by MIMADMIN | Nov 20, 2023 | Uncategorized
“Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man on his own, and shall leave me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.” John 16:32 With this verse Jesus draws His Upper Room Savior’s last Discourse to a close. These are the words to His disciples before His betrayal and crucifixion. Because Jesus was intimate with His Father, those around Him – including, the disciples never fully understood Him. Although they spent three years together, much of what He said and did they did not comprehend. In part, this was due to their preconceived convictions regarding the role of Messiah when He came to Israel. If God is with you, you are never alone, and yet the closer you grow to God the more alone you become in the world. The world simply has no capacity to understand those motivated to be Jesus’ slaves; they cannot help but assume that you are motivated by the same values as they are. Because Jesus was not alone in the sense of being One with the Father, He was destined to be alone in every other relationship in life. In a limited sense to the degree that you are committed to Him, His experience will be yours....
by Winston Parker | Nov 7, 2023 | Uncategorized
The New Testament prohibits seeking justice. The goal of justice is punishment. Rom 12:19 Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. NASB The New Testament does command treating others justly, but that is not seeking justice. Mercy sets aside punishment. Mercy forgives. The New Testament commands forgiving others, which is mercy or setting aside justice. Matt 6:14-15 14: “For if you forgive men for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15: “But if you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. NASB Even the Prophet Micah in the Old Testament says the same. Micah 6:8 He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? NKJV To love mercy is treating others justly and forgiving them. However, during the early days of the nation of Israel, when they were a theocracy, God commanded the people to administer justice according to the law. After the Theocracy, the ruling authorities exercise justice. Today, governments are set up by God to exact justice for the purpose of keeping order in a society. All governments fall short of perfect justice, but God will perfect all justice at the final judgment. When the government refuses to punish lawbreakers or exercise justice, the result is violence and chaos. We see this today in cities where prosecutors refuse to punish criminals. Christians are commanded to obey the...
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