The Good, the bad, and the ugly

[Timeline]

Do you know and teach the Good News, the Bad News, or the Ugly?

Good: Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses so that we are free to do the will of God. We are not cursed by the Old Law, but we follow the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit leads us to follow the will of God. We are filled with joy and love for one another and our merciful and loving God. We delight in the fact that the curse has been removed and that grace was extended to us, whether we are descended from Jacob or not.

Bad: We are still cursed under the Old Law. And even though Jesus fulfilled the Old Law, we are stumbling around thinking that "we" can be perfect while we are still in the flesh. Accepting the Law of Moses and therefore denying Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Ugly: "Accepting" Jesus and believing that He does not want us to serve God because He already fulfilled the Law. We can go about doing whatever we please, not giving any concern for what God wants. We are saved and cannot stumble. God does not expect anything from us.

Disclaimer: This post doesn't have anything to do with Clint Eastwood, other than the title.

 

[Timeline]

John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope.

 

[Timeline]

1 Corinthians 15:50-57
[SUP]50 [/SUP]Now I say this, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. [SUP]51 [/SUP]Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, [SUP]52 [/SUP]in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. [SUP]53 [/SUP]For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. [SUP]54 [/SUP]But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “Death is swallowed up in victory. [SUP]55 [/SUP]O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” [SUP]56 [/SUP]The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; [SUP]57 [/SUP]but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 1:8-11
[SUP]8 [/SUP]Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, [SUP]9 [/SUP]who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, [SUP]10 [/SUP]but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, [SUP]11 [/SUP]for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher.

Hebrews 2:14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

 

[Timeline]

Mark 9:35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”

John 10:34-28
[SUP]34 [/SUP]Jesus answered them, “Has it not been written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? [SUP]35 [/SUP]If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture cannot be broken), [SUP]36 [/SUP]do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? [SUP]37[/SUP]If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me;[SUP]38 [/SUP]but if I do them, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, so that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.”


Hebrews 13:1-7
Let love of the brethren continue. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. [SUP]3 [/SUP]Remember the prisoners, as though in prison with them, and those who are ill-treated, since you yourselves also are in the body. [SUP]4 [/SUP]Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge. [SUP]5 [/SUP]Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” [SUP]6 [/SUP]so that we confidently say,“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?”


[SUP]7 [/SUP]Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.

Hebrews 6:1-12
Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, [SUP]2 [/SUP]of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. [SUP]3 [/SUP]And this we will do, if God permits. [SUP]4 [/SUP]For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, [SUP]5 [/SUP]and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, [SUP]6 [/SUP]and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. [SUP]7 [/SUP]For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; [SUP]8 [/SUP]but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
[SUP]9 [/SUP]But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. [SUP]10 [/SUP]For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. [SUP]11 [/SUP]And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end,
[SUP]12 [/SUP]so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

 

[Timeline]

Luke 12:41-48
[SUP]41 [/SUP]Peter said, “Lord, are You addressing this parable to us, or to everyone else as well?” [SUP]42 [/SUP]And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them their rations at the proper time? [SUP]43 [/SUP]Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. [SUP]44 [/SUP]Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. [SUP]45 [/SUP]But if that slave says in his heart, ‘My master will be a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the slaves, both men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk; [SUP]46 [/SUP]the master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers. [SUP]47 [/SUP]And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes,[SUP]48 [/SUP]but the one who did not know it, and committed deeds worthy of a flogging, will receive but few. From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.

Matthew 19:20-21
[SUP]20 [/SUP]The young man *said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” [SUP]21 [/SUP]Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Revelation 2:4-5
[SUP]4 [/SUP]But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. [SUP]5 [/SUP]Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first; or else I am coming to you and will remove your lampstand out of its place—unless you repent.

Luke 13:6-9
[SUP]6 [/SUP]And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. [SUP]7 [/SUP]And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Behold, for three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ [SUP]8 [/SUP]And he answered and said to him, ‘Let it alone, sir, for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer;[SUP]9 [/SUP]and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”

1 Timothy 3:14-15[SUP]14 [/SUP]I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; [SUP]15 [/SUP]but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.

You got me, I haven't sold all of my possessions. But I hope to have the strength and faith to do it someday. Although, I am married, so it might take some convincing to get my other half to cooperate.

 

[gb9]

um, the reason that Christ told the young guy this was the man was putting his possessions first. his possessions were not sinful, they guy was trusting them. so the message of this is to get rid of anything that competes with Christ for first place. you have a works based system. selling all your stuff won't make you more Godly, if you are not worshiping them. read the Bible as a whole, not string verses together to make a point.

 

[Timeline]

um, the reason that Christ told the young guy this was the man was putting his possessions first. his possessions were not sinful, they guy was trusting them. so the message of this is to get rid of anything that competes with Christ for first place. you have a works based system. selling all your stuff won't make you more Godly, if you are not worshiping them. read the Bible as a whole, not string verses together to make a point.

Actually, if you read my previous posts, I do not suggest a works based system, but imitating Jesus Christ. And I do think that money interferes more than people like to admit. Besides, if Jesus asked this man to sell his possessions, there is a possibility that He would like me to do the same. You do not know whether or not money is a problem for me. Nor do I know if it is a problem for you. Most of the time I do not feel like I love money, but, at certain times I do.

[SUP]28 [/SUP]And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [SUP]29 [/SUP]And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. [SUP]30 [/SUP]But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.

Do you want me to quote the whole bible? Because that would be pointless.

 

[gb9]

look, if you feel like that God has called you to sell your things, then do so. but the love of money is a sin like any other. so I would caution you and anyone that to think that if I get rid of this, or stop doing that then I have conquered my sin. no, I do not expect anyone to quote the Bible, but I say again use the whole thing not just pluck out verses.

 

[Larry_Stotle]

(Mat 19:20 KJV) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

(Mat 19:21 KJV) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

(Mat 19:22 KJV) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

(Mat 19:23 KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

I think the bolded part explains the whole discussion between Christ and this young man - his many possessions were an hindrance to HIM.

I find it hard to believe TM that this applies to you - but only you can decide that.

 

[crossnote]

What is often left out is the next three verses...the punchline...

Matthew 19:24-26 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

 

[Timeline]

look, if you feel like that God has called you to sell your things, then do so. but the love of money is a sin like any other. so I would caution you and anyone that to think that if I get rid of this, or stop doing that then I have conquered my sin. no, I do not expect anyone to quote the Bible, but I say again use the whole thing not just pluck out verses.

I say again, it wouldn't make sense to quote the whole bible in a post. And I did not say that doing one thing would conquer all of my sins. What I said is that I hope to grow more like Jesus. Just as we are asked to do. We are to imitate Jesus Christ. And as it is with imitations (at least most of the time) they are not as good as the original. We can never become perfect. By trying to live our lives is not works based, but thankful and wanting to serve based.

 

[Timeline]

(Mat 19:20 KJV) The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

(Mat 19:21 KJV) Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

(Mat 19:22 KJV) But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

(Mat 19:23 KJV) Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.

I think the bolded part explains the whole discussion between Christ and this young man - his many possessions were an hindrance to HIM.

I find it hard to believe TM that this applies to you - but only you can decide that.

It is something that I would like to do. Actually, I believe that I have been asked to just go out walking with no destination in mind. If I was asked, and I believe that I was, it was three years ago. I would like to do it, but, at the same time, not really. I mean, I am comfortable where I am. Everyone that I have talked to has told me that God wouldn't tell me to do that. But I think that it is meant to help me grow in faith, humility, service, etc. I actually feel frustrated with myself that I haven't done.

Go ahead, criticize (not necessarily you Larry). That is mostly what I get when I bring it up. Actually my wife has come around and is discussing it with me like it is actually something that she has accepted and might go along with. Yes, for those that want to quote me the verse that says if a man doesn't provide for his family he is like an unbeliever. I quote the verse where Jesus says any man that has left home or family for His sake, will inherit eternal life.

1 Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

Matthew 19:29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.

I did write more than that verse though, but everyone seems to be focusing on it. Relax, I didn't ask any of you to do it.

 

[Larry_Stotle]

If that's where you feel you are being led TM nothing wrong with giving it a try.

After I came to Christ I did help a medical missionary that was giving free medicine to the people in Srinagar and in the mountains around Kashmir - it's were I met my wife (he's in the blue outfit and my missus is in the tent to the left him.)

The old Darji in the middle has his beard dyed with henna to show he'd done the Haj to Mecca - that little girl to the left is an adopted orphan - these hill tribes people are dirt poor, but very welcoming.

We had an interpreter he's to the right of the missionary (the missionary brought me the gospel message while I was living in Kathmandu).

It was a very blessed time for sure, but not without it's hardships.

​

 

[Larry_Stotle]

ads.................

 

[Larry_Stotle]

We'd been trekking with that family as they herded their goats and sheep for grazing - one night we slept in a shack they had built - in the morning I woke up (it was cold) - I looked in the corner, they had placed an infant between a baby lamb and a baby goat to keep warm - It was so cute - I wish had snapped a pic. of that.

I was quite new to the gospels at that time - before we headed up to the hills we stayed at a farm - I was looking out of the window of the room we had rented and there was this mother hen gathering her chicks under her wings just as Jesus had described - being a town boy I'd never witnessed a chicken do that - it brought that passage alive.