Make An Atonement.
Throughout the Bible there is mention of making atonement for wrongs committed.
Atonement-
1. Amends or reparation made for an injury or wrong; expiation.
Reparation-
1. The act or process of repairing or the condition of being repaired.
2. The act or process of making amends; expiation.
3. Something done or paid to compensate or make amends.
4. Reparations. Compensation or remuneration required from a defeated nation as indemnity for damage or injury during a war.
Expiate-
To make amends or reparation for; atone: expiate one's sins by acts of penance.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
The reason for making an atonement, for an act of reparation, is quite involved and necessarily so, and yet very simple.
You wrong someone you make up for it.
You make something wrong then you make something right.
You injure someone and you have to help fix them again.
There are reasons our justice system has in place awards for damages suffered. I'm not saying that sometimes it's not all screwed up and people get awarded way more than they should or vice versa, but putting a price on suffering isn't easy to do.
Suffering is a personal thing. Torment is a personal thing. Causing someone to suffer even when you think you only hurt them a little bit is ludicrous because unless you're the person actually suffering you CAN'T know the degree of their pain. You think you can, but in reality you can't.
Emotional, mental pain is horrific. Wounds received from enemies are expected. Wounds received from those you love and trust, from those who are supposed to protect you and keep you safe cause the worst kind of suffering imaginable. When wounded by a loved one they've stripped away your sense of reality. They've taken from you the ability to feel protected, to trust. They've stripped from you the basic foundation of life and how do you ever make amends for something like that? How?
Yet an atonement needs to be made.
Do you think killing an animal compares to killing the Son of God? Is it equal at all in any way? The Son of God Himself, killed so that an atonement could be made for our sins, so that we could be made right again with God.
No. There isn't an animal sacrifice that can be made that can equal the sacrifice of the Son of God and yet throughout the old testament sacrifices were being made to cover the sins of God's people and once a year on the Day of Atonement all those accumulated, covered sins were transferred to a scapegoat and sent away forever.
People were told to make amends, to atone for the wrongs committed by each other. If you stole a sheep you had to make amends and give back even more than you stole. You are not only returning what you took you are paying for the crime of the stealing.
When Jesus came He told us to love our enemies, and yet if our enemies turn around and believe they should love us they will naturally atone for their wrongdoings.
Making that atonement first of all calls for admitting there was something done that needs to be atoned for. It's taking responsibility for the crime and letting the one you hurt know you realize you did something wrong. Making atonement shows that you want to make things right again, as right as you possibly can. You're guilty and you want to be make it right somehow.
No, you can't put a price on suffering. You might be able to put a price on a stolen car- you pay for the car, or return it and you compensate for all the hardship it caused. But how do you put a price on stealing innocence? Of stripping away trust? How?
It's no wonder some crimes were punishable by death by Old Testament standards. Because some crimes can never be compensated for in reality. You can't give back trust as you can a car. You can't give back innocence as you can a wallet. Crimes against the very core of a human being are the most heinous. You can't give back life if you've murdered someone, as you can a handful of jewelry. Some crimes steal so much more than people imagine.
So, how do you atone for something that you can't return?
You admit the wrong. You let the other know you realize the seriousness of what you've done. You tell them that you understand that you've done something horrific by stealing their innocence, by crushing the trust they placed in you. You own up to it-- not just once. You've destroyed something that can't be replaced and a single admission of guilt isn't enough. You do this as often as it takes. You don't ever reach a place where you can say I've atoned enough, not until the one you hurt decides it's enough and there isn't a time limit on something like this. Unlike giving back a stolen car and paying for damages where all is said and done, when you've stolen something you can't give back the small sacrifices of having to do all you can to atone, no matter what that may be is nothing in compared to the thing you took, NOTHING.
Atonement.
Because God loves us His plan for Atonement equals that love.
Because a person loves someone they've irrevocably hurt, they too need to plan to atone for that in whatever ways necessary for as long as necessary.
A single admission of guilt doesn't absolve a person. It's contrition, it's repentance.
repentance-
1. The act or process of repenting.
2. Remorse or contrition for past conduct or sin.
repent -
1. To feel remorse, contrition, or self-reproach for what one has done or failed to do; be contrite.
2. To feel such regret for past conduct as to change one's mind regarding it: repented of intemperate behavior.
3. To make a change for the better as a result of remorse or contrition for one's sins.
contrition- (ken-trîsh´en) noun
Sincere remorse for wrongdoing; repentance
The act of repenting... the act of making a change for the better, the act of feeling remorse, the act of repenting is just that... an act- something you do and keep doing- making a change for the better. Making a change. It's a process, it's not something instantaneous. It's not simple.
When you've done something horrific it's something the injured party will NEVER forget, it will color their lives forever. They have to learn to live with what was done to them and find in life good things.
It's up to the wrong doer to do whatever it takes to help the one they've hurt recover as much as they can, whatever it takes.
By the grace of God when we are told to love our enemies, may the Holy Spirit guide us to do so. When we are called to forgive, Jesus, please help us to forgive. When we need to make amends to someone may the Lord help us to do what is right, guiding us to do so-- whatever it takes.
Please Lord.
By your mercy and grace, by your love.
Amen.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Forgiving the Unforgivable- How?
Forgiving the Unforgivable.
There shouldn't be such a thing, should there? It's contradictory. There is no list in the Bible that says this sin is forgivable, that one isn't. You might argue that obviously in the Old Testament that any sin that you were put to death for committing was unpardonable because of the fact it warranted immediate death. However, all sin truly warrants death, right? For the wages of sin is death... Ro. 6:23.
Then you might say that this is the only unforgivable sin... '{12:10} And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.'
So if you can even be forgiven for speaking against Jesus, the innocent of God, God's Son, the Sinless One then truly that's the worst of the worst that can be forgiven. But where do we who live our lives day to day and are confronted with sins that seem unforgivable, where do we find forgiveness, or the ability to forgive?
The Lord's prayer says... Matthew {6:12} And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
We are forgiven as we forgive. It's scary to think that we will be forgiven as we forgive when we find it so hard to forgive. Does God find it hard to forgive? It had to be harder than we can imagine for Him to sacrifice His own son, yet in our mind we can think of so very many horrific things that people do to one another that are unforgivable, or rather seemingly unforgivable. We say Jesus wasn't sinned against in this particular way, surely if He had been God would never forgive the one who did that to Him, to His Only Son.
Are there those who are unforgiven? Obviously those who blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit. We are told outright they are unforgiven and why? Because it is the Holy Spirit who pricks our hearts, who strives with us to bring us to the point where we can seek forgiveness, repenting and putting away of our sins. If we deny, if we blasphemy we are...
Dict.
blasphemy (blàs´fe-mê) noun
plural blasphemies
1. a. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity. b. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.
2. An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
...committing a contempuous or proface act, utterance, writing against God. We are claiming attributes and rights of God. We are committing irreverent, impious acts against God.
Sin is being against God. Permanently being against God is unforgivable.
If anyone lives against God, if anyone commits acts that are against God, they are sinning. The act itself warrants death. The severity of the acts varies but death is death. In the end people will suffer as they have sinned if they've gone unrepented, unforgiven.
Here's another thing to think of... Matthew {7:1} Judge not, that ye be not judged. {7:2} For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Can we forgive the unforgivable? Can we hold up our own lives to inspection and say our sins aren't as bad as anothers? That for some reason our sins are undeserving of death but theirs are? Can we say while I've picked a pocket or two, they'f robbed banks; while I've had lascivious thoughts they've committed the acts of the lasciviousness; while I've wanted to kill they've actually murdered someone so surely they deserve death and not forgiveness, but I deserve it more. This reminds me of this...Luke {18:11} The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are,] extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
{18:12} I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. {18:13} And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. {18:14} I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted.
We can't extol our own virtues, we can't pit our seemingly less sinful sins against those who seemingly have great sins.
Again we can go back to the whole business about some sins warranted death in the Old Testament while other sins didn't so surely that is putting degrees on sin and which are really bad and which aren't. Today we have laws that tell us murdering someone means putting them in jail if caught, while thinking about it doesn't. Stealing someone's treasures warrants jail time, but again...just thinking about it doesn't. We've determined that some crimes in some states are punishable by death and some crimes aren't. We have to have such determinations don't we, or we'd live in a world of complete chaos.
Yet, a lot of crimes are committed, crimes worthy of jail and worthy of death and they go unpunished. Sometimes they go unpunished because we choose to let them be that way. Pardoned, forgiven, undeserving of both and yet given both.
Why is it we desire forgiveness and yet find it so hard to forgive the seemingly unforgivable?
How often should we forgive? Matthew {18:21} Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? {18:22} Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Endlessly forgiving...
Forgiving the unforgivable.
Forgive as we'd be forgiven. Our supposed lesser sin is as worthy of death in the realm of eternity if not forgiven, just as the largest sin in existence is the same. And if we would be forgiven at all we have to extend forgiveness ourselves-- but how?
Matthew {6:14} For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: {6:15} But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
But how?
Matthew {18:23} Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. {18:24} And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. {18:25} But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. {18:26} The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. {18:27} Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. {18:28} But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. {18:29} And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. {18:30} And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. {18:31} So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. {18:32} Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: {18:33} Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? {18:34} And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. {18:35} So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
But how?
Help us Lord to learn how. Help us.
Amen.
There shouldn't be such a thing, should there? It's contradictory. There is no list in the Bible that says this sin is forgivable, that one isn't. You might argue that obviously in the Old Testament that any sin that you were put to death for committing was unpardonable because of the fact it warranted immediate death. However, all sin truly warrants death, right? For the wages of sin is death... Ro. 6:23.
Then you might say that this is the only unforgivable sin... '{12:10} And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven.'
So if you can even be forgiven for speaking against Jesus, the innocent of God, God's Son, the Sinless One then truly that's the worst of the worst that can be forgiven. But where do we who live our lives day to day and are confronted with sins that seem unforgivable, where do we find forgiveness, or the ability to forgive?
The Lord's prayer says... Matthew {6:12} And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
We are forgiven as we forgive. It's scary to think that we will be forgiven as we forgive when we find it so hard to forgive. Does God find it hard to forgive? It had to be harder than we can imagine for Him to sacrifice His own son, yet in our mind we can think of so very many horrific things that people do to one another that are unforgivable, or rather seemingly unforgivable. We say Jesus wasn't sinned against in this particular way, surely if He had been God would never forgive the one who did that to Him, to His Only Son.
Are there those who are unforgiven? Obviously those who blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit. We are told outright they are unforgiven and why? Because it is the Holy Spirit who pricks our hearts, who strives with us to bring us to the point where we can seek forgiveness, repenting and putting away of our sins. If we deny, if we blasphemy we are...
Dict.
blasphemy (blàs´fe-mê) noun
plural blasphemies
1. a. A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity. b. The act of claiming for oneself the attributes and rights of God.
2. An irreverent or impious act, attitude, or utterance in regard to something considered inviolable or sacrosanct.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
...committing a contempuous or proface act, utterance, writing against God. We are claiming attributes and rights of God. We are committing irreverent, impious acts against God.
Sin is being against God. Permanently being against God is unforgivable.
If anyone lives against God, if anyone commits acts that are against God, they are sinning. The act itself warrants death. The severity of the acts varies but death is death. In the end people will suffer as they have sinned if they've gone unrepented, unforgiven.
Here's another thing to think of... Matthew {7:1} Judge not, that ye be not judged. {7:2} For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Can we forgive the unforgivable? Can we hold up our own lives to inspection and say our sins aren't as bad as anothers? That for some reason our sins are undeserving of death but theirs are? Can we say while I've picked a pocket or two, they'f robbed banks; while I've had lascivious thoughts they've committed the acts of the lasciviousness; while I've wanted to kill they've actually murdered someone so surely they deserve death and not forgiveness, but I deserve it more. This reminds me of this...Luke {18:11} The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men [are,] extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
{18:12} I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. {18:13} And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as [his] eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. {18:14} I tell you, this man went down to his house justified [rather] than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall
be exalted.
We can't extol our own virtues, we can't pit our seemingly less sinful sins against those who seemingly have great sins.
Again we can go back to the whole business about some sins warranted death in the Old Testament while other sins didn't so surely that is putting degrees on sin and which are really bad and which aren't. Today we have laws that tell us murdering someone means putting them in jail if caught, while thinking about it doesn't. Stealing someone's treasures warrants jail time, but again...just thinking about it doesn't. We've determined that some crimes in some states are punishable by death and some crimes aren't. We have to have such determinations don't we, or we'd live in a world of complete chaos.
Yet, a lot of crimes are committed, crimes worthy of jail and worthy of death and they go unpunished. Sometimes they go unpunished because we choose to let them be that way. Pardoned, forgiven, undeserving of both and yet given both.
Why is it we desire forgiveness and yet find it so hard to forgive the seemingly unforgivable?
How often should we forgive? Matthew {18:21} Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? {18:22} Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Endlessly forgiving...
Forgiving the unforgivable.
Forgive as we'd be forgiven. Our supposed lesser sin is as worthy of death in the realm of eternity if not forgiven, just as the largest sin in existence is the same. And if we would be forgiven at all we have to extend forgiveness ourselves-- but how?
Matthew {6:14} For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: {6:15} But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
But how?
Matthew {18:23} Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. {18:24} And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. {18:25} But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. {18:26} The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. {18:27} Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. {18:28} But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took [him] by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. {18:29} And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. {18:30} And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. {18:31} So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. {18:32} Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: {18:33} Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? {18:34} And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. {18:35} So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
But how?
Help us Lord to learn how. Help us.
Amen.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat
Luke {22:31} And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat: {22:32} But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Satan desires to have us all.
Satan wants us all desperately. You think I'm kidding? You think that little ol' you isn't worth his trouble? That he only wants those with power and such? You're wrong. He wants each one of us and he'll stop at nothing to get us. Each person kept from God is another bonus for Satan. He wants to mock God. He wants to be able to glory in all those he can take with him to the eternity of non-existence. He knows that his time is short and he does go about as a roaring lion.
1 Peter {5:8} Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
Satan wants to sift us all as wheat. He wants to give us trial after trial, after trial without end and whether you believe it or not it's true. More true than you probably can imagine.
Jesus prays for us, that our faith won't fail. Because it's when our faith fails that Satan has won.
Faith - the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews {11:1} Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The substance of hope in things we cannot see. Jesus prays for us that our faith will not fail, that we continue to hope in something invisible, something beyond all the pain and heartache we live through in this world ruled by Satan, and don't think for one moment it's not ruled by him because it is-- for now.
Eph. {6:10} Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. {6:11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {6:12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places.]
The wiles of the devil- not flesh and blood but principalities, powers, ruler of the darkness of THIS world, spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians {4:4} In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The god of THIS WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
Satan is the go of this world.
John {14:30} Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
The Prince of this world has nothing in Jesus, nothing.
We have to cling to the hope that Jesus gives as Jesus prays that our faith will not fail.
Please Jesus, Satan is sifting us so much trying to destroy our faith in you. Help us Lord, pray for us now and always. Lord please. By your grace, have mercy on us. The sifting is so painful.
Amen.
Satan desires to have us all.
Satan wants us all desperately. You think I'm kidding? You think that little ol' you isn't worth his trouble? That he only wants those with power and such? You're wrong. He wants each one of us and he'll stop at nothing to get us. Each person kept from God is another bonus for Satan. He wants to mock God. He wants to be able to glory in all those he can take with him to the eternity of non-existence. He knows that his time is short and he does go about as a roaring lion.
1 Peter {5:8} Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
Satan wants to sift us all as wheat. He wants to give us trial after trial, after trial without end and whether you believe it or not it's true. More true than you probably can imagine.
Jesus prays for us, that our faith won't fail. Because it's when our faith fails that Satan has won.
Faith - the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews {11:1} Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The substance of hope in things we cannot see. Jesus prays for us that our faith will not fail, that we continue to hope in something invisible, something beyond all the pain and heartache we live through in this world ruled by Satan, and don't think for one moment it's not ruled by him because it is-- for now.
Eph. {6:10} Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. {6:11} Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. {6:12} For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places.]
The wiles of the devil- not flesh and blood but principalities, powers, ruler of the darkness of THIS world, spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Corinthians {4:4} In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The god of THIS WORLD hath blinded the minds of them which believe not.
Satan is the go of this world.
John {14:30} Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.
The Prince of this world has nothing in Jesus, nothing.
We have to cling to the hope that Jesus gives as Jesus prays that our faith will not fail.
Please Jesus, Satan is sifting us so much trying to destroy our faith in you. Help us Lord, pray for us now and always. Lord please. By your grace, have mercy on us. The sifting is so painful.
Amen.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Guest Blog by Matthew - God & Entertainment
Psalm 100: MAKE a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is god: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.
I'm going to be honest with you, I don't think I have that much insight or intelligence in this kind of matter. I'm no more qualified to write up a bill than I am to write for my mom's blog. Though perhaps comparing her blog to the government is a bad idea. She asked me to write something for today and said to find a passage and write what it made me feel so I spent a small amount of time flipping through the pages of my Bible. The more I looked the more I thought that I shouldn't be doing it but I can at least try.
Psalm 100 stood out to me because of a news story about a boy being unable to graduate if he attends his girlfriend's high school prom. Because Rock music, dancing, holding hands, and kissing were against their policy. The paslm above makes no specific mention of what music the Lord likes. It just tells us to come before him singing. I won't debate what songs were played at that school prom and whether they would or would not please God but I know of plenty of Christian Rock bands that sing songs to God so an outright hatred of any kind of music seems irrational to me because any kind of music can be used for the Lord. The content of each song should probably be evaluated to decide whether it would or would not be acceptable in God's eyes but the very genre itself seems up to the individual. Indeed, why would God influence musicians to make that kind of music for him if he didn't want it?
2 Samuel 6:14-23
14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
I apologize for the length of this one and for the format, I retrieved it off of Bible.com without knowing exactly where to look for it myself. This passage also comes to mind when thinking about what God does and does not want from us. David himself danced in honor of God. We should also praise god in any manner possible. Not just in uncomfortable routine ways that become chores. We can praise God by dancing and singing and he wants that. But then again who am I to say what he wants? Who's to say I'm right? I don't feel very confident or competent and I can't wrap my mind around what I'm trying to say.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't jump the gun and decide for God what is right and wrong when it comes to entertainment. And that goes for myself as well. I shouldn't try to tell you what is acceptable. The best advice I can give is to read his word and go from there.
May the Lord help us all find out what is right and wrong and help us walk along the right path.
Amen.
I'm going to be honest with you, I don't think I have that much insight or intelligence in this kind of matter. I'm no more qualified to write up a bill than I am to write for my mom's blog. Though perhaps comparing her blog to the government is a bad idea. She asked me to write something for today and said to find a passage and write what it made me feel so I spent a small amount of time flipping through the pages of my Bible. The more I looked the more I thought that I shouldn't be doing it but I can at least try.
Psalm 100 stood out to me because of a news story about a boy being unable to graduate if he attends his girlfriend's high school prom. Because Rock music, dancing, holding hands, and kissing were against their policy. The paslm above makes no specific mention of what music the Lord likes. It just tells us to come before him singing. I won't debate what songs were played at that school prom and whether they would or would not please God but I know of plenty of Christian Rock bands that sing songs to God so an outright hatred of any kind of music seems irrational to me because any kind of music can be used for the Lord. The content of each song should probably be evaluated to decide whether it would or would not be acceptable in God's eyes but the very genre itself seems up to the individual. Indeed, why would God influence musicians to make that kind of music for him if he didn't want it?
2 Samuel 6:14-23
14And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
15So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
16And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
17And they brought in the ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
18And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts.
19And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house.
20Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!
21And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD.
22And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.
23Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.
I apologize for the length of this one and for the format, I retrieved it off of Bible.com without knowing exactly where to look for it myself. This passage also comes to mind when thinking about what God does and does not want from us. David himself danced in honor of God. We should also praise god in any manner possible. Not just in uncomfortable routine ways that become chores. We can praise God by dancing and singing and he wants that. But then again who am I to say what he wants? Who's to say I'm right? I don't feel very confident or competent and I can't wrap my mind around what I'm trying to say.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that we shouldn't jump the gun and decide for God what is right and wrong when it comes to entertainment. And that goes for myself as well. I shouldn't try to tell you what is acceptable. The best advice I can give is to read his word and go from there.
May the Lord help us all find out what is right and wrong and help us walk along the right path.
Amen.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it
Mark {3:35} For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.
The will of God.
Acts {13:36} For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: {13:37} But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption
By the will of God, David served his own generation. We live by the will of God and we can choose to do the will of God. David died and saw corruption, but Jesus was raised from the dead and saw no corruption. God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus had fulfilled the will of His father and suffered unto death, but when all was said and done, God raised Him to life.
God's will.
1 Thess.
{5:12} And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you
{5:13} And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
{5:14} Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. {5:15} See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
{5:16} Rejoice evermore.
{5:17} Pray without ceasing.
{5:18} In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
{5:19} Quench not the Spirit.
{5:20} Despise not prophesyings.
{5:21} Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
{5:22} Abstain from all appearance of evil.
{5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{5:24} Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Rejoice, pray, give thanks.
We say if only we knew the will of God we'd do it and yet we are told the will of God in his word and we still don't follow it. Reading that entire section again what actions are pointed out?
1 Thess.
{5:12} And we beseech you, brethren, to
*know*
them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you
{5:13} And to *esteem*
them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
And *be*
at peace among yourselves.
{5:14} Now we exhort you, brethren,
*warn*
them that are unruly,
*comfort*
the feebleminded,
*support*
the weak,
*be*
patient toward all men. {
5:15} *See*
that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever
*follow*
that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
{5:16} *Rejoice*
evermore.
{5:17} *Pray*
without ceasing.
{5:18} In every thing *give*
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
{5:19} *Quench not*
the Spirit.
{5:20} *Despise not*
prophesyings.
{5:21} *Prove all*
things;
*hold fast*
that which is good.
{5:22} *Abstain*
from all appearance of evil.
{5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{5:24} Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
*******
Know, esteem, be, warn, comfort, support, be, see, follow, rejoice, pray, give, quench not, despise not, prove all, hold fast, abstain.
There is a lot we should be doing that is the will of God, it's called living our lives in harmony with all we're told. It's not easy when we live in a world where our natural instinct is to do our own will and no other. If it suits us we'll do all those things above, but let us have a bad day where all we care about is our own feelings and who cares about proving all, despising not, abstaining from the appearance of evil? We get so caught up in our own will and when we do that which isn't God's will but our own we need to ask for forgiveness. Ultimately God's will, will be done through right to eternity whether we are following God's will in Christ Jesus or not. We choose to follow God's will, and we choose not to.
May the Lord Jesus our Savior guide us and help us through the power of the Holy Spirit now and forever, by His grace, by His mercy.
Amen.
The will of God.
Acts {13:36} For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption: {13:37} But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption
By the will of God, David served his own generation. We live by the will of God and we can choose to do the will of God. David died and saw corruption, but Jesus was raised from the dead and saw no corruption. God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus had fulfilled the will of His father and suffered unto death, but when all was said and done, God raised Him to life.
God's will.
1 Thess.
{5:12} And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you
{5:13} And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
{5:14} Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. {5:15} See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
{5:16} Rejoice evermore.
{5:17} Pray without ceasing.
{5:18} In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
{5:19} Quench not the Spirit.
{5:20} Despise not prophesyings.
{5:21} Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
{5:22} Abstain from all appearance of evil.
{5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{5:24} Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Rejoice, pray, give thanks.
We say if only we knew the will of God we'd do it and yet we are told the will of God in his word and we still don't follow it. Reading that entire section again what actions are pointed out?
1 Thess.
{5:12} And we beseech you, brethren, to
*know*
them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you
{5:13} And to *esteem*
them very highly in love for their work’s sake.
And *be*
at peace among yourselves.
{5:14} Now we exhort you, brethren,
*warn*
them that are unruly,
*comfort*
the feebleminded,
*support*
the weak,
*be*
patient toward all men. {
5:15} *See*
that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever
*follow*
that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
{5:16} *Rejoice*
evermore.
{5:17} *Pray*
without ceasing.
{5:18} In every thing *give*
thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
{5:19} *Quench not*
the Spirit.
{5:20} *Despise not*
prophesyings.
{5:21} *Prove all*
things;
*hold fast*
that which is good.
{5:22} *Abstain*
from all appearance of evil.
{5:23} And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
{5:24} Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
*******
Know, esteem, be, warn, comfort, support, be, see, follow, rejoice, pray, give, quench not, despise not, prove all, hold fast, abstain.
There is a lot we should be doing that is the will of God, it's called living our lives in harmony with all we're told. It's not easy when we live in a world where our natural instinct is to do our own will and no other. If it suits us we'll do all those things above, but let us have a bad day where all we care about is our own feelings and who cares about proving all, despising not, abstaining from the appearance of evil? We get so caught up in our own will and when we do that which isn't God's will but our own we need to ask for forgiveness. Ultimately God's will, will be done through right to eternity whether we are following God's will in Christ Jesus or not. We choose to follow God's will, and we choose not to.
May the Lord Jesus our Savior guide us and help us through the power of the Holy Spirit now and forever, by His grace, by His mercy.
Amen.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Goodness doesn't save them at all
1 Peter.
{4:1} Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
{4:2} That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
{4:3} For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries
{4:4} Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you: ]
*******
Arm ourselves like Christ, with the same mind as Christ. Suffer in the flesh and cease from sin. We should no longer live the rest of our lives in the flesh to lust but to the will of God.
It's so hard to tell people not to live life catering to their pleasures when that's what we grow up being told we should do. We do a lot of things in life geared toward our happiness. We tell our kids that they can indulge their self-pleasure, in fact we go to great lengths to see that they stay happy and are content as possible. Kids today have televisions, dvd players, mp3 players, cell phones, access to computers and the internet, video games, computer games, we make sure kids are given these 'toys' and tell them that if they want more 'toys' they have to work for them. We train our children to be adults that will grow up to work so they can continue their self-seeking pleasures.
Is it wrong to want to please ourselves? Is it wrong to desire happiness and things that contribute to our happiness?
What's wrong is turning all our thoughts inward to ourselves because when we are so caught up in ourselves there is no room for anyone else. The will of God doesn't come into play when all we care about is our own will.
Walking in the laciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings and abominable idolatries... this is most of our lives. Seriously. We don't call it such, but it is. It's all about self-pleasure in lust, in drink, in partying, eating, following our addictions whether they're as seemingly innocuous as watching tv shows regularly- something we wouldn't want to miss. We pay homage to our pleasure addictions even when we don't call them such. When our lives are centered on ourselves and things which bring self satisfaction, they are not centered on God. This is our life. This is most of our lives. This is what we do and when we stop doing these things and seek to follow God what do you think will happen? If you're not running with the crowd you're running against the crowd and when you run against the crowd often the crowd turns on you and begins to speak against you and separate themselves from you.
1 Peter
{4:5} Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
{4:6} For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
{4:7} But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
*******
When we are dead in our sins who judges us?
2 Timothy
{4:1} I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom
Jesus judges us all.
We are all sinners and we are all dead in our sinning unless we accept the live of Jesus as our own and cling to Him for our salvation from our sins.
The living God in the spirit shall judge us all. We have to remember this and be sober and watch unto prayer. If we are of the attitude it doesn't matter what we do, that what will be will be, then we are lost. We know that we will be judged for better or worse and the judgment isn't based on whether you're *good or bad* it's based on your love of Christ, your willingness to live for God's will and not your own. Judgment for all, there is no escaping it and those who live their lives in harmony with God, seeking to follow His will and not their own will prevail. Giving up of self and giving to God. And this is why so many people who seemingly are good will not be judged righteous- their goodness doesn't save them at all- it's their love of God that saves through the love of His Son's and the willingness of His son to die for us through that love.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior, God's will be done now and forever.
Amen.
{4:1} Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
{4:2} That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
{4:3} For the time past of [our] life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries
{4:4} Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with [them] to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of [you: ]
*******
Arm ourselves like Christ, with the same mind as Christ. Suffer in the flesh and cease from sin. We should no longer live the rest of our lives in the flesh to lust but to the will of God.
It's so hard to tell people not to live life catering to their pleasures when that's what we grow up being told we should do. We do a lot of things in life geared toward our happiness. We tell our kids that they can indulge their self-pleasure, in fact we go to great lengths to see that they stay happy and are content as possible. Kids today have televisions, dvd players, mp3 players, cell phones, access to computers and the internet, video games, computer games, we make sure kids are given these 'toys' and tell them that if they want more 'toys' they have to work for them. We train our children to be adults that will grow up to work so they can continue their self-seeking pleasures.
Is it wrong to want to please ourselves? Is it wrong to desire happiness and things that contribute to our happiness?
What's wrong is turning all our thoughts inward to ourselves because when we are so caught up in ourselves there is no room for anyone else. The will of God doesn't come into play when all we care about is our own will.
Walking in the laciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings and abominable idolatries... this is most of our lives. Seriously. We don't call it such, but it is. It's all about self-pleasure in lust, in drink, in partying, eating, following our addictions whether they're as seemingly innocuous as watching tv shows regularly- something we wouldn't want to miss. We pay homage to our pleasure addictions even when we don't call them such. When our lives are centered on ourselves and things which bring self satisfaction, they are not centered on God. This is our life. This is most of our lives. This is what we do and when we stop doing these things and seek to follow God what do you think will happen? If you're not running with the crowd you're running against the crowd and when you run against the crowd often the crowd turns on you and begins to speak against you and separate themselves from you.
1 Peter
{4:5} Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead.
{4:6} For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.
{4:7} But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
*******
When we are dead in our sins who judges us?
2 Timothy
{4:1} I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord
Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his
appearing and his kingdom
Jesus judges us all.
We are all sinners and we are all dead in our sinning unless we accept the live of Jesus as our own and cling to Him for our salvation from our sins.
The living God in the spirit shall judge us all. We have to remember this and be sober and watch unto prayer. If we are of the attitude it doesn't matter what we do, that what will be will be, then we are lost. We know that we will be judged for better or worse and the judgment isn't based on whether you're *good or bad* it's based on your love of Christ, your willingness to live for God's will and not your own. Judgment for all, there is no escaping it and those who live their lives in harmony with God, seeking to follow His will and not their own will prevail. Giving up of self and giving to God. And this is why so many people who seemingly are good will not be judged righteous- their goodness doesn't save them at all- it's their love of God that saves through the love of His Son's and the willingness of His son to die for us through that love.
By the mercy and grace of our Lord and Savior, God's will be done now and forever.
Amen.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Arm ourselves likewise with the same mind
1 Pet.
{3:18} For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit
{3:19} By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison
1 Pet. {3:20} Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
{3:21} The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
{3:22} Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right
hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made
subject unto him.
Angels
Authorities
Powers
All these being made subject unto Jesus Christ.
{4:1} Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he
that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
Christ suffered for us.
Christ took on humanity and submitted to all the temptations just like we are and He sinned not.
He willingly suffered.
Willingly!
We have to willingly suffer for Christ not that it will save us because only Christ's mercy can save us, but because we are called to live as He lived. Christ suffered in the flesh. What causes suffering?
DICT.
suffer (sùf´er) verb
suffered, suffering, suffers verb, intransitive
1. To feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment.
2. To tolerate or endure evil, injury, pain, or death.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
So what causes pain, distress, loss, injury, harm, punishment, enduring evil, suffering to death?
You have to feel and feel acutely in order to suffer deeply. If you care much, you suffer much. Christ cared for us more than anyone possibly could. Care enough to take on humanity, to submit Himself to becoming flesh, bound by its limitations. And yes, you may scoff and say He had no limitations, but when he took on humanity He gave Himself limitations that would enable Him to be able to say the He was ...
Heb. {2:18} For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,
he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Heb. {4:15} For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without
sin.
You cannot truly be tempted by anything unless you have the ability to fall to that temptation. It is no temptation at all to be offered chocolate when you have no interest in chocolate, and yet if you crave it beyond that which is normal and healthy for you and you are tempted with chocolate it becomes a source of temptation, of desire, something you have to resist and suffer if not physically then emotionally, mentally, to keep from giving into that temptation. Yes, you might argue that it's harder once you've tasted the creamy sweet richness of chocolate to resist it, but once you know that something isn't good and you feel the pull of temptation- even untested once it can be very strong. Sex for example. You may feel an intense desire for that physical pleasure even if you've never had sex. Temptations aren't unique to those who taste that which is tempting them. Desires can be very real, very hard to resist. Temptations can cause us to suffer greatly in ways that other might not understand suffering. Just because I'm tempted in one way doesn't mean you're tempted the same. My temptations are just as real and hard to resist as anothers, they are in that sense unique to us without being the same.
Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, but without sinning.
You might think that impossible. You might say he never had heroin or the foods we have today and yet in principle He suffered temptation just as we suffer it, unique to Him as our temptations are to each of us only He suffered sinless. It is because He was able to resist temptations that He was able to save us who are born into sin through Adam.
1 Peter. {4:1} Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he
that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
Suffering.
Arm ourselves likewise with the same mind.
We can't don armor and fight this battle of sin, this battle between good and evil, the battle in which we are each being fought for. We have to arm ourselves with the same mind as Christ. The same willingness to trust in God for everything in our lives. The same willingness that if we are called to suffer in the flesh, we embrace the suffering and we don't let Satan twist it into God's punishing us. We cling to Christ our Righteousness and we meld our mind to His and whatever our lots in life we holdfast...we suffer if we must knowing that our suffering cannot compare to the suffering of the most innocent of all, our Savior.
By the Lord's grace and mercy may we arm ourselves with the same mind as Christ- willingly suffering anything we need to suffer, and in anyway we need to suffer it so that we may cling to Him fully by His grace in love.
Amen
{3:18} For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit
{3:19} By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison
1 Pet. {3:20} Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
{3:21} The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ
{3:22} Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right
hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made
subject unto him.
Angels
Authorities
Powers
All these being made subject unto Jesus Christ.
{4:1} Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he
that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
Christ suffered for us.
Christ took on humanity and submitted to all the temptations just like we are and He sinned not.
He willingly suffered.
Willingly!
We have to willingly suffer for Christ not that it will save us because only Christ's mercy can save us, but because we are called to live as He lived. Christ suffered in the flesh. What causes suffering?
DICT.
suffer (sùf´er) verb
suffered, suffering, suffers verb, intransitive
1. To feel pain or distress; sustain loss, injury, harm, or punishment.
2. To tolerate or endure evil, injury, pain, or death.
Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary
So what causes pain, distress, loss, injury, harm, punishment, enduring evil, suffering to death?
You have to feel and feel acutely in order to suffer deeply. If you care much, you suffer much. Christ cared for us more than anyone possibly could. Care enough to take on humanity, to submit Himself to becoming flesh, bound by its limitations. And yes, you may scoff and say He had no limitations, but when he took on humanity He gave Himself limitations that would enable Him to be able to say the He was ...
Heb. {2:18} For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted,
he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Heb. {4:15} For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as [we are, yet] without
sin.
You cannot truly be tempted by anything unless you have the ability to fall to that temptation. It is no temptation at all to be offered chocolate when you have no interest in chocolate, and yet if you crave it beyond that which is normal and healthy for you and you are tempted with chocolate it becomes a source of temptation, of desire, something you have to resist and suffer if not physically then emotionally, mentally, to keep from giving into that temptation. Yes, you might argue that it's harder once you've tasted the creamy sweet richness of chocolate to resist it, but once you know that something isn't good and you feel the pull of temptation- even untested once it can be very strong. Sex for example. You may feel an intense desire for that physical pleasure even if you've never had sex. Temptations aren't unique to those who taste that which is tempting them. Desires can be very real, very hard to resist. Temptations can cause us to suffer greatly in ways that other might not understand suffering. Just because I'm tempted in one way doesn't mean you're tempted the same. My temptations are just as real and hard to resist as anothers, they are in that sense unique to us without being the same.
Jesus was tempted in all points like as we are, but without sinning.
You might think that impossible. You might say he never had heroin or the foods we have today and yet in principle He suffered temptation just as we suffer it, unique to Him as our temptations are to each of us only He suffered sinless. It is because He was able to resist temptations that He was able to save us who are born into sin through Adam.
1 Peter. {4:1} Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he
that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin
Suffering.
Arm ourselves likewise with the same mind.
We can't don armor and fight this battle of sin, this battle between good and evil, the battle in which we are each being fought for. We have to arm ourselves with the same mind as Christ. The same willingness to trust in God for everything in our lives. The same willingness that if we are called to suffer in the flesh, we embrace the suffering and we don't let Satan twist it into God's punishing us. We cling to Christ our Righteousness and we meld our mind to His and whatever our lots in life we holdfast...we suffer if we must knowing that our suffering cannot compare to the suffering of the most innocent of all, our Savior.
By the Lord's grace and mercy may we arm ourselves with the same mind as Christ- willingly suffering anything we need to suffer, and in anyway we need to suffer it so that we may cling to Him fully by His grace in love.
Amen
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