Bible
The Venn Diagram
Addemf, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Like a Venn diagram, it is quite possible for different individuals or groups to agree on some points, but not all points. It is what allows people of certain opposing views to work together, at least at those points where they are in agreement.
4.21.24
It is important to recognize where we are fighting similar battles and join together where possible rather than attempt to separate on doctrinal and other points.
Romans 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
The Pharisees were particularly focused on the minutiae. They complained when Jesus healed on the sabbath rather than being glad that someone got healed (Luke 13:11-17). They focused on the details of the law and traditions they had built up and missed the fact that their Messiah, that they had waited for, longed for, and their own prophets had said was coming, was standing in front of them. Jesus basically told them that, but he spoke in parables.
Matthew 16:1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
For those who are unfamiliar the story of Jonas (Jonah), it was a type and shadow of the three days during which Jesus finished up what was necessary to be accomplished in the legal steps of redemption, taking the keys of death and hell (Revelation 1:18), taking his blood shed as an atonement for sin to the mercy seat in heaven (Hebrews 9), and resurrecting on the third day (Matthew 28:5-7). Jesus basically told them why he was there and they missed the point and actually were part of scenario bringing about his crucifixion.
Recognizing that there are eschatalogical differences and belief systems, can we simplify things down to “thy kingdom come, thy will be done”? As the angels said, God’s kingdom is “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” (Luke 2:14) There are some things we know are not part of kingdom activity such as abuse of children, transgenderism, pedophilia, blackmail, bribery, corruption, covenantbreaking and more. Can we oppose that which we understand and know and seek to bring in a cleaner world?
James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
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False Hope
There might be other considerations regarding false hope, and another writer or article might come at this topic from a different angle, but for purposes of this post, false hope is the expectation that it is possible to break rules and have the same result as those who follow rules.
In today’s woke society, there is the thought, often put forth by politicians, that if you perceive a thing a certain way, that makes it true. That actually is not true. Perception does not equate to fact.
You cannot perceive a woman to be a man or a man to be a woman. You cannot perceive a man as giving birth to a baby. Perception does not establish fact.
When it comes to the Bible, it is necessary to become thoroughly acquainted with its contents and to take things in context. Otherwise, there is the danger of pulling out one statement and establishing that as fact. That one statement without fullness of understanding and obedience can lead to false hope.
While there are multiple topics and directions a post could take with the above introduction, and they may be covered at a later time, today the focus will be on finances. It is necessary to take the whole counsel of God, not just one scripture.
I’m speaking from experience that if the following verses are are foundational scriptures in life and finances, that God is faithful.
Malachi 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?
8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
Tithing existed before the law. There are those who say that tithing was part of the law and was abolished but tithing existed before the law. Abraham preceded Moses and Abraham tithed. So did Jacob. Abraham tithed to Melchisedek. Jesus is of the order of Melchisedek. So we tithe to the Lord under the New Covenant.
There are those who simply quote “my God shall supply all my need” which he will. But there are some requirements. That was spoken to people who were givers. It wasn’t spoken to just anyone. And Jesus said, “seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you”.
False hope is taking one promise and not seeing or ignoring if there are any requirements we have to fulfill. The New Testament is the new covenant and in a covenant there are responsibilities on the side of both parties. A lot of times preaching focuses on what God will do, but we actually have responsibilities on our part to fulfill.
If finances are tight, study the promises in Malachi. Study tithing. Tithe.
The blessings of tithing can come back in many ways: opportunities to earn more income, sales, discounts, fewer breakdowns and problems that cost money, greater wisdom in financial affairs, favor that leads to increase, etc.. God is unlimited in how he fulfills his promises and the way God works can be totally different each time. God can tailor his supply to your need provided you don’t put him in a box and insist it come a certain way.
One blessing that I have found is that desires can change. If you are compelled to buy the biggest and best and newest, you might find that that is no longer important and that alone will save a lot of shopping trips to the mall or Amazon. Or you may be inspired to study and increase your skill level to get a new and better job. Or other changes can be facilitated. When we take care of God’s house, God takes care of ours.
False hope is just believing that God will supply your needs without finding out from the Word of God and also the leading of the Lord what God requires as part of the covenant relationship in order for that promise to come to pass.
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Lessons from the past
I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II Chronicles 24:4 And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord.
5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.
6 And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness?
7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim.
8 And at the king’s commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the Lord.
9 And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the Lord the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.
10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced, and brought in, and cast into the chest, until they had made an end.
11 Now it came to pass, that at what time the chest was brought unto the king’s office by the hand of the Levites, and when they saw that there was much money, the king’s scribe and the high priest’s officer came and emptied the chest, and took it, and carried it to his place again. Thus they did day by day, and gathered money in abundance.
12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to such as did the work of the service of the house of the Lord, and hired masons and carpenters to repair the house of the Lord, and also such as wrought iron and brass to mend the house of the Lord.
13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.
14 And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord continually all the days of Jehoiada.
15 But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died.
16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.
17 Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.
18 And they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.
19 Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the Lord; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear.
20 And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the Lord, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the Lord, he hath also forsaken you.
21 And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the Lord.
22 Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The Lord look upon it, and require it.
23 And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus.
24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the Lord delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash.
25 And when they were departed from him, (for they left him in great diseases,) his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David, but they buried him not in the sepulchres of the kings.
26 And these are they that conspired against him; Zabad the son of Shimeath an Ammonitess, and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith a Moabitess.
27 Now concerning his sons, and the greatness of the burdens laid upon him, and the repairing of the house of God, behold, they are written in the story of the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son reigned in his stead.
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Repost: Cessationism 12 (Awakening & Revival) Daniel Kolenda: Off The Record
For more posts: https://biblequestionsblog.com/
This link goes to list of a number of Christian resources, click here for links to various Christian ministries.
Depending on the ministry, there may be online church services, YouTube videos, podcasts, radio programs, books, teaching, and more.