.
Notice that the analogy for judging rightly is one that helps the other person.

For most, when who hear the term “judging” think in legal terms, and picture a judge in a courtroom pronouncing a sentence with a gavel. If ever on the receiving end of that form of judging, there is a rightly recoil from the experience, and if that is the image carried forward when delivering a judgment, the end result will always hurt rather than help.

Enter into the operation to glorify God, never to belittle or humiliate another, to speak truth, but to speak truth in love. It is to judge in such a way that maintains respect for other individuals, for the analogy of Jesus in Matthew 7, is to judge someone else in an act of compassion, not in violence.

Judgment is not an inherently negative action if it is carried out in accordance within biblical parameters. The doctrine of “Don’t judge!” sounds loving at face value, but, if it is allowed to extend to its natural extreme, it will leave others unwarned, and in vulnerable positions that can be destructive and even deadly to them.

Nowhere in Scripture does the Bible tell Christians not to judge. To say it does is to twist the truth into an error that sounds just true enough to deceive multitudes of people.

In contrast, Jesus tells us that we are to judge, but gives the guidelines by which we are to do so. If you are in a situation wherein you are unsure if casting judgment is the appropriate action, retreat and examine those guidelines, be in prayer about your intentions so that there are no “beams” in your eye, then proceed with humility and the desire to help, not hurt.

God, working through you, can save a life.


Adaptation from
Clark Bates, http://www.exejesus.com
The most popular Bible verse among the churched an... (show quote)


A good verse... Not sure if it's my favorite...

Lots of good verses to choose from...

Might make a good thread... Sharing our favorite verses ..

Reply
Feb 9, 2022 05:42:08   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
You would be very good at starting such a thread, Canuckus.

A favorite chapter of mine (containing twenty six verses), is Jesus' prayer in John 17, to God the Father for Himself, for His disciples, and on the behave of all future believers, immediately before His arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.

John 17:

Prayer for the Son

1 "When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
2 For You granted Him authority over all people,a so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.

Prayer for the Disciples

6 "I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
7 Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You.
8 For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

9 I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified.
11 I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You."

Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. 14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
18 As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth."

Prayer for All Believers

20 "I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one —
23 I in them and You in Me — that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

25 Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.
26 And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”


Canuckus Deploracus wrote:
A good verse... Not sure if it's my favorite...

Lots of good verses to choose from...

Might make a good thread... Sharing our favorite verses ..

Reply
 
 
Feb 9, 2022 05:56:19   #
Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall
 
Zemirah wrote:
You would be very good at starting such a thread, Canuckus.

A favorite chapter of mine (containing twenty six verses), is Jesus' prayer in John 17, to God the Father for Himself, for His disciples, and on the behave of all future believers, immediately before His arrest, trial, crucifixion and resurrection.

John 17:

Prayer for the Son

1 "When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You.
2 For You granted Him authority over all people,a so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.
4 I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do.
5 And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed.

Prayer for the Disciples

6 "I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word.
7 Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You.
8 For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me.

9 I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours.
10 All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified.
11 I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You."

Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.
12 While I was with them, I protected and preserved them by Your name, the name You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 But now I am coming to You; and I am saying these things while I am in the world, so that they may have My joy fulfilled within them. 14 I have given them Your word and the world has hated them; for they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15 I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
18 As You sent Me into the world, I have also sent them into the world.
19 For them I sanctify Myself, so that they too may be sanctified by the truth."

Prayer for All Believers

20 "I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message,
21 that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

22 I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one —
23 I in them and You in Me — that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.

24 Father, I want those You have given Me to be with Me where I am, that they may see the glory You gave Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

25 Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, I know You, and they know that You sent Me.
26 And I have made Your name known to them and will continue to make it known, so that the love You have for Me may be in them, and I in them.”
You would be very good at starting such a thread, ... (show quote)


I like that chapter as well

Reply
Feb 9, 2022 13:04:36   #
Parky60 Loc: People's Republic of Illinois
 
Canuckus Deploracus wrote:
A good verse... Not sure if it's my favorite...

Lots of good verses to choose from...

Might make a good thread... Sharing our favorite verses ..

My favorite verse in the Bible...

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Reply
Feb 9, 2022 13:22:34   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
There is no better verse!

Parky60 wrote:
My favorite verse in the Bible...

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Reply
Feb 14, 2022 06:59:04   #
Rose42
 
Too many to choose from to have a definitive favorite. The ones listed are among them. This is one of mine -

Lamentations 3

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

Reply
 
 
Feb 14, 2022 11:17:43   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
A good reminder, Rose, to all who love Him,

Without God's daily forgiveness and compassion, no one could stand!



Rose42 wrote:
Too many to choose from to have a definitive favorite. The ones listed are among them. This is one of mine -

Lamentations 3

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”

Reply
Feb 15, 2022 00:19:52   #
Marty 2020 Loc: Banana Republic of Kalifornia
 
Similarly , what your favorite book of the Bible is, is most often, the one you’re in!

Reply
Feb 15, 2022 14:55:17   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
I agree with that Marty,

All are inimitable; each verse of each book contains matchless beauty of expression and profound truth.


Marty 2020 wrote:
Similarly , what your favorite book of the Bible is, is most often, the one you’re in!

Reply
Feb 15, 2022 23:00:25   #
Marty 2020 Loc: Banana Republic of Kalifornia
 
Zemirah wrote:
I agree with that Marty,

All are inimitable; each verse of each book contains matchless beauty of expression and profound truth.


I’m dead serious too. When I read the first book that I read, which was revelations, I couldn’t believe how fantastic and awesome it was. Then I got started on Kings and away we go again. Wow what a ride. Then I got reborn and started going to church, a bad one, but I didn’t know anything yet and survived. Someone, somewhere, asked me how many times I had read the Bible, and I thought, you have to read it more than once? What a novel thought, why would you? Well I’m here to tell you, man is it fun to see something that you missed before, in a book you’ve read before, that blows your mind. I’ve decided that I’m never going to master the Bible, and that’s okay. I’m full of knowledge about the stories, rather, memories about the stories that have been kinda made into movies in my head, but, wisdom pertaining to the stories is sometimes fleeting.
Maybe I’m just rambling on, but,
Life with Christ, is good.
And God said “it is good”!

Reply
 
 
Feb 15, 2022 23:04:47   #
Canuckus Deploracus Loc: North of the wall
 
Marty 2020 wrote:
I’m dead serious too. When I read the first book that I read, which was revelations, I couldn’t believe how fantastic and awesome it was. Then I got started on Kings and away we go again. Wow what a ride. Then I got reborn and started going to church, a bad one, but I didn’t know anything yet and survived. Someone, somewhere, asked me how many times I had read the Bible, and I thought, you have to read it more than once? What a novel thought, why would you? Well I’m here to tell you, man is it fun to see something that you missed before, in a book you’ve read before, that blows your mind. I’ve decided that I’m never going to master the Bible, and that’s okay. I’m full of knowledge about the stories, rather, memories about the stories that have been kinda made into movies in my head, but, wisdom pertaining to the stories is sometimes fleeting.
Maybe I’m just rambling on, but,
Life with Christ, is good.
And God said “it is good”!
I’m dead serious too. When I read the first book t... (show quote)


Agreed

Reply
Feb 17, 2022 06:01:43   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
It is my profound belief, Marty,

that no one has ever "mastered" the Bible in its entirety (except its author, the Living Logos, Jesus Christ) and He bequeathed it to mankind, via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to God's Prophets and Apostles, who wrote it down.

Logos is broadly defined as the Word of God, or principle of divine reason and creative order, identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity incarnate in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle John relates that Jesus, the Word or Logos, is eternal and is God. Further, all creation came about by and through Jesus, who is presented as the source of life. Amazingly, this Logos came and lived among us: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

It is a matter of utter amazement to me that this precious gift to all mankind, God's personal revelation of all He needs us to know for our spiritual well being, is so neglected and even scorned by many in this modern age.

Your comment about reading it more than once reminds me of something my Father once said to me.

While working as an accountant forty plus years ago, for the Scholarship program of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a young liberal thinking American co-worker challenged me to find ten places in the Bible where God condemned Homosexuality.

I turned myself inside out at that endeavor, finding only nine occurrences (New Testament and Old Testament combined).

Finally, after driving out to my parents home a few days later, I asked my Father; He looked up from His study desk, peered at me over the top of his reading glasses, and said rather dryly, "Well, if He said it once, isn't that enough?"

I turned and walked away, muttering to myself, - paraphrasing what I had just heard, "Well, being God, if He said it once, is that not sufficient?"

Sometimes we literally do lose sight of the forest for the trees.

Marty 2020 wrote:
I’m dead serious too. When I read the first book that I read, which was revelations, I couldn’t believe how fantastic and awesome it was. Then I got started on Kings and away we go again. Wow what a ride. Then I got reborn and started going to church, a bad one, but I didn’t know anything yet and survived. Someone, somewhere, asked me how many times I had read the Bible, and I thought, you have to read it more than once? What a novel thought, why would you? Well I’m here to tell you, man is it fun to see something that you missed before, in a book you’ve read before, that blows your mind. I’ve decided that I’m never going to master the Bible, and that’s okay. I’m full of knowledge about the stories, rather, memories about the stories that have been kinda made into movies in my head, but, wisdom pertaining to the stories is sometimes fleeting.
Maybe I’m just rambling on, but,
Life with Christ, is good.
And God said “it is good”!
I’m dead serious too. When I read the first book t... (show quote)

Reply
Feb 17, 2022 09:32:14   #
Marty 2020 Loc: Banana Republic of Kalifornia
 
Zemirah wrote:
It is my profound belief, Marty,

that no one has ever "mastered" the Bible in its entirety (except its author, the Living Logos, Jesus Christ) and He bequeathed it to mankind, via the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to God's Prophets and Apostles, who wrote it down.

Logos is broadly defined as the Word of God, or principle of divine reason and creative order, identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity incarnate in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle John relates that Jesus, the Word or Logos, is eternal and is God. Further, all creation came about by and through Jesus, who is presented as the source of life. Amazingly, this Logos came and lived among us: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14).

It is a matter of utter amazement to me that this precious gift to all mankind, God's personal revelation of all He needs us to know for our spiritual well being, is so neglected and even scorned by many in this modern age.

Your comment about reading it more than once reminds me of something my Father once said to me.

While working as an accountant forty plus years ago, for the Scholarship program of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a young liberal thinking American co-worker challenged me to find ten places in the Bible where God condemned Homosexuality.

I turned myself inside out at that endeavor, finding only nine occurrences (New Testament and Old Testament combined).

Finally, after driving out to my parents home a few days later, I asked my Father; He looked up from His study desk, peered at me over the top of his reading glasses, and said rather dryly, "Well, if He said it once, isn't that enough?"

I turned and walked away, muttering to myself, - paraphrasing what I had just heard, "Well, being God, if He said it once, is that not sufficient?"

Sometimes we literally do lose sight of the forest for the trees.
It is my profound belief, Marty, br br that no on... (show quote)


Absolutely! I too, can hardly believe that someone would say “no” to God’s gift. However there’s the scriptures that expand on the difference between wheat and tares, sheep and goats, vessels for glory and vessels for destruction. There’s others but that makes the point.
God will show mercy on whom ever He wants.
But he gives us guidelines as to the parameters of good and evil.
I choose good.
Thank you Lord.

Reply
Feb 17, 2022 10:22:46   #
Zemirah Loc: Sojourner En Route...
 
Absolutely, God shows mercy on whom He wants,

BUT always remember, all men are born with free will, and Scripture tells us, "It is God's wish that no man should perish, but that all men should be brought to repentance" (2nd Peter 3:9); and The Lord Jesus Christ Himself, on the very last page of Scripture, says: "whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17) - Whomsoever will, may come!

God knows the end from the beginning, God looks at the heart.


Marty 2020 wrote:
Absolutely! I too, can hardly believe that someone would say “no” to God’s gift. However there’s the scriptures that expand on the difference between wheat and tares, sheep and goats, vessels for glory and vessels for destruction. There’s others but that makes the point.
God will show mercy on whom ever He wants.
But he gives us guidelines as to the parameters of good and evil.
I choose good.
Thank you Lord.

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