Foolish drivel, foreign to His transformative work. (Romans 7:18)
The Teachings of Jesus (TOJ)
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TOJ #62: Fear rejection by God. [Matt. 10:28-33//Luke 12:4-9] Seek to please God rather than to be popular with unbelievers. {John 5:41&44} Jesus will be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him {Mark 8:38//Luke 9:26}.
This TOJ (the “flip side” of #49) involves the paradox that those who fear (love) God need not fear (the wrath of) God (Rom. 8:1). {Luke 9:26} Jesus exemplified this courage and wisdom when He was persecuted and crucified {Mark 10:35-36}. And Peter with John exemplified similar courage when confronted by the Sanhedrin (in Acts 4:18-20).
>>>TOJ #49: God elects to save all who elect Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile. [Matt. 8:11-12] Electing Jesus means accepting or believing in Him as Messiah/Christ/Son of Man/Son of God/God the Son/Lord. (See TOJ #131.) {John 3:16b&18, 8:24, 11:25-26, 16:27, 17:6} Paul indicated this election or choice by the phrase “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3-13). Of course, this statement of GRFS assumes a soul has the opportunity to hear the NT gospel. Election does not mean determination (Calvinism; see TOJ #136).
Pleasing God is true worship per Paul's teaching in Rom. 12:1-2.
>>>TOP #54: Spiritual worship consists of offering one’s body to God as a living sacrifice of service. [Rom. 12:1]
>>>TOP #55: Believers should renew their minds so that they will appreciate God’s good, pleasing and perfect will. [Rom. 12:2]
This TOJ (the “flip side” of #49) involves the paradox that those who fear (love) God need not fear (the wrath of) God (Rom. 8:1). {Luke 9:26} Jesus exemplified this courage and wisdom when He was persecuted and crucified {Mark 10:35-36}. And Peter with John exemplified similar courage when confronted by the Sanhedrin (in Acts 4:18-20).
>>>TOJ #49: God elects to save all who elect Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile. [Matt. 8:11-12] Electing Jesus means accepting or believing in Him as Messiah/Christ/Son of Man/Son of God/God the Son/Lord. (See TOJ #131.) {John 3:16b&18, 8:24, 11:25-26, 16:27, 17:6} Paul indicated this election or choice by the phrase “in Christ” (Eph. 1:3-13). Of course, this statement of GRFS assumes a soul has the opportunity to hear the NT gospel. Election does not mean determination (Calvinism; see TOJ #136).
Pleasing God is true worship per Paul's teaching in Rom. 12:1-2.
>>>TOP #54: Spiritual worship consists of offering one’s body to God as a living sacrifice of service. [Rom. 12:1]
>>>TOP #55: Believers should renew their minds so that they will appreciate God’s good, pleasing and perfect will. [Rom. 12:2]
TOJ #63: Love for God may “provoke” hatred by ungodly souls. [Matt. 10:22, 34-36//Mark 13:12-13a//Luke 12:49-53] The sword of God’s Spirit (Eph. 5:17) may “prompt” physical attacks by demonic people, atheists, heretics and blasphemers such as tulipists, which will result in fire or judgment upon themselves. This is like TOJ #18 but stated in terms of love rather than faith. {Luke 21:16-17, John 15:18-25}
>>>TOJ #18: Believers may be persecuted. [Matt. 5:10-12//Luke 6:22-23, John 15:18] Jesus’ crucifixion is the paradigm (1Pet. 2:21), but Believers also may be martyred because of their faith. History teaches that persecution may occur in some nations and eras more than in others. {Matt. 24:9-10&12//Mark 13:9//Luke 21:12-13} It may be in the form of ostracism or excommunication (cf. TOJ #102) by family. {Matt. 10:35-36//Luke 12:52-53, John 16:2a} The persecutors may threaten physical harm or death. {Matt. 10:21//Mark 13:12//Luke 21:16}
If possible, Believers should “flee”. {Matt. 10:23} (See TOJ #63.) Of course, Believers should not be intolerant persecutors when they are the majority or in powerful positions. Although all Believers have the hope of heaven whether or not they suffer persecution, it may be that those who experience greater suffering develop an increased capacity for enjoying the good life both on earth and in heaven. This would be comparable to the fact that those who have studied a subject such as art or mathematics have a deeper appreciation for artistic or mathematical endeavors than those less experienced or knowledgeable.
>>>TOJ #102: Excommunicate fruitless “Christians”. [Matt. 18:17-18] Although saints are not perfect, someone who typically exhibits sinful fruit (Gal. 5:19-21) apparently is not a genuine Believer (TOJ #48 & #148). The reference to binding and loosing {also in Matt. 16:19 & 18:18-20} is problematic, because it can be applied incorrectly, as it was most notably by the Roman popes against Martin Luther and the Protestants.
Jesus does seem to say {also in John 20:23} that, IF Believers represent God’s will on earth rightly, then their disfellowship reflects the ultimate status of the excommunicant. (See TOJ #65, #123 & #152.) However, this is a big “IF”, so the danger of committing the sin of judgmentalism should lead us to adopt the view that disfellowship does not mean Christians cease all interaction with a sinning or carnal person (1Cor. 3:1-3), but rather that they change the nature of the relationship from fellowshipping to witnessing and reproving. Paul once advocated this doctrine (in 1Cor. 5:1-13).
>>>TOJ #18: Believers may be persecuted. [Matt. 5:10-12//Luke 6:22-23, John 15:18] Jesus’ crucifixion is the paradigm (1Pet. 2:21), but Believers also may be martyred because of their faith. History teaches that persecution may occur in some nations and eras more than in others. {Matt. 24:9-10&12//Mark 13:9//Luke 21:12-13} It may be in the form of ostracism or excommunication (cf. TOJ #102) by family. {Matt. 10:35-36//Luke 12:52-53, John 16:2a} The persecutors may threaten physical harm or death. {Matt. 10:21//Mark 13:12//Luke 21:16}
If possible, Believers should “flee”. {Matt. 10:23} (See TOJ #63.) Of course, Believers should not be intolerant persecutors when they are the majority or in powerful positions. Although all Believers have the hope of heaven whether or not they suffer persecution, it may be that those who experience greater suffering develop an increased capacity for enjoying the good life both on earth and in heaven. This would be comparable to the fact that those who have studied a subject such as art or mathematics have a deeper appreciation for artistic or mathematical endeavors than those less experienced or knowledgeable.
>>>TOJ #102: Excommunicate fruitless “Christians”. [Matt. 18:17-18] Although saints are not perfect, someone who typically exhibits sinful fruit (Gal. 5:19-21) apparently is not a genuine Believer (TOJ #48 & #148). The reference to binding and loosing {also in Matt. 16:19 & 18:18-20} is problematic, because it can be applied incorrectly, as it was most notably by the Roman popes against Martin Luther and the Protestants.
Jesus does seem to say {also in John 20:23} that, IF Believers represent God’s will on earth rightly, then their disfellowship reflects the ultimate status of the excommunicant. (See TOJ #65, #123 & #152.) However, this is a big “IF”, so the danger of committing the sin of judgmentalism should lead us to adopt the view that disfellowship does not mean Christians cease all interaction with a sinning or carnal person (1Cor. 3:1-3), but rather that they change the nature of the relationship from fellowshipping to witnessing and reproving. Paul once advocated this doctrine (in 1Cor. 5:1-13).
TOJ #64: Follow Christ’s example. [Matt. 10:24-25&38//Luke 6:40] Be willing to suffer persecution {John 15:20} or to sacrifice oneself {John 12:24-26} in order to help others (TOJ #199). The “cross” may even include death as a martyr. {Matt. 16:24-25//Mark 8:34-35//Luke 9:23-24, 14:27, 18:22, John 13:36}
>>>TOJ #199: Love is sacrificial. [John 15:13] It is unconditional concern for the eternal welfare of others to the point of willingness to risk death on behalf of others if necessary (Rom. 5:8).
Following Christ's example (1Pet. 2:21) implies having the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16) or at least following the example of Paul (1Cor. 11:1, cf. Eph. 5:1, Phil. 3:17, 2Thes. 3:7).
>>>TOJ #199: Love is sacrificial. [John 15:13] It is unconditional concern for the eternal welfare of others to the point of willingness to risk death on behalf of others if necessary (Rom. 5:8).
Following Christ's example (1Pet. 2:21) implies having the mind of Christ (1Cor. 2:16) or at least following the example of Paul (1Cor. 11:1, cf. Eph. 5:1, Phil. 3:17, 2Thes. 3:7).
TOJ #65: Spirit-filled Christians speak God’s Word. [Matt. 10:19-20//Mark 13:11//Luke 21:14-15, John 15:20-21] They are spiritually one {John 17:20-26, Luke 10:8-16} or walking with God, so they reflect the divine viewpoint {Matt. 16:19, John 20:22-23}.
Paul (in 1 Cor. 4:1) seems to restate this point (cf. John 13:20 1Pet. 2:9). John said (in John 3:34), “The one whom God has sent [Messiah] speaks the words of God; to him God gives the Spirit without limit.”
And Jesus said, “As you [God] sent me into the world, I have sent them [His disciples] into the world. . . . I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 17:18&20) The authority to trample on snakes {Luke 10:19} surely is meant metaphorically! {Matt. 10:40-42}
Paul (in 1 Cor. 4:1) seems to restate this point (cf. John 13:20 1Pet. 2:9). John said (in John 3:34), “The one whom God has sent [Messiah] speaks the words of God; to him God gives the Spirit without limit.”
And Jesus said, “As you [God] sent me into the world, I have sent them [His disciples] into the world. . . . I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 17:18&20) The authority to trample on snakes {Luke 10:19} surely is meant metaphorically! {Matt. 10:40-42}
TOJ #66: John is the last OT prophet. [Matt. 11:4-15] This literal truth is amplified by a metaphorical truth: John is Elijah, the harbinger of the Messiah (Mal. 3:1 & 4:5). {Matt. 17:11-13// Mark 9:12-13, Luke 7:18-28, 16:16}
This passage indicates the transition from the OT law signified by physical circumcision to the NT Spirit signified by water baptism that culminated in Paul's meeting with Peter and the other leaders in Acts 15.
This passage indicates the transition from the OT law signified by physical circumcision to the NT Spirit signified by water baptism that culminated in Paul's meeting with Peter and the other leaders in Acts 15.
TOJ #67: Many souls are not truth-seekers. [Matt. 11:15-19//Luke 7:31-35] They are deaf toward the truth (2Thes. 2:10), so they do not dance with joy at hearing the gospel (Matt. 11:17). Although they may be educated (1Cor. 1:18-25), they will not learn no matter what teaching method is used. {Matt. 13:14-15, John 8:43, 10:25a&26} This is similar to TOJ #46.
>>>TOJ #46: Most people choose to reject GRFS. [Matt. 7:13-14] One hopes that Jesus was using hyperbole for effect, but the tragic truth is that many people choose hell. Why this is true, God only knows, but surely if it were possible to create souls any better than innocent and volitional, He would have done so.
Some passages {Matt. 22:14, Luke 13:23-24, John 6:44&65} state this teaching in deterministic wording that is not consistent with the clear NT doctrine that all are called (John 3:16, 1Tim. 2:3-4, 2Pet. 3:9), though many choose not to accept God’s invitation (Luke 13:34) to enter heaven. The nearly identical twin of this truth is TOJ #67. {Matt. 24:12}
Some statements {Matt. 11:25-26, Mark 4:12//Luke 10:21} sound as though Jesus or God wanted to prevent people from understanding the gospel, but since God is not tricky (TOJ #29, #30, #44, #53, etc.), we must infer that Jesus was employing irony.
>>>TOJ #29: Do good even to evil-doers. [Matt. 5:38-42//Luke 6:29-30] The principle Jesus wants to supersede that of limited vengeance or “eye for eye” (Exo. 21:24, Lev. 24:20, Deut.19:21) is found in Pro. 25:21-22. Whenever we are insulted, we should consider the source of lies (Eph. 6:12). We should be more concerned about our good witness than legal rights (2Tim. 2:23-26). Paul affirmed this ideal in Rom. 12:17-21. This TOJ is elaborated in the next one.
>>>TOJ #30: Love and pray for God’s/your enemies. [Matt. 5:43-47//Luke 6:27-28&32-36] God’s agape/love is unconditional (Rom. 5:6-8). We should “hate what is evil” (RM 12:9) while loving people we dislike. This teaching is akin to TOJ #14, #16 & #29. However, God’s forgiveness of Sin is conditional upon repentance (TOJ #8 & #114).
>>>TOJ #44: Ask/seek/knock. [Matt. 7:7-11/Luke 11:9-13] These three synonyms are three, four and five letter words for GRS (Lesson 2). Ask what is true, seek salvation, and knock on heaven’s door. (See Heb. 11:6) The parallel passage in Luke makes this clear, because instead of “good gifts” it says the Holy Spirit will be given to those who ask. (See TOJ #182.) Thus, sincerely seeking salvation is regarded by God as righteousness (cf. Rom. 4:3), probably because God knows that were a seeker given the opportunity to hear the gospel, he/she would believe and be saved or sanctified {John 17:17}.
A soul enters the path of salvation at the moment he/she decides to ask/seek/knock, but all primitive paths eventually converge onto the highway to heaven at the point of accepting Christ (TOJ #49). Jam. 1:5&17 teaches this truth in terms of wisdom. Its converse is that those who are not truth-seekers will not LGW/satisfy GRFS. {Matt. 21:24-27//Mark 11:29-33//Luke 20:3-8, Matt. 22:18//Mark 12:15//Luke 20:23-24}
>>>TOJ #53: Jesus calls all sinners to be saved. [Matt. 9:12-13//Mark 2:17//Luke 5:31-32] Here sinners are viewed as sick; elsewhere as blind. {John 9:41} Although some may claim to be good, all have sinned (TOJ #185), even those who were raised by godly parents and never Sinned or rebelled against their Faith. God saves all who respond to Jesus’ call {Matt. 11:28-29} by accepting His Lordship (TOJ #49). Jesus likens lost souls to stray sheep {Matt. 18:12-14//Luke 15:4-7} and to missing silver coins {Luke 15:8-10}. All were once little ones {Matt. 18:10} like Zacchaeus, who was considered to be one of the greatest sinners. {Luke 19:9-10}
>>>TOJ #46: Most people choose to reject GRFS. [Matt. 7:13-14] One hopes that Jesus was using hyperbole for effect, but the tragic truth is that many people choose hell. Why this is true, God only knows, but surely if it were possible to create souls any better than innocent and volitional, He would have done so.
Some passages {Matt. 22:14, Luke 13:23-24, John 6:44&65} state this teaching in deterministic wording that is not consistent with the clear NT doctrine that all are called (John 3:16, 1Tim. 2:3-4, 2Pet. 3:9), though many choose not to accept God’s invitation (Luke 13:34) to enter heaven. The nearly identical twin of this truth is TOJ #67. {Matt. 24:12}
Some statements {Matt. 11:25-26, Mark 4:12//Luke 10:21} sound as though Jesus or God wanted to prevent people from understanding the gospel, but since God is not tricky (TOJ #29, #30, #44, #53, etc.), we must infer that Jesus was employing irony.
>>>TOJ #29: Do good even to evil-doers. [Matt. 5:38-42//Luke 6:29-30] The principle Jesus wants to supersede that of limited vengeance or “eye for eye” (Exo. 21:24, Lev. 24:20, Deut.19:21) is found in Pro. 25:21-22. Whenever we are insulted, we should consider the source of lies (Eph. 6:12). We should be more concerned about our good witness than legal rights (2Tim. 2:23-26). Paul affirmed this ideal in Rom. 12:17-21. This TOJ is elaborated in the next one.
>>>TOJ #30: Love and pray for God’s/your enemies. [Matt. 5:43-47//Luke 6:27-28&32-36] God’s agape/love is unconditional (Rom. 5:6-8). We should “hate what is evil” (RM 12:9) while loving people we dislike. This teaching is akin to TOJ #14, #16 & #29. However, God’s forgiveness of Sin is conditional upon repentance (TOJ #8 & #114).
>>>TOJ #44: Ask/seek/knock. [Matt. 7:7-11/Luke 11:9-13] These three synonyms are three, four and five letter words for GRS (Lesson 2). Ask what is true, seek salvation, and knock on heaven’s door. (See Heb. 11:6) The parallel passage in Luke makes this clear, because instead of “good gifts” it says the Holy Spirit will be given to those who ask. (See TOJ #182.) Thus, sincerely seeking salvation is regarded by God as righteousness (cf. Rom. 4:3), probably because God knows that were a seeker given the opportunity to hear the gospel, he/she would believe and be saved or sanctified {John 17:17}.
A soul enters the path of salvation at the moment he/she decides to ask/seek/knock, but all primitive paths eventually converge onto the highway to heaven at the point of accepting Christ (TOJ #49). Jam. 1:5&17 teaches this truth in terms of wisdom. Its converse is that those who are not truth-seekers will not LGW/satisfy GRFS. {Matt. 21:24-27//Mark 11:29-33//Luke 20:3-8, Matt. 22:18//Mark 12:15//Luke 20:23-24}
>>>TOJ #53: Jesus calls all sinners to be saved. [Matt. 9:12-13//Mark 2:17//Luke 5:31-32] Here sinners are viewed as sick; elsewhere as blind. {John 9:41} Although some may claim to be good, all have sinned (TOJ #185), even those who were raised by godly parents and never Sinned or rebelled against their Faith. God saves all who respond to Jesus’ call {Matt. 11:28-29} by accepting His Lordship (TOJ #49). Jesus likens lost souls to stray sheep {Matt. 18:12-14//Luke 15:4-7} and to missing silver coins {Luke 15:8-10}. All were once little ones {Matt. 18:10} like Zacchaeus, who was considered to be one of the greatest sinners. {Luke 19:9-10}
TOJ #68: Woe to unbelievers! [Matt. 11:21-24//Luke 10:13-15] This is the other side of TOJ #9. It is not a wish, but a tragic fact. Woe refers to hell, the just/logical consequence of rejecting God’s heaven. Unbelievers will lose all blessings and true knowledge. {Matt. 13:12, 18:6-9, 25:29, Luke 6:24-26, 7:31-35, 17:1, John 3:18}
>>>TOJ #9: Blessed are Believers. [Matt. 5:3-12] Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) begins with a series of blessings called the Beatitudes. (The verb “beatify” means to bless or make happy.) Believers have the Faith implied by “because of me” (v.11). Peter’s confession {Matt. 16:16-17} showed his Faith in Jesus as Messiah/Christ/Son of God. Although Believers experience many blessings in the midst of earthly troubles, God’s ultimate blessing is eternal life in heaven (TOJ #154), which is the proper reason or motivation for obeying God’s will, beginning with TOJ #7 & #8 {John 13:17}. (See TOJ #198.) The Beatitudes might be viewed as one general teaching comprised of eight specific examples of ways all true Believers will be blessed, but we will consider each beatitude separately.
>>>People who are mystified by evil and repulsed by its punishment do not realize that the essential aspect of being a human rather than a robot or subhuman creature is moral free will (MFW), which is what enables a person to experience love and meaning. This is what makes humans different from animals, whose behavior is governed mainly by instinct. This is what it means to be created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27; robot or responsible)?
God could not force people to return His love without abrogating their humanity. If God were to zap ungodly souls, it would be tantamount to forcing conversions at gunpoint, which would not be free and genuine. If God were to prevent people from behaving hatefully, then He would need to prevent them from thinking evilly, which would make human souls programmed automatons.
MFW only exists when there is the possibility of choosing between two qualitatively opposite moral options that we call good and evil. These options are opposites because of essentially different consequences for choosing them. Choosing good results in blessing, life and heaven; and choosing evil results in cursing, death and hell (Deut. 30:19).
This is why hell as well as heaven exists. It is the just consequence for choosing evil rather than God. The Spirit of God is good: love, peace and joy (Gal. 5:22-23). Therefore, whoever rejects the Lord is spiritually separated from Him (Isa. 59:2) and thereby chooses the evil or satanic spirit of hatred, strife and misery and reaps the just consequence called “hell” in the afterlife (Gal. 6:7-9, Heb. 9:27-28).
>>>TOJ #9: Blessed are Believers. [Matt. 5:3-12] Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) begins with a series of blessings called the Beatitudes. (The verb “beatify” means to bless or make happy.) Believers have the Faith implied by “because of me” (v.11). Peter’s confession {Matt. 16:16-17} showed his Faith in Jesus as Messiah/Christ/Son of God. Although Believers experience many blessings in the midst of earthly troubles, God’s ultimate blessing is eternal life in heaven (TOJ #154), which is the proper reason or motivation for obeying God’s will, beginning with TOJ #7 & #8 {John 13:17}. (See TOJ #198.) The Beatitudes might be viewed as one general teaching comprised of eight specific examples of ways all true Believers will be blessed, but we will consider each beatitude separately.
>>>People who are mystified by evil and repulsed by its punishment do not realize that the essential aspect of being a human rather than a robot or subhuman creature is moral free will (MFW), which is what enables a person to experience love and meaning. This is what makes humans different from animals, whose behavior is governed mainly by instinct. This is what it means to be created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26-27; robot or responsible)?
God could not force people to return His love without abrogating their humanity. If God were to zap ungodly souls, it would be tantamount to forcing conversions at gunpoint, which would not be free and genuine. If God were to prevent people from behaving hatefully, then He would need to prevent them from thinking evilly, which would make human souls programmed automatons.
MFW only exists when there is the possibility of choosing between two qualitatively opposite moral options that we call good and evil. These options are opposites because of essentially different consequences for choosing them. Choosing good results in blessing, life and heaven; and choosing evil results in cursing, death and hell (Deut. 30:19).
This is why hell as well as heaven exists. It is the just consequence for choosing evil rather than God. The Spirit of God is good: love, peace and joy (Gal. 5:22-23). Therefore, whoever rejects the Lord is spiritually separated from Him (Isa. 59:2) and thereby chooses the evil or satanic spirit of hatred, strife and misery and reaps the just consequence called “hell” in the afterlife (Gal. 6:7-9, Heb. 9:27-28).
TOJ #69: GRFS is simple enough for a child to satisfy. [Matt. 11:25-26//Luke 10:21] Thus, Jesus commanded parents/adults to let little children hear the gospel and accept Him {Matt. 19:14//Mark 10:14//Luke 18:16}. Perhaps He had in mind Psalm 8:2. {Matt. 20:16} He does not give an exact age, but moral/spiritual understanding and consequent accountability seems to develop around the age of ten or just prior to puberty.
The Bible does not reveal the destiny of pre-moral or unaccountable children, but certainly they would not be damned. So, if a child accepts God/Christ as soon as he/she understands GRFS and remains faithful until death, then there is no time when he/she is not saved. (See TOJ #99.) This is God’s “plan A”, although it might not make a very entertaining testimony!
>>>TOJ #99: Be good stewards of children. [Matt. 18:5-6&10//Luke 17:1-2] All adults are responsible to be good witnesses, who encourage children (one of life’s most wonderful blessings) to accept GRFS (Eph. 6:4; TOJ #69). {Mark 9:37&42} The logical or implicit corollary of this TOJ is that parents who will not be good stewards/witnesses should not procreate. Of course, discerning unqualified people and enforcing this principle is very problematic, but at least we should realize that parenthood is not an unconditional divine right. At least hindsight should be able to indicate some people (e.g., child abusers), who definitely should be discouraged and perhaps prohibited from producing more children.
>>>TOP #176: Fathers (parents) should not exasperate their children but instead raise them in accordance with the instruction of the Lord. [Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21] That “fathers” includes mothers is implied by v.1, and the the “instruction of the Lord” implies loving discipline like that described in Heb. 12:5-11.
The Bible does not reveal the destiny of pre-moral or unaccountable children, but certainly they would not be damned. So, if a child accepts God/Christ as soon as he/she understands GRFS and remains faithful until death, then there is no time when he/she is not saved. (See TOJ #99.) This is God’s “plan A”, although it might not make a very entertaining testimony!
>>>TOJ #99: Be good stewards of children. [Matt. 18:5-6&10//Luke 17:1-2] All adults are responsible to be good witnesses, who encourage children (one of life’s most wonderful blessings) to accept GRFS (Eph. 6:4; TOJ #69). {Mark 9:37&42} The logical or implicit corollary of this TOJ is that parents who will not be good stewards/witnesses should not procreate. Of course, discerning unqualified people and enforcing this principle is very problematic, but at least we should realize that parenthood is not an unconditional divine right. At least hindsight should be able to indicate some people (e.g., child abusers), who definitely should be discouraged and perhaps prohibited from producing more children.
>>>TOP #176: Fathers (parents) should not exasperate their children but instead raise them in accordance with the instruction of the Lord. [Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21] That “fathers” includes mothers is implied by v.1, and the the “instruction of the Lord” implies loving discipline like that described in Heb. 12:5-11.
TOJ #70: Genuine theists will become Christians. [Matt. 11:27//Luke 10:22] Whoever truly loves/worships God will accept Jesus as God’s Son/Messiah. {John 5:42-43, 6:45, 17:3} He/she will perceive that Jesus spoke the truth. {John 7:16-17, 8:39,42&47} They are His sheep {John 10:27, 14:1b}.
This TOJ should be understood in conjunction with the fact that God desires to save or be known by all souls (v.28, John 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Phil. 2:10-11, 1Tim. 2:3-4). The reverse side of this truth is that whoever does not acknowledge Moses and other prophets will not accept Jesus as more than a prophet. (See TOJ #177, #179 & #202.) {Luke 18:17, John 8:42}
>>>TOJ #177: John and Moses (the OT prophets) testified about Jesus. [John 5:31-40,45-47, 8:56] The correct interpretation of the OT points to Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Paul also taught this (in Acts 26:22-23; cf. TOJ #20 & #159).
>>>TOJ #178: God the Father is revealed most fully by God the Son, who embodied God’s Holy Spirit. [John 5:36-38, 6:27b&45, 8:19, 10:30, 16:14-15] Thus, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isa. 54:13. This nuance of TOJ #1 is so central in John’s gospel that I will state again the key concept: Insofar as it is possible for God to reveal Himself as a human, that person is Jesus. {John 12:44-45, 14:9-11, 17:6} For practical/ redemptive purposes, they are One {John 17:11}. (See TOJ #70 & #186.) Jesus said He would be with Believers as the Holy Spirit, who would continue to counsel or teach the truth. {John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:12-15}
The apostle Paul also taught that the Holy Spirit baptizes (1Cor. 12:13) and indwells Believers as God’s seal or deposit (Eph. 1:13, 2Cor. 1:22), who is manifested whenever they speak the truth and love (Rom. 5:5, Eph. 4:15). This TOJ reveals that God is known in three ways or as a Triunity. (See TOJ #197).
>>>TOJ #179: The work/will of God is to believe in His Messiah. [John 6:29] This verse is very important, because it clarifies that saving Faith (TOJ #49) is prior to working faith (TOJ #51), and we should never reverse them.
This TOJ should be understood in conjunction with the fact that God desires to save or be known by all souls (v.28, John 3:16, Rom. 5:8, Phil. 2:10-11, 1Tim. 2:3-4). The reverse side of this truth is that whoever does not acknowledge Moses and other prophets will not accept Jesus as more than a prophet. (See TOJ #177, #179 & #202.) {Luke 18:17, John 8:42}
>>>TOJ #177: John and Moses (the OT prophets) testified about Jesus. [John 5:31-40,45-47, 8:56] The correct interpretation of the OT points to Jesus as Messiah/Christ. Paul also taught this (in Acts 26:22-23; cf. TOJ #20 & #159).
>>>TOJ #178: God the Father is revealed most fully by God the Son, who embodied God’s Holy Spirit. [John 5:36-38, 6:27b&45, 8:19, 10:30, 16:14-15] Thus, Jesus fulfilled the prophecy in Isa. 54:13. This nuance of TOJ #1 is so central in John’s gospel that I will state again the key concept: Insofar as it is possible for God to reveal Himself as a human, that person is Jesus. {John 12:44-45, 14:9-11, 17:6} For practical/ redemptive purposes, they are One {John 17:11}. (See TOJ #70 & #186.) Jesus said He would be with Believers as the Holy Spirit, who would continue to counsel or teach the truth. {John 14:16-17, 15:26, 16:12-15}
The apostle Paul also taught that the Holy Spirit baptizes (1Cor. 12:13) and indwells Believers as God’s seal or deposit (Eph. 1:13, 2Cor. 1:22), who is manifested whenever they speak the truth and love (Rom. 5:5, Eph. 4:15). This TOJ reveals that God is known in three ways or as a Triunity. (See TOJ #197).
>>>TOJ #179: The work/will of God is to believe in His Messiah. [John 6:29] This verse is very important, because it clarifies that saving Faith (TOJ #49) is prior to working faith (TOJ #51), and we should never reverse them.
TOJ #71: Jesus calls everyone to come to him and to learn from being yoked with him, which is as easy as an act of will. [Matt. 11:28-30] Those who learn to be gentle and humble in heart like Jesus will find rest for their souls, because his yoke is light.
Perhaps the yoke analogy is comparable to that of the one set of footprints in the sand: I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and when I looked back at the footprints in the sand, I noticed that at the lowest and saddest times in my life, there was only one set of footprints, and I questioned the Lord about it, saying “Lord, during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, and I don’t understand why you would leave me. The Lord replied, “My child, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
However, Jesus also indicated that persevering in saving faith might involve suffering and death:
>>>TOJ #64: Follow Christ’s example. [Matt. 10:24-25&38//Luke 6:40] Be willing to suffer persecution {John 15:20} or to sacrifice oneself {John 12:24-26} in order to help others (TOJ #199). The “cross” may even include death as a martyr. {Matt. 16:24-25//Mark 8:34-35//Luke 9:23-24, 14:27, 18:22, John 13:36}
>>>TOJ #18: Believers may be persecuted. [Matt. 5:10-12//Luke 6:22-23, John 15:18] Jesus’ crucifixion is the paradigm (1Pet. 2:21), but Believers also may be martyred because of their faith. History teaches that persecution may occur in some nations and eras more than in others. {Matt. 24:9-10&12//Mark 13:9//Luke 21:12-13} It may be in the form of ostracism or excommunication (cf. TOJ #102) by family. {Matt. 10:35-36//Luke 12:52-53, John 16:2a} The persecutors may threaten physical harm or death. {Matt. 10:21//Mark 13:12//Luke 21:16}
I am thankful that my experience has been more like TOJ #71 than #18 and 64!
What about y'all?
Perhaps the yoke analogy is comparable to that of the one set of footprints in the sand: I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord, and when I looked back at the footprints in the sand, I noticed that at the lowest and saddest times in my life, there was only one set of footprints, and I questioned the Lord about it, saying “Lord, during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints, and I don’t understand why you would leave me. The Lord replied, “My child, when you saw only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
However, Jesus also indicated that persevering in saving faith might involve suffering and death:
>>>TOJ #64: Follow Christ’s example. [Matt. 10:24-25&38//Luke 6:40] Be willing to suffer persecution {John 15:20} or to sacrifice oneself {John 12:24-26} in order to help others (TOJ #199). The “cross” may even include death as a martyr. {Matt. 16:24-25//Mark 8:34-35//Luke 9:23-24, 14:27, 18:22, John 13:36}
>>>TOJ #18: Believers may be persecuted. [Matt. 5:10-12//Luke 6:22-23, John 15:18] Jesus’ crucifixion is the paradigm (1Pet. 2:21), but Believers also may be martyred because of their faith. History teaches that persecution may occur in some nations and eras more than in others. {Matt. 24:9-10&12//Mark 13:9//Luke 21:12-13} It may be in the form of ostracism or excommunication (cf. TOJ #102) by family. {Matt. 10:35-36//Luke 12:52-53, John 16:2a} The persecutors may threaten physical harm or death. {Matt. 10:21//Mark 13:12//Luke 21:16}
I am thankful that my experience has been more like TOJ #71 than #18 and 64!
What about y'all?
TOJ #72: It is lawful to do good work on the Sabbath. [Matt. 12:9-13] Jesus demonstrated this truth by healing a man with a shriveled hand {Mark 3:4-5//Luke 6:9-10} and a crippled woman {Luke 13:10-17}.
It is lawful to do good work every day, but employers should let workers have at least one day of rest per week (Mark 2:27).
Many people then and now have trouble distinguishing between man-made mores and divine virtues. Even many of the God-inspired rules taught by Moses were meant to be temporary.
Eternal moral laws are affirmed in the NT (Gal. 5:22-23). Paul (in Col. 2:16-23 & Rom. 14:1-6&20-23) and the author of Hebrews (Heb. 10:1-16) tried to explain that certain Mosaic doctrines had the purpose of preserving Jewish culture until Messiah was born (Rom. 9:5), at which time they were superseded by a new covenant based on the eternal law of love (TOJ #55). {John 7:21-24}
>>>TOJ #55: The NT supersedes the OT. [Matt. 9:16-17] The unshrunk cloth and new wine signify the NT, and the old garment and wineskins represent the OT.
The book of Hebrews explains how it does so in a way that completes rather than contradicts the OT (comparable to logical synthesis). We need to be teachable or open to a new word from God (TOJ #10). We need to handle God’s Word correctly (2Tim. 2:15, TOJ #4).
Messianic Jews are doubly blessed! {Matt. 13:52, Mark 2:21-22, Luke 5:36-39, 13:28} Islam needs a reformation that promotes Messianic Muslims, who interpret the Koran in a way that complements rather than contradicts the OT/NT synthesis. (See TOJ #87.)
>>>TOJ #87: Legalists cite tradition as an excuse for subverting morality. [Matt. 15:3-9//Mark 7:6-13] Jesus cited the fact that traditionalists would water or rescue an animal on the Sabbath while prohibiting healing a human {Luke 14:5, John 7:23-24}. (See TOJ #72.) He connected this sin with hypocrisy (TOJ #134).
Ungodly legalism is usually the case when people fight in the name of God. If Jews and Muslims truly worshipped the one true God, they would unite in Christian fellowship as Messianic Jews/Muslims (Gal. 3:28-29, Eph. 2:19-22, TOJ #160). Whoever does not teach the truth is a blind guide {Matt. 15:13-14}, Pharisee {Luke 11:39-44} and hypocrite {Luke 13:15-16}.
It is lawful to do good work every day, but employers should let workers have at least one day of rest per week (Mark 2:27).
Many people then and now have trouble distinguishing between man-made mores and divine virtues. Even many of the God-inspired rules taught by Moses were meant to be temporary.
Eternal moral laws are affirmed in the NT (Gal. 5:22-23). Paul (in Col. 2:16-23 & Rom. 14:1-6&20-23) and the author of Hebrews (Heb. 10:1-16) tried to explain that certain Mosaic doctrines had the purpose of preserving Jewish culture until Messiah was born (Rom. 9:5), at which time they were superseded by a new covenant based on the eternal law of love (TOJ #55). {John 7:21-24}
>>>TOJ #55: The NT supersedes the OT. [Matt. 9:16-17] The unshrunk cloth and new wine signify the NT, and the old garment and wineskins represent the OT.
The book of Hebrews explains how it does so in a way that completes rather than contradicts the OT (comparable to logical synthesis). We need to be teachable or open to a new word from God (TOJ #10). We need to handle God’s Word correctly (2Tim. 2:15, TOJ #4).
Messianic Jews are doubly blessed! {Matt. 13:52, Mark 2:21-22, Luke 5:36-39, 13:28} Islam needs a reformation that promotes Messianic Muslims, who interpret the Koran in a way that complements rather than contradicts the OT/NT synthesis. (See TOJ #87.)
>>>TOJ #87: Legalists cite tradition as an excuse for subverting morality. [Matt. 15:3-9//Mark 7:6-13] Jesus cited the fact that traditionalists would water or rescue an animal on the Sabbath while prohibiting healing a human {Luke 14:5, John 7:23-24}. (See TOJ #72.) He connected this sin with hypocrisy (TOJ #134).
Ungodly legalism is usually the case when people fight in the name of God. If Jews and Muslims truly worshipped the one true God, they would unite in Christian fellowship as Messianic Jews/Muslims (Gal. 3:28-29, Eph. 2:19-22, TOJ #160). Whoever does not teach the truth is a blind guide {Matt. 15:13-14}, Pharisee {Luke 11:39-44} and hypocrite {Luke 13:15-16}.