Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part H

E21 Reason

F1 Defined

G1 Bing Dictionary: the power of the mind to think, understand, and form judgments by a process of logic.

G2 Thoughts including making decisions whether conditions at the present or possible in the future (thus, we worry sometimes, but God never worries).

G3 The Hebrew word I have in mind is חָשַׁב châshab. It means

H1 According to Strong’s: properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e. (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a malicious sense); hence (from the mental effort) to think, regard, value, compute

H2 According to TWOT (767):

I1 The basic idea of the word is the employment of the mind in thinking activity. Reference is not so much to “understanding” (cf. bı̂n), but to the creating of new ideas.

I2 Then used in 6 ways:

J1 Planning and devising (Genesis 50:20 (the word “meant”))

J2 Making a judgment (Isaiah 54:4 (the word “esteem,” that is, planned))

J3 Running thoughts through the mind. (Malachi 3:16 NKJV Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, And the LORD listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before Him For those who fear the LORD And who meditate on His name.

J4 Impute (to credit or discredit as in Genesis 15:6)

J5 To invent (Exodus 31:4)

J6 Accounting (that is bookkeeping as in 2 Kings 12:15 NLT No accounting of this money was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and trustworthy men.

I3 God can do all these perfectly in wisdom and love. He needs no one to teach Him.

G4 The Greek Equivalents: βουλεύω, διαλογίζομαι, δοκέω, ἐπιστρέφω, ἐπιχειρέω, εὐλαβέομαι, ἡγέομαι, κινδυνεύω, λαλέω, λογίζομαι, ποιέω, συλλογίζομαι, ὑπολαμβάνω, ὑφαντός, φροντίζω  defining the same ideas as the Hebrew word.

F2 Some verses

G1 Psalm 32:2 NIV Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

G2 Jeremiah 18:11 NIV Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, 'This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'

G3 Jeremiah 29:11 CSB For I know the plans I have for you"—this is the LORD's declaration—"plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

G4 Humans have the same characteristic. Here it is used in the negative sense: Ezekiel 11:2 NIV The LORD said to me, "Son of man, these are the men who are plotting evil and giving wicked advice in this city.

E22 Enjoyment

F1 This would include enjoyment of fellowship, music, beauty, etc.

F2 God and music

G1 God sings:

H1 Zephaniah 3:17 WEB Yahweh, your God, is among you, a mighty one who will save. He will rejoice over you with joy. He will calm you in his love. He will rejoice over you with singing.

H2 “Think of the great Jehovah singing! Can you imagine it? Is it possible to conceive of the Deity breaking into a song: Father, Son and Holy Ghost together singing over the redeemed? God is so happy in the love which he bears to his people that he breaks the eternal silence, and sun and moon and stars with astonishment hear God chanting a hymn of joy.” (Spurgeon, this note was found in Guzik’s Enduring Word Commentary on this passage)

G2 His creation from angels to birds sings

F3 Beauty

G1 Psalms 45:9-11 NRSV daughters of kings are among your ladies of honor; at your right hand stands the queen in gold of Ophir. 10 Hear, O daughter, consider and incline your ear; forget your people and your father's house, 11 and the king will desire your beauty. Since he is your lord, bow to him.

G2 Here is a comment from the Believer’s Bible Commentary: 45:9 The King is not alone in the day of His power. The daughters of earth's monarchs are among His royal attendants. At His right side is the queen, decked with jewelry of gold from Ophir. And who is the queen? Here we must resist the temptation to identify her with the church, since the church is not the subject of OT revelation (Ephesians 3:5-9; Colossians 1:26). We believe that the queen is the redeemed remnant of the nation of Israel (Ezekiel 16:10-14) and that the attendants may represent Gentile nations won to Christ through Israel's testimony.

F4 Artistry [Emphasis is mine]

G1 Genesis 1:31 WEB God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

G2 The Hebrew word for good is טוֹב ṭôwb. It means good, pleasant, agreeable, etc.

H1 Exodus 2:2 GW The woman became pregnant and had a son. She saw how beautiful he was and hid him for three months.

H2 Genesis 26:7 GNB When the men there asked about his wife, he said that she was his sister. He would not admit that she was his wife, because he was afraid that the men there would kill him to get Rebecca, who was very beautiful.

G3 Not only it creation pronounced good, it is very good. The Hebrew word for very is טוֹב ṭôwb. It means exceedingly, much, etc. (adverb). [Emphasis is mine]

H1 1 Samuel 2:17 NKJV Therefore the sin of the young men was very great before the LORD, for men abhorred the offering of the LORD.

H2 Zechariah 14:14 NRSV even Judah will fight at Jerusalem. And the wealth of all the surrounding nations shall be collected—gold, silver, and garments in great abundance.

F5 Rejoice

G1 The Hebrew word is שָׂמַח sâmach. It means to rejoice, be glad,

G2 Psalms 104:31 MKJV The glory of Jehovah shall endure forever; Jehovah shall rejoice in His works.

G3 Psalms 16:8-9 NRSV I keep the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also rests secure.

Within You or In Your Midst? Thoughts on Luke 17:21

Within or something else?
Our passage

B1 Luke 17:20-21 WEL When he was questioned by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come, he began to answer and said to them, “The Kingdom of God doesn’t come with careful observation. 21 “Nor will they say, ‘Look over here,’ or ‘Look over there.’ for—take note—the Kingdom of God is within you.

B2 Luke 17:20-21 NRSV Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you."

B3 Luke 17:20-21 ESV Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

The common issue is this. The Lord Jesus is speaking to some ungodly Pharisees who are demanding an answer as to when God’s Kingdom will begin. The Lord Jesus surely cannot be telling these ungodly Pharisees that they have God’s Kingdom within them, that is, inside them, so it must mean something else.

The Greek word is ἐντός entós (G1787).

B1 It means within or inside. Because of the interpretation issue, most include the idea of in your midst or something similar.

B2 It is used 2 times in our New Testament. [Emphasis is mine]

C1 Matthew 23:26 NIV Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

C2 Luke 17:20-21 NIV Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, "The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is in your midst."

B3 In Matthew, it is obviously inside.

A few comments from scholars:

B1 Robertson’s Word Pictures on this verse:

Within you (entos humōn). This is the obvious, and, as I think, the necessary meaning of entos. The examples cited of the use of entos in Xenophon and Plato where entos means “among” do not bear that out when investigated. Field (Ot. Norv.) “contends that there is no clear instance of entos in the sense of among” (Bruce), and rightly so. What Jesus says to the Pharisees is that they, as others, are to look for the kingdom of God within themselves, not in outward displays and supernatural manifestations. It is not a localized display “Here” or “There.” It is in this sense that in Luk 11:20 Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God as “come upon you” (ephthasen eph' humās), speaking to Pharisees. The only other instance of entos in the N.T. (Mat 23:26) necessarily means “within” (“the inside of the cup”). There is, beside, the use of entos meaning “within” in the Oxyrhynchus Papyrus saying of Jesus of the Third Century (Deissmann, Light from the Ancient East, p. 426) which is interesting: “The kingdom of heaven is within you” (entos humōn as here in Luk 17:21).

B2 Vincent’s Word Studies:

Within—Better, in the midst of. Meyer acutely remarks that “you refers to the Pharisees, in whose hearts nothing certainly found a place less than did the ethical kingdom of God.” Moreover, Jesus is not speaking of the inwardness of the kingdom, but of its presence. “The whole language of the kingdom of heaven being within men, rather than men being within the kingdom, is modern” (Trench, after Meyer).

So how do we solve this? This is my opinion.

B1 God is speaking.

B2 God being omniscient and omnisapient can communicate perfectly. This is the word that God chose.

B3 In context, it appears to mean

C1 The Pharisees expected something outward only. Jesus corrects them, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation.”

C2 The word observation is the Greek word παρατήρησις paratḗrēsis. It means, essentially, looking around, that is, inspecting a thing. The idea being of some outward value.

C3 The Pharisees saw purity, holiness, righteousness as an outward value instead of an inward value. Compare:

D1 Matthew 23:25-28 NIV "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

D2 Matthew 15:18-19 NIV But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

C4 It is the inside, the core of each person, where evil or righteousness comes from.

D1 Matthew 12:33 NIV "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.

D2 Jeremiah 4:14 NIV Jerusalem, wash the evil from your heart and be saved. How long will you harbor wicked thoughts?

D3 Ezekiel 18:31 NIV Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?

D4 Hebrews 10:22 NIV let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

B4 The Lord Jesus is telling them, “Look, you are looking for outward values only, but God looks at inward conditions. The Kingdom of God is not just some outward state, but is an inside (the heart) condition, which is shown by its outward actions.”

B5 People act what they believe. People can dress up but be an evil criminal. They can say all the right things, use the right language of righteousness, and preach and write what appears to be God fearing and correct. But, in private, they are controlling, create an atmosphere of fear, say evil things, do evil things, control, abuse, etc. This outward appearance and action means something but not much. Many people have been abused by those who outwardly, in public, are perfect, holy, blameless, righteous, etc. but in private are vile, abusive, selfish, self-serving, controlling, etc.

B6 It is the heart that matters.

Albert Barnes:

B1 On verse 20: With observation - With scrupulous and attentive looking for it, or with such an appearance as to “attract” observation - that is, with pomp, majesty, splendor. He did not deny that, according to their views, the time was drawing near; but he denied that his kingdom would come in the “manner” in which they expected. The Messiah would “not” come with pomp like an earthly prince; perhaps not in such a manner as to be “discerned” by the eyes of sagacious and artful people, who were expecting him in a way agreeable to their own feelings. The kingdom of God is “within” people, and it makes its way, not by pomp and noise, but by silence, decency, and order, 1 Corinthians 14:40.

B2 On verse 21: Is within you - This is capable of two interpretations.

1. The reign of God is “in the heart.” It does not come with pomp and splendor, like the reign of temporal kings, merely to control the external “actions” and strike the senses of people with awe, but it reigns in the heart by the law of God; it sets up its dominion over the passions, and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.

2. It may mean the new dispensation is “even now among you.” The Messiah has come. John has ushered in the kingdom of God, and you are not to expect the appearance of the Messiah with great pomp and splendor, for he is now among you. Most critics at present incline to this latter interpretation. The ancient versions chiefly follow the former.

There are differing opinions of interpretation. If one believes differently, it is OK. We can still learn. Personally, I understand it as within you rather than in your midst, but I will not fight anyone who understands it differently. All believers do understand that God’s work is a new heart, a new creation, that will reveal itself in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part G

E19 Wrath

F1 The Hebrew word for wrath is אַף ʼaph. It means nostril in the literal sense. In an applied sense, it means the heavy breathing of being super angry.

F2 The Greek word for wrath is ὀργή orgḗ. It means: Wrath (3709) (orge from orgaô = to teem, to swell) conveys the picture of a swelling which eventually bursts, and thus describes an anger that proceeds from one’s settled nature. Orge does not refer to uncontrollable anger to which men are so prone but to God's settled indignation and controlled passionate hostile feeling toward sin in all its various manifestations. Settled indignation means that God’s holiness cannot and will not coexist with sin in any form whatsoever. Orge is not the momentary, emotional, and often uncontrolled anger (thumos - 2372) to which human beings are prone. Orge is used primarily of God's holy, righteous wrath but occasionally refers to the wrath of men (see Ephesians 4:31-note) (Source You need to scroll down).

F3 God’s wrath is always righteous. He is not angry unnecessarily. He wrath is holy. He is slow to anger, but He does get angry.

F4 Some verses

G1 Exodus 22:22-24 NRSV You shall not abuse any widow or orphan. 23 If you do abuse them, when they cry out to me, I will surely heed their cry; 24 my wrath will burn, and I will kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children orphans.

G2 1 Thessalonians 1:10 HCSB and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

F5 He becomes angry at

G1 Sin (John 2:14-17, Romans 1:18)

G2 Disobedience (Ephesians 5:5-6, Hebrews 2:1-2)

G3 Unbelief (Romans 2:5, Mark 16:14)

F6 A few comments from others

G1 ISBE: Wrath is used with reference to both God and man. When used of God it is to be understood that there is the complete absence of that caprice and unethical quality so prominent in the anger attributed to the gods of the heathen and to man. The divine wrath is to be regarded as the natural expression of the divine nature, which is absolute holiness, manifesting itself against the willful, high-handed, deliberate, inexcusable sin and iniquity of mankind. God's wrath is always regarded in the Scripture as the just, proper, and natural expression of His holiness and righteousness which must always, under all circumstances, and at all costs be maintained. It is therefore a righteous indignation and compatible with the holy and righteous nature of God (Numbers 11:1-10; Deuteronomy 29:27; 2 Samuel 6:7; Isaiah 5:25; Isaiah 42:25; Jeremiah 44:6; Psalm 79:6). The element of love and compassion is always closely connected with God's anger; if we rightly estimate the divine anger we must unhesitatingly pronounce it to be but the expression and measure of that love (compare Jeremiah 10:24; Ezekiel 23; Amos 3:2).

G2 God is holy; He totally and completely distances Himself from sin, evil, corruption, and the resultant filth and guilt. He maintains His purity and rejects, fights against, and destroys that which would offend, attack, or undo His holiness and love. Hence, God's anger and wrath must always be seen in relation to His maintaining and defending His attributes of love and holiness, as well as His righteousness and justice. The emotion or passion that moves God to this maintaining and defending is expressed by the terms "displeasure, " "indignation, " "anger, " and "wrath." A consequence of his wrath is vengeance, punishment, and death. (Source)

E20 Leadership

F1 Not a controlling style but shepherd style leadership: John 10:14 NKJV I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.

G1 A shepherd calls for his sheep (he cares) John 10:3

G2 A shepherd knows his sheep (John 10:14)

G3 A shepherd gathers his sheep (John 10:16)

G4 A shepherd guides his sheep (Psalm 23:3)

G5 A shepherd loves his sheep (Isaiah 40:11)

G6 A shepherd protects his sheep even to the end (John 10:28)

G7 A shepherd is willing to die for his sheep (John 10:11)

G8 A shepherd gives good things to his sheep (John 10:28)

G9 A shepherd tells the truth (Psalm 15:2-3)

F2 Controlling, hunter style of leadership:

G1 Genesis 10:8-9 BSB And Cush was the father of Nimrod, who grew to be [literally “established himself as”] a mighty warrior on the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before [literally “in defiance of”] the LORD; so it is said, “Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before [literally “in defiance of”] the LORD.”

G2 3 John 1:9-11 GW I wrote a letter to the congregation. But Diotrephes, who loves to be in charge, won't accept us. 10 For this reason, when I come I will bring up what he's doing. He's not satisfied with saying malicious things about us. He also refuses to accept the believers we send as guests. He even tries to stop others who want to accept them and attempts to throw those people out of the congregation. 11 Dear friend, never imitate evil, but imitate good. The person who does good is from God. The person who does evil has never seen God.

G3 The pastor, teacher, church worker, even any Christian is not to lord it over the brothers and sisters: 1 Peter 5:3 WEL Do not lord it over God’s heritage, but be examples to the flock.

H1 The word heritage means in Greek lot or part.

H2 The church leader can be lord over some things as his/her checkbook, money, what they will eat, etc.

H3 But, they cannot be lord over God’s part, that is, the brothers and sisters of the congregation.

G4 A few characteristics

H1 A hunter (controlling leader) is spiritually blind (Matthew 15:14)

H2 A hunter misuses Scripture (instead of using them in the plain, normal sense) (Luke 4:10)

H3 A hunter deceives (2 Timothy 3:13)

H4 A hunter slanders (Revelation 2:9, 1 Timothy 5:14-15)

H5 A hunter lies (John 8:44)

H6 A hunter murders (John 8:44)

H7 A hunter presents themselves as angels of light (2 Corinthians 11:14)

H8 A hunter gives false messages from themselves instead of God (Jeremiah 23:16)

H9 A hunter gives messages for financial reward (money, books, etc.) (2 Peter 2:1-3)

H10 A hunter teaches lies (2 Timothy 2:17-18)

H11 A hunter uses "smooth talk" and flattery to win admirers (Romans 16:18)

H12 A hunter uses charm to deceive and win over people to them (Proverbs 26:24-25)

H13 A hunter looks for prey (sexual, financial, etc.) (1 Peter 5:8)

F3 A few points on safety We can recognize them by

G1 Knowing the truth (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

G2 Studying the truth (2 Timothy 2:15)

G3 Believing the truth (interpretation in the plain, normal sense) (1 Timothy 4:3)

G4 Praying for the truth (Psalm 25:5)

G5 Be alert at all times (1 Peter 5:8)

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part F

E16 Righteous

F1 The Lord Jesus states: John 17:25 NLT O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.

F2 Righteousness is perfection of living God’s way in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

F3 The example is the Lord Jesus.

F4 It needs a standard.

F5 The Lord Jesus met that standard perfectly, flawlessly, and sinlessly.

G1 The standard: Matthew 5:17-18 NLT Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God's law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

G2 The fulfillment:

H1 Matthew 5:17 NLT Don't misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.

H2 Romans 10:4 NLT For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.

F6 The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves He did not die for His own sin. Romans 1:3-4 NLT The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David's family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

F7 Some see no difference between holiness and righteousness.

G1 Holiness is a state of character. Righteousness is what we are.

G2 Holiness is a condition of our inner self, and righteousness is what we are doing.

G3 Holiness is a separation from sin and separation to what is not sin. Righteousness is a conformity to God’s standard.

G4 Holiness is being fully and completely without sin. Righteousness is being cleansed from sin by the holy blood of the Lord Jesus. No human is holy or righteous apart from God’s work in us.

G5 God is holy as well as righteous.

G6 Some verses

H1 Deuteronomy 32:4 CSB The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.

H2 Psalm 145:17 CSB The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all his acts.

H3 Habakkuk 1:12-13 CSB Are you not from eternity, LORD my God? My Holy One, you will not die. LORD, you appointed them to execute judgment; my Rock, you destined them to punish us.  Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do you tolerate those who are treacherous? Why are you silent while one who is wicked swallows up one who is more righteous than himself? 

H4 Exodus 19:9-12 CSB The LORD said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear when I speak with you and will always believe you." Moses reported the people's words to the LORD, and the LORD told Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. They must wash their clothes "and be prepared by the third day, for on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. "Put boundaries for the people all around the mountain and say: Be careful that you don't go up on the mountain or touch its base. Anyone who touches the mountain must be put to death.

G7 Comments from others

H1 Bridgeway Bible Dictionary:

To justify means to declare righteous. Justification is God’s act of declaring righteous those who put their faith in Christ and his saving work. God does not make believers righteous in the sense of improving them to a standard of behaviour that satisfies him, but rather he declares them righteous. Christ has met God’s righteous demands by paying sin’s penalty on behalf of sinners. God can therefore declare repentant sinners righteous, yet himself remain righteous in doing so (Romans 1:16-17; Romans 3:21-26; Romans 4:1-3; Romans 5:1-2; Galatians 2:15-16; Galatians 3:21-22; Philippians 3:9)

H2  1901 Jewish Encyclopedia:

Unapproachableness the state of separation from, and elevation above, things common, profane, or sensual, first in a physical and external, and later in a spiritual, sense moral purity and perfection incapable of sin and wrong.

E17 Slow to Anger

F1 He does get angry, and it is for a reason. Mark 3:5 NIV He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.

G1 God is slow to anger. Exodus 34:6 CSB The LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed: The LORD—the LORD is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth,

G2 Nahum 1:3 CSB The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will never leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath his feet.

F2 We should be also.

G1 Proverbs 15:18 CSB A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but one slow to anger calms strife.

G2 James 1:19 CSB My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

F3 A few of the things that make God angry.

G1 Disbelief: Mark 6:6 NKJV And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

G2 Disobedience: Proverbs 15:9 NIV The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

G3 6 more things: Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

E18 Truth

F1 The words

G1 The Hebrew word is אֱמוּנָה ʼĕmûwnâh. It means fidelity, steadfastness, truth. It would have the idea of what is spoken is steadfast, that is, reliable and loyal.

H1 Positive: Psalm 33:4 NIV For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. [Ed. the bold is our Hebrew word]

H2 Positive: Psalms 31:5 GW Into your hands I entrust my spirit. You have rescued me, O LORD, God of truth.

H2 Negative: Jeremiah 7:28 NIV Therefore say to them, 'This is the nation that has not obeyed the LORD its God or responded to correction. Truth has perished; it has vanished from their lips.

G2 The Greek word is ἀλήθεια alḗtheia. It means truth as in reality.

H1 Acts 10:34 NIV Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism

H2 Luke 4:25 NRSV But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land.

F2 What God (Yahweh) does, thinks, and says is steadfast, reliable, and reality. He cannot lie. A standard is needed. That standard is reality.

F3 Keeps promises (this also reflects God’s omnipotence)

F4 The ISBE article on truth states:

(1) Truth is presented in Scripture as a chief element in the nature of God (Psalm 31:5; Isaiah 65:16). (2) But this quality is never given as an abstract teaching, but only as qualifying God in His relations and activities. So it is a guaranty of constancy (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 100:5; Psalm 146:6; James 1:17); especially a ground of confidence in His promises (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 91:4; Psalm 146:6); of right dealing with men without reference to any explicit pledges (Psalm 85:11; Psalm 89:14); a basis of security in the correctness of His teachings (Nehemiah 9:13; Psalm 119:142; Isaiah 25:1); of assurance within His covenant relations (Psalm 89:5; Isaiah 55:3). (3) God's truth is especially noteworthy as a guaranty of merciful consideration of men. This is an important element in theology of the Old Testament, as it is a point guarded also in the New Testament (Psalm 25:10; Psalm 31:5; Psalm 61:7; Psalm 85:10; Psalm 98:3; John 3:16; Rom 3:23-26). (4) Equally is the truth of God an assurance to men of righteous judgment in condemnation of sin and sinners (1Samuel 15:29; Psalm 96:13; Romans 2:2, Romans 2:8). In general the truth of God stands for the consistency of His nature and guarantees His full response in all the relations of a universe of which He is the Maker, Preserver, and End.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part E

E14 Mercy (opposite of cruelty and pitilessness)

F1 Mercy is a compassion. Mercy was not to judge, not to punish, not to harm. God doesn’t want anyone to die and go to hell, so he seeks the lost, opens their minds and eyes to the truth of each person’s sin, and offers salvation after freeing their will.

F2 Mercy comes with conditions. God goes not just ignore rebellion and lawbreaking. He is just and will judge. If found guilty, He will sentence to punishment. Nevertheless, He wishes to show mercy. His conditions are to confess sin (agreeing with God’s exposure of sin), believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and trust in Jesus, the Son of God,

F3 Mercy doesn’t mean to tolerate anything, no discipline, no rebuke, or to accept whatever a person does is to be tolerated and not judged.

F4 Mercy over judgment

G1 Sometimes God shows no mercy: Psalms 59:5 GNB Rise, LORD God Almighty, and come to my aid; see for yourself, God of Israel! Wake up and punish the heathen; show no mercy to evil traitors! 

G2 God gives mercy when the conditions are met: Ezekiel 3:19 NLT If you warn them and they refuse to repent and keep on sinning, they will die in their sins. But you will have saved yourself because you obeyed me.

G3 An Example of those who met God’s conditions and received mercy and those who refuse to repent: Matthew 12:41 NLT The people of Nineveh will stand up against this generation on judgment day and condemn it, for they repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah. Now someone greater than Jonah is here—but you refuse to repent.

F5 One of the Hebrew words for mercy is חֶסֶד cheçed. It means to have goodness towards another and kindness in many senses.

G1 Psalm 145:8 MEV The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger, and great in mercy.

G2 2 Chronicles 6:14 MKJV And he said, O Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like You in Heaven or in earth. You keep Your covenant and show mercy to Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.

F6 The Greek word for mercy is ἔλεος éleos. It means mercy, kindness, and compassion.

G1 Titus 3:5 NLT He saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

G2 Hebrews 4:14-16 CSB Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens—​Jesus the Son of God—​let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way as we are, yet without sin. Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.

E15 Order (opposite of disorder)

F1 1 Corinthians 14:40 BSB But everything must be done in a proper and orderly manner.

F2 The Greek word for order/orderly is τάξις táxis. It means to place in an orderly, systematic manner.

F3 ISBE states, The fundamental idea suggested by the Hebrew, Greek and English words is that of arrangement in rows.

F4 Some things God has done orderly

G1 Creation in 6 days in Genesis 1-2

G2 Ten commandments in Exodus 20 & Deuteronomy 5

G3 The church in 1 Corinthians 14:33

G4 The Resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15:23

G5 A record of a journey in Acts 18:23

G6 There is order in God’s court

H1 Psalm 82:1 NLT A psalm of Asaph. God presides over heaven's court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:

H2 Revelation 20:12, 15 NET And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne. Then books were opened, and another book was opened - the book of life. So the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to their deeds. ... If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, that person was thrown into the lake of fire.

F5 The opposite is chaos

G1 False teachers: Jude 1:12-13 LEB These are the ones feasting together without reverence, hidden reefs at your love feasts, caring for themselves, waterless clouds carried away by winds, late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, uprooted, 13 wild waves of the sea foaming up their own shameful deeds, wandering stars, for whom the deep gloom of darkness has been reserved for eternity.

G2 The natural state of humanity: Isaiah 57:20-21 LEB But the wicked are like the churning sea, that is not able to keep quiet, and its waters toss up mire and mud. 21 There is no peace," says my God, "for the wicked.

G3 Doubters: James 1:6-8 CSB But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

Thoughts on Discipling Part 3 Doctrine Part D

E10 Kind

F1 Definition

G1 The Hebrew word is חֶסֶד cheçed. It means goodness, kindness, faithfulness. This is the way He is. He does not deviate from it. All God’s doings and decisions are based on love and wisdom.

G2 The Greek word is χρηστότης chrēstótēs. It means moral goodness and kindness.

F2 Bible verse

G1 Nehemiah 9:17 NASB They refused to listen, And did not remember Your wondrous deeds which You had performed among them; So they became stubborn and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But You are a God of forgiveness, Gracious and compassionate, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness; And You did not forsake them.

G2 Romans 2:4 CSB Or do you despise the riches of his kindness, restraint, and patience, not recognizing that God's kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? 

G3 Compare: Ephesians 4:31-32 CSB Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.

G4 God is even kind to His enemies with hopes that they will repent. Judgment will still happen to them, if they do not repent: Luke 6:35 CSB But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High. For he is gracious to the ungrateful and evil.

F3 Example

G1 From the Expositor’s Bible on Psalm 130:3-4: The word rendered “forgiveness” is a late form, being found only in two other late passages (Nehemiah 9:17; Daniel 9:9). It literally means cutting off, and so suggests the merciful surgery by which the cancerous tumour is taken out of the soul. (Forgiveness is an act of kindness).

G2 Genesis 24:27 NIV saying, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master [Abraham—editor]. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."

E11 Knowledge (things in common with humanity) See below on omniscience.

F1 The ability to know

F2 The ability to remember

E12 Longsuffering

F1 Definition

G1 English having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people. (Source)

G2 A Hebrew word is אָרֵךְ ʼârêk. It means long as long-feathered, so in application, it has the idea of longsuffering, slow (to anger), patience, etc.

H1 Nehemiah 9:17 CSB They refused to listen and did not remember your wonders you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love, and you did not abandon them. [Emphasis is mine].

H2 When applied to God, this verse becomes awesome. When applied to humans, it is a great blessing. Proverbs 16:32 NRSV One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city. [Emphasis is mine].

H3 One of God’s purposes for being longsuffering and slow to anger, is for people to repent and put their trust in God. Jonah 4:2 NIV He prayed to the LORD, "Isn't this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

G3 The Greek word is μακροθυμέω makrothyméō. It means long similarly to the Hebrew word.

H1 An example: Matthew 18:25-26 NIV Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt. "At this the servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.'

H2 An important component of love: 1 Corinthians 13:4 WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty,

H3 God’s longsuffering is why He waits and keeps wooing those who have not trusted in His son Jesus: 2 Peter 3:9 CSB The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance.

F2 God’s longsuffering is evidently relating to His love.

E13 Love (from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a) Love is a choice, not necessarily an emotion. The passages in 1 Corinthians are the actions of love. This is the love God has. What about the love we have?

F1 Love is very patient

F2 Kind

F3 Not envious

F4 Doesn’t brag about itself

F5 Is not haughty

F6 Doesn’t behave improperly

F7 Is not self-seeking

F8 Isn’t easily aggravated

F9 Doesn’t keep a list of wrongs

F10 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice

F11 Rejoices in the truth

F12 Bears all things

F13 Believes all things

F14 Hopes all things

F15 Calmly endures all things

F16 Love never ends

Prayer lists and spontaneous prayer

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

I’m just going to mention two things about prayer—a prayer list and spontaneous prayer.

Prayer list

B1 A written or memorized list of people and issues prayed for every day.

B2 We need to be faithful.

B3 Our motivation is not a reward from God but is because of our love for others. We pray for our fellow believers because we love them; thus, we continue in prayer. Sometimes we don’t even feel like praying, but we pray because we love our brothers and sisters.

B4 Remember that others believers have prayed for us sometimes for years. We can mention them to God for years too, if need be.

Spontaneous prayer

B1 This is when someone comes to mind, we can pray for them. We don’t need to even know, for God knows. If John comes to mind, we can pray, “Dear Father please be with and help John now.”

B2 Our motive for this is we are our brother’s keeper and our love for our brothers and sisters.