The Finger of God

In John 8, the Pharisees and scribes, the strict keepers of the law, drag before Jesus, a woman caught in adultery. It was an all-around set-up in yet another attempt to discredit Him.

Woman Taken in Adultery by Pieter Bruegel The Elder

In their minds, Jesus can only take one of two actions;

A: agree to stone her for her crime, which the law given to Moses commands.

or

B: let her go, which would go against the law, making Jesus a lawbreaker.

Either way He chose would make Jesus less than perfect and take away His public fan-club. Either action would discredit Him and the Pharisees and scribes would be less convicted by His relationship with God.

"This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and... wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. So when they continued asking, He raised Himself up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first. And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground" John 8:6,7,8.

As usual, Jesus doesn't fall into their trap. Jesus does C. And whatever He wrote on the ground was so convicting, that the accusing men leave silently, again stumped by Jesus' perfect action.

"When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, he said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." 8:10,11.

And although Jesus gently chastised her with his words, looking into Jesus' face maybe hurt her more than anything He could have done. I wonder if His written words also convicted her of her sin, as well as His reprimand.

There's been much said about what Jesus wrote on the ground. Since the words were not given, we can make only guesses and still be wrong.

This is only my opinion. I will not attempt to write for God.

I like to think Jesus wrote the Ten Commandments in the sand.

Wouldn't that be awesome!? Watching God write the Law! Wouldn't that be Absolutely Convicting!!

"And when He had made an end of speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone, written by the finger of God" Exodus 31:18.

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Jesus--Nazarene?, (Nazirite?) Originally posted May 2014

There is no evidence Jesus was ever under the law of the Nazirite though I have often heard Christians make the statement that He was a Nazirite. The Bible actually contradicts the idea of Jesus being a Nazirite because of the restrictions listed in the written Law.


So what does the Bible say about Jesus, the Nazarene?

Matthew 2: 23, Joseph moved his family to Nazareth, a village in the Galilean region thus fulfilling prophetic scripture, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ Though Jesus lived in Nazareth, none of the prophecies concerning Jesus states He was to keep the Law of the Nazirite.

In His lifetime on earth, Jesus separated Himself unto the work of God in all aspects, thus more consecrated to God then those under the Law of the Nazirite.

• Law of the Nazirite

Numbers 6: 2, Anyone placing themselves under the Law of the Nazirite, separates themselves to God.

Numbers 6: 3, 4, 5, Anyone under a Nazirite vow separates themselves from wine or similar drink: vinegar wine, or fermented vinegar of any kind; no grape juice, fresh grapes or raisins. A Nazirite separates himself from all produce of the grapevine, seed to skin.

Numbers 6: 5, All the days of his vows, no razor shall touch his head.

Numbers 6: 6-8, All the days of his vows, he shall not go near a dead body.

Numbers 6: 9-12, If anyone under a Nazirite Vow is touched by; has touched, or unintentionally touches, a dead person, they must go through a special cleansing ritual preformed at the temple in sight of the priest.

• Jesus was a citizen of the town of Nazareth, hence a Nazarene.
• But NOT a Nazirite

John 2: 1-11, Jesus first miracle was to turn water to wine.

The Gospels record Jesus ate meals with many people, including enemies, but not once is it recorded anyone ever tempted Him to break a Nazirite Vow with wine, or other drink.

Luke 22: 17, 18, The bible records Jesus is the giver of the cup of wine that is the predecessor of our Communion Service. If Jesus had been under the Law of the Nazirite, He would never have touched any ‘fruit of the vine’.

Matthew 11: 19, If Jesus had been under the Law of the Nazirite, His enemies accusation of him being a drunkard and a glutton would have been accurate. By observing Him drinking anything fermented, they would prove Him a false teacher and a Hypocrite.

1 Corinthians 11:3-16, Only a man avowed under the Law of the Nazirite would let their hair grow for the length of their vow. All other Jewish men are to have their hair worn short. Jesus would have had short hair as a common man.

(Acts 18:18, The Apostle Paul took a Nazirite vow for a season.)

John 11, Jesus brings Lazarus back to life. (Mark 5:41, Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter. (Luke 7: 14, Jesus raises the widow’s son. (Mark 5: 1-17, Jesus goes to the region of Gadarene and drives out a legion of demons from a man living in a graveyard. 

The Law of the Nazirite forbade touching dead people, or being near the dead. Any such contact required a cleansing ritual. (Numbers 6: 9-12) Jesus never broke any of the OT Laws. There is no record of Him needing the required cleansing ritual after exposure to the dead.

Isaiah 53:2, The bible records Jesus wasn't someone who stood out in a crowd. Had He been under a Nazarite Vow, long hair would have made Him noticeable. The bible records Jesus was able to disappear in a crowd.

Judas identified Him with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane. A Nazirite would have been identifiable among the others. 

If God could say "This is My Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased," Jesus couldn't have been a Nazirite and break all these regulations of the Nazirite Vow clearly spelled out in the law given to Moses.

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Are They All Spiritualy Healthy?

Are you concerned about the Spiritual health of your brothers and sisters?

Do you think because someone is a member of your assembly that they have a good grasp of their salvation in Christ?

Or because someone comes on Sunday, or to any studies, or Bible activities in your church building that they are safely living their new life of Christ in the world?

God shows us that just by asking a few simple questions, we can find out the spiritual health of a fellow believer. To know this, read the gospels and the book of Acts to see how the many gifts of God are used to bring people to know Jesus and His death on the cross. It was for their Spiritual needs; the immanent necessity of knowledge to obtain the righteousness given by Jesus' death on the cross.

God has more concern for the spiritual health of His people than their physical needs.

"Therefore, do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" Matthew 6:31-33

• We trivialize the cross of Jesus Christ by making it pretty.
• We make the cross of Jesus Christ frivolous by making it a symbol.
• We accessorize the cross of Jesus Christ as what God did from love.

The cross of Jesus Christ is the wrath of God.

"The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is in unconscious blasphemy."

Oswald Chambers: My Utmost for His Highest

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge" Proverbs 1:7

"Bear one another's burdens , and so fulfil the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2.

(Jesus said), "This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you" John 15:12

Ask a few questions to see how your brothers and sisters in Christ are doing in their Christian walk and help them where they need strengthening.

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Jesus- God Our Servant

"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,

and to give His life a ransom for many" Mark 10:45.

Some of the things Jesus did:

He listened. He taught.
He wept with and for people.
He fed people. He led people. He walked with people. He ate with people.
He attended parties.
He helped people. He healed.
He read. He told the truth to everyone.
He played with children. He prayed for people. He counseled.
He gave people what really they wanted. He told people how to do things.
He gave examples. He gave Himself as an example.
He told stories. He cooked meals. He was willing to go anywhere.
He observed God’s laws and man’s laws, (when they didn’t contradict.) He was obedient to God the Father.
He loved people, even His enemies.
He sang songs.
He traveled with little expense. He was honest and just in all His dealings.
He forgave.
He touched the untouchable. He approached the unapproachable.
He was kind.
He helped Fathers and Mothers. He spoke with both men and with women.
He accepted poor, rich, soldiers, businessmen and women, housewives, teachers, bankers, laborers, lawyers, government officials, religious and non-religious, sinners and self-righteous.

 And some things Jesus didn't do:

He never demanded service.
He never hurt people, not even His enemies.
He never manipulated anyone.
He never coerced anyone.
He never forced anyone to do or not do anything.
He didn’t gossip.
He didn’t hate anyone for deserting Him.
He never took revenge for an insult.
He never played tricks.
He never insulted anyone.

Christians have something in Jesus that the world religions cannot comprehend. Even as they search for what we have, they deny that we have found it in Jesus. Man-made religions and man-created gods make their followers obey rules as means of perfection.

The God who gave His life for the sins of the world not only asks us to obey, He provides the power to obey.

"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself

unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him,

bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4 & 5.

• As a Man, Jesus was the best friend we could ever have.
• As Lord, Jesus deserves our obedience. 
• As our teacher, Jesus showed us how we ought to act and work.

As God, Jesus could have shown all His power and brought Himself the glory that is due Him. Instead of God crushing the rebellion of mankind in Adam, Jesus, the Savior, made this statement,

“If you love Me, keep My commandments" John 14:15

 Jesus gave us the examples; let us follow Him. 

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God Didn't Create People to Kill People

I don't usually make any comments about the news, because it so bothers me. But in the wake of the latest shooting in Dallas, I will say,


     Just because people are evil and do evil things hasn't made God or His love disappear. God is hurt too by these killings. God is hurt by any killings. He didn't create people to kill people.

"Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;
"So God made man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female he created them"
Genesis 1:26 & 27.

      But Satan turns people evil and uses people to kill people because he hates God and the people God created.

(Satan) was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth" John 8:44.

      But God created Hell and the Lake of Fire for the punishment of Satan and evil.

"And the Devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever" Revelation 20:10.

      God gives the gift of salvation and entrance to His Paradise to the people who come to Him. He loves everyone. He will not turn away anyone who call upon Him to be saved.

"For all who call on the name of the LORD shall be saved" Romans 10:13.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life" John 3:16.

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Margin Notes From the Gospel of Mark

I have a hard time highlighting the Gospels, as there is so much good stuff. But I do extensively mark my Bible. Here I have shared a few verses where I have written margin notes, and also added some expanded comments on my notations

Margin Notes From the Gospel of Mark

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"And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him" Mark 1:20

Margin Note: Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James, John & Matthew (Levi) Five prosperous businessmen become Christ's students. I don't think this was such an impulsive action.

Expanded: A time of choice. Jesus chose them & they chose Jesus. These men wanted to follow a godly teacher. Peter, Andrew, James & John were devout men, they must have been seeking a teacher to follow.

     They were subjects of Rome, a very cruel and dangerous government. If you didn't agree with the government, or the social religion, you were in peril of arrest and the threat of death. These men jumped ship and willingly went against the social patterns of selfishness, self-righteousness, and self-love by following Jesus.

     Nothing much has changed. Today's Christ's followers look for God to move in our government and social norm. Are we willing to follow Him even against the religions of society around us?

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"Then He said to them, 'Take heed how you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but to whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him" Mark 4:24,25

Margin Note: The one who wants to know more of God--God will give more and more knowledge. & cross referenced 1 Corinthians 2:10-16

Expanded: A Christian really has no excuse for not learning something from reading the Bible alone. It is God who personally teaches His children what the Bible says about Himself. Either you believe God can teach you or you can say "It's too hard for me" and reject the supernatural aspect of God's teaching.

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"Also He said to them, 'In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the Day of judgement than for that city" Mark 6:10 & 11.

Margin Note: I'm not responsible for the people who reject Jesus. Let it go. Plant seeds.

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"So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them" Mark 6: 12 & 13.

Margin Note: Went with very little training for something unfamiliar.

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"So they answered and said to Jesus 'We do not know.' And Jesus answered and said to them, 'Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.'" Mark 11:33.

Margin Note: Jesus doesn't have to explain Himself to stubborn disbelief. They were asking, almost demanding, He show His credentials even after they had seen and heard everything He was already doing.

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"Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes" Mark 13:15,16.

Margin Note: A life saved is more important to God, and to us, than any material thing.

Expanded: This is Mark's (or possibly Peter's) account of The Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is primarily speaking of the nation Israel when He foretells of the signs of coming troubles. And when the Antichrist takes over world power, they are to flee without hesitation. Drop everything and run for their lives.

     Yet, the lesson for today's Christians is the same...lives are more important than our stuff.

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And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You? But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, "Are you the Christ. the Son of the Blessed?" Jesus said, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "What further need do we have of witnesses?" "You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?" And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death" Mark14:60-64.

Margin Note: Even in the mock trial Jesus had to give them an excuse to condemn Him. Jesus had to give them their excuse . They could find no other way to kill Him.

Expanded: They had interrogated Him all night and yet his accusers could find no corroborating testimonies from their list of witnesses at this kangaroo court. They at least agreed with the Law that two or more witnesses had to testify the same crime to condemn a man.

     But for all their witnesses testimonies, they weren't given the hard evidence they needed to take to the Roman court to get Him publically executed.

     So Jesus speaks up and hands them His life with the statement that He is God. In truth, a claim like that would ordinarily be blasphemous if a man claims such a name for himself. Such a blasphemy is worthy of death. 

     One small factor--- in Jesus the claim is true!

     What an amazing thing for Jesus to do knowing He would die on the cross in a few hours, yet He came to do just that----Die for the sin of the world!

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"but he (the angel) said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him" Mark 16:6.

Margin Note: The happiest angel in the world at that time! & cross referenced it with 1 Peter 1:12.

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What are some of the verses you have purposefully marked, or some notes you have written in your Bible?

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Did They Really Believe Him To Be More Than A Man?

Have you ever wondered what the disciples were doing when Jesus came into Jerusalem on the donkey? What they were thinking? Do you think they really understood?

Just a few days before Jesus entered the city, Peter had answered Jesus' question “Who do you say I am?" with “You are the Christ, the Son Of God” but none of them were thinking of the prophecies of Isaiah, even after Jesus explains it to them.

On the way to Jerusalem, James and John asked for the two seats on either side of his throne, but they are thinking of an earthly throne. We can assume that Judas might be thinking of the monies he would have to hand; about having permanent place in the court next to the king. However, what were the others thinking; Andrew, Simon the Zealot, Bartholomew; what of the women?

It appears from the texts, they believe they’re on the way to Jerusalem to see the Deliverer of the Hebrews take over the kingdom of Rome. They know he has the power. For three years he’s shown them incredible things. But do they really believe him more than a man?

I doubt anyone was surprised by this entrance. Jesus has a big crowd of followers and the news of his coming has probably been circulating for days. What everyone is waiting for is a powerful leader charging in to defeat Rome.

They're most likely thinking Isaiah's prophecy is being fulfilled right in front of them. "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given. And the government shall be upon His shoulders and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. but they stopped at the Government shall be upon His shoulders."

Jesus enters the city with great fanfare. No Jewish person has ever been welcomed into Jerusalem with such spontaneous celebration. During this cheering and praise there were Romans on the streets, watching and probably at arms ready, Red Alert. But the first thing Jesus does is go into the temple and chase out the religious cheats. Jesus stays at the temple the rest of the week. He doesn’t go anywhere near the Romans or the seat of power of Rome in Jerusalem. The soldiers probably relax.

But the Disciples are still waiting, all week, for him to attack Rome. Judas is getting disgusted but are the rest getting perplexed? Wondering?

What the people got was a quiet man with one thing on his mind, of which they failed to understand.

They just didn't get it.

The night of his betrayal, his disciples are so unaware, they go to sleep. They’ve completely forgotten that Jesus came there to die. He’d told them. But nothing has happened and they’re not paying attention. To them, at what we call the last supper, the cup and bread didn’t mean what it does to us. Christians know what it means.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him, will not die but have eternal life." John 3:16.

His broken body and spilled blood is our salvation. That whole week of Jesus in Jerusalem was the examination of the Lamb for Passover. The Priests examined Him and in the end could find no fault. They had to accept a lie to kill him.

We have to accept his death to be saved. The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23.

We look on the beautiful, perfect Lamb of God at the end of that week, broken and bloody for our salvation. Jesus rode into quietly Jerusalem on a donkey and at the end of the week died horribly on a cross to give us the kingdom.

What the Disciples thought was going to happen that particular Passover week, ultimately happens, at the end of times. And this ride into Jerusalem means just as much to us today in bringing in the kingdom.

Later, they fully understood Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, but just then, they were blind.

Jesus is fully God and fully Man.
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A Few Thoughts From the Gospel of John

The Apostle John frequently referred to himself as 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'. Which is a wonderful way all of us can relate to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

John also is the apostle who penned 1 John, the book that says God is love and that we love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:8 & 19)

John heard Jesus say that, (Christians), will be known for our love of one another. (John 13:35)

By saying he's 'the disciple Jesus loved' is not taking a high title. It is recognition that the relationship we each have with Jesus is special because He loves us.

There is a very fascinating short statement in the gospel of John.
"Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus" John 11:5.

Knowing that John says he is 'the disciple that Jesus loved' it is a great testimony to his knowledge of Jesus that he willingly shared that distinction with another.

Let us each share the awesomeness of the love of God for each of us, and recognize that Jesus loves all Christians as equals.

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John 10:40,41."And He (Jesus) went away again beyond the Jordan to the place where John was baptizing at first, and there He stayed. Then many came to Him and said, "John preformed no sign, but all the things that John spoke about this Man were true."

Quiet, orderly, consistent witness brings people to know Jesus' saving grace.

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Jesus prayed for me 2000+ years ago! 

John 17, the Lord's Prayer: (Jesus praying) "I do not pray for these alone, (the disciples), but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me" John 17: 20,21.

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John 10:16. (Jesus said) "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there shall be one flock and one shepherd"

Jesus included me in His word about 'other' sheep. Seeing down through time, Jesus knew I would become a sheep in His sheepfold.

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Christianity is not a man-made religion--it is a God-originated faith in Himself which He gives to the world to receive. (Ephesians 2:8-10)
I have received this faith! And I have accepted this faith that Jesus saved me from my sin, is saving me from my sin, and will save me out of this world of sin. Praise the Lord for His Grace, Love and Mercy on me.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me."

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Boaz, Ruth & the Closer Relative

In Chapter 4 of the book of Ruth we see Boaz and the Closer Relative of Naomi transact the Kinsman/Redeemer law. And it all plays out to God's satisfaction when Boaz and Ruth are finally wed to live happily ever after.

Because Boaz was going to carry out the Kinsman/Redeemer law to it's fullest extent, none of the land he obtained in keeping the law would be his. It would go to Obed, their son, who would inherit to perpetuate the family name of his grandfather Elimilech.
All Boaz took from this marriage was Ruth. Just as when we become the bride of Christ, we bring nothing with us into the marriage but ourselves, redeemed by our Savior.

This simile is not a perfect fit, and I have never heard this connection before; I could be way wrong, but I do like it.

• The Closer Relative = God the Father
• Boaz = Jesus
• Ruth= us, the church, the bride of Christ

• Ruth came to Boaz and asked him to marry her. We come to Jesus and ask Him to save us.
• Boaz presents Ruth to the Closer Relative. Jesus presents us to God the Father.
• The Closer Relative does not become the husband but gives her to Boaz. God the Father gives us to Jesus, His Son, to be His bride.

• And, to add another far out extension is Naomi, who led Ruth to Boaz = the Holy Spirit leads us to God and Jesus.

• Jesus, the Son, is the way to the Father, who ultimately extends His grace to us when we ask His forgiveness. Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6).
• Jesus says "no one comes to Him expect the Father draws them." (John 6:44).
• Jesus says that "the Father gives all to Him." (John 6:37).
• All born again Christians are called the Bride and are married to Jesus, because God the Father gave us all to His Son. (Ephesians 5:27).

The First Kinsman Redeemer

(God the Father)

gives us to

the One who is the Bridegroom

(Jesus)

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A Few Thoughts on Judgement and Judging

Ultimate judgment belongs to God. The entirety of people created by God face His judgment, from Adam to the last person to die off this world. When this world ends, God will separate the sheep from the goats, (Matthew 25: 32, 33,) making the final judgment between those who are children of God saved by His grace, and those who rejected His Son Jesus’ substitutionary death in their place on the cross.

The theme of God’s judgment goes all through the bible, giving us instructions on what pleases God and what displeases God. In the finality, God will be the judge at two thrones, two judgment seats. The Great White Throne of Judgment and the Throne of Grace, (Bema Seat)

In Revelation 20, the unsaved face God’s sentencing at the Great White Throne Judgment. This is not a courtroom where anyone pleads their defense. They are there to accept that court has already convened, and they receive sentencing to their eternal prison, the ‘Lake of Fire.’ The court trial has already taken place at the cross and the sentence meted out. After Jesus took all of the sin of mankind onto Himself, God punished Jesus, thus fulfilling the required punishment of breaking the law- that is, our sin. Romans 6: 23.

1 Corinthians 3: 7-17; 1 Peter 1: 7; The saved will face the judgment of the Throne of Grace. (Bema Seat) Exodus 25: 17-22; Hebrews 9; 1 John 2: 1, 2)). At this throne, God will judge our works done here on earth after we accepted Jesus. This judgment seat is where God tests, through fire, our works done in Jesus’ name, and for the glory of God the Father. The works that did not glorify God will burn up like wood, hay, and straw. That which we did in the name of Jesus to the glory of God the Father will shine as gold, silver, and precious stones. This is where we receive our rewards.

The saved have the distinction of not having past sins brought up before the Father because He chooses to look at us as covered in the blood of His son Jesus. Hebrews 10: 17; Psalm 103: 12. The saved accepted the punishment of Jesus’ death on the cross and God’s punishment has passed from them. Romans 8:1.

While God has the ultimate judgment, Christians are to judge between right and wrong. The bible tells us to separate ourselves from the world, that is, live a different life than the unsaved, to learn what pleases God and what displeases Him. Romans 12:2. (Be holy for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16, (Leviticus 11:44)) We have to judge between the right things of God and the wrong things of the world. The bible is our tool to do this. Judge what is good to hear, to see, to do, and to speak. Philippians 4: 8, 9.

The commandment of Do not covet is for the purpose of distinction, this is an inner heart judgment.

We are to judge between each other. 1 Corinthians 6: 1-3, is our judgment of people we come in contact with.

Matthew 7: 16-20. This judgment also provides protection for our well-being, welfare, lives, and even our families. James 4: 1-7. We need to judge whether this person is harmful to us physically, mentally, morally, financially, or harmful to our ministries: can they make us ineffective, can they destroy our witness, or can they draw us away from God? (Do not cast your pearls before swine. Matthew 7: 6.)

The bible instructs us to judge between those who we count as friends and associates. To judge the other against what we know of the bible is acceptable. Titus 1:10-13; 2 Thessalonians 3: 6-15; Galatians 1: 8, 9; 1 Timothy 5: 24, 25; 1 John 4: 1, is to have knowledge of who we speak to, and how we act, or react to people.

If we see a person claiming to be a Christian, we are to hold up what we know from God’s word and judge if they are truly Christians. If we do not make this judgment, we can get into trouble. False brethren can bring us into God’s displeasure and His necessary judgment in a just punishment. Hebrews 12: 5, 6. Without judging, we may stumble and fall.

James warns us to keep a sense of humility when we judge. (We are not to condemn others, Matthew 7:1-5). We are not to stand in the place of God and point fingers to destroy anyone. If we judge, we are to take our knowledge from Jesus and make a distinction between right and wrong according to what the bible says. If we slander, or hurt in our judgment, we ourselves are wrong and God will judge accordingly.

If we judge, two or more people must substantiate our judgment or it is not to be accepted. 1 Timothy 5: 19; (Deuteronomy 16: 6, 19: 15)

We judge our brethren biblically to help them remain in the faith and walk in the light. Galatians 6: 1; James 5: 19, 20.

John 15: 18, our faith in Jesus is a judgment of the world. If we do not judge others, who are without faith, our witness is useless. There has to be the condemnation of sin before they accept Jesus’ salvation. We make this judgment only in imitating Jesus’ love for the lost. Do nothing without love.

So, yes, do not judge to condemn anyone and but the other-side of the coin says, yes, judge for the correct reasons.

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The Wordless Bible--Effective Simple Gospel Message

The Wordless Bible, or The Color Bible--a very simple explanation of the regeneration from unsaved sinner to rewarded saint. This is one of the ways the salvation message is told to young children. Many a youth group have learned this evangelistic method of the gospel. Simple but effective!

BLACK=SIN

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

RED=THE BLOOD OF JESUS

For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.

John 3:16

WHITE=FORGIVNESS

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 1:9

GREEN=GROWING

I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 3:19

 

GOLD=ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD

FOR ALL ETERNITY

He who overcomes shall inherit all things and I will be his God and he shall be my son. Revelation 21:7

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Salvation Verses

Commissioned to Give Jesus

Jesus came to the lost, unrepentant world, to save us to repentance. "For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life a ransom for many." Mark 10: 35

Jesus hates sin. Sin came into the world through Adam's willful rebellion in the Garden of Eden. Because of sin, no one can be in God's presence. 'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' Romans 3:23

Jesus loves sinners. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' Romans 5: 8

• Christmas celebrates the gift God gave---His Son.

The gift we don't deserve. 'As it is written: 'There is none righteous, no not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.' Romans 3: 10, 11, 12

But the Greatest Gift is: 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him will not die but have eternal life.' John 3: 16

Jesus, God, came to earth, was born of a virgin, died on the cross for the sin of the world, buried in a tomb, rose again the third day from the grave because His sacrifice, in the place of everyone, fulfilled the death penalty required. He ascended back to heaven to sit beside the Father, and He will return one day to take believers to live with Him forever and to judge the unbelievers to separation forever. Without Jesus, there is no hope of salvation. That is the Gospel taught in the Bible from Genesis 1: 1 to Revelation 22: 21

That is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He does not want anyone to die and be eternally separate from God in the 'outer darkness, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth'. He came and died so no one would have to be lost forever. 'In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and gave His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.' 1 John 4: 10 

• That is the reason for everyone to celebrate Christmas.

May it be every believing, born again, Christian's desire that no one be eternally separate from God in the 'outer darkness, where there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.' May we give Jesus this Christmas.

We attend church services, perform good works, and pray. We sing, fellowship and worship but He desires mercy for the lost from us, not the performance done in His name. He commands that we let others know about the wonderful miracle He gives to the whole world; eternal Salvation. Let us have mercy on the lost and dying world and tell them about the gospel of Jesus.

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19

• Remember to wrap all your gifts with loving prayers for salvation of everyone you know.

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Curious Beings--Angels

God created mankind of the dust of the earth. (Gen 2:7) but there is lack of explanation of what substance God used to form angels. 

How's that for making something of nothing!

I believe God made the angels long before He created earth. They serve in God's eternity not our earthly time-line though they pass between the two. Hebrews 1 says angels as spirits of fire. Now I don't know what that means, but it's certain angels live in the spiritual realm beyond us.

Photo courtesy of morgueFile

They can become the form of a man, (Gen 19:1) or appear very strange creatures described in Isaiah, with six wings as coverings. There are angels that look like metal and bright stones. They have terrible power and yet can be very comforting and humble as when Gabriel spoke to Mary. (Luke 1:30) They are all around us, doing God's will. If they are not doing God's will then they're demons and doing Satan's will. They move both in our time and God's place, and it seems there are a lot of them. They are more powerful than we are and can do extraordinary things.

God makes angels His servants, (Heb 1:7) yet He calls us His children (1 John 3:1). God made a way for us to be born again (John 3:16), --we who are made of dirt-- yet the angels have only their obedience to save them. If they are following Satan, they are condemned forever (Heb 2:16).

But we have no explanation of their substance. They are not made of the dust of the earth. They cannot die, nor is God going to destroy their form. Satan and his followers will suffer forever in the Lake of Fire. (Rev 20:10)

Even with that prophecy coming, I believe whatever God creates by His word, He can speak out of existence if He chooses.

They cannot procreate. Jesus said they neither marry or are given in marriage, (Matt 22:30) so, no angel babies in heaven. I cannot believe God would tolerate fornication in His heaven if it is such an abominable sin on earth. In my opinion, all the angels God created for His service are all that will be.

At the hour of His arrest, Jesus told His disciples that He was capable of calling 12 legions of angels to His aid. (Matt 26:53) Wow! How many angels waited expectantly on the edge of Heaven for the call that never came? If one angel could destroy 185,000 Assyrians in one night, (2 Kings 19:35) would not 12 legions of angels destroy everyone on earth at the command of God!? 

If angels feel any emotions, 

how they must have suffered to watch Christ die! 

They want to know more about us too.  (1 Peter 1:12) They are as curious about us as we are of them. They must certainly find us as interesting we them.

The study of angels is very interesting and it leaves some very interesting questions. Scriptures tell us that someday we will judge angels.(1 Cor 6:3) 

What must they think of that idea?

What are you're thoughts about angels. Leave a comment, please (click 1 comment to open box)