Sunday, July 19, 2015

John 7

Intro

This is an incomplete post. I know that logically, I should break this down into small, manageable chunks. Not gonna happen. I should use proper English. Ha! I should develop themes and ideas more fully. That may happen, later. This is just getting what I’m reading, and the thoughts that occur to me through study of the Word of God, someplace where it can be read in the future.

John 7.2

feast of tabernacles

(John 7:2 [KJV]) Now the Jews' feast of tabernacles was at hand.

Another evidence that John's Gospel is written to the Gentiles. John defines the feast of tabernacles as belonging to the Jews.

John 7. 8-10

(John 7:8 [KJV]) Go ye up unto this feast: I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full come. (John 7:9 [KJV]) When he had said these words unto them, he abode still in Galilee. (John 7:10 [KJV]) But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret.

yet

Jesus was truthful. He did not say that He was not going to the Feast. He said, "...not up yet..."

John 7.7, 14-19

(John 7:7 [KJV])The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.

(John 7:14 [KJV]) Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. (John 7:15 [KJV]) And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters, having never learned? (John 7:16 [KJV]) Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. (John 7:17 [KJV]) If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:18 [KJV]) He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousnes is in him. (John 7:19 [KJV]) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

Stretching a bit?

vss 14-19 connected with verse 7?

Testify, Taught, Doctrine, True, the Law

In the LORD's case, what Jesus testifies (v7):

  • is what He taught,
  • What he taught, is His doctrine (v17),
  • His doctrine is true, or we could say, his doctrine is truth,
  • and the truth is, "none of you keepeth the law."

    For us, the phrase should read, "none of us keepeth the law." Hence, the discourse with Nicodemus in John 3 is so important for us. We do not keep the law, therefore God sent His only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (Jn 3.16)

Bible as Commentary, Bible as Dictionary

What is doctrine?

Doctrine is taught. Could also mean, in this context, that which is testified. In God's case, the doctrine, the teachings of Christ are righteousness and truth. That is why in HIM, alone, is LIFE.

Cross-reference the following:
* John 3.1-21
* John 11.1-44, note esp John 11.21-27

John 7.19, 22

(John 7:19 [KJV]) Did not Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?

(John 7:22 [KJV]) Moses therefore gave unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man.

Moses and the Law

JESUS already had to know how the conversation was going to go, yet He patiently waits for the right moment to bring the law back. He first mentions Moses and the law in v19. The Jews interject their question, but Jesus does not answer that question. The answer would be plain to all soon enough, and it was already in the hearts of those who were making their plans against Him.

So, instead of directly answering the sideways question, He refers back to the main point, of Moses and the law. He brings the discussion back on them. JESUS, Who created the Sabbath in the first place, points out that they keep the law on the Sabbath day, even to the point of performing circumcision: an outward expression of their being God's people. Yet, Jesus notes in v23, that the healing of a man made them angry. They were angry that the LORD Himself did good, on the Sabbath.

(John 7:23 [KJV]) If a man on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made a man every whit whole on the sabbath day?

John 7.20

(John 7:20 [KJV]) The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill thee?

It is a dangerous thing to equate JESUS with being in 


cahoots with the devil!  


Questions by the People



From how I'm reading this, seems to be questions by the common people, not necessarily those in leadership or of the Pharisees, though, the Pharisees were privy to the questions being asked by these folk.




(John 7:25 [KJV]) Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to kill?



(John 7:26 [KJV]) But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ?



(John 7:31 [KJV]) And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?



(John 7:35 [KJV]) Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and teach the Gentiles?



(John 7:36 [KJV]) What manner of saying is this that he said, Ye shall seek me, and shall not find me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come?



(John 7:41 [KJV]) Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?



(John 7:42 [KJV]) Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?




Questions by the Pharisees




(John 7:45 [KJV]) Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said unto them, Why have ye not brought him?



(John 7:47 [KJV]) Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also deceived?



(John 7:48 [KJV]) Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?




Nicodemus had believed on Christ, or was on his way there. Hence, his questions perturbed the rest of the Pharisees! Nicodemus brought an imbalance to the united Pharisaical front against Christ.




(John 7:50 [KJV]) Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of them,)



(John 7:51 [KJV]) Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?



(John 7:52 [KJV]) They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet.

Saturday, May 02, 2015

Healing For The Broken-Hearted

Jesus was quoting Isaiah 61 when He read from this passage:

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to > the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and > recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
Luke 4:19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

It is a very important phrase Christ said, that He was "...sent...to heal the brokenhearted." This is way more than a "my boyfriend/girlfriend left me" kind of brokenheartedness. This is a deep, no way out kind of brokenness that no man/woman can fix. Its an illness that is all over this world, but speaking of America, we have the things mentioned in this article, plus the plague of single-parent homes, alcholic/drug addicted parents and siblings, and a host of worldly things that beckon us, calling us to fulfill ourselves. Not only that, but all these things promise quick fixes, and they may quell our appetite for but a moment. However, only the LORD JESUS CHRIST can satisfy, fill us, but more importantly, heal us. He alone, can take what is broken, and make something new out if it, and that includes our hearts.

The question is, will be believe Him?

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/georgia-purdom/2015/04/28/women-ready-to-embrace-the-hurting-answers-for-women-conference/?utm_source=articlesmedia&utm_medium=email&utm_content=blog2title&utm_campaign=20150502&mc_cid=6b3b21bcb7&mc_eid=0d29df621f

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Thursday, January 01, 2015

John 18 I Am He. Just a quick thought

In a discussion about this passage, regarding the falling of the soldiers at the arrest of Jesus,

John 18:4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
John 18:5 They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
John 18:6 As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.

Well, I have no idea why, but this verse sprang to mind:

Prov 11:21 Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

On Daniel, chapter one, fulfilling prophecy

T
his is much longer than I anticipated. Please excuse the abbreviations. I’m not a writer, but I try to get the point across. In so many words! 1

If you have questions, feel free to ask, I’ll try to answer. Comments always welcome. I know that I make great leaps of logic, that u may not be able to follow. I have always done that, but again, ask if u want. Or, fill in the blanks!

Mary Lou and Stuart hit the nail on the head with their response. In particular, that this is a fulfillment of prophecy given by God, thru Isaiah to Hezekiah. It is an important prophecy.

Many years & a few kings prior to Daniel and his friends being carried away in captivity, King Hezekiah received a visit from Babylonian ambassadors. Hezekiah had shown the Ambassadors all the riches in the kingdom. Isaiah, questioning Hezekiah:

2Kgs 20:15 And he said, What have they seen in thine house? And Hezekiah answered, All the things that are in mine house have they seen: there is nothing among my treasures that I have not shewed them.

Then, GOD’s response, thru Isaiah the prophet:

2Kgs 20:16 And Isaiah said unto Hezekiah, Hear the word of the LORD.
2Kgs 20:17 Behold, the days come, that all that is in thine house, and that which thy fathers have laid up in store unto this day, shall be carried into Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.
2Kgs 20:18 And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.
2Kgs 20:19 Then said Hezekiah unto Isaiah, Good is the word of the LORD which thou hast spoken. And he said, Is it not good, if peace and truth be in my days?

Note verse 18, above. Daniel 1 is the fulfillment.

A Matter Mentioned Three Times

Something is important in the Word Of God (WOG) when it is repeated. Whether its repeated in the same conversation, or spread out in various books of the Bible, as in this case. Since the entire Bible has One ultimate Author, being GOD Himself, this repetition carries some weight. I’ll leave to you to look up the other references, if you would like to see them:

2 Chronicles 32.24-31; Isaiah 39.3-8  


Note the reference in Chronicles is worded much differently, but it certainly refers to Hezekiah and his visit by the Babylonian ambassadors.





A Further Biblical Connection



The last thing to mention, is that in terms of Hezekiah’s line of descendants, there comes a stopping point of those who actually rule on the throne of Judah.



Here is the connection:



Matthew 1, begins with the descendants, from Adam down through the kings. Hezekiah is mentioned, starting in verse 9. The Jews kept excellent genealogical records and there should be king after king, but instead, you find it becoming, king, king, descendant. Because, they were denied a ruling throne.



Nevertheless, GOD still had planned for the true King, to come thru the line of David. Yet, not thru a man, since the line of descendants ended with curse placed upon Jeconiah, and his seed: that none would sit on the throne over Judah, ever.



Jeremiah 22.24-30, esp verse 30  


In order to keep His promise to Abraham, and especially to his great-great grandson, Judah in Genesis 49.10, God had already implemented His plan. That of the virgin-born Messiah. In the New Testament, Messiah is called, Christ. (John 1.41)



That brings us up to the time of the LORD’s birth. The same prophet, Isaiah, who spoke to Hezekiah with the prophecy of His seed being made eunuchs, also spoke several great prophecies regarding Jesus. These are the first two that spring to mind:




Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.




The entire chapter of Isaiah 53  


In the case of Joseph and Mary, Joseph was in the royal line, but sometime after the birth of Christ, he is no longer mentioned. So, he never became king. Yet, Joseph was not the father of Jesus, anyway. Mary was to be His mother, but as God told Joseph:




Matt 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Matt 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.


Matt 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,


Matt 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.




Verse 20: Jesus is conceived of the Holy Ghost! There it is, big, plain and straight.



Just for final clarification, Luke 3.33 specifies that Mary also, comes from the tribe of Judah, and therefore, by birth, Jesus is still in the royal family line, yet,  born of the seed of the woman. (Gen 3.15)



So, how do I wrap this up? I don’t know if I can keep all this straight!




  • Daniel and his friends were of the royal seed - most likely


  • Their serving under the chief eunuch most likely means, they were made eunuchs.


  • Their being made eunuchs was a fulfillment of prophecy.


  • It also begins to show that the line of kings ruling on the throne was about to end. That end came with the end of Zedekiah, the son or relative of cursed Jeconiah.


  • GOD still kept His promise in that He has provided a King through the miraculous birth of Jesus in fulfillment of Gen 3.15, Gen 22.8 and a whole bunch of other Scripture.



Since GOD has kept all those promises and those prophecies have completely fulfilled, there is no doubt that He will ultimately do all other prophecy that is yet to be fulfilled.



▬▬



1 This post was originally written as a Facebook note, November 2014.

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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!

December 25!  ALL about Jesus Christ, the LORD! Merry Christmas!

J

esus is the only fulfillment of prophecy of the Messiah/Christ found in the Old Testament. Yet, JESUS did not fulfill prophecy to be the cute-baby-focus of plays, or songs. HE came with a much greater purpose in mind. To save lost sinners; to bring peace...not the kind of temporary peace that man issues and withdraws in the next month, day, or breath. Jesus Christ  brings the only peace that matters, and offers it as a gift (Romans 6.23, Ephesians 2.8-10) to any who will trust Him, any who accept that gift.

The gift is eternal life, found only in Him. He brings peace between us and God. He is the only One who can, for He is the only Saviour this world will be offered. Believe on Him, before you no longer have the gift extended to you.

▬▬ One prophecy ▬▬


• Isaiah 9:6; For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 
• Isa 9:7; Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

▬▬ A Second Prophecy ▬▬


• Micah 5:2; But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
• Mic 5:3; Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

▬▬ Prophecy Fulfilled ▬▬


• Luke 2:6; And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
• Luke 2:7; And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

▬▬ Describing the Prophecy's Fulfillment ▬▬


• Gal 4:3; Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
• Gal 4:4; But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
• Gal 4:5; To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
• Gal 4:6; And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

▬▬ What Jesus Said About His Purpose (I know, this is one among many passages) ▬▬


• John 3:16; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
• John 3:17; For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
• John 3:18; He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

▬▬ What is God's Will? ▬▬


• 1Tim 2:4; [speaking of God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
• 1Tim 2:5; For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
• 1Tim 2:6; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

▬▬ Where We Stand Before Believing ▬▬

Without Strength, Ungodly, Sinners, and Facing Great Wrath. 

When we believe, We Have Christ who Died for us, having the Father show His Great Love For Us By Sending Christ, and we are Justified (because Christ took our penalty at the Cross!)


• Rom 5:6; For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
• Rom 5:8; But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
• Rom 5:9; Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
• Rom 5:1; Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Sunday, December 08, 2013

Lindsey Stirling’s O Come Emmanuelle

imageWatch this beautiful video here

I

thought b4 the end of this video, we were going to get the whole gospel call! At the very least, in the text messages that appear during the video, Ms. Stirling acknowledges that God "...has given us the greatest gift of eternity. His Son...who gave the very best in Himself..." for us. {Kevin’s Komment - I know, I may not have quoted that exactly.}  

springboard

Not to take away from this video, but rather, using that last quote as a springboard, I like that phrase, “in Himself.” It’s a phrase that can apply to God, as well as, man. A few Biblical references referring to man are: Isaiah 19.17; Jeremiah 10.23; Jonah 4.8; Matthew 13.21; Luke 24.12; Galatians 6.4

note: if viewing from my blog page, hover your mouse-pointer over these scripture references

Yet, there is a marked difference between what man knows, thinks or feels “in himself,” versus how that phrase applies to Jesus Christ.

In himself

again, just hover over the Scripture reference, unless you want to verify for yourself, that I have the right verses with the correct reference.

Mark 5.30

Mark 5.30

Jesus is aware when the GOOD that is within Him is shared with another.

John 6.61

John 6.61

No one needs to tell God our secret thoughts and our secret conversations. He already knows! Think about that while reading Ecclesiastes 12.13,14.

John 13.31,32

John 13:31; Therefore, when he was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him.John 13:32; If God be glorified in him, God shall also glorify him in himself, and shall straightway glorify him.

Figure that one out!! I underlined those phrases, and they are worth pondering over. Perhaps, you’d like to think of that while reading Hebrews 12.2? How about Revelation 5.9, 12-14. This is the glory of Christ now, and throughout all eternity! ☺

John 5.26

I saved this one for last, and wanted to put this entire verse in here, too. This is what makes God, God! Something we, nor any other earthly or angelic creature has!!

John 5:26; For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

Before time, before the foundation of the world, there is God. He neither ages, grows weary, nor does He grow old. He alone is completely self-existent. That is why in Exodus 3.13, 14, God names Himself, I AM THAT I AM! Jesus equals that statement in John 8.58.

So, where is the Gospel in this?

If Jesus has life in Himself, and yet died for our sins, giving His life for us, do we not owe Him something?

Yet, there is nothing any one of us can do FOR Him. We owe the debt to Him, completely, utterly unable to pay that debt. Our tiniest evil thought, to our biggest, most outragest sin, keeps us from Him, and eternity in Heaven. But God (Rom 5.8!), who has life in Himself , sent His only begotten Son, who also has life in Himself to us in the form of a baby. He learned obedience, growing as a child, living as an adult until the day of the cross. Jesus lived perfectly, and without sin. Though, without sin, the Bible says He became sin for us, laying down His life that we may have life in Him! (John 10.17,18, 2 Corinthians 5.21)

The solution is

The oft quoted scripture: John 3.16

When we trust Christ, it’s a done deal. We are His for all eternity. Not an eternity that is somewhere-out-there-drift-along-on-a-cloud-playing-your-harp eternity. This is eternity that will last much longer than this vapor-life. Eternity lasts something like, forever. Note that John 3.16 actually says that believers shall have everlasting life. It is always good, with every good gift imaginable, that will never rust, corrode, be stolen, have a lien put against it, kind of gift. (Romans 6.23) All because Jesus gives that life to us!

Just remember that John 3.16 is followed by John 3.17, 18. Those who are condemned already, i.e., those who do not put their trust in Christ, have an eternity as well. In the nasty-now-and-now, we call Hell. At the great white throne of Judgment, Hell is followed by being cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20.12-15)

God, thru the Bible, makes it plain: there are only two ways our life is going to END on this earth. Of those two ways, God leaves us the choice to make: Trust Christ or Not. Everlasting life, or eternal condemnation. You will either be a Saint or an Ain’t. Saved or lost. Choose Christ. Choose now.

Oh, Come, Emmanuelle!

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Sunday, November 03, 2013

Playing With Fire

The following story is from this Sermon Audio link, and my "komment" is connected to it.NeverPlayWithFire_1152x864

 

 

 

 

M
any boys have a fascination with starting and watching fires. Give them a few matches, some dry paper, dry leaves, firecrackers, or carpet, a house (!), anything to put a match to, and it seems big fun is to be had. Quite dangerous fun, and boys are generally warned of the risks of playing with fire.

Fire can be likened to "sin"

Fire can be likened to "sin" which so "easily besets us." (Hebrews 12.1) In the case of our story, you can warn a boy of the risk of playing with fire, but put the matchbook or lighter in front of him, he may not be able to help himself. Read on.

The Story

A little boy (the preacher in the afore-mentioned link) and his brother had a fascination with fire. Mom sends these boys outside with the instructions not to play with matches or the fire. The warning is stern, serious, and her command rightfully demanded obedience.

You know already what these two young men did before I tell you, right? Yes, sir/ma'am! Outside they go, and almost immediately proceed to play with the matches and start lighting little fires. Mostly, harmless patches of dry grass. Then, after awhile, they see a patch of dry grass they had not yet scorched, so being irresistibly drawn to the idea, like "moths to a flame," off they go, and on they light this one last patch of grass.

You know already that this is going to be the one that catches them, right? Perhaps, you are thinking, "One or both boys ended up badly burned, or even killed by the fire?" Good guess, but no. For the preacher in this sermon, it was actually WORSE than he imagined.

This patch of grass was directly next to a house. As the flames engulfed the grass and nearly caught the neighbor's house on fire, mom came out the door and saw what was happening. In that time (many years ago) and location, mom could not call 911, neither did she have a water-hose or other fire-extinguisher handy. Instead, she immediately ran over to the fire, and began putting the flames out with her hands. Her arms and hands were severely burned. Those burns left scars on her hands and arms from which she never recovered.

This preacher relates that his mom lived for decades after. For all those years, he could not look at his mom without seeing those burn-scars. Furthermore, he would never forget what she did that day. Instead of making the two boys put the fire out, however they may (or may not) have been able to, SHE put that fire out, and suffered the consequences on their behalf. He thought of that every time he saw her. He does not say it, but his mom loved him all the rest of his days. He loved her. Yet, she bore in her body the marks of his disobedience.

Conclusion

You know already the conclusion that I'm about to make, but I'm making it anyway.

God gave specific instructions to Adam and Eve: do not EAT of the tree in the midst of the garden (Genesis 2:17). Genesis 3.1-7, Adam and Eve explicitly disobey the Lord's instructions. Hence, the curse of sin and death not only fell on Adam and Eve, but has followed their descendants all down thru time. (Romans 5.12) By nature, we ALL sin, we all play with fire, and we all are expectantly awaiting the day of Judgment, when our condemnation is executed. Unless...

Unless, of course, Someone stands in our place. That someone is Jesus Christ. When we disobediently "play with fire," simply because that is our nature, He left glory and suffered for us on the cross. Jesus, ran to the fire we started, and put it out with His bare hands. Now, He bears the marks of His suffering on our behalf in His body. Forever. My fire, My sin. Your fire. Your sin. (1Pet 2:24; Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.)

Because we trust in what He has done on the cross, and in His resurrection, we are safe from our own fire-playing, our own disobedience. Because He lives, we live. Because He has risen from the dead, we shall also. To be clear, the believer is raised to life forever with God, but the unbeliever rises, too: read the end of Revelation 20. That is serious reading material.

I confess that I have played with fire. Though commanded not to, I have anyway. You have, too. Remember, Romans 3.23? Ecclesiastes 7.20? How about Galatians 3.22 and 1 John 1.8-10?

However, I would like to remind you that Romans 3.23 is followed by Romans 3.24. In other words, the situation is not hopeless. Jesus Christ is the answer!

I am thankful to Jesus Christ for His mercy, and His grace, that He offered Himself in my place.