Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 2 Feb, 2012 11:28 PM
Thanks to a question about divorce and remarriage posted on another thread, I felt the need to address those on this site who may be suffering from the weight of guilt and condemnation heaped on them because of their reasons for divorce.
I wrote the following article, "The Stone Thrower", based on actual instances that happened on this site. If you are one of those who have been ostracized by others for having an "Unbiblical Divorce," please take the time to read. May it minister to your heart.
The Stone Thrower
I want to touch on a subject today that has long been regarded in Christendom as taboo . . . and that is . . . DIVORCE. Mention that word around some Christians and their hackles suddenly go up on the back of their neck. They pull out their proverbial stones ready to put to death anyone who they think has been un-biblically divorced. And to my shame, I was one of them�a stone thrower.
We all know the story of the woman caught in adultery in John 8:3-11. The scribes and Pharisees (the religious self-righteous) had arrested this woman and dragged her before Jesus. One has to wonder how these Pharisees caught such a woman "in the very act" of adultery. How convenient for them. It's amazing the depths of depravity the self-righteous will sink to in order to defend their religious arguments. Did they have the paparazzi spy on her to get some juicy pictures for the whole world to see?
At any rate, they dragged this poor woman in front of Jesus and proudly proclaimed, "Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" (John 8:5)
Zowie!! These men can quote the Word of God . . . at least the parts that suit their fancy.
I like our Lord's reaction. "But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear" (John 8:6b).
Don't you just love it when someone ignores you . . . especially when you're trying to win an argument? But the self-righteous rarely lie down without a fight, and those religious Pharisees were determined to prove that they had the "truth." So they continued pestering Jesus, knowing that the Law of Moses was on their side. It's not a good idea to pester Jesus, especially when it comes to "pointing a finger" at someone.
"So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, 'He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.' And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst" (John 8:7-9).
This introductory story of the woman caught in adultery has a purpose: I wanted you to have a glimpse of the mentality of a "stone thrower." They are usually self-righteous, ready to condemn, and can quote the Word of God. Ouch . . . I just described me.
I had a clear cut answer for the reasons one might give to justify divorce which I thought was quite Biblical. And in my mind, there was only one reason . . . "But I say to you, that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except for sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 5:32). There you have it�plain and simple. Who could argue with such a statement? It is the Word of God! I thought I had the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth . . . yet the truth is . . . I was ignorant of the ways of God. "For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment" (James 2:13).
And it was in my ignorance to God's ways that I threw stones at the divorced ladies on a Christian dating site some time ago. As a widower, I was on this site looking for a prospective wife. I was so appalled at the amount of women who were divorced on this site whose reasons for separating from their husbands did not match my view of scripture. In order to protect myself from these "contaminated souls," I purposely wrote something in my profile for those that I would consider as wife material: "You may be single, widowed, or divorced (must be for Biblical reasons only)."
When I would communicate with these divorced ladies, I would immediately ask them to provide details on the reason for their divorce. If they could not give me an answer of infidelity as the reason for their divorce, then I considered them unmarriageable. Yet God has a way of grabbing His child's attention when that child is in error.
One of the ladies on this dating site told me her story of divorce after I demanded it. Her husband was deep in bondage to pornography and had no interest whatsoever in repentance. The man had not physically hopped into bed with another woman, and so in my self-righteousness, I condemned the poor wife for wanting to opt out on the marriage. And the "stones" that I threw created fresh wounds in her heart while she recounted those painful memories of her husband's infidelity as he lusted after porn. According to Jesus' own words, her husband WAS GUILTY of adultery: "But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). I ignored that scripture and concentrated only on Matthew 5:32. She lashed out at me, saying that she was glad Jesus did not condemn her even if I did. I have to admit, I was shaken by her story which moved me to tears.
Then there was another lady whom I demanded to give an account for her divorce. I threw "stones" at her as well when she could not give me a reason of infidelity for her separation. In bitter anger, she struck back at me, stating how her husband had broken her nose and physically abused her. I ignored the scripture which reads, "But God has called us to peace" (1 Corinthians 7:15b) and concentrated again on Matthew 5:32. However, her story bothered me very much just like the other woman's.
I began to seek God earnestly. These were only two of the many ladies who shared with me their heartbreaking stories of divorce. There were so many reasons given for divorce and none of them fell under sexual immorality (fornication) as I saw it. I sincerely asked the Lord to open my eyes. Was there any scriptural evidence to support these women's choices to opt out of a marriage other than infidelity? Yes, there was.
God led me to Matthew 19:3-12. The Pharisees were looking for a reason to trap Jesus in His words. Their previous scheme had not worked with the woman caught in adultery. However, if they could just get Jesus to say something contradictory to the Law of Moses, then they could brand Him as a heretic. So they asked Jesus this question, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?" (Matthew 19:3b)
Jesus' answer was, and still is, God's original intention for marriage: "Have you not read . . . the two shall become one flesh? So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:5b-6).
The Pharisees did not like His answer. For Jesus had taken them right back to Genesis before there ever was a Moses or a Law of Moses so that they could hear what GOD SAYS about marriage. Yet the stiff-necked Pharisees persisted with another question: "Why then did Moses command to give a certificate of divorce, and to put her away?" (Matthew 19:7)
Jesus responds, "Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, permitted you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so" (Matthew 19:8).
The self-righteous Pharisees were using the Law of Moses as an excuse to bail out on marriages for any flippant reason. And because of this, the Lord had some very strong words for them. "And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery" (Matthew 19:9).
I can just hear the stone throwers shouting, "See, I told you . . . it's right there in the word . . . 'sexual immorality!'"
Wait a minute. Like Paul Harvey, let's hear "the rest of the story" before jumping to any conclusions. After verse 9 comes verse 10. Even Jesus' disciples, which would include us, were amazed at the words of Jesus. "His disciples said to Him, 'If such is the case of the man with his wife, it is better not to marry'" (Matthew 19:10). Yeah, I can see their point. If sexual immorality (fornication) is the only reason for divorce, then perhaps we are better off not getting married.
But look at Jesus' response to his own disciples in verse 11. It stands to reason that if the disciples' statement was true, then Jesus would have said something to affirm it as such. He does not!
"But He said to them, 'All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given'" (Matthew 19:11).
What saying? The saying in verse 9 of course. NOT ALL can accept the saying that fornication is the ONLY reason for divorce.
Now notice that Jesus goes on to explain what He meant with the following verse:
"For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it" (Matthew 19:12).
What did Jesus mean by this? He tells us that three different men all became eunuchs for different reasons. One was born a eunuch, another was made a eunuch by men, and still another made himself that way for the kingdom of heaven. They all became eunuchs for different reasons, but who is to say which eunuch is "God approved"? God accepted them all. That's the point!
Likewise, there are many reasons someone might seek a divorce: physical and verbal abuse from a spouse . . . being married to an unbeliever who makes life a literal hell . . . marital unfaithfulness . . . the stress of being married to an alcoholic for 23 years . . . or living with a pornographer who refuses to repent. Which one of these reasons for divorce is "God approved"? That's the point Jesus was making. Just as the eunuchs were acceptable to God regardless of how they became a eunuch, so also is a woman acceptable to God who seeks to be free from an abusive husband, even if infidelity is not involved. You and I cannot see in the heart of that abused person . . . but God can. For God has called them to peace.
And the church has done more harm counselling emotionally and physically battered women to stay in a relationship citing Matthew 5:32 "except for sexual immorality" as the only just cause for divorce. Women have actually committed suicide and murder under the stress of remaining in an abusive situation because their legalistic church counseled them to do so.
You may have heard of the case in the U.S. where a lady killed her husband (a pastor) who had been abusing her for years. God had called her to peace . . . but she never knew it, and one day she snapped. The evidence of abuse was so overwhelming that the courts found this woman not guilty of murder by reason of insanity.
I certainly do not want to imply that people should take their marriage so lightly as to divorce for every whim and fancy. I would not condone that, and neither does the Word of God. Every marriage will have its share of problems which can be worked out with God's help by two committed individuals. Yet there are some women, especially those suffering physical and mental abuse, who have reached the tipping point of no return; and the only thing they can do to preserve their sanity is to get out of that marriage. And ultimately, it is to the Lord they answer to, not you or me. He has called them to peace.
After God opened my eyes to the truth of scripture, I contacted those ladies on the dating site who I had thrown "stones" at and apologized profusely. I was truly grieved that I had been so self-righteous and blind, wounding those precious sisters for whom Christ died.
Now back to the story that I began with. The "stone throwers" had already dropped their rocks and left the scene with a guilty conscience, leaving Jesus alone with the adulterous woman.
"He said to her, 'Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?'"
"She said, 'No one, Lord.'"
"And Jesus said to her, 'Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more'" (John 8:10b-11).
HALLELUJAH�MERCY TRIUMPHS OVER JUDGMENT!!!
Blessings in Christ Jesus,
Paul Janz
(All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New King James Version.)
"The Stone Thrower" Copyright � 2010 by Paul Janz.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:17 PM
�Singer, you are just as guilty as Paul when it comes to posting the same (sometimes lengthy) post over and over. � Since Paul started this thread, I believe he has every right to repost those posts he feels relevant.
My next few posts are to address all your inaccurate citations and interpretations. �I have previously gone issue by issue, topic by topic, verse by verse and refuted your views and those of the other people you have cited such as Dan Corner.
Now I will provide the verses that individuals can read, in some cases a synopsis of what i understand the verses to say, and let the reader make their own assessment of what God said/means.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:31 PM
When we receive God's free gift of salvation, He begins working in our lives. �God accepts us as we are in our sins...we do not have to stop sinning to receive His gift. �It is when we receive the gift of salvation that the Holy Spirit in dwells us and begins to convict us of the sins in our lives. �Sometimes people immediately set aside sins (stop smoking, drinking, adultery, etc) however, in most cases, it takes time for people to fully understand and �accept the sins they are committing which is the example in 1 Corinthians (they are still babies in Christ, they have not started growing in their Christian walk)
Here are some verses (not all inclusive) that show that once we are saved that God will continue to work in our lives, keep us in His care and not abandon us.
Philippians 1:6�Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 1:13-14�In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, �14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.�
1 Corinthians 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 7:23-24�Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
Ephesians 2:1-22
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;�
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:�
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,�
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
�6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:�
7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
�8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:�
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.�
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.�
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
�12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:�
13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;�
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;�
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:�
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.�
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;�
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;�
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:�
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Ephesians 4:30-32�And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.�
�31�Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:�
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:33 PM
Hebrews 7:19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
1 Corinthians 6:12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
1 Corinthians 10:23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
What Paul was/ is saying, everything is now lawful for him; however, it is not expedient (good/right) for him to sin.
Sin after salvation strains the relationship with God, just like with Adam and Eve...God knew where they were, He wanted them to admit what they had done. �Then God killed the animals for the blood sacrifice for their sins...setting the example until the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross.
Christ paid the death penalty and there is no more sacrifice for sin required.
Not being under the law is not a license to sin as those who will accuse those of us who believe in the security of the believer. �I never said I don't follow the commandments, in fact I have stated that I do follow the commandments because they set the right example for pleasing God. �Just like we want to please our earthly parents, we should want to please our Heavenly Father, even more. �We give up our sins because we are saved, not saved because we gave up our sins.
Romans 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Romans 3:31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:34 PM
Just like a parent loves a child even though that child may be disobedient or makes poor choices in life, God still loves His children even though He doesn't approve of what His children are doing. �He doesn't disown His children. �He chastises/punishes us just like our earthly parents, He provides us guidance through His Word and teachers/preachers, he picks us up when we fall down, He encourages through His rewards/blessings...
Psalms 18:30-36�As for God, his way is perfect:�the word of the Lord is tried:�he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the Lord?�or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength,�and maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds 'feet,�and setteth me upon my high places.
34 He teacheth my hands to war,�so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
35 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation:�and thy right hand hath holden me up,�and thy gentleness hath made me great.
36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me,�that my feet did not slip.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:35 PM
Hebrews 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:16-28�
16Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.�
17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.�
18 For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.�
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:�
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)�
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
�23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:�
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.�
25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.�
26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;�
27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.�
28 For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
2 Timothy 1:12-14 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:37 PM
7 �Ephesians 4:30-32 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. �31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Philippians 1:15-18 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Philippians 2:13-16 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:44 PM
�2 Samuel 14:14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him.�
Even with the Israelites constantly sinning/complaining and God not allowing many into the promised land, He did not expel them from Him.
Psalm 51. Restore the joy of my salvation.�
King David restore the joy, not restore my salvation...when we sin, we lose the joy that we should have as children of God.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:46 PM
�Salvation is either freely offered by God's grace and freely received as a gift because of Christ's blood sacrifice �-- or else salvation is conditional and works are a necessary part of salvation. �If salvation is conditional, one lives in fear of sinning. �If salvation is unconditional, one chooses not to sin to please the Heavenly Father.
Romans8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
2 Timothy 1:7-14
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;�
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,�
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:
�11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.�
12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
�14 That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
Romans 11:6�And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Romans 4:5�But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 06:56 PM
Titus 3:5-8
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;�
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;�
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
In verse 8 Paul says we might be careful to maintain good works...why, because it is good and profitable
John 6:
27�Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
�28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
�29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.�
36�But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.�
37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.�
38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.�
39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.�
40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
47�Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
51�I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.�
54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.�
55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.�
56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.
�57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
�58 This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.
Have you been CONDEMMNED by others as having an "UNBIBLICAL DIVORCE" ?
Posted : 10 Jun, 2012 07:21 PM
Hebrews 12
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,�
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
�4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
�5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:�
6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
� �[***Note...Why would God chasten us/punish us if just took away the gift of salvation? �He does not disown us when we sin, He provides corrective actions.***]
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
�8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye b*stards, and not sons.�
9 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?
�10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.�
11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;�
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:�
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;�
� [***note...this verse is saying we are an example to others, we may be the only Bible they read, if we do not live right, we may keep them from seeking and desiring salvation***]
16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.�
17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,
�19 And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:�
20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:
�21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)
� [***these verses are referring to the scene at Mt Sinai...when the Israelites lost patience and had a golden calf made to worship, up until this time God spoke verbally to men, not just the priests***]
22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,�
23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,
�24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:�
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.�
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire.
� [***this chapter is showing that there are many who have gone before and faced temptations in their walk, not all resisting temptation, but all having the gift of eternal life. �Some never received the gift and tried to receive it too late
Verse 28 should be an encouragement...that once we receive salvation, we can't be moved!***]
1 Corinthians 10:13�There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Job 1 :1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
8�And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
�9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?�
10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.�
11 But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
�12 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
