Christ's Commandments

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Thank you for this thread, lot of information.

I appreciate your saying so; and I'm really glad that somebody is getting
something out of it; though to be honest, I'm getting up in years and it's
getting to be a bit of a chore. I've been posting Christ's commandments
across the internet on various forums for something like six or seven years
just as a hobby. It was fun at first; but not any more so I think it's probably
getting time to hang up my guns.

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375) Titus 3:15 . . Greet them that love us in the faith.

Heretics are of course excluded from the group that Paul labeled "them that
love us in the faith". It would be a sin to require believers to say hello to
them for Paul; since his orders are to shun heretics. He didn't want to know
them anymore. They were not his favorite kinds of Christians.

You know what that says to me? It says to me that heretics are even less
acceptable than a stranger because Christ instructed his disciples to greet
strangers.

†. Matt 5:47 . . And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more
than others? Do not even the publicans do so?

So heresy is pretty serious.

376) Philemon

In the little communiqué to his friend Philemon, Paul went to bat for a
runaway slave named Onesimus. By all rights, Philemon could legally, under
Roman law, put Onesimus to death; but as Onesimus' fellow believer, and
his sibling around the table in God's home, Philemon was bound by a higher
sense of duty and association.

Onesimus ran away prior to his conversion to Christianity. Had he been a
Christian, he would have been mindful of Eph 6:5-8, Col 3:22-25, 1Tim 6:1-
2, and Titus 2:9-10a and not run away.

Now that Onesimus was a fellow believer, Philemon was obligated to comply
with Eph 6:9a, and Col 4:1.

You know, I keep using words like "obligated" but though that word is
appropriate, it shouldn't have to be emphasized because Christianity is
supposed to be a religion of devotion rather than obligation to duty.

†. Gal 5:13 . . By love serve one another.

Israel's covenanted law requires people to love others as themselves; but
Jesus commands believers to love their fellow believers with the same
degree of love with which he himself loves them.

†. John 15:12 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

That being the case, it must have been very easy for Philemon to let
bygones be bygones and welcome Onesimus back into his home.

When Onesimus became Philemon's fellow believer, the nature of their
association took on a whole other dimension; viz: every one of the
commands that I've posted up till now, in regards to believers associating
with one another, came into play at the moment of Onesimus' conversion.

He and Philemon would never again relate to one another the same as
before Onesimus' conversion. Where once Onesimus and Philemon were
merely fellow men; in Christ they became siblings, and both will one day sit
side by side, shoulder to shoulder as equals around the table in God's home.

†. Phlm 1:15-16 . . For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that
thou shouldest receive him for ever; not now as a slave, but above a slave,
a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in
the flesh, and in the Lord?

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377) Heb 13:1-2 . . Let brotherly love continue.

Brotherly love is way different than neighborly love. Brothers are kin, while
neighbors are outsiders; ergo: one's kin in Christ should always have the
priority when forced to make a choice between a brother and a neighbor.
The directives are different too. Christians love their neighbors as they love
themselves (Matt 19:19) while loving their brothers as Christ loves them
(John 13:34).

378) Heb 13:2 . . Do not neglect to be hospitable with strangers; for by this
some have entertained angels without knowing it.

The Greek word for angels doesn't necessarily indicate a celestial being. It
just means a messenger; especially one that truly represents God. Hopefully
the pastors and Sunday school teachers in your church are people like that.

In the modern world, it's risky to be too friendly with strangers; especially in
the USA. Letting strangers into one's home could easily result in the murder
of your entire family, along with the theft of your belongings. So use a little
sanctified common sense in applying Heb 13:2.

†. Matt 10:16 . . Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

379) Heb 13:2-4 . . Remember prisoners, as though in prison with them;
and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

The prisoners mentioned are not just any jailbird in lock-up; but rather, it's
limited to those who are "in the body" viz: in Christ.

†. 1Cor 12:12-13 . . For as the body is one, and hath many members, and
all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is
Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body

So then, paying a visit to fellow believers behind bars is like visiting one's
family-- a heavenly family to whom believers owe far more loyalty than their
biological families.

†. Matt 10:37 . . He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy
of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

380) Heb 13:4 . . Let marriages be respected: and the bed kept unsoiled;
for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Some Christians don't know the meaning of "respect" when it comes to
marriage. It means to treat someone else's spouse as a sacred object. I've
seen for myself how some Christians think it's terrible to trespass on private
property and/or steal the silverware when they're invited over for dinner;
but at the same time get just a bit too chummy with their host's spouse.

There's a popular song going around with the words "you don't own me".
Well, if the "me" in that song is married then they very certainly are owned.

There is no Hebrew word for either husband or wife in the Old Testament.
No, the English words for husband and wife are derived from the presence of
gender-sensitive possessive pronouns; viz: her man and/or his woman.

†. Gen 2:24 . . Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

The Hebrew word for "wife" in that passage is 'ishshah (ish-shaw') which just
simply means a female; regardless of age. What makes the 'ishshah
somebody's wife is the possessive pronoun "his". Same goes for the men.

†. Gen 3:6 . . And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,
and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one
wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat.

The Hebrew word for "husband" in that verse is 'enowsh (en-oshe') which
just simply means a mortal; viz: a guy, a male; regardless of age. What
makes the 'enowsh somebody's husband is the possessive pronoun "her".

So the aspect of possession is a key element in marriage; and adulterers are
nothing in the world but thieves. In point of fact, in 2007, when a suburban
Chicago man, Arthur Friedman, found out his wife was cheating on him with
another man named German Blinov, he was heartbroken. But unlike many
other people, Friedman didn't "get over" it. Instead, he filed a lawsuit
against Mr. Blinov for stealing the love and affections of his wife. A Cook
County jury ordered Blinov to pay a total $4,802 to Mr. Friedman for stealing
his wife.

While the idea of suing your wife's or husband's lover for stealing their
affections might sound ridiculous, it is indeed quite legal to do so. Mr.
Friedman used a lesser-known state law to attack and sue his wife's lover.
The law is called the "alienation of affection" law. In fact, there are eight of
these types of laws across the United States. It allows violated spouses to
seek damages for the loss of love to a wife or husband's lover.

†. 1Cor 7:4 . . The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the
husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over
his own body, but the wife.

A Christian wedding vow then, could be said to be a transfer of ownership
just like signing over the pink slip to a car or the deed to real estate. So
then, always keep those possessive pronouns in mind when associating with
somebody else's spouse; and keep your pea-pickin' hands off the
merchandise!

NOTE: You know; it's sad when Christians have to be commanded to be
chaste. You'd think they would have enough honor to police themselves.

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381) Heb 10:24 . . And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds.

Man is a species of life that is quite naturally, and comfortably, inclined to
provoke and annoy each other and bring out the worst in their fellow men. It
is Christ's wishes that his own make an effort to do just the opposite; viz:
bring out the best in each other.

382) Heb 10:25 . . Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-- and all the more as you
see the Day approaching.

When my brother and I were growing up, we shared the same bedroom.
Well, one day our parents decided to separate us, so they moved my brother
to another room. When I asked them why; they said it was because we egg
each other on. (I guess it was okay for my parents to egg themselves on but
not okay for us.)

Anyway, point being, the old strategy of divide and conquer still works even
to this day. It's much easier to be strong in a group of supportive friends
and allies than it is all alone when the only resources available are your own.
It's still true that two heads are better than one; plus, in a group, the right
kind of peer pressure can work to everyone's advantage.

For example, there was a time in America when it was mocked as hippy-ish
to subsist on organic food. But lately, organic has become so popular that
nobody feels weird anymore when they shop for it. That's what I mean by
the right kind of peer pressure.

Anyway; when people are isolated, they're much easier to suppress, and
prevent from conspiring against a common foe; which is why unions are
called "organized" labor. One or two workers alone against the front office
are probably going to get themselves crushed but when the entire workforce
is united in a common cause, it's not so easy for corporate bulldozers to
abuse human rights.

NOTE: the Day the author spoke of is the day of the Lord, in which several
judgments are scheduled to take place. The one most pertinent to Christ's
people is their performance evaluation depicted at 1Cor 3:10-15, and the
one most pertinent to the world is the Tribulation depicted in the book of
Revelation, and the one most pertinent to the lost is their day in court
depicted at Rev 20:11-15; and the one most pertinent to Yhvh's people is
a sort of Ellis Island depicted at Ezk 20:33-44.

383) Heb 10:35 . . Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly
rewarded. For you have need of perseverance, so that when you have done
the will of God, you may receive what was promised.

There used to be a cartoon going around showing a man in a horse-drawn
wagon using a long stick to hold a carrot on a string out in front of the
horse. The idea was that as the horse attempted to reach the carrot, it
would inadvertently pull the wagon. The horse is never allowed to taste the
carrot during the journey, but at trail's end he's allowed so as not to
discourage him.

Well, that's not such a bad idea. I mean, if Christ's believing followers were
to be given at least a taste of what God has in store for them in the future,
they might be better motivated to live a life that fits their faith.

My now-deceased father-in-law was a senior vice president and general
counsel with Safeco Title. At one time in his career he drove an old worn out
Dodge Dart that burned oil like crazy, so crazy that he would arrive at work
with his expensive business suits smelling like petroleum vapors. One day,
one of his assistants couldn't take it anymore and said: Sir, a man in your
position really ought to be driving a better car.

Well; some of Christ's believing followers really ought to be living a better
life considering who they're associated with.

One of the things that "was promised" is a brand spanking new superhuman
body that's impervious to death and the aging process. I've never seen one
of those bodies for myself; I just have to trust that they exist and that I'm
slated to get one.

†. Rom 8:23-25 . .We ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit,
groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption
of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no
hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we
do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

The kind of hope spoken of in that passage isn't a cross-your-fingers kind of
hope and/or a hope-so kind of hope. The Greek word means to anticipate;
which Webster's defines as: to expect, to look forward to as certain, to
foresee and deal with in advance.

That kind of hope is very effective at motivating those who have it.

†. 1John 3:2-3 . . Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not
appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall
be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. And everyone who has
this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

The kind of perseverance spoken of in Heb 10:35 is from the Greek word
hupomone (hoop-om-on-ay') which is a cheerful kind of endurance rather
than a grin-and-bear it kind of endurance.

For example: I once heard the story of a ditch digger who was observed
singing a happy song as he went about his pick and shovel labors. A
passerby stopped and remarked that the man had nothing to be so happy
about. I mean, just look at him: he's a ditch digger, a common laborer;
what's to be cheerful about that?

Upon overhearing the passerby's remark; the ditch digger replied: I might
be a nobody now; but I'm a child of the King.

Now there was a man who really knew the meaning of hupomone.

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384) Heb 12:1 . .Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses all
around us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so
easily entangles us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before
us,

Whether it's meant that all the heroes of faith listed in the 11th chapter are
in some sort of celestial grandstand as an audience watching those of us
who are still alive, is uncertain. But if they are . . . . . .!

The Greek word for "encumbrance" means weight; which athletes competing
in track and field generally do their best to keep to a minimum, including the
shoes they wear; if any. "the sin" is actually only "sin" seeing as how the
modifier is an editorial insertion. For example, competitors typically avoid
things like alcohol, sex, over-eating, and staying up late before the games.
In other words: if one isn't careful, their lifestyle will hold them back from
following Christ loyally and consistently.

Believers aren't supposed to be Christ's followers for a short distance, as if
their life of faith is only a 50-yard dash. No, they're not in a dash, they're in
a marathon; so they have to hang in there if they expect to win an at-a-boy
at the finish line.

Olympic teams are typically staffed with a coach, which Christ is fully
qualified to do since he's a veteran of the games.

385) Heb 12:3-5 . . For consider him who has endured such hostility by
sinners against himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart. You
have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood in your striving against
sin

At a Padres baseball game I attended in San Diego back in the 1970's, the
First Baseman of the visiting team was a player named Pete Rose. For the
entire duration of the game, Pete was bombarded with insults and
denigrating remarks by rows of hecklers seated right along the first-base
line. The hecklers were relentless but Pete tuned them out and played that
game as if they were invisible. He was a real pro; however, Pete may have
reacted differently had they threatened him with bodily injury, confiscation
of his property, and/or death.

The Hebrews to whom the author wrote must have had it pretty good
because it was only a matter of time before Christians were targets for
arrows, swords, lances, pyres, and the teeth of beasts in the coliseum at
Rome. Even today, it is very dangerous to be a Christian some parts of the
world.

Saturday, August 03, 2009, a frenzied mob of 3,000 Muslims stormed the
tiny Pakistani Christian village of Gojra. Enflamed by (unconfirmed) charges
that a Christian had incinerated pages of the Koran, the mob burned down
fifty homes, cremated eight Christians alive, and wounded twenty others.
Thousands of Christians had to flee the area.

While Christ is saying turn the other cheek; Islam is busy slapping cheeks.
While Christ is saying follow peace with all men, Islam is going about
murdering people. Quite a contrast.

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386) Heb 12:5-6 . . My son, do not despise Yhvh's chastening, nor detest His
correction; for whom Yhvh loves He corrects, just as a father the son in
whom he delights. (Prov 3:11-12)

The Bible's God doesn’t relate to His family as pets; but as a father with
legally adopted children; viz: kinfolk. I suppose there are some rather
imbalanced sorts out there (e.g. Leona Helmsley) who treat their dogs as
kin; but the Father's sensibilities are on a bit higher plain than that.

What's your definition of a good kid? Well; I don't know about yours, but my
definition of a good kid is one that minds his parents. Does that make him a
pet? No, it makes him a pleasure to live with.

†. John 14:23-24 . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My
Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.
He who does not love me will not obey my 7teaching.

†. John 15:10 . . If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my
love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in His
love.

Abiding in His love is just the opposite of abiding in His wood shed; if you
know what I mean.

387) Heb 12:7-11 . . If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with
sons; for what son is there whom a father does not discipline? But if you are
without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are
illegitimate and not sons.

. . . Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we
paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the
Father of spirits and live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as
seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His
holiness.

. . . Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful;
nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to
those who have been trained by it.

Some of the Lord's children are so incorrigible that no amount of discipline
works on them.

"For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for
the slaughter" (Ps 44:22, Rom 8:36).

Well, all I can say is: don't push God to the point of shortening your life. It's
much better for all concerned that you reform, and live.

†. Rom 8:13 . . For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but
if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live

†. 2Tim 2:19-21 . . Let everyone who names the name of the Lord desist
from wickedness. Now in a great house there are not only gold and silver
vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor
and some to dishonor. Therefore, if a man cleanses himself, he will be a
vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good
work.

388) Heb 12:12-13 . .Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak, and
the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the
limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.

That almost sounds like physical therapy; which of course it is. When I had
one of my knees replaced, the therapist had to teach me how to walk all
over again-- how to walk properly because with the bad knee, I couldn't;
and that had gone on for more than a decade. And not only that, but the leg
with the bad knee had become feeble because I favored it and wasn't using
it properly. So a large percentage of my therapy involved getting that leg
strong again.

The Greek word for "straight" is orthos (or-thos') which doesn't necessarily
define the shortest distance between two points. It can also mean smooth
and level; in other words: free of tripping hazards; which someone
undergoing treatment for a joint problem (e.g. hips, knees, and ankles) has
to really watch out for. In other words: an orthos path is a therapeutic path
- in this case in respect of one's spiritual conditioning rather than their
physical conditioning.

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389) Heb 12:14a . . Pursue peace with all men,

The word for "peace" is eirene (i-ray'-nay) and means not only a lack of
strife, but also the presence of prosperity; which implies always seeking the
good of others rather than only your own.

People of peace are in an advantageous category.

†. Matt 5:9 . . Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God.

390) Heb 12:14b . . and pursue sanctification, without which no one will see
the Lord.

The Greek word for "sanctification" is hagiasmos (hag-ee-as-mos') which
means purity; which can be defined as not mixed or adulterated with any
other substance or material; for example:

†. 1Cor 5:6-7 . . Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole
lump of dough? Clean out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, just
as you are in fact unleavened.

" without which no one will see the Lord"

What is that saying? Does it mean if perchance one of Christ's believing
followers fails to achieve purity in this life, they will be lost when they pass
on? No; not according the Bible.

Christ's believing followers all have eternal life; which is a quality of life
that's immune to the wrath of God and impervious to the wages of sin.

†. John 5:24 . . I assure you: those who listen to my message, and believe
in God who sent me, have eternal life. They will never be condemned for
their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

†. Rom 6:23 . .The wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal
life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In view of the fact that everyone in heaven is pure; then it only stands to
reason that when Christ's believing followers pass on, that's when the
circumcision spoken of at Col 2:11 takes over and deceased born-again
Christians shed their impure human nature like a dead skin; which indeed it
is.

†. Rom 6:6 . . For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that
the body of sin might be done away with; that we should no longer be slaves
to sin

†. Col 3:3-4 . . For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in
glory.

So; Paul is saying: In view of the fact that purity will characterize your
lifestyle in the future, then what the hay; why not be pure now?

But not to worry. Should one of Christ's believing followers fail to become
pure here, it is the Lord's pleasure to make sure they are pure there.

†. Eph 5:25-27 . . Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he
might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he
might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or
any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

†. Heb 9:13-14 . . For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a
heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify for the cleansing of
the flesh, how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from
dead works to serve the living God?

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391) Heb 12:15a . . See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God

Grace comes out pretty early in the Bible.

†. Gen 6:8 . . Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

Noah found that grace because he was righteous.

†. Gen 7:1 . .The Lord said to Noah: Enter the ark, you and all your
household; for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.

Some Christians are so obsessed with the imputed righteousness that God
grants via faith as per Rom 3:20-26 that they neglect to cultivate their own.
Well; maybe they have no interest in their own personal righteousness; but
God is plenty interested. He wants to see it; in point of fact: Christians
lacking personal righteousness risk missing out on a father's love.

†. John 14:23 . . If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father
will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

They also risk an untimely death.

†. Rom 8:12-14 . .Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-- not to the flesh, to
live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

According to Gen 6:2-4 Noah wasn't the only one in his day to believe in
God. However, he was the only one to survive the Flood because the rest of
the believers weren't pure: in point of fact their marriages weren't pure
either; viz: they lived according to their natural compulsions and did not find
grace in God's eyes; but quite the contrary; they found weariness.

†. Gen 6:5-7 . . The Lord saw how great man's wickedness on the earth had
become, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil
all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth, and
his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said: I will wipe mankind, whom I
have created, from the face of the earth-- men and animals, and creatures
that move along the ground, and birds of the air --for I am grieved that I
have made them.

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392) Heb 12:15b . . that no root of a bitter plant, sprouting up, causes
trouble, and by it many be defiled;

It's interesting the author didn't say "seed" rather than root. The seeds of
noxious plants are prevalent: they're everywhere at all times; like cold
germs. Farmers, gardeners, and landscape maintenance personnel have to
stay alert for those that germinate; and hit them with a shot of herbicide to
keep them under control. Left unchecked, those noxious plants will dominate
the surface of the soil and muscle out the plants you want to keep.

One example of a "root of bitterness" is heresy; which is defined as a belief
or opinion that does not agree with the official dogma of a particular
religion; viz: an heretic is a dissident. They don't defect and go outside; no,
they remain inside and stir up discontent with the hierarchy and campaign
for reform. Those kinds of church members are invasive species that have to
be dealt with in a summary manner lest they succeed in destroying a
church's unity.

†. Titus 3:10-11 . . A man that is an heretic after the first and second
admonition reject; knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth,
being condemned of himself.

393) Heb 12:16-17 . . that there be no immoral or secular person like Esau,
who sold his own birthright for a single meal. For you know that even
afterwards, when he desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he
found no place for repentance, though he sought for it with tears.

At first glance it appears that verse is saying that Jacob's brother was
immoral, but actually two types of spiritual conditions are on display-- the
one is immoral and the other is secular.

Worldly church members aren't the noxious menaces that characterize
heretics; but one thing they are is dead weight. They're indifferent to
Christ's best interests and have little concern whether a church is operating
in a manner that honors his wishes. They'd just as soon forgo preaching and
Sunday school to organize a banquet where they can mingle, talk business
and politics, and meet interesting people.

You'll likely encounter very few secular types on-campus during a Saturday
morning church work day set aside for maintaining the grounds and applying
fresh paint to the buildings. I once attended a mega church in San Diego
with over 4,000 members on the books. Less than twenty of those members
ever showed up on work days. What does that tell you about the spiritual
condition of that church?

The problem with secular types is that they typically comprise the majority;
in other words: as a voting bloc, they carry a lot of weight and they
contribute most of the money towards a church's budget so its risky taking
them to task for their lack of appreciation for spiritual things. But too many
secular types can ruin a church's association with Christ in short order; for
example:

†. Rev 3:20-22 . . Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears
my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him,
and he with me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me
on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on His
throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what The Spirit says to the
churches.

The church to whom that letter was written was so indifferent to associating
with Christ that he was left standing outside the building banging on the
door trying to get somebody's attention to let him in. Not even its pastor
wanted Christ on board.

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394) Heb 13:1-2 . . Let brotherly love continue.

Brotherly love is way different than neighborly love. Brothers are kin, while
neighbors are outsiders; ergo: one's kin in Christ should always have the
priority when forced to make a choice between a brother and a neighbor.
The directives are different too. Christians love their neighbors as they love
themselves (Matt 19:19) while loving their brothers as Christ loves them
(John 13:34).

395) Heb 13:2 . . Do not neglect to be hospitable with strangers; for by this
some have entertained angels without knowing it.

The Greek word for angels doesn't necessarily indicate a celestial being. It
just means a messenger; especially one that truly represents God. Hopefully
the pastors and Sunday school teachers in your church are people like that.

In the modern world, it's risky to be too friendly with strangers; especially in
the USA. Letting strangers into one's home could easily result in the murder
of your entire family, along with the theft of your belongings. So use a little
sanctified common sense in applying Heb 13:2.

†. Matt 10:16 . . Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.
Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

396) Heb 13:2-4 . . Remember prisoners, as though in prison with them;
and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body.

The prisoners mentioned are not just any jailbird in lock-up; but rather, it's
limited to those who are "in the body" viz: in Christ.

†. 1Cor 12:12-13 . . For as the body is one, and hath many members, and
all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is
Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body

So then, paying a visit to fellow believers behind bars is like visiting one's
family-- a heavenly family to whom believers owe far more loyalty than their
biological families.

†. Matt 10:37 . . He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy
of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

The "love" spoken of in that passage is easily mistaken for feelings when
more likely it's actually talking about loyalty instead.

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397) Heb 13:4 . . Let marriages be respected: and the bed kept unsoiled;
for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

A number of abominable behaviors are listed in the 18th chapter of
Leviticus; and one of them-- listed right along with incest and LGBT --is
adultery.

Rom 1:18 says that the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, and goes on to list not only LGBT
as one of those ungodly, unrighteous behaviors worthy of the wrath of God,
but also sexual impurity and the degrading of people's bodies with one
another. Sexual impurity and degradation includes not only sleeping around
and/or cohabitating, but also adultery.

Some Christians don't know the meaning of "respect" when it comes to
marriage. It means to treat someone else's spouse as a sacred object. I've
seen for myself how some Christians think it's terrible to trespass on private
property and/or steal the silverware when they're invited over for dinner;
but at the same time get just a bit too chummy with their host's spouse.

There's a popular song going around with the words "you don't own me".
Well, if the "me" in that song is married then they very certainly are owned.

There is no Hebrew word for either husband or wife in the Old Testament.
No, the English words for husband and wife are derived from the presence of
gender-sensitive possessive pronouns; viz: her man and/or his woman.

†. Gen 2:24 . . Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be
joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.

The Hebrew word for "wife" in that passage is 'ishshah (ish-shaw') which just
simply means a female; regardless of age. What makes the 'ishshah
somebody's wife is the possessive pronoun "his". Same goes for the men.

†. Gen 3:6 . . And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food,
and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one
wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her
husband with her; and he did eat.

The Hebrew word for "husband" in that verse is 'enowsh (en-oshe') which
just simply means a mortal; viz: a guy, a male; regardless of age. What
makes the 'enowsh somebody's husband is the possessive pronoun "her".

So the aspect of possession is a key element in marriage; and adulterers are
nothing in the world but thieves. In point of fact, in 2007, when a suburban
Chicago man, Arthur Friedman, found out his wife was cheating on him with
another man named German Blinov, he was heartbroken. But unlike many
other people, Friedman didn't "get over" it. Instead, he filed a lawsuit
against Mr. Blinov for stealing the love and affections of his wife. A Cook
County jury ordered Blinov to pay a total $4,802 to Mr. Friedman for stealing
his wife.

While the idea of suing your wife's or husband's lover for stealing their
affections might sound ridiculous, it is indeed quite legal to do so. Mr.
Friedman used a lesser-known state law to attack and sue his wife's lover.
The law is called the "alienation of affection" law. In fact, there are eight of
these types of laws across the United States. It allows violated spouses to
seek damages for the loss of love to a wife or husband's lover.

†. 1Cor 7:4 . . The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the
husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over
his own body, but the wife.

A Christian wedding vow then, could be said to be a transfer of ownership
just like signing over the pink slip to a car or the deed to real estate. So
then, always keep those possessive pronouns in mind when associating with
somebody else's spouse; and keep your pea-pickin' hands off the
merchandise!

NOTE: It's sad that Christians have to be commanded to be chaste. You'd
think they would have enough honor to police themselves.

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398) Heb 13:5a . . Let your conduct be without covetousness;

There's a covetousness prohibited in the covenant that Yhvh's people agreed
upon with God at Ex 20:17, which Christ reiterated at Matt 5:27-28. That
kind of covetousness is nefarious. In other words, it doesn't just keep up
with what the Jones have, it schemes to take what the Jones have instead
of getting its own.

The koiné Greek word for "without covetousness" in Heb 13:5 is different.
The Greek word is aphilarguros (af-il-ar'-goo-ros) which pertains to avarice.

Webster's defines "avarice" as: excessive, or insatiable, desire for wealth or
gain; viz: greediness and cupidity.

Avarice is different from just wanting things like a new 4x4 Toyota SUV, a
Marc Jacobs purse, a Panerai wrist watch, or a vacation in Hawaii. Avarice is
the obsession to stockpile wealth like Ebenezer Scrooge. People like Scrooge
don't accumulate money because they need it, nor for the sake of what it
can buy. Extreme cases of avarice like Scrooge's are such misers that they
can't even bring themselves to spend enough money to properly heat their
homes, nor nourish themselves with decent food. And charity? Forget it.
They view charity as one might view a pick pocket or a purse snatcher.

And then there's moguls like Donald Trump who already possess all the
wealth, property, and belongings they will ever need for the rest of their
lives, but no, they just have to have more wealth, more belongings, and
more property for the fame and prestige rather than for necessities; and if
they have to walk over the bodies and souls of weaker folk to get it; they
will.

For example when Trump wanted to build a luxury golf course in Scotland,
he persuaded the local government to condemn the homes and property of
folk living in the area so he could then gobble up their land for his own
selfish purposes; viz: that kind of behavior is a malicious blend of
covetousness and avarice combined. (cf. 1Kgs 21:1-16)

399) Heb 13:5b . . and be content with such things as ye have.

Since the writer connected this directive with avarice, I would have to say
his focus is on moderation; which Webster's defines as: reasonable limits
and/or average; viz: avoiding extremes.

Some people's motivation for stockpiling wealth is fear of the future; a fear
which evidences a lack of reliance upon God's providence.

†. Heb 13:5-6 . . He himself has said: I will never leave you nor forsake you.
So we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can Man
do to me?

Well, I think the mortgage crisis in 2008, the stock market crash, the 401K
meltdowns, the ENRON collapse, the decline in oil production, the GM
financial mess, the national debt, massive nationwide lay-offs, the
proliferation of Islamic terrorism, and Mr. Bernard Lawrence Madoff easily
demonstrate that Man can hurt me quite a bit.

I lost about an appreciable amount from my retirement account when the
housing bubble burst, and the market crashed due to the bankruptcy of Bear
Sterns, Lehman Brothers, and AIG; thus proving the Lord's words that
thieves break in and steal (Matt 6:49-21) and some of those thieves are
managing banks and innocent people's investments!

However, in spite of all those threats to my peace of mind, I still believe in
the Lord to get me through it all somehow. Well; so far; so good.

396) Heb 13:7 . . Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to
you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.

The "leaders" of that particular verse refer to the ones who captained Yhvh's
people over the centuries; e.g. Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Samuel, David.
Elijah, Ezra, and Nehemiah; and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel,
Micah; et al. about whom the Bible says:

"Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained
what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the
flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to
strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies."
(Heb 11:33-34)

"Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured
and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in
prison. They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death
by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute,
persecuted and mistreated-- the world was not worthy of them." (Heb
11:35-38)

"They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the
ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received
what had been promised. God had planned something better for us so that
only together with us would they be made perfect." (Heb 11:39-40)

There was once an advertisement for a beer on television that said, in so
many words: "You only go around once in life. So grab all the gusto you can
get." Well; Christ's believing followers should not be thinking like that. They
don't go around once; the real gusto is yet to come.

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Continued From #232

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401) Heb 13:9 . . Do not be carried away by strange and varied teachings;
for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace rather than foods,
through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited.

The words "carried away" weren't translated from Greek words. They're
arbitrary insertions; viz: they're words that translating committees penciled
into the English text so as to make the passage say what they guessed it's
supposed to be saying. Arbitrary insertions are pretty common and nobody
seems to fear they might be adulterating the Bible.

The word "strange" is translated from the Greek word xenos (xen'-os) which
essentially refers to someone or something with which Christians are
unfamiliar. For example; though most Christians are familiar with the dietary
laws contained in the covenant that Yhvhs' people agreed upon with God,
Christ's followers are under no obligation to comply with them for the simple
reason that those laws are contractual. Well; Christians per se, are not
contracted with God to comply with those laws. Hence those dietary laws
amount to "strange" teachings; viz: they're unchristian.

Now, what I find curious about Heb 13:9 is the fact that the anointing
spoken of in 1John 2:26-27 is supposed to steer those who have it away
from deception while at the same time aligning them with the truth. So then,
that being the case, then it's clearly possible for those with the anointing to
ignore its steerage and buy into strange and varied teachings.

Another thing I should point out is that according to 1Thss 5:19, it's possible
to quench the anointing's steerage; viz: snuff it out like one would snuff a
candle so that it no longer produces light to illuminate one's path: and that's
not a good thing.

†. 1John 1:5-6 . .This is the message we have heard from him and announce
to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say
that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do
not practice the truth.

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402) Heb 13:16 . . And do not neglect doing good and sharing; for with such
sacrifices God is pleased.

Doing good and sharing are bloodless sacrifices; and in point of fact are far
more likely to be accepted by God than the death of birds and beasts.

In the first chapter of the book of Isaiah, God lambasted Yhvh's people for
bringing all the correct, God-mandated sacrifices to the Temple. Why?
Because those sacrifices were insulting while His people were not only
crooks; but also lacking the milk of human kindness. The sacrifices that God
preferred over and above the Temple offerings were the below:

†. Isa 1:17 . . Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed,
defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.

So "doing good" consists of doing what's right, and seeking fairness across
the board for everyone; including the disadvantaged and the
disenfranchised. The US Government has been notoriously negligent in doing
good by its chronic failure to honor its treaties with Native Americans. Not
long ago I read in my local paper of Federal foot-dragging in respect to
honoring its commitment to provide tribes situated along the Columbia River
with fishing grounds comparable to the ones that were obliterated due to
construction of The Dalles dam. Well; God takes note of injustices; nobody is
getting by with anything.

403) Heb 13:17 . . Heed those who lead you, and submit to them; for they
keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do
this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.

Christianity is not a democracy. No; it is a theocracy with a monarch at its
head-- a monarch who regards dissent and disobedience as heresy and
insurrection.

†. 1Sam 15:22-23 . .Has Yhvh as much delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices As in obeying the voice of Yhvh? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of
divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.

If perchance Christ's believing followers should find themselves under
leadership that they cannot-- in all good conscience --respect, follow, and
obey; and/or simply cannot give their whole-hearted, unreserved support;
then it's time to abandon ship and move on rather than remain and rack up
negative points against themselves that will most certainly erode their
reward when they stand before the King for their personal evaluation.

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[just-me]

"But Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" ( Matthew 5:17-18).

Jesus was talking about the entire Old Testament — the Law and the Prophets. So how can his statement be reconciled with the fact that some commands of the Old Testament are not required today? Perhaps the best approach to explain this is to understand that the laws are valid in their intent, but changed in their application. Laws about sacrifice continue to be valid, but we obey them through faith in Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for us. The law required sacrifice, and Jesus confirmed its validity at the same time as he made it unnecessary for us to perform it.
Jesus was talking about the entire Old Testament — the Law and the Prophets. So how can his statement be reconciled with the fact that some commands of the Old Testament are not required today? Perhaps the best approach to explain this is to understand that the laws are valid in their intent, but changed in their application. Laws about sacrifice continue to be valid, but we obey them through faith in Jesus Christ, who was sacrificed for us. The law required sacrifice, and Jesus confirmed its validity at the same time as he made it unnecessary for us to perform it.

 

[Pumicestone]

"But Jesus said, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished" ( Matthew 5:17-18).

Jesus was talking about the entire Old Testament — the Law and the Prophets.
So how can his statement be reconciled with the fact that some commands of the Old Testament are not required today?
Perhaps the best approach to explain this is to understand that the laws are valid in their intent, but changed in their application.............

OR, novel idea, He meant exactly what he is reported to have said ?

 

[Pumicestone]

and it is not 11.35 AM
It is 2.35 AM (Sunday) in real time - Eastern Australian time.

 

[WebersHome]

Continued From #234

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404) Heb 13:22-23 . . I urge you, brethren, bear with this word of
exhortation, for I have written to you briefly.

The epistle to Hebrews hardly seems "brief" but maybe in those days it
amounted to little more than a memo.

The koiné Greek word for "exhortation" is: paraklesis (par-ak'-lay-sis) which
is an ambiguous word that means: imploration, hortation, and/or solace.

Webster's defines "imploration" as an appeal.

"hortation" is defined as to advise

And "solace" is defined as a source of relief and/or consolation; viz:
encouragement. In other words; the letter to Hebrews is for their own good.

It's interesting how various people perceive the Bible. Some see it as a
threat to human dignity; while others see it as a source of friendship and
mentoring.

†. 2Cor 2:14-17 . . For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who
are being rescued and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell
of death; to the other, the fragrance of life.

405) Jas 1:2a . . Consider it all joy, my brethren,

The epistle of James is another like the epistle of Hebrews whose target
audience is the author's "brethren" viz: the twelve tribes of Israel; a.k.a. the
Diaspora.

†. Jas 1:1 . . James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to
the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad-- Greetings.

So then, the epistle is probably best interpreted from the perspective of a
Jewish Christian rather than that of a Gentile Christian.

406) Jas 1:2b-4 . . when you encounter various trials knowing that the
testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance have its
perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

It is so frustrating to open a package supposedly containing all the parts
needed to assemble a complicated device only to discover that some of the
pieces are missing. Well, a lot of Christians are like that. They might be
really good at church attendance, while at work committing fraud by using
their employer's computers for personal purposes without authorization
and/or in the habit of breaking the law by J-walking and driving too fast,
drifting through STOP signs without bringing their vehicle to a complete halt;
and given to outbursts of road rage. That's not a complete Christian; no,
that's a half-baked Christian.

Not all tests of faith are intended for behavior modification; but rather, for
proof-testing; take for example Abraham's test in the 22nd chapter of
Genesis; which he passed to God's 110% satisfaction.

Other testing is the kind that engineers do with things like machines, toys,
cribs, printers, flashlights, guns, tools, pumps, motors, cars, etc. Before
putting a new idea into production, they subject it to a series of tests to
determine if it will perform under the circumstances for which it is designed.
Nowadays, not all testing is destructive testing, but rather via computer
models. But the purpose is the same: to reveal any weaknesses in the
design and function of the part; which are then addressed and rectified.

†. Prv 25:4 . . Remove the dross from the silver, and out comes material for
the silversmith

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407) Jas 1:5 . . If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Within the context of James' epistle, the phrase "any of you" pertains to the
recipients of his letter; viz: the Diaspora-- specifically those among the
Diaspora whose religion is Christianity. So then, the phrase "gives to all
men" has to be interpreted with that in mind; which means that "all men"
doesn't pertain to just any and all men on earth.

408) Jas 1:6-8 . . But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt,
because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the
wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord : he
is a vacillating man, unstable in all he does.

Christians should never begin a prayer by saying "God; if you're out there".

†. Heb 11:6 . . Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who
comes to God must believe that He is

Note the words "impossible" and "must" in that verse. A vacillating Christian
who's not sure there's a God out there is an unbelieving Christian, and can
just forget a reply from the Bible's God-- the instant the words of a
vacillating prayer leaves somebody's lips it goes directly to the dead-letter
office.

409) Jas 1:9 . . Let the brother of humble circumstances glory in his high
position;

According to the Bible, relatively few prominent people make it to safety
when they cross over to the others side.

†. 1Cor 1:26-29 . . Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you
were wise in the world's eyes, or powerful, or wealthy when God called you.
Instead, God deliberately chose things the world considers foolish in order to
shame those who think they are wise. And he chose those who are
powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by
the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to
nothing what the world considers important, so that no one can ever boast
in the presence of God.

With precious few exceptions, just about every notable personality on
parade is, and has been, going to Hell-- just about everybody in Congress,
everybody in the White House, everybody in show business, every singer,
every musician, every dancer, everybody in the publishing business, every
billionaire, every millionaire, every corporate CEO, every celebrity, every
Nobel Prize winner, every super model, every astronaut, every professional
athlete, every Miss America, and every news anchor-- just about --because
when you strip away their titles, their abilities, their looks, their popularity,
their accolades, their achievements and their accomplishments; and stand
them before God naked; people are only flesh and blood creatures; they're
little more than naked apes-- human wildlife whose destiny is death akin to
a foundry worker falling into a vat of molten iron.

What is this "high position" that James wrote about? Well, I can think of no
higher position than being legal kin to the Bible's God and a family member
around the table in His own home. In my book, that beats an invitation to
the White House any day of the year.

Should God's kin gloat? Yes; and not only should they gloat, but James
commands them to gloat.

The koiné Greek word for "glory" in Jas 1:9 is kauchaomai (kow-khah'-om
ahee) which means: to vaunt; which Webster's defines as: to make a vain
display of one's own worth or attainments; viz: to brag; to call attention to
with pride and often boastfully.

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410) Jas 1:10 . . but the rich should glory in that he is made low:

It is a very unusual achiever who would regard ignominy as something to
vaunt, but that is exactly what James is requiring. But how long do
successful believers stay successful on this earth anyway? Probably less than
a century in most cases.

†. Jas 1:10-11 . . because like flowering grass; he's transient. For the sun
rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off,
and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the
midst of his pursuits will fade away.

In God's home, around His own table, there are no class distinctions. A
Barbra Streisand is no higher in prestige than an obscure voice in a public
school glee club. How would someone like a Babs boast about being just as
low in prestige as an obscure voice in a glee club? This requires a radical
attitude adjustment.

†. Rom 12:16 . . Be of the same mind toward one another; not haughty,
snobby, or conceited; but identifying with the lowly.

I've heard it said that some people come to church to close their eyes, and
some to eye the clothes. Well, when you go to church, don't wear clothes for
the eye. Instead; dress modestly even if you can afford Valentino, Armani,
Dolce & Cabbana, Fendi, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy
Choo, Yves Saint Laurent, and Chanel. That way you can mingle with
anybody and everybody without feeling out of place among ordinary people;
and in turn, you won't make ordinary people feel like second-rate citizens
around you.

In other words, leave your "money" at home and don't dress to impress at
church; but rather, dress to blend.

411) Jas 1:13 . . No one who wants to do wrong should ever say: God is
tempting me. God cannot be tempted to do wrong, and He never tempts
anyone else to do wrong either.

Human nature has a dastardly propensity to blame others for its own faults.
A prime example is right in the beginning of the Bible in the book of Genesis.
Adam blamed the woman God gave him for his part in eating the forbidden
fruit (Gen 3:12) and Eve blamed the Devil for her part in the act (Gen 3:13).
It takes really big men and women to admit their culpability and say: The
buck stops here! I alone am responsible.

However, though God tempts no one to evil, He does put certain ones
through the ringer to see what they're made of-- even His own kin --to test
and/or prove their resilience to temptation; e.g. the Lord himself.

†. Matt 4:1 . . Then was Jesus led up of The Spirit into the wilderness to be
tempted of the Devil.

†. Heb 5:7-8 . . While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and
pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could protect him from
death. And God heard his prayers because of his reverence for God. So even
though Jesus was God's son, he learned obedience from the things he
suffered.

In other words, a truly righteousness person retains their innocence in the
presence of temptation.

Criminals often gripe about entrapment when the cops catch them red
handed in a sting. But if the crooks were truly righteous, entrapment
wouldn't work on them.

Another popular excuse is enabling. For example some folks insist it's God
fault that Adam and Eve tasted the forbidden tree because He put it in the
garden where they could find it.

President Clinton was once asked in an interview why he messed around
with Monica Lewinski. He answered: Because I could.

And alcoholics blame their habit on disease.

I once heard it said that locks were invented to keep an honest man honest.
(chuckle) I think there's a lot of truth in that statement.

†. Jas 1:14-16 . .Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.
These evil desires lead to evil actions, and evil actions lead to death. So
don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.

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