Tue, Oct 21st - 10:57PM
What words will you speak?
Jeremiah 14:14 (NIV)
14 Then the LORD said to me, "The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I have not sent them or appointed them or spoken to them. They are prophesying to you false visions, divinations, idolatries and the delusions of their own minds.
Jeremiah 15:15-21 (NIV)
15 You understand, O LORD;
remember me and care for me.
Avenge me on my persecutors.
You are long-suffering—do not take me away;
think of how I suffer reproach for your sake. 16 When your words came, I ate them;
they were my joy and my heart's delight,
for I bear your name,
O LORD God Almighty. 17 I never sat in the company of revelers,
never made merry with them;
I sat alone because your hand was on me
and you had filled me with indignation. 18 Why is my pain unending
and my wound grievous and incurable?
Will you be to me like a deceptive brook,
like a spring that fails? 19 Therefore this is what the LORD says:
"If you repent, I will restore you
that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
but you must not turn to them. 20 I will make you a wall to this people,
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
to rescue and save you,"
declares the LORD. 21 "I will save you from the hands of the wicked
and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel."
Isaiah 6:5-7 (NIV)
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
I am as bad as Jeremiah who feared for his life. (read the book lightly in one sitting, and that will get through to you...) I am worse than Isaiah, in that I am a sinner, guilty of many sins of many kinds. Yet, I understand what I must do: As best as I can, frail with calamity and confusion at times, I must speak the truth as clearly as can be understood. I say as best I can, for this is a mighty struggle of epic proportions. I make no claim to be better than you or anyone else, even those I would say are liars of the worst sort. I understand how woefully inadequate I am. I stand only by God's Grace. Period! Whether you see it or not, speaking the truth is a goal God gives all of us. On to what I really need to say: Something happens in Samuel 15. The weak human attitude of Saul really starts being shown clearly in Chapter 13, but the part I am interested in starts around Chapter 15. Now then, I will not post all of it here, but summarize what I wish to emphasise: Saul was commanded through Samuel to utterly destroy the Amalekites, but he stopped short of what he was commanded to do. In our current society, he would no doubt be praised as a merciful man for this. However, this was not in line with what the correct thing to do was. Say what you want about this command from God not being loving, but you are living by your own understanding when you do so! Is your understanding so great that you can challenge the Lord Almighty? You can if you don't believe, and people following their own understanding certainly do all the time! I'll post this key passage:
1 Samuel 15:26-29 (NIV)
26 But Samuel said to him, "I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the LORD, and the LORD has rejected you as king over Israel!" 27 As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. 28 Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors—to one better than you. 29 He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind."
This is about as political as it gets my brothers and sisters, and I think it is key to note that the Nature of Truth as an immutable part of God and indeed Jesus, is invoked here. Truly, the choice of God extends to the very top of political power. This is spoken plainly and undeniably here. And it was a Prophet that spoke this!
Matthew 23:1-36 (NIV)
1Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: 2"The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. 3So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. 4They tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. 5"Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; 6they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; 7they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them 'Rabbi.' 8"But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. 10Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ. 11The greatest among you will be your servant. 12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. 13"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. 14 Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Therefore you will be punished more severely. 15"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are. 16"Woe to you, blind guides! You say, 'If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.' 17You blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18You also say, 'If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.' 19You blind men! Which is greater: the gift, or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20Therefore, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the one who dwells in it. 22And he who swears by heaven swears by God's throne and by the one who sits on it. 23"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. 25"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. 27"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men's bones and everything unclean. 28In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. 29"Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. 30And you say, 'If we had lived in the days of our forefathers, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. 32Fill up, then, the measure of the sin of your forefathers! 33"You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? 34Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town. 35And so upon you will come all the righteous blood that has been shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berekiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36I tell you the truth, all this will come upon this generation.
Romans 13:1-7 (NIV)
1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Acts 5:27-45 (NIV)
27Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. 28"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 29Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." 33When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. 34But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." 40His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.
With these three passages, I wish to illustrate one thing: God's Authority is Supreme. Christ tells everyone to obey those sitting in authority in the seat of Moses' and then reviles those leaders soundly as they deserve. We are told to obey authorities of all kinds, and yet when obeying them would cause the apostles to disobey God, you can see what decision was made. Follow the top authority. If your elder brother tells you to do one thing and your father says no, do this instead, who's word do you follow? This is not that hard to understand. In 1 Chronicles 21, David makes what you and I might think was a little mistake. He numbered the fighting men. "Big Deal!" you say. Well, when you look at what happened, I guess it was. David was a good leader, and a man after God's Heart. He made mistakes and his people paid. Understand this clearly: We pay for our leaders mistakes. No matter the method, we delude ourselves to think God has not made a choice in who our leader is. However, I think we also delude ourselves if we do not call it as we see it, especially in respect to God's Word. I will command no one to vote. I will implore you to vote. I will recommend you pray strongly about it and vote conscience before comfort. I will say what I see. That is my responsibilty. And some people think I like responsibilty! LOL! I think even God laughs at that one! Blessings always, Mel
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Tue, Oct 14th - 2:59AM
The What I am Told to Do -- Hard to Get it Right!!!
2 Corinthians 11:29 (NIV)
29Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?
Isaiah 49:4 (NIV)
4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand,
and my reward is with my God."
Isaiah 30:10 (NIV)
10 They say to the seers,
"See no more visions!"
and to the prophets,
"Give us no more visions of what is right!
Tell us pleasant things,
prophesy illusions.
Isaiah 64:6 (NIV)
6 All of us have become like one who is unclean,
and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags;
we all shrivel up like a leaf,
and like the wind our sins sweep us away.
Isaiah 65:5 (NLT)
5 Yet they say to each other,
‘Don’t come too close or you will defile me!
I am holier than you!’
These people are a stench in my nostrils,
an acrid smell that never goes away.
Jeremiah 3:9-11 (NIV)
9 Because Israel's immorality mattered so little to her, she defiled the land and committed adultery with stone and wood. 10 In spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretense," declares the LORD. 11 The LORD said to me, "Faithless Israel is more righteous than unfaithful Judah.
Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
These are given as a quick answer of a sort. Please forgive my brevity. In Truth, Mel
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Tue, Sep 30th - 11:59PM
Forgiveness
You know, I have been thinking about this for so long and from so many different angles, I am unsure where to start. For that reason, I simply will start spilling it. (after a very short prayer)
Forgiveness, you see, is not primarily for the person being forgiven. No, it is for the person who is giving the forgiveness and the fact that it is the only way to restore a relationship. Without forgiveness, relationships are blocked. Can you not see this? Many seem to be blind to this, and I certainly was for a long time.
I am just making an observation that has been enlightening for me. The fact is, I know why I frequently sin in certain ways. Others cause pain in my life. They may be aware of it, but they are not always. From the perspective of some, these things may be sin. From the perspective of others, it may not be wrong at all. Some are in response to pain I have caused them. Some are not. The only thing is, when they cause me pain and I choose not to forgive them, that is when I will do something else that is certainly sin.
Sometimes I lash out in ungodly anger. Sin. There is not a thought of any good that it is to accomplish. Just anger. Anger is not itself sin, mind you, but unbridled rage that serves no purpose in its expression, is. What, you think all anger is bad? Even God's rage is good for those who love Him and are called by His purpose, or do you not believe in exactly what Romans 8:28 says? If not, I suggest you grasp that very fundamental promise and claim it. It is a wellspring of strength in perplexing times.
Other times I retreat into one or another pastime that is designed to give me some sort of pleasure, but is totally devoid of any real value. I retreat. I do not interact. I deny. It could be playing games. That is not in and of itself bad. However, I can delve into them in an unhealthy way. For me games are both a strength and a weakness. This is still something I turn over in my mind to decide what is the correct way to deal with it. I am still sort of just running with this, honestly, and trying to work it for good. There is absolutely no rational reason to do this. But there you have it: a character flaw in the minds of some, but something I can honestly say I do not condemn myself for endlessly! Is this my thorn?
I digress.
Other behaviors, equally wrong or at least not constructive and edifying are responses that are various blends of denial, rage and hedonism. I think for each of us, the blend that appeals to our fleshly nature is different. One is strong in one area, and another weak. Our lack of understanding and compassion leads us condemn instead of heal. Just because I am mentioning three here, does not mean there are not others. Remember the concept of the Body and how we are to bear each others' burdens? We are different parts that function very differently. What is hard for me, is easy for you. You carry what you can bear. I carry what I can, regardless of just who's burden it is.
Forgiveness is sometimes a cross we have to bear. It is not always easy, but it is commanded. Why do we refuse in this? What do we do to ourselves if we do? Read Luke 6:32-38 or Psalm 65:3.
You think that because we forgive someone, that they will become a better person? Well, maybe. But to set up that as an expectation may not always be correct. You will have a better chance of keeping the lines of communication open, but that does not mean they will hear or listen. They can respond to us much the same as mankind has responded to God in the past and continues to this day. Read Isaiah 26:10. It is sad. But grasp this, and still refuse to give up. Hope! And act on that hope.
How often? Well, I read Matt 18:21&22 along with Luke 17:3-5. It is given to me to say that if my brother sins against me once every two minutes or so while I am awake, I should forgive him. Maybe he repents. Maybe he does not. There is forgiveness and there is forgiveness. One is the outward expression of forgiveness. One is the internal act of forgiveness. The former, you might not give if that is what it takes for them to get some point. But despite that, give them the latter. Be as gracious as God has been to us. Our fleshly nature will try to twist us and make us go the other way. Outwardly we pretend to forgive, while internally, we have not even come close and hold something against someone.
Let me illustrate: In 1 Corr 5:1-12, Paul is telling the church to kick a brother out. Why? Well, one reason is that there is no understanding that this is wrong. Verse 2 says they were proud about this but should not have been. And this is for the good of all. Paul talks about the yeast working through the whole batch of dough in verse 6. Meaning that the entire body can be infected if they do not condemn this act they are holding up in pride saying "See just how loving and accepting we can be?" Wrong is still wrong. Although all of this is correct, I would say that the underlying motivation is even greater. It is for the salvation of the one lost sheep. Remember the "Good Shepherd" example and the one versus the ninety nine? Ah! Verse 5 has Paul saying to do this for this one man's salvation. He commands the rebuke that is strong enough to do what is needed. Will the rebuke always need to be this strong? No. But must be willing to rebuke the ones you love, just as God certainly can rebuke us directly and even as Christ commands us to rebuke our sinning brother. (back in Luke 17)
Was that the end? I don't feel it was. If that man repented, I think he should be accepted back. In 2 Corr, Paul instructs the church to take back in someone who has repented. It could be the very same man, but that is not a point worth arguing over. Someone repented and was taken back in, even at the risk of the "yeast" some may feel he could bring with him. In all of this, where was Paul's love of himself? Nowhere! Everywhere, even in the meanest thing that was done, was Paul's love for his brothers and sisters in Christ. All was done for their good, reflecting the very nature of God I told you to grab before!
In Ephesians Chapter 2 you have the progress we are to expect in verses 8-10. We do the good works after. Not before. Now are we going to still sin? If someone says "Never" they are lying, probably even about their own failings and hiding them. I have heard Galatians 5:19-21 used to condemn people "living in sin" when they are not living in it, but have fallen into it. If they are just living that sort of life, then this scripture applies. If their acts are not their expression of their lifestyle choice, but just a weakness they need help with, you are condemning yourself by condemning them. Why? Because you will be forced to hide in darkness your own hypocritical failings to "keep up appearances". You will have a form of Godliness but will be denying its power. Am I speaking strongly enough or do you wish to refute this?
Explain James 2:12-13 then. Or try 1 John 1:8-10. More pointedly James 5:19-20 says a brother can stray and be turned back and saved. Even if they "fell away" as some so politely try to say with an air of superiority.
How about explaining this one: Proverbs 24:16. This was under Mosaic Law, and still it says a righteous man falls seven times. If falling makes one unrighteous, then he would never have the hope needed to get up. Despair would rule, and we would worse off than under the Old form of the Law. Humble yourself a little bit when you see someone trapped in sin. If it is where you are strong and have the greatest fleshly tendency to judge them, they probably need your help. You can walk to the other side of the road, like the Priest. Or just understanding who you are, you can bind their wounds and take them to the inn. If it is something you struggle with, I will not say not to help them, I will just say that someone strong in that area really needs to be involved. That is biblical, but I'll let you look that one up.
Rebuke and Forgive. Both out of love. Never condemning.
In Christ,
Mel
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Wed, Aug 20th - 9:58AM
Using or Abusing our Freedom???
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV)
19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 10:23-24 (NKJV)
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 (AMP)
31So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God. 32Do not let yourselves be [hindrances by giving] an offense to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God [do not lead others into sin by your mode of life]; 33Just as I myself strive to please [to accommodate myself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others, adapting myself to] all men in everything I do, not aiming at or considering my own profit and advantage, but that of the many in order that they may be saved.
Psalm 35:11-16 (NLT)
11 Malicious witnesses testify against me.
They accuse me of crimes I know nothing about.
12 They repay me evil for good.
I am sick with despair.
13 Yet when they were ill, I grieved for them.
I denied myself by fasting for them,
but my prayers returned unanswered.
14 I was sad, as though they were my friends or family,
as if I were grieving for my own mother.
15 But they are glad now that I am in trouble;
they gleefully join together against me.
I am attacked by people I don’t even know;
they slander me constantly.
16 They mock me and call me names;
they snarl at me.
I don't even think I need to put emphasis here. The Word alone speaks clearly to me. I am still intending to give you more commentary, but I am not sure if it is for you, or for me that I do it! I will work on my heart in this matter (or more properly, let God work on it!) and then purpose not to judge myself further... AMEN! Mel
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Wed, Aug 13th - 10:45PM
Bear with the Strong or the Weak?
Matthew 22:35-40 (NIV)
35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (emphasis added by me)
Philippians 2:1-8 (NIV)
1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
and became obedient to death—
even death on a cross! (emphasis added by me)
1 Corinthians 7:40 (NLT)
40 But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God’s Spirit when I say this. (emphasis added by me)
1 Corinthians 8:2 (NKJV)
2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. (emphasis added by me)
Romans 15:1-3 (AMP)
1WE WHO are strong [in our convictions and of robust faith] ought to bear with the failings and the frailties and the tender scruples of the weak; [we ought to help carry the doubts and qualms of others] and not to please ourselves.
2Let each one of us make it a practice to please (make happy) his neighbor for his good and for his true welfare, to edify him [to strengthen him and build him up spiritually]. 3For Christ did not please Himself [gave no thought to His own interests]; but, as it is written, The reproaches and abuses of those who reproached and abused you fell on Me. (emphasis added by me)
1 Corinthians 5:1-5 (AMP)
1IT IS actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, impurity of a sort that is condemned and does not occur even among the heathen; for a man has [his own] father's wife.(A)
2And you are proud and arrogant! And you ought rather to mourn (bow in sorrow and in shame) until the person who has done this [shameful] thing is removed from your fellowship and your midst! 3As for my attitude, though I am absent [from you] in body, I am present in spirit, and I have already decided and passed judgment, as if actually present, 4In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, on the man who has committed such a deed. When you and my own spirit are met together with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5You are to deliver this man over to Satan for physical discipline [to destroy carnal lusts which prompted him to incest], that [his] spirit may [yet] be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. (emphasis added by me)
Hebrews 12:4-6 (NIV)
4In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:
"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." (emphasis added by me)
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 (NIV)
5If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent—not to put it too severely. 6The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. 7Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. 9The reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. 10If you forgive anyone, I also forgive him. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, 11in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (emphasis added by me)
Matthew 20:25-28 (NIV)
25Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (emphasis added by me)
1 Corinthians 4:2-4 (NIV)
2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. (emphasis added by me)
Again, commentary from me will have to wait. My apologies. But, since I see no comments from anyone else, I am left to wonder if I really need to comment? In Truth, Mel
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Name: Mel Miller
