LenosOn

20 February 2020

A Few Thoughts About Believers Sinning After Death

The verse in question: Revelation 6:9-11 NKJV When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.

Seeking vengeance is for God to do, not people. When people seek, want, and do vengeance, then sin.

B1 Hebrews 10:30 NRSV For we know the one who said, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people.

B2 Romans 12:19 NLT Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD.

Thus some say the believes in Revelation 6 are sinning.

They are seeking justice, not necessarily revenge.

Revenge

B1 The action of hurting or harming someone in return for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands. (Source)

B2 ISBE: The same Hebrew and Greek words are used to express the idea of “to avenge” and “to revenge” (נקם, nāḳam, or derivative; ἐκδικέω, ekdikéō, or derivative). In English these words are synonymous in that they are both used to express the infliction of punishment upon the wrongdoer, but “to take revenge” may also imply a spiteful, wrong or malignant spirit. In the latter case, the Revised Version (British and American) preserves “revenge” (compare Jer 20:10; Eze 25:15; Eze 25:17 is an anthropomorphism), but, wherever it is synonymous with “avenge,” this word is used (compare Num 31:2, Num 31:3; Psa 79:10; Nah 1:2; Judith 13:20; Rom 13:4; 2Co 7:11; 2Co 10:6 the Revised Version (British and American); the King James Version has “revenge” in all these cases).

B3 Bridgeway Bible Dictionary: Whether in Old or New Testaments, the Bible teaches that people are not to take personal revenge for what they consider to be wrong done to them. They should forgive the offender and allow God to deal with the person as he sees fit (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:19; Revelation 5:9-11; see WRATH)...Although individuals have no God-given right to pay back wrongdoers, civil governments have. They are to execute judgments fairly, and not give a light punishment for a serious offence or a heavy punishment for a minor offence. The punishment must be in proportion to the crime – ‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a bruise for a bruise, a scratch for a scratch’ (Exodus 21:22-24; Romans 13:4;

Bible verses showing the principle

B1 Not for people to seek their own revenge:

C1 Leviticus 19:18 NIV Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

C2 Romans 12:19 NIV Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

B2 God has ordained the government to do so. Most do not obey God’s rules regarding vengeance. Romans 13:1-4 NIV Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

B3 God will do correct vengeance whenever He wishes:

C1 Hebrews 10:30 ESV For we know him who said, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay." And again, "The Lord will judge his people."

C2 2 Thessalonians 1:8 ESV in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

Seeking justice against those who have broken God’s laws against us is not wrong. God has ordained law enforcement for this work. We must report it to them to stop the evil person from hurting others.

B1 Isaiah 1:17 NKJV Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.

B2 Leviticus 19:15 LEB You shall not do injustice in judgment; you shall not show partiality to the powerless; you shall not give preference to the powerful; you shall judge your fellow citizen with justice.

The Tribulation believers who have been killed are asking God to punish murders, which He will do at the correct time. They are not sinning. It is no more than reporting a crime to law enforcement.

Psalm 101:1 NLT A psalm of David. I will sing of your love and justice, LORD. I will praise you with songs.

Isaiah 61:11 NLT The Sovereign LORD will show his justice to the nations of the world. Everyone will praise him! His righteousness will be like a garden in early spring, with plants springing up everywhere.

18 February 2020

A Few Thoughts About Why People Do Not Believe the Gospel

Some believe that if Christians answered every question, met every need, bring justice to the world, have a comfortable setting with great music, then people will believe.

B1 Most questions are already answered, but they will not accept that answer. People think their answer is better. Sometimes they have a favorite answer already, or they don’t like or agree with the answer given.

B2 The world is unjust and evil. Many times what is a need is really only a desire. The real needs of shelter, food, safety might be already met, but they have a need of more money, or better food than they have, or ______.

B3 People define justice differently. Today many (maybe most) define justice as the “equals.” Everything must be provided for free as health care, nutrition, safety, education, etc. But different solutions are offered. Some want the socialist answer of central planning. Some want the libertarian solution of minimal government. The standard is not fixed and agreed upon.

B4 The Lord Jesus provided for all these in His ministry of earth, yet very few believed.

Others find the reason for rejection resulting from their particular bias, that is, their idea of God, their idea of punishment, their idea of Christianity, their idea in worldview and lifestyle, etc.

Some find the reason for rejection is that God only choose a small number to understand, be regenerated, then given faith to be born again. I say this sarcastically. It is the idea of selective predestination and regeneration preceding faith.

Personally, I find the Scriptures to show that it is pride and love of sinful pleasures.

B1 Pride:

C1 “I’m a good person.”

D1 Luke 18:10-12 NKJV Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'

D2 Romans 10:21 WEL But to Israel he says, “All day long I have stretched out my hands to a people who refuse to believe and defiant people.”

C2 Resist (because of pride)

D1 John 3:36 WEL “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.”

D2 Hebrews 3:18 WEL Or to whom was it that he swore that they wouldn’t enter into his rest? Wasn’t it with those who refused to believe?

C3 Peer pressure (because of fear)

D1 John 9:22-23 NKJV His parents said these things because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had agreed already that if anyone confessed that He was Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. 23 Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him.

D2 Acts 5:12-13 NLT The apostles were performing many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers were meeting regularly at the Temple in the area known as Solomon's Colonnade. 13 But no one else dared to join them, even though all the people had high regard for them.

C4 A greater love for something (because of pride in something)

D1 John 12:42-43 WEL Nevertheless, even of the leaders many believed in him, but because of the Pharisees, they did not confess, lest they should be thrown out of the synagogue, 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

D2 2 Timothy 4:10 NRSV for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

B2 Love of sinful pleasures:

C1 John 3:19-21 NRSV And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.

C2 Revelation 9:20-21 NKJV But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

Some other verses that may apply see here.

We must not reject: Romans 1:18-22 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…

We must accept: Romans 10:9-13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

17 February 2020

A Few Thoughts About Why People Do Not Believe the Gospel

Some believe that if Christians answered every question, meet every need, bring justice to the world, then people will believe.

B1 Most questions are already answered, but people think their answer is better. Sometimes they have a favorite answer already, or they don’t like or agree with that answer.

B3 People define justice differently. Today many (maybe most) define justice as the “equals.” Everything must be provided as health care, nutrition, safety, education, etc. But different solutions are offered. Some want the socialist answer of central planning. Some want the libertarian solution of minimal government. The standard is not fixed and agreed upon.

B4 The Lord Jesus did all this in His ministry of earth, yet very few believed.

Personally, I find the Scriptures to show that it is pride and love of sinful pleasures.

B1 Pride:

C1 “I’m a good person.”

D2 Romans 10:21 WEL But to Israel he says, “All day long I have stretched out my hands to a people who refuse to believe and defiant people.”

C2 Resist (because of pride)

D1 John 3:36 WEL “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life, but he who refuses to believe the Son will not see life, on the contrary the fierce anger of God remains on him.”

D2 Hebrews 3:18 WEL Or to whom was it that he swore that they wouldn’t enter into his rest? Wasn’t it with those who refused to believe?

C3 Peer pressure (because of pride and fear)

C4 A greater love for something (because of pride in something)

D2 2 Timothy 4:10 NRSV for Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

B2 Love of sinful pleasures:

Some other verses that may apply see here.

We must not: Romans 1:18-22 NIV The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools…

We must: Romans 10:9-13 NIV If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

15 February 2020

1 Year Bible—Hebrews

The Superiority of Jesus

Jesus Is God Chapter 1:1-4

Superior To Angels Chapter 1:5-14

Jesus Provides the Only Salvation Chapter 2:1-4

Jesus Is Fully Human and His Purpose Chapter 2:5-18

Jesus Is Superior to Moses Chapter 3:1-6

Jesus Warning About Unbelief Chapter 3:7-19

God’s Promised Rest Is Coming Chapter 4:1-13

Jesus Is The High Priest Chapter 4:14-Chapter 5:10

Warning To Not Fall From the Faith Chapter 5:11-14

Encouragement to Grow Doctrine Chapter 6:1-12

God’s Promise Is Sure Chapter 6:13-20

The Great Priest Melchizedek Chapter 7:1-10

Jesus Is Greater Than Aaronic Priesthood Chapter 7:11-28

The Priestly Work of Jesus Chapter 8:1-6

Jesus Is the Priest of The New Covenant Chapter 8:7-13

The Earthly Tabernacle Chapter 9:1-10

Jesus Is Priest of Heavenly Tabernacle Chapter 9:11-28

Earthly Sacrifices Do Not Cleanse Sin Chapter 10:1-4

Messiah’s Sacrifice Cleanses From Sin Chapter 10:5-18

Messiah’s Blood Was the Acceptable Sacrifice Chapter 10:19-25

Our Faith Must Continue Chapter 10:26-39

Faith Defined and Examples Chapter 11

Let Us Persevere To The End Chapter 12:1-3

God’s Discipline Chapter 12:4-13

Warning To Not Falter Chapter 12:14-17

We Do Not Come To The Mountain of Fear Chapter 12:18-21

We Come To The Mountain of Joy Chapter 12:22-24

Do Not Reject God’s Warning Chapter 12:25-29

Various Rules and Requests Chapter 13:1-19

Blessing and Prayer Chapter 13:20-25

Notes

The Superiority of Jesus

In everything, in every way, over every person, every angel, every creature. Superior in essence, life, wisdom, love, holiness, work, etc.

Jesus Is God Chapter 1:1-4

B1 The Son of God is heir of everything, everything.

B2 The Son of God is creator of everything. He did not create Himself.

B3 The Son of God is the exact substance (essence) of the Father and the Spirit. Essence is the stuff that God is. God is spirit.

B4 Those who saw Jesus in the flesh, saw God in the flesh.

B5 The creeds state: Jesus is one person with two natures. He is God as God is, and He is man as man is. See the Chalcedonian Creed. A shortened history with a few comments is here. You are encouraged to read the Athanasian Creed, too.

Superior To Angels Chapter 1:5-14

Jesus Provides the Only Salvation Chapter 2:1-4

B1 Since He is so great, the salvation that He has given us must not be disregarded.

B2 Dangers of disregarding it are all the punishments and effects of sin.

Jesus Is Fully Human and His Purpose Chapter 2:5-18

B1 Jesus

C1 Is one person, not two.

C2 Is one person, not some type of hybrid.

C3 Is a divine nature and is a human nature.

C4 Is a permanent state. As Schaff writes (Source): The union of the divine and human nature in Christ is a permanent state resulting from the incarnation, and is a real, supernatural, personal, and inseparable union—in distinction from an essential absorption or confusion, or from a mere moral union; or from a mystical union such as holds between the believer and Christ. The two natures constitute but one personal life, and yet remain distinct.

C5 Is one self-consciousness: As Schaff again writes: The self-consciousness of Christ is never divided; his person consists in such a union of the human and the divine natures, that the divine nature is the seat of self-consciousness, and pervades and animates the human.

C6 Is doing one ministry. This ministry is not just the God nature or the human nature. It is one ministry (caring, attending, serving). It was His purpose. He was successful. He rose from the dead and ascended into heaven.

C6 Jesus’s human did not exist until the incarnation. His human nature is not an independent nature.

C7 Divine nature is His personality (character traits).

C8 Before incarnation was in the form (what we would see) of God, who in the incarnation took the form of a human man.

Jesus Is Superior to Moses Chapter 3:1-6

Jesus Warning About Unbelief Chapter 3:7-19

B1 First principle taught: Do not harden our hearts by unbelief: Hebrews 3:7-8 NRSV Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, "Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, as on the day of testing in the wilderness,

B2 Second principle taught: We are to encourage our brothers and sisters in the Christian life: Hebrews 3:13 NRSV But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

B3 Third principle taught: There is a relationship between obeying God and belief, and there is a relationship between disobeying God and unbelief. We cannot claim to be a believer and disobey His rules: Hebrews 3:18-19 NRSV And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, if not to those who were disobedient? 19 So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.

God’s Promised Rest Is Coming Chapter 4:1-13

Jesus Is The High Priest Chapter 4:14-Chapter 5:10

Warning To Not Fall From the Faith Chapter 5:11-14

Encouragement to Grow in Doctrine Chapter 6:1-12

B1 Do not deny Christ and abandon the faith (lose salvation): Hebrews 6:4-6 GNB For how can those who abandon their faith be brought back to repent again? They were once in God's light; they tasted heaven's gift and received their share of the Holy Spirit; 5 they knew from experience that God's word is good, and they had felt the powers of the coming age. 6 And then they abandoned their faith! It is impossible to bring them back to repent again, because they are again crucifying the Son of God and exposing him to public shame.

B2 Not all accept this interpretation.

B3 I have assurance, yet still believe it is possible, though incredibly rare, to deny faith. Think of Charles Templeton, Dan Barker, and Bart Ehrman.

B4 They had faith, enlightenment, heaven’s gift, partakers of the Holy Spirit, God’s goodness, and God’s power and blessing.

B5 They left the love of God to follow the love of the world: 2 Timothy 4:10 CSB because Demas has deserted me, since he loved this present world, and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. [Emphasis is added]

B6 Mediator of the New Covenant: Hebrews 9:15 NRSV For this reason he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, because a death has occurred that redeems them from the transgressions under the first covenant.

C1 The word loved is agape (ἀγαπάω agapáō).

C2 The word world is age (αἰών, aion)

God’s Promise Is Sure Chapter 6:13-20

The Great Priest Melchizedek Chapter 7:1-10

Jesus Is Greater Than Aaronic Priesthood Chapter 7:11-28

Chapter 8-9

B1 The Priestly Work of Jesus Chapter 8:1-6

B2 Jesus Is the Priest of The New Covenant Chapter 8:7-13

B3 The Earthly Tabernacle Chapter 9:1-10

B4 Jesus Is Priest of Heavenly Tabernacle Chapter 9:11-28

B5 As High Priest, He

C1 Sits at the right hand of the Father

C2 Ministers in the heavenly Temple in the Holy of Holies

C3 Is a priest because of a better covenant than the Mosaic Covenant.

C4 Offered His own blood, because the blood of animals is not sufficient: Hebrews 9:11-12 NRSV But when Christ came as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), 12 he entered once for all into the Holy Place, not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.

C5 Purifies our conscious: Hebrews 9:14 NRSV how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to worship the living God!

B6 As humans we need to know

C1 All must die, then the judgment: Hebrews 9:27 GNB Everyone must die once, and after that be judged by God.

C2 Jesus died only once for sins. There is only one sacrifice. It is finished. And, He will return to deliver us from this world: Hebrews 9:28 GNB In the same manner Christ also was offered in sacrifice once to take away the sins of many. He will appear a second time, not to deal with sin, but to save those who are waiting for him.

Earthly Sacrifices Do Not Cleanse Sin Chapter 10:1-4

Messiah’s Sacrifice Cleanses From Sin Chapter 10:5-18

Messiah’s Blood Was the Acceptable Sacrifice Chapter 10:19-25

Our Faith Must Continue Chapter 10:26-39

Faith Defined and Examples Chapter 11

B1 Faith is believing God. This is seen by obedience as explained above.

B2 We have examples to encourage us.

Let Us Persevere To The End Chapter 12:1-3

God’s Discipline Chapter 12:4-13

Warning To Not Falter Chapter 12:14-17

We Do Not Come To The Mountain of Fear Chapter 12:18-21

We Come To The Mountain of Joy Chapter 12:22-24

Do Not Reject God’s Warning Chapter 12:25-29

Various Rules and Requests Chapter 13:1-19

Blessing and Prayer Chapter 13:20-25

Isaiah 25:9 WEB It shall be said in that day, “Behold, this is our God! We have waited for him, and he will save us! This is Yahweh! We have waited for him. We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation!”

Isaiah 61:10 WEB I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh! My soul will be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

14 February 2020

A Few Thoughts About Love on Valentine’s Day

Love is a choice

B1 1 John 4:10-11 NRSV In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11 Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.

B2 Deuteronomy 30:19-20 GNB I am now giving you the choice between life and death, between God's blessing and God's curse, and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. 20 Love the LORD your God, obey him and be faithful to him, and then you and your descendants will live long in the land that he promised to give your ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."

B3 Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Vine - Love

Verb, agapao, G25

and the corresponding noun agape (B, No. 1 below) present "the characteristic word of Christianity, and since the Spirit of revelation has used it to express ideas previously unknown, inquiry into its use, whether in Greek literature or in the Septuagint, throws but little light upon its distinctive meaning in the NT. Cp., however, Lev 19:18; Deut 6:5.

"Agape and agapao are used in the NT (a) to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, John 17:26; the human race, generally, 3:16; Rom 5:8; and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly, John 14:21; (b) to convey His will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another, 13:34, and toward all men, 1Th 3:12; 1Co 16:14; 2Pe 1:7; (c) to express the essential nature of God, 1Jo 4:8.

"Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son, 1Jo 4:9-10. But obviously this is not the love of complacency, or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects, Rom 5:8. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself, Cp. Deut 7:7-8.

"Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus Christ, 2Co 5:14; Eph 2:4; 3:19; 5:2; Christian love is the fruit of His Spirit in the Christian, Gal 5:22.

"Christian love has God for its primary object, and expresses itself first of all in implicit obedience to His commandments, John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; 1Jo 2:5; 5:3; 2Jo 1:6. Self-will, that is, self-pleasing, is the negation of love to God.

"Christian love, whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward men generally, is not an impulse from the feelings, it does not always run with the natural inclinations, nor does it spend itself only upon those for whom some affinity is discovered. Love seeks the welfare of all, Rom 15:2, and works no ill to any, 13:8-10; love seeks opportunity to do good to 'all men, and especially toward them that are of the household of the faith,' Gal 6:10. see further1 Cor. 13 and Col 3:12-14." * [* From Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, p. 105.]

In respect of agapao as used of God, it expresses the deep and constant "love" and interest of a perfect Being towards entirely unworthy objects, producing and fostering a reverential "love" in them towards the Giver, and a practical "love" towards those who are partakers of the same, and a desire to help others to seek the Giver.

Love is an action

B1 If we love, there are attitudes and actions that will reveal itself.

B2 These attitudes and actions are in private, as well as, in public.

B3 Love is according to God’s standard, not any other standard.

B4 Love listens without interruption.

B5 Love gives time.

B6 Love can be in a warning.

B7 Love is NOT controlling, micro-managing, etc.

B8 Love has these characteristics:

C1 Very patient

C2 Kind

C3 Not envious

C4 Doesn’t brag about itself

C5 Is not haughty

C6 Doesn’t behave improperly

C7 Is not self-seeking

C8 Is not easily aggravated

C9 Doesn’t keep a list of wrongs

C10 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice

C11 Rejoices in truth

C12 Bears all things

C13 Believes all things

C14 Hopes all things

C15 Calmly endures all things

C16 Never ends

C17 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn’t brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn’t behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn’t rejoice in injustice, but rejoices in the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, calmly endures all things. 8 Love never ends

C18 Abusers claim they do this, but the abused knows differently.

C19 Abusers demand this of the ones they abuse, but they will not do so themselves. They choose their own standard instead of God’s standard.

C20 Abusers go to hell. (Note, I did not place a comma after the word abusers. Cheers).

C21 Real love by God’s standard is like this: Psalm 31:7 NIV I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. (Note, God notices the troubles and comforts. The abuser is just the opposite).

Love is selective

B1 The highest priority of love is the love for God.

B2 Next, priority is our spouse, then family, then believers, then nonbelievers.

Love is not just mental, but physical, emotional, and spiritual.

B1 See my thoughts here.

B2 Mark 12:32-33 NRSV Then the scribe said to him, "You are right, Teacher; you have truly said that 'he is one, and besides him there is no other'; 33 and 'to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the strength,' and 'to love one's neighbor as oneself,'—this is much more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices."

Love must be genuine: Romans 12:9-10 ESV Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

B1 A spouse who abuses verbal, sexually, emotionally, physically, spiritually, etc. does not love. Any abuse is not love. Abuse is genuine hate.

B2 A spiritual leader or teacher who abuses, micro-manages, or controls does not have love.

Love words in the Bible. Just a few are given.

B1 Bible Words

C1 Hebrew

D1 One Hebrew word for love is חָשַׁק châshaq. It means to be attached, to join together, long for, etc. It is a choice.

E1 Genesis 34:8 ESV But Hamor spoke with them, saying, “The soul of my son Shechem longs for your daughter. Please give her to him to be his wife.

E2 Deuteronomy 7:7 ESV It was not because you were more in number than any other people that the LORD set his love on you and chose you, for you were the fewest of all peoples.

E3 Psalms 91:14 NRSV Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name.

D2 Another word is אָהַב ʼâhab. It means to have affection for, like, sexual love, etc.

E1 Genesis 24:67 NRSV Then Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent. He took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her. So Isaac was comforted after his mother's death.

E2 Genesis 27:14 NRSV So he went and got them and brought them to his mother; and his mother prepared savory food, such as his father loved.

E3 Jeremiah 5:31 NRSV the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule as the prophets direct; my people love to have it so, but what will you do when the end comes?

C2 Greek. The main word is ἀγαπάω agapáō. It means the deepest love of commitment, a love of choice, instead of just emotion. John 3:16 KJV For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

A few other verses about love:

B1 Psalm 11:5 NIV The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

B2 Psalm 23:6 NIV Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

B3 Psalm 36:7 NIV How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

B4 John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that anyone believing in him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

Questions

B1 How do I measure according to God’s standard?

B2 Have I showed loved today?

B3 Why is love to important?

B4 Why do we need to love and need love?

13 February 2020

My Devotions on 13 Feb 20

Mark 4
What does this mean?
Why parables instead of just telling it plain and simple? Because the people who listened, in general, wanted the show, the healing, and the food. They did not want to believe that Jesus was THE Messiah. People reject Jesus as their Messiah because of pride ("I'm a good person.") and they love sinful pleasures and did not want to give them up.

Parables are a punishment to withdraw understanding. Those who wanted would have to come and ask Him to explain it. He tests those who ask by saying, “Don’t you see what this parable means? How will you understand any parable?” Why? Because He was testing their genuineness to want to learn. So, He explains.

The word is sown by people. God will bless the growth of the word, but the reception is different.

The parable of the Lamp is transparency. We are not to hide our faith (pretend we are not Christians), not to hide our sins (we are to confess and repent), and/or lie. Truth is important to God.

He also warns us about judging. We must use God's standards, not ours. Judgment, that is, testing is important; we are required to do so, but if I use the wrong standard, then I might be judged by that same standard, too. I will be found out to be a hypocrite. We must judge and test, because otherwise we will be deceived by trusting wrong people.

The more we listen to Christ's ways and teachings, the more we will learn. The more we apply and live, the more we will be able to live.

We don't understand spiritual growth. We plant; God increases. We tend; God blesses. We harvest; we are thankful and enjoy. It is the providence of God.

We are to do spiritual work as preaching, teaching, and living. God gives the increase and brings it to maturity.

God's kingdom continues to grow. This is a spiritual kingdom, not a human kingdom on earth. We are to mature in the faith and not stagnate.

Finally, the Lord Jesus wishes to go to the other side of the sea. While the men work to sail there, a violent wind storm arises, threatening the ship, for it is “full of water.” The men near to panic awake the Lord Jesus, who is sleeping. He arises, rebukes the wind and sea, that is, telling it to be calm and at peace. It complies, for Jesus is the creator. He then teaches the men, that they should have had faith. If Jesus was not worried and fearful, neither should we. Only God can give real, lasting peace. There is no peace to the wicked.