ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY IS WHETHER OR NOT THE LAWS THAT GOD GAVE MOSES, TO TEACH TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, ARE STILL IN EFFECT TODAY. IN THIS SECTION I WILL BE DEMONSTRATING HOW MUCH IMPORTANCE GOD PUTS ON HIS LAWS AND HOW DIFFICULT IT IS (FOR ME) TO EVER THINK GOD WOULD NO LONGER WANT HIS LAWS FOLLOWED.
AROUND 1700 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, GOD MADE IT CLEAR WHY ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH WOULD BE BLESSED THROUGH ABRAHAM'S DESCENDANTS:
GEN026:004 And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
GEN026:005 Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.
IT APPEARS THAT ABRAHAM FOLLOWED GOD'S LAW OVER 400 YEARS BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL RECEIVED THE LAW IN THE WILDERNESS.
AROUND 1200 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, GOD TRANSMITTED HIS LAW TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THROUGH MOSES, THE GREATEST OF ALL PROPHETS. THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES SHOW THE IMPORTANCE GOD PUTS ON HIS LAWS:
DEU005:029 O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
LEV019:037 Therefore shall ye observe all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: I am the Lord.
LEV020:022 Ye shall therefore keep all my statutes, and all my judgments, and do them: that the land, whither I bring you to dwell therein, spue you not out.
LEV025:018 Wherefore ye shall do My statutes, and keep My judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety.
LEV026:046 These are the statutes and judgments and laws, which the Lord made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.
DEU004:001 Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do them, that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the Lord God of your fathers giveth you.
DEU004:008 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?
DEU005:001 And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.
DEU011:001 Therefore thou shalt love the Lord thy God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, alway.
DEU026:016 This day the Lord thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
DEU030:016 In that I command thee this day to love the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the Lord thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
AROUND 1000 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, GOD TOOK THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL FROM KING SAUL BECAUSE HE DID NOT FOLLOW GOD'S COMMANDMENT:
1SA015:022 And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1SA015:023 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
AROUND 970 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, ON HIS DEATHBED, KING DAVID SAID THE FOLLOWING TO HIS DESCENDANT SOLOMON:
1KI002:001 Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying,
1KI002:002 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
1KI002:003 And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself:
EVEN THOUGH CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY STATES THAT JESUS WAS A DESCENDANT OF KING DAVID, THEY HAVE CHOSEN NOT TO FOLLOW WHAT KING DAVID SAID.
AROUND 900 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, JUST BEFORE KING SOLOMON FINISHED THE FIRST TEMPLE, GOD COMMUNICATED THE FOLLOWING:
1KI006:011 And the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying,
1KI006:012 Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
1KI006:013 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
THIS INDICATES THE IMPORTANCE GOD PLACES ON HIS COMMANDMENTS; HERE MAKING SURE THAT KING SOLOMON DOES NOT THINK THAT BUILDING THE TEMPLE SOMEHOW DOES AWAY WITH THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW.
AFTER GOD DECIDED TO SPLIT APART ISRAEL INTO TWO SEPARATE KINGDOMS (JUDAH AND SAMARIA/ISRAEL), HE APPOINTED JEROBOAM TO BE KING OVER SAMARIA/ISRAEL AND MADE IT CLEAR TO HIM WHAT GOD EXPECTED:
1KI011:037 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
1KI011:038 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
BETWEEN 600 AND 800 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, GOD WAS STILL STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF HIS LAW THROUGH HIS GREAT PROPHETS ISAIAH, JEREMIAH, EZEKIAL, AMOS, JOEL, HOSEA, AND OTHERS:
ISA001:010 Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
ISA001:011 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
ISA001:012 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
ISA001:013 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
ISA001:014 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
ISA001:015 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
ISA001:016 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
ISA001:017 Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.
JER016:010 And it shall come to pass, when thou shalt shew this people all these words, and they shall say unto thee, Wherefore hath the Lord pronounced all this great evil against us? or what is our iniquity? or what is our sin that we have committed against the Lord our God?
JER016:011 Then shalt thou say unto them, Because your fathers have forsaken me, saith the Lord, and have walked after other gods, and have served them, and have worshipped them, and have forsaken me, and have not kept my law;
JER016:012 And ye have done worse than your fathers; for, behold, ye walk every one after the imagination of his evil heart, that they may not hearken unto me:
JER016:013 Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.
JER026:004 And thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord; If ye will not hearken to me, to walk in my law, which I have set before you,
JER026:005 To hearken to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I sent unto you, both rising up early, and sending them, but ye have not hearkened;
JER026:006 Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.
JER044:023 Because ye have burned incense, and because ye have sinned against the Lord, and have not obeyed the voice of the Lord, nor walked in his law, nor in his statutes, nor in his testimonies; therefore this evil is happened unto you, as at this day.
EZE005:006 And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.
EZE018:005 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,
EZE018:006 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,
EZE018:007 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;
EZE018:008 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,
EZE018:009 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God.
HOS008:001 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. He shall come as an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my law.
AMO002:004 Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the Lord, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked:
IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS THAT GOD, THROUGH OUR PROPHETS, STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW. NOT OBEYING GOD'S LAW WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF JUDAH AND SAMARIA/ISRAEL AS WELL AS JERUSALEM, INCLUDING THE TEMPLE. THIS ALSO WAS THE REASON GOD ALLOWED THE BABYLONIANS, LED BY KING NEBUCHADNEZZAR, TO BRING THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL TO BABYLON. THIS IS MADE CLEAR IN THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE:
2KI017:007 For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods,
2KI017:008 And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made.
2KI017:009 And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the Lord their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
2KI017:010 And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:
2KI017:011 And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the Lord carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the Lord to anger:
2KI017:012 For they served idols, whereof the Lord had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing.
2KI017:013 Yet the Lord testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets.
2KI017:014 Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the Lord their God.
2KI017:015 And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them, that they should not do like them.
2KI017:016 And they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.
2KI017:017 And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger.
2KI017:018 Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.
2KI017:019 Also Judah kept not the commandments of the Lord their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
2KI017:020 And the Lord rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.
2KI017:021 For he rent Israel from the house of David; and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king: and Jeroboam drave Israel from following the Lord, and made them sin a great sin.
2KI017:022 For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;
2KI017:023 Until the Lord removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.
JUST 450 YEARS BEFORE JESUS WAS BORN, A PRIEST AND SCRIBE NAMED EZRA BROUGHT A GROUP OF JEWS BACK TO JERUSALEM FROM BABYLON. THE BOOK OF EZRA MAKES IT OBVIOUS THAT HE WAS DEVOTED TO GOD'S LAW AND KNEW EXACTLY WHAT GOD EXPECTED FROM US:
EZR007:009 For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him.
EZR007:010 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
WHILE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE WANDERING IN THE WILDERNESS, IF A MATTER OF LAW CAME UP THAT MOSES COULD NOT ANSWER, HE WOULD ASK GOD AND GOD WOULD TELL HIM WHAT TO DO:
NUM009:008 And Moses said unto them, Stand still, and I will hear what the Lord will command concerning you.
NUM009:009 And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
NUM009:010 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the Lord.
NUM009:011 The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.
NUM015:032 And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day.
NUM015:033 And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation.
NUM015:034 And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him.
NUM015:035 And The Lord said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.
GOD KNEW THERE WOULD COME A TIME WHEN MOSES WOULD BE DEAD AND PEOPLE WOULD NO LONGER BE ABLE TO COME TO GOD CONCERNING THE LAW. SO HE DESCRIBES, IN THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY, WHAT WOULD LATER BECOME THE SANHEDRIN:
DEU017:008 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the Lord thy God shall choose;
DEU017:009 And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:
DEU017:010 And thou shalt do according to the sentence, which they of that place which the Lord shall choose shall shew thee; and thou shalt observe to do according to all that they inform thee:
DEU017:011 According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.
DEU017:012 And the man that will do presumptuously, and will not hearken unto the priest that standeth to minister there before the Lord thy God, or unto the judge, even that man shall die: and thou shalt put away the evil from Israel.
DEU025:001 If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
GOD SET UP WHAT WOULD BECOME THE SANHEDRIN IN ADVANCE, GIVING IT THE ULTIMATE AUTHORITY. THEREFORE IT HAD EVERY RIGHT TO QUESTION JESUS AND ANYONE ELSE GOING AGAINST GOD'S LAW AND IT'S RULINGS. THE ELDERS NOT ONLY HAD THE RIGHT TO EXECUTE JUDGMENT, THEY ALSO HAD THE RIGHT TO EXECUTE PEOPLE.
MANY CHRISTIANS BELIEVE THAT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS MAKE UP THE ENTIRETY OF GOD'S LAW. HOWEVER GOD'S LAW IS OFTEN REFERRED TO AS "STATUTES, JUDGMENTS AND LAWS" AS SHOWN BELOW:
LEV018:004 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God.
LEV018:005 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.
LEV018:026 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
THIS WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE UP MORE THAN TEN COMMANDMENTS. BESIDES, IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT IT WOULD HAVE TAKEN FORTY DAYS AND NIGHTS FOR GOD TO GIVE MOSES TEN RELATIVELY SIMPLE COMMANDMENTS. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT THE STRANGER HAD TO OBEY GOD'S LAW -- NOT JUST THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES ARE VERY IMPORTANT. ISAIAH AND MICAH ARE TALKING ABOUT THE "END OF DAYS". JEWS BELIEVE THIS IS WHEN THE MESSIAH WILL COME AND THE CHRISTIANS BELIEVE IT WILL BE THE SECOND COMING OF JESUS:
ISA002:003 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
MIC004:001 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
MIC004:002 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
ACCORDING TO THESE PASSAGES, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE LAW WILL STILL BE IN EFFECT AT THE "END OF DAYS". GENERALLY CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY DOES NOT MAINTAIN THAT THE LAW IS IN EFFECT DURING THE "END OF DAYS", SINCE IT IS HELD THAT JESUS FULFILLED IT. THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE ALSO STATES THAT GOD'S LAW WAS FOR THE JEWS AND NOT FOR THE GENTILES. BUT ISAIAH AND MICAH MAKE IT QUITE CLEAR THAT THE OTHER NATIONS (GENTILES) WILL COME AND LEARN THE LAW FROM THE MESSIAH AND FROM THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. REMEMBER GOD REFERS TO ALL OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL AS A KINGDOM OF PRIESTS:
EXO019:006 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
IF JESUS FULFILLED THE LAW, WHY WOULD GOD SAY THAT THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WILL TEACH HIS LAW TO THE REMAINING GENTILE NATIONS?
THE LAST PROPHET MALACHI ALSO EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW OF MOSES AND HOW IT WILL STILL BE IN EFFECT DURING THE "END OF DAYS". THIS PASSAGE ALSO TEACHES US THAT GOD IS GOING TO SEND ELIJAH AT THE "END OF DAYS":
MAL004:004 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.
MAL004:005 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:
MAL004:006 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS THAT THE LAW STAYS IN EFFECT UNTIL THE "END OF DAYS", WHEN ELIJAH COMES. OF COURSE IN THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE JESUS IMPLIES THAT JOHN THE BAPTIST WAS ELIJAH:
MAT017:012 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
MAT017:013 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.
BUT GOD SAYS THROUGH MALACHI THAT ELIJAH COMES AT THE "END OF DAYS". JESUS AND JOHN THE BAPTIST LIVED TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, OBVIOUSLY NOT THE "END OF DAYS".
HERE GOD MENTIONS SOME OF HIS LAWS AND STRESSES THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THEM. GOD ALSO EMPHASIZES THAT HE DOES NOT CHANGE:
MAL003:005 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the Lord of hosts.
MAL003:006 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
MAL003:007 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?
IF GOD DOES NOT CHANGE, HOW CAN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY TEACH THAT WITH JESUS, THE LAW IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT? WE HAVE JUST READ THAT NOT ONLY WILL IT BE IN EFFECT AT THE "END OF DAYS", BUT WILL BE A REQUIREMENT FOR THE GENTILES AS WELL.
THE JEWISH BIBLE TEACHES US THAT THE GREAT PROPHET ELISHA, RECEIVED A DOUBLE PORTION OF HIS PREDECESSOR ELIJAH'S SPIRIT. THE JEWISH BIBLE ALSO TEACHES US THAT ELISHA PERFORMED THE SAME KIND OF WONDERS AND MIRACLES AS JESUS IS SAID TO HAVE DONE. AS A PROPHET AND SPEAKING FOR GOD, ELISHA SAID THE FOLLOWING:
2KI017:037 And the statutes, and the ordinances, and the law, and the commandment, which He wrote for you, ye shall observe to do for evermore; and ye shall not fear other gods.
GOD SAID TO OBSERVE THE LAW FOR "EVERMORE", TO ME THAT MEANS FOREVER. GOD SAID THIS WHEN THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE MISBEHAVING BADLY. EVEN THOUGH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE IGNORING THE LAW, GOD STRONGLY MAINTAINED THAT THE LAW WAS ETERNAL.
TO SUM UP WHY I BELIEVE GOD TAKES THE LAW HE GAVE TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL VERY SERIOUSLY, YOU WILL NOW SEE WHAT GOD PROMISED THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL IF THEY DID NOT OBEY HIS LAWS:
DEU028:015 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:
DEU028:016 Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
DEU028:017 Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.
DEU028:018 Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
DEU028:019 Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.
DEU028:020 The Lord shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
DEU028:021 The Lord shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.
DEU028:022 The Lord shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish.
DEU028:023 And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.
DEU028:024 The Lord shall make the rain of thy land powder and dust: from heaven shall it come down upon thee, until thou be destroyed.
DEU028:025 The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
DEU028:026 And thy carcase shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.
DEU028:027 The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.
DEU028:028 The Lord shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
DEU028:029 And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.
DEU028:030 Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
DEU028:031 Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them.
DEU028:032 Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long; and there shall be no might in thine hand.
DEU028:033 The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
DEU028:034 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
DEU028:035 The Lord shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.
DEU028:036 The Lord shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.
DEU028:037 And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the Lord shall lead thee.
DEU028:038 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.
DEU028:039 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.
DEU028:040 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
DEU028:041 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.
DEU028:042 All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.
DEU028:043 The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
DEU028:044 He shall lend to thee, and thou shalt not lend to him: he shall be the head, and thou shalt be the tail.
DEU028:045 Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
DEU028:046 And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.
DEU028:047 Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;
DEU028:048 Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
DEU028:049 The Lord shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;
DEU028:050 A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:
DEU028:051 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
DEU028:052 And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the Lord thy God hath given thee.
DEU028:053 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the Lord thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:
DEU028:054 So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:
DEU028:055 So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.
DEU028:056 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
DEU028:057 And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates.
DEU028:058 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, The Lord Thy God;
IN THIS SECTION, I WILL BE SHOWING YOU HOW JESUS NEVER EVEN HINTED THAT HIS FOLLOWERS SHOULD STOP DOING THE LAWS THAT GOD GAVE TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. IN FACT, YOU WILL SEE THAT HE GOES OUT OF HIS WAY TO SAY THE OPPOSITE. JESUS MAY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE PRIORITIES PEOPLE WERE PUTTING ON CERTAIN LAWS, RATHER THAN ON OTHERS, BUT HE NEVER ADVOCATED DOING AWAY WITH GOD'S LAW.
MAT005:017 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
MAT005:018 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE WHAT THE PROPHET MALACHI SAID CONCERNING THE LAW, THAT THE LAW WILL BE IN EFFECT UNTIL THE "END OF DAYS". I BELIEVE THAT IS WHAT JESUS MEANT BY "TILL ALL BE FULFILLED", BUT AFTER TWO THOUSAND YEARS THE LAW HAS STILL NOT BEEN FULFILLED.
MAT005:019 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
AS YOU WILL SEE LATER ON, PAUL TAUGHT PEOPLE NOT TO DO SOME OF GOD'S LAWS AND MANY OF GOD'S LAWS ARE NOT BEING TAUGHT IN CHRISTIANITY TODAY. WOULD PAUL BE CALLED "LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN"?
MAT005:020 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
HERE IT APPEARS THAT JESUS SAID THAT BEING RIGHTEOUS (FOLLOWING GOD'S LAW), IS THE ONLY WAY TO ENTER INTO HEAVEN. AS YOU WILL SEE PAUL SAID IT ONLY REQUIRES FAITH IN JESUS. (SEEMS LIKE JESUS AND PAUL DID NOT HAVE THE SAME BELIEF.)
MAT007:021 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
HERE EVEN JESUS SAID THAT FAITH IN HIM WAS NOT ENOUGH. DOING GOD'S WILL, AS MANIFESTED IN THE LAW, IS THE KEY TO ENTERING INTO HEAVEN.
MAT023:001 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,
MAT023:002 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:
MAT023:003 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
EVEN THOUGH THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE PORTRAYS JESUS AS BEING VERY NEGATIVE TOWARDS THE SCRIBES AND THE PHARISEES, HERE JESUS TOLD EVERYONE TO ABIDE BY THE LAWS THAT THEY TEACH. HE EVEN ADMITTED THAT THEY SAT IN MOSES' SEAT, NOT HIM. HE KNEW THAT THE TORAH SAYS THAT ONLY THEY HAD THE AUTHORITY TO ADMINISTER THE LAW (SEE DEU017:008-012).
MAT023:023 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
MAT023:024 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
MAT023:025 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.
MAT023:026 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.
JESUS SEEMED TO FEEL THAT THE SCRIBES AND PHARISEES WERE HYPOCRITES; THEY TAUGHT ONE THING BUT PRACTICED ANOTHER. IT SEEMS THAT HE FELT THEY WERE CONCENTRATING ON LITTLE THINGS AND MISSING THE IMPORTANT ASPECTS OF GOD'S LAW. BUT PLEASE NOTE THAT JESUS MADE IT CLEAR THAT THEY SHOULD NOT LEAVE ANY UNDONE.
MAR010:017 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
MAR010:018 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
MAR010:019 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
JESUS DID NOT TELL THIS PERSON ALL HE NEEDED TO DO WAS TO BELIEVE IN HIM. INSTEAD HE REPEATED A FEW OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. JUST BECAUSE JESUS DID NOT REITERATE THE ENTIRE TORAH, WITH ALL 613 COMMANDMENTS, CERTAINLY SHOULD NOT IMPLY THESE ARE THE ONLY LAWS JESUS FELT WERE IMPORTANT. FEEDING THE HUNGRY AND HELPING THE POOR ARE PART OF GOD'S LAW, BUT NOT PART OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
LUK016:016 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
LUK016:017 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
EVEN THOUGH JESUS WANTED TO MAKE ADDITIONS TO GOD'S LAW, IN NO WAY DID HE GIVE ANY INDICATION THAT WITH HIM, IT WAS THE END OF THE LAW.
JESUS APPEARED TO HAVE LINKED LOVING HIM TO DOING GOD'S LAW:
JOH014:015 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
JOH014:021 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
JESUS MADE IT CLEAR THAT BEING RIGHTEOUS (FOLLOW-ING GOD'S LAW) IS WHAT WILL GET YOU INTO HEAVEN:
MAT013:041 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
MAT013:042 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
MAT013:043 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
WHY DID JESUS MAKE THIS STATEMENT IF YOU ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH AND NOT BY RIGHTEOUSNESS?
IN THIS SECTION YOU WILL SEE THAT PAUL WENT COMPLETELY AGAINST WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT THE LAW AND DID NOT SEEM TO HAVE A CLUE AS TO WHAT JESUS SAID ABOUT THE LAW. IT IS NO WONDER WHY MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT PAUL COULD HAVE PICKED ANYONE TO BE THE DEITY OF THE RELIGION THAT HE CREATED, SINCE HE USED VERY LITTLE OF WHAT JESUS SAID.
PAUL TAUGHT THAT WITH JESUS IT MEANT THE END OF GOD'S LAW:
ROM010:004 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
HERE PAUL SEEMED TO HAVE SAID THAT THE JEWS WERE GIVEN THE LAW BECAUSE THEY WERE HORRIBLE, DISOBEDIENT, UNGODLY SINNERS:
1TI001:008 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
1TI001:009 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1TI001:010 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1TI001:011 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
GIVEN THE BLOODY HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE CHRISTIANS THEMSELVES WOULD HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE LAW. AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED, HUMANS NEEDED LAWS THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO AND CERTAINLY TODAY. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT AFTER JESUS DIED, TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, THAT PEOPLE BECAME MORE RIGHTEOUS AND NOT IN NEED OF LAWS.
PAUL TAUGHT THAT ONE CAN NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY GOD'S LAW BUT ONLY BY HAVING FAITH IN JESUS:
GAL002:015 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles,
GAL002:016 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
GAL002:017 But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.
GAL002:018 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
GAL002:019 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.
GAL002:020 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
GAL002:021 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
ACT013:039 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
WHEN IT COMES TO GOD'S LAW, PAUL WENT AGAINST WHAT GOD SAYS AS WELL AS WHAT JESUS SAID:
GAL003:006 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
GAL003:007 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
GAL003:008 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
GAL003:009 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
GAL003:010 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
GAL003:011 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
GAL003:012 And the law is not of faith: but, the man that doeth them shall live in them.
GAL003:013 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
GAL003:014 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
GAL005:018 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
EPH002:015 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;
PAUL SAID THAT YOU HAVE TO BE RIGHTEOUS TO GET INTO HEAVEN:
1CO006:009 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
1CO006:010 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
I CAN NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT PAUL BELIEVES, BECAUSE AT TIMES HE SAYS YOU ONLY NEED FAITH TO BE SAVED. HERE HE CLEARLY IMPLIES THAT HEAVEN WOULD BE DENIED TO THE "UNRIGHTEOUS" AND EVEN SPECIFIES SOME OF GOD'S LAWS.
HERE PAUL SAID THAT YOU CAN NOT BE JUSTIFIED IN THE LAW AND THAT SALVATION IS THROUGH FAITH NOT THROUGH WORKS (YOUR ACTIONS):
ROM003:026 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
ROM003:027 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
ROM003:028 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
ROM003:029 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also:
ROM003:030 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
ROM003:031 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
PAUL ALSO SAID THAT THE LAW IS NOT VOID EITHER. WHY THEN, DO CHRISTIANS SAY THEY DO NOT HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW BECAUSE JESUS FULFILLED IT ON THE CROSS, EFFECTIVELY ABROGATING IT? ACCORDING TO PAUL, JESUS DID NOT CANCEL THE LAW BUT IN FACT ESTABLISHED THE LAW.
STATEMENTS LIKE THESE CAUSE CHRISTIANS TO THINK THEY ARE NO LONGER UNDER GOD'S LAW, EVEN THOUGH JESUS SAID THAT THEY WERE:
GAL005:018 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
HERE IT SEEMS THAT PAUL SAID THAT CHRISTIANS ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW BUT STILL HAVE TO FOLLOW IT:
ROM006:014 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
ROM006:015 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
MY GUESS IS, EITHER PAUL SAID DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT AUDIENCES, OR WHENEVER IT SOUNDS LIKE HE IS DISCOUNTING THE MOSAIC LAWS, HE IS DOING SO ONLY TO MAKE CLEAR THAT ONE IS NOT "JUSTIFIED" BY THE LAW. I PERSONALLY THINK PAUL MAINTAINED THAT YOU CAN ONLY BE "JUSTIFIED" (WORTHY OF HEAVEN) THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS, BUT BY INSTINCT (CIRCUMCISED HEART) YOU WILL NATURALLY DO THE MOSAIC LAWS. IT WOULD APPEAR TO ME THAT THIS CONCEPT DID NOT SEEM TO WORK, SINCE WE DO NOT EVEN SEE DEVOUT CHRISTIANS DOING MANY OF THE MOSAIC LAWS -- WHICH INCLUDE A LOT MORE THAN JUST THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.
HERE PAUL SEEMED TO WAVER AND SURE MADE IT SEEM LIKE FAITH WAS NOT THE ONLY CRITERIA:
GAL005:019 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
GAL005:020 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
GAL005:021 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
PAUL WAVERS YET AGAIN AND SAYS:
EPH002:014 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
EPH002:015 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;
SO AGAIN PAUL SAID THAT THE LAW IS ABOLISHED. I HOPE YOU CAN SEE WHY I HAVE NEVER REALLY FIGURED OUT WHAT PAUL REALLY FELT ABOUT GOD'S LAW. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS, THE END RESULT IS THAT MANY OF GOD'S LAWS ARE IGNORED IN CHRISTIANITY.
PAUL ADMITTED TO SAYING WHATEVER IT TOOK AND BEING WHOEVER HE NEEDED TO BE TO CONVERT PEOPLE:
1CO009:020 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
1CO009:021 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
1CO009:022 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
1CO009:023 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
IT DOES NOT SEEM VERY HONEST TO ME.
ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT CLEAR, IT APPEARS THAT PAUL BELIEVED THAT GOD'S LAW WAS NO LONGER IMPORTANT AND THAT ALL ONE NEEDED TO DO, TO GET TO HEAVEN, WAS HAVE "FAITH" IN JESUS -- IT IS CALLED "GRACE". BUT GOD SAYS THROUGH THE PROPHET HOSEA:
HOS004:006 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
DO YOU THINK GOD REJECTED PAUL? I DO! WE DO NOT KNOW IF PAUL HAD CHILDREN BUT HE HAS MANY FOLLOWERS.
I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD DEBATES ON LOWERING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, SO THAT PEOPLE WHO CAN NOT MEET THESE STANDARDS, CAN STILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. I'M SURE THAT MANY CHRISTIANS, WOULD BE AGAINST LOWERING THESE REQUIREMENTS AND IN FACT SUGGEST THAT THESE PEOPLE WORK HARDER TO MEET THE STANDARDS. BUT LOOK WHAT PAUL SAID:
ROM004:015 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.
ROM004:016 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace;
IT SEEMS LIKE PAUL BELIEVED THAT BY DOING AWAY WITH GOD'S LAWS, PEOPLE COULD NO LONGER BE CONSIDERED SINNERS. THEREFORE THEY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE SAVED THROUGH GRACE -- HAVING FAITH IN JESUS AND HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR ACTIONS. TALK ABOUT LOWERING THE STANDARDS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A SCALE AND CAN NOT WEIGH YOURSELF, DOES THIS MEAN YOU CAN NOT GAIN WEIGHT? I WISH!
FROM THE MOMENT GOD GAVE HIS LAW TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL (1200 YEARS BEFORE THE COMMON ERA), THE BIBLE OFTEN PORTRAYS THEM AS TRANSGRESSING THESE LAWS. BUT NOT ONCE DOES ANY PROPHET EVEN HINT AT DOING AWAY WITH ANY OF THESE LAWS. IN FACT, THEY CONTINUE STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LAW.
I DO NOT BELIEVE GOD WOULD EVER LOWER HIS STANDARDS. YET I DO NOT BELIEVE GOD EXPECTS PERFECTION EITHER (IT APPEARS IN THE BIBLE THAT MOSES WAS SOMEHOW INVOLVED IN THE DEATH OF AN EGYPTIAN, AARON WAS INVOLVED IN THE GOLDEN CALF INCIDENT AND KING DAVID SEEMED TO HAVE HAD AN AFFAIR WITH A MARRIED WOMAN). BUT I DO BELIEVE GOD WANTS US TO STRIVE TO MEET HIS STANDARD, BY FOLLOWING THE LAWS HE HAS GIVEN TO US.
I BELIEVE THAT PAUL WAS SO CONCERNED ABOUT HIS OWN SALVATION, SINCE HE HAD DONE SO MANY HORRIBLE THINGS TO THE FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, THAT HE CONCOCTED THIS WHOLE CONCEPT OF GRACE.
I KNOW THAT CHRISTIANS ENJOY READING THE PROVERBS OUT OF THE JEWISH BIBLE BUT DO THEY SKIP OVER THESE TWO?
PRO028:009 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
PRO029:018 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
IS THERE ANY WONDER WHY THE JEWISH ELDERS, WHO WERE FAMILIAR WITH THE JEWISH BIBLE, REJECTED PAUL'S THEOLOGY? REMEMBER THE BOOK OF PROVERBS IS ATTRIBUTED TO KING SOLOMON, THE WISEST MAN WHO EVER LIVED. WHO DO YOU BELIEVE, PAUL OR KING SOLOMON?
THE BOTTOM LINE IS, IN THE BOOK OF EXODUS GOD MAKES IT CLEAR THAT HE EXPECTS HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE, THE PEOPLE THAT HE MADE A COVENANT WITH, TO KEEP HIS LAWS AND TO BE A HOLY NATION. PAUL CAN NOT DO AWAY WITH GOD'S LAWS AND AT THE SAME TIME BELIEVE GOD'S COVENANT IS NOW WITH THE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE IN JESUS, INSTEAD OF WITH THE DESCENDANTS OF JACOB.
EXO019:005 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:
EXO019:006 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THE JEWS COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT PAUL WAS SAYING, CONCERNING GOD'S LAW? THEY KNEW THAT KEEPING GOD'S LAWS WAS THE "ONLY" WAY TO KEEP THEIR COVENANT WITH GOD.
IT HAS BEEN SUGGESTED BY MANY BIBLICAL SCHOLARS, THAT THE BOOK OF JAMES DESCRIBES THE ACTUAL TEACHINGS OF JESUS' BROTHER JAMES. THROUGH THESE VERSES, FROM THE BOOK OF JAMES, YOU WILL CLEARLY SEE THAT THE THEOLOGY OF JAMES IS MUCH MORE IN LINE WITH THAT OF JESUS AND IN OPPOSITION TO PAUL'S. YOU WILL SEE THAT JAMES NOT ONLY DID NOT ADVOCATE DOING AWAY WITH THE LAW, BUT MAKES IT CLEAR THAT WITHOUT THE LAW "FAITH" IS DEAD. PAUL WE KNOW OFTEN STATED THAT "FAITH" WAS ALL THAT YOU NEEDED AND THAT THE LAW WAS DEAD.
JAM002:008 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
JAM002:009 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
JAM002:010 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
JAM002:011 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
JAM002:012 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
JAM002:013 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
JAM002:014 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
JAM002:015 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
JAM002:016 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?
JAM002:017 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
JAM002:018 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.
JAM002:019 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
JAM002:020 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
JAM002:021 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
JAM002:022 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
JAM002:023 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.
JAM002:024 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
JAM002:025 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
JAM002:026 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
AS YOU SEE, JAMES STATED THAT YOU CAN NOT BE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH ALONE AND IS IN DIRECT CONFLICT WITH PAUL.
HOW CAN THEY BOTH BE SPEAKING THE WORD OF GOD? WHAT JAMES WROTE CERTAINLY SEEMED TO BE MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT JESUS SAID THAN WHAT WE READ IN PAUL'S EPISTLES. HAD JAMES' POINT OF VIEW WON OUT OVER PAUL'S, CHRISTIANITY WOULD BE VERY DIFFERENT TODAY. I AM COMPELLED TO SAY THAT THE CHRISTIANITY OF JAMES WOULD BE FAR MORE COMPATIBLE WITH JESUS' TEACHINGS, AND JUDAISM GENERALLY, THAN THE THEOLOGY OF PAUL.
WOULD YOU BELIEVE JAMES OR A MAN LIKE PAUL, WHO NOT ONLY NEVER MET JESUS, BUT KILLED PEOPLE FOR FOLLOWING JESUS' TEACHINGS?
ON RADIO ONE EVENING, IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, I HEARD A PREACHER TELL EVERYONE TO TEAR THE BOOK OF JAMES OUT OF THEIR BIBLES, BECAUSE YOU ONLY NEED ONE OAR NOT TWO. YOU ONLY NEED THE OAR OF FAITH, NOT THE OAR OF WORKS. IN OTHER WORDS, AS LONG AS YOU HAVE GRACE, YOUR ACTIONS WILL NOT HAVE AN EFFECT ON YOUR SALVATION. IS IT ANY WONDER THAT MANY PRISONERS BECOME BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS?
IT IS EVIDENT FROM THE FOLLOWING PASSAGE, THAT THE ORIGINAL FOLLOWERS OF JESUS HAD CONSTANT DEBATES WHETHER GENTILES SHOULD HAVE TO BE CIRCUMCISED AND FOLLOW GOD'S LAWS. IF AT THE BEGINNING OF CHRISTIANITY, THE FAITHFUL WERE CONFUSED ABOUT THE LAW, IS IT ANY WONDER WHY, TWO THOUSAND YEARS LATER, CHRISTIANS ARE STILL VAGUE AS TO THE LAW'S IMPORTANCE?
ACT015:001 And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
ACT015:002 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question.
ACT015:003 And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren.
ACT015:004 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all things that God had done with them.
ACT015:005 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
ACT015:006 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.
ACT015:007 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
ACT015:008 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
ACT015:009 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
ACT015:010 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear?
ACT015:011 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
ACT015:012 Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
ACT015:013 And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:
ACT015:014 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.
ACT015:015 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,
ACT015:016 After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:
ACT015:017 That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.
ACT015:018 Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
ACT015:019 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:
ACT015:020 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.
MANY CHRISTIANS CLAIM THAT THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ARE THE ONLY LAWS FROM GOD THAT THEY HAVE TO STILL FOLLOW. THESE LAWS DESCRIBED IN VERSE 15:20 ARE ALL GOD'S LAWS, BUT ONLY IDOL WORSHIPPING IS PART OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. SO IT APPEARS THAT THESE MEN SAT AROUND AND DECIDED WHICH OF GOD'S LAWS THE GENTILES SHOULD HAVE TO OBSERVE AND WHICH ONES WERE TOO DIFFICULT TO EXPECT FROM THEM. THEY DID NOT WANT TO "TROUBLE THEM", SO THEY LOWERED THE STANDARDS.
ACT015:021 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
ACT015:022 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren:
ACT015:023 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia:
ACT015:024 Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment:
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT SOME OF THESE ELDERS WERE VERY MUCH AGAINST PAUL'S LAX ATTITUDE WHEN IT CAME TO GOD'S LAWS, INCLUDING CIRCUMCISION.
ACT015:025 It seemed good unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul,
ACT015:026 Men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
ACT015:027 We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by mouth.
ACT015:028 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things;
ACT015:029 That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.
IT APPEARS TO ME, THAT THE DECISION CONCERNING THE LAW IN CHRISTIANITY WAS MADE BY PEOPLE, NOT BY GOD. ONLY THE SANHEDRIN HAD THE AUTHORITY TO INTERPRET THE LAW. JESUS' DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES CERTAINLY DID NOT HAVE THIS GOD GIVEN AUTHORITY.
ACT021:018 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
ACT021:019 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
ACT021:020 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
ACT021:021 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.
ACT021:022 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
APPARENTLY THE ELDERS, AND PRESUMABLY JAMES, HAD A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY WITH PAUL'S NEGATIVE ATTITUDE CONCERNING THE MOSAIC LAWS. IT SAYS RIGHT HERE, THAT PAUL WAS TEACHING JEWS TO FORSAKE GOD'S LAW. REMEMBER JESUS SAID, "WHOSOEVER THEREFORE SHALL BREAK ONE OF THESE LEAST COMMANDMENTS, AND SHALL TEACH MEN SO, HE SHALL BE CALLED THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN". IS THERE ANY QUESTION THAT THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT PAUL DID AND WHAT JAMES WAS SO CONCERNED ABOUT? JUST BASED ON WHAT JESUS SAID, HOW CAN ANY CHRISTIAN BELIEVE THAT PAUL IS SITTING IN HEAVEN? THIS ALONE SHOULD BE A WAKE UP CALL FOR ALL CHRISTIANS THAT PRACTICE "PAULINE" CHRISTIANITY.
THE AUTHOR OF 2 PETER ALSO FOUND IT HARD TO UNDERSTAND PAUL'S TEACHINGS, AS SHOWN BELOW:
2PE003:015 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
2PE003:016 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
THE FOLLOWING IS FROM THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE:
1JO002:003 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1JO002:004 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1JO002:005 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1JO002:006 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
1JO002:007 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
TO FURTHER CONFUSE THE ISSUE WE SEEM TO BE BACK TO THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LAW AND THE "OLD" COMMANDMENT -- NO "NEW" COMMANDMENT.
EVEN THE AUTHOR OF REVELATION, THE LAST BOOK OF THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE, EXPRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING GOD'S LAW AND NOT JUST HAVING FAITH IN JESUS:
REV014:012 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
I HAVE BEEN IN CHRISTIAN HOMES, WHERE THEY HAVE THE BIBLE OPEN TO EITHER THE BOOK OF PSALMS OR THE BOOK OF PROVERBS. THEY MUST IGNORE THE FOLLOWING:
PSA001:001 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
PSA001:002 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
PSA001:003 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
PSA001:004 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
PSA001:005 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
PSA001:006 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
EVEN KING DAVID, THROUGH HIS FIRST PSALM, EXPRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LAW.
PRO006:020 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
PRO006:021 Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
PRO006:022 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
PRO006:023 For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
KNOWING THAT GOD, THROUGH ALL HIS GREAT PROPHETS SUCH AS MOSES, ISAIAH AND EZEKIEL, AS WELL AS KING DAVID, STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LAW TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, IT IS ABSURD TO THINK THAT PEOPLE WOULD PUT THEIR TRUST IN A MAN SUCH AS PAUL, WHO TAUGHT TWO THOUSAND YEARS AGO, THAT THE LAW WAS DEAD.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF THE JEWISH BIBLE (MOSAIC/LEVITICAL LAWS), I HAVE HEARD PREACHERS SAY THAT THESE LAWS WERE IMPORTANT "FOR THE TIMES" AND CLAIM THEY ARE NO LONGER NEEDED. TO USE THIS ARGUMENT SELECTIVELY, WHEN DISCUSSING GOD'S LAWS, TENDS TO BE HYPOCRITICAL. FOR INSTANCE, I HAVE HEARD GAY PEOPLE SAY THAT THE LAW AGAINST HOMOSEXUALITY WAS IMPORTANT IN BIBLICAL TIMES BECAUSE GOD WANTED US TO POPULATE THE EARTH. THEY CLAIM THAT NOW THAT WE ARE OVERPOPULATED, THE LAW IS OUTDATED. HOW MANY PREACHERS, WHEN IT COMES TO "THE LAW CONCERNING HOMOSEXUALITY", WOULD AGREE? MANY PREACHERS MAINTAIN THIS PARTICULAR PROSCRIPTION IS STILL IN EFFECT, EVEN THOUGH THEY SAY MANY OTHER LAWS ARE NO LONGER NECESSARY.
AS YOU WILL SEE I WILL BE QUOTING KING SOLOMON QUITE OFTEN. THIS MAKES SENSE SINCE GOD SAYS THAT THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANYONE AS WISE AS KING SOLOMON NOR WILL THERE EVER BE:
1KI003:012 Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
WHAT BETTER WAY TO END THIS SECTION ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GOD'S LAW, THEN BY QUOTING FROM KING SOLOMON:
ECC012:013 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
WHO DO YOU CHOOSE TO BELIEVE, KING SOLOMON OR PAUL?


Small Group Questions
Esther Pt. 3
Read Esther 3:1-15; 1 Samuel 15:7-20; Matthew 5:27-29; John 10:10; John 15:18-19; Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11
Pastor Trev continued the study of the book of Esther by presenting a challenge from chapter three, “Standing When Others are Bending Their Knee.”
1. Pastor Trev began by saying, “We can play it safe or we can play it right.” How does playing it right differ from playing it safe? Share a time when you played it right, rather than safe. What did it cost you?
2. Read Esther 3:1-15. These verses tell the story of Haman (boo!!) and Mordecai (yea!!). According to verses 8-10 we learn that Haman not only hated Mordecai, but all Jews. Getting the king to agree, Haman is given permission to destroy all of the Jews in the kingdom. Do you think it is right to take a moral stand (like Mordecai refusing to bow to Haman), even if others are affected by your actions? Why or why not?
3. Read 1 Samuel 15:7-20. These verses give some background that help us to understand why there was such a strong hatred for the Jews by Haman (an Agagite). Mortdecai was a descendent of King Saul. Think of the present day, and places in the world where there is continual fighting. Why do you think these disputes go on for many generations? Do you think peace is possible in these areas? What would it take to gain lasting peace?
4. Pastor Trev said, “We have many opportunities to take a knee (compromise) or to take a stand. We take a stand whenever we resist sin.” Read Matthew 5:27-29. Obviously, Jesus is not asking us to literally cut off parts of our body when we sin. What do you think He is asking us to do? Where do we get the power to overcome sin? (hint: Romans 6:11-13)
5. When we take a stand for God, we may face ridicule, lies about us, and possibly much worse. According to John 10:10 where does the hatred for righteousness (standing uprightly) originate? Read John 15:18-19. How does this encourage you to stand when it would be much easier to give in?
6. Pastor Trev concluded by saying, “There are more chapters, and things get better.” He was reminding us that the book of Esther doesn’t end with chapter three, but has seven more chapters leading to a positive conclusion. According to Isaiah 45:23 and Romans 14:11, at the end of human history, who will bend their knee? Knowing this, does this encourage you to stand strong today? How so?
Challenge: Read Esther chapter 4 this week in preparation for next Sunday’s message.


The level of activity around Stones River Manor these days has been at almost a fever pitch. The Ribbon-Cutting and Open House Celebration for our new Advanced Care and Assured Care Center was held just a couple of weeks ago and preparations for the event required much hard work and many long hours. Our folks came together wholeheartedly to make the occasion one of the most memorable in our long, forty-one year history.
Leading up to this event, our staff and residents have had numerous conversations about the many tasks that had to be completed, and just what role each of us could play in making sure everything got done to make the day a big success. What appeared to be, at times, nothing short of pandemonium, in the end produced a wonderful event and is certain to be a place we can all be very proud of.
Going back to the early stages of planning, one of the great challenges for this beautiful new facility was to blend the old with the new. Stones River Manor was Murfreesboro’s first senior living community, and we often say that we may be the oldest in town but we don’t want to look like it. So, we try to spruce things up and keep it looking as fresh and new as possible. Blending the new architecture with the old, the new furniture with the old, new furnishings with old, new policies and procedures with old, new people with the old………well, you get the idea.
We are now on the brink of a new era in the history of the Manor, one which brings the old together with the new and which completes our mission: that Stones River Manor is “the active demonstration of the Christian concern for the care of the elderly.”
As you walk through the hallways and look into the offices, you’ll see the evidence of old and new, beautifully brought together. The staff, of course, will be putting their own personal touch into their work areas, the residents will bring personal items of their own to their new rooms, and, very soon, you will begin to see this new Stones River Manor become our home, just as surely as the old Manor is home to us now.
In the thirteenth chapter of his gospel, Matthew relates several of the parables of Jesus, and sums them up with this beautiful sentiment, which only the Lord could have said so eloquently, “Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.” One of our family members said to me, as we were conducting our orientation of the new Assured Care Center, “You are truly doing God’s work here at Stones River Manor.”
That is our mission. It is humbling to hear it expressed so succinctly, and stands as a challenge to each of us. We are not perfect and we’ll stumble now and then; but we love our residents, we love each other, and we love our Lord. I pray that we will always keep that thought foremost in our minds and hearts…… we are doing God’s work here at Stones River Manor.
God’s work is a team effort. We will work together with our residents and families, with our staff, our board, our ladies auxiliary and our community. We will continue to help one another and listen to each other. We are truly blessed.
Kirkland A. Mason


What is the cup he is talking about removing?
What was he suffering for?
What is a multitude?
What do you think the man felt after the Savior heal his ear even though he was trying to hurt the Savior? REALLY BAD
NEEDED MERCY- AND HE WAS MEAN.
If you were Peter how would you have felt after betraying Christ?
What does smote mean? HIT HARD
Did He really refuse to give tribute to Caesar? NO
What do you think of Christ's silence during his trial? IT HELPS HIS CAUSE.
DID THEY MAKE JESUS HIDE?
No they didn't
What do you think of all this (Crucifixion, mocking, putting the superscription above the cross)? THIS IS BLASPHEMY
MY THOUGHTS ARE I NEED TO MAKE MY LIFE BETTER. I WILL REPENT
Read about the angels at the tomb when Christ was resurrected:
THIS STORY IS GOOD. IT IS ABOUT THE SUPER MESSIAH WHO IS RESURRECTED.
How do you think Peter felt when he went to the tomb and saw no Savior's body as the women had said? CRAZY
On the road to Emmaus Christ asked the disciples if they were sad. What would you have said? NO, I AM SICK
Well, if you were not sick and he asked you this question?
HE MOSTLY IS MY LORD SO YES I AM SAD.
When he vanished what would you think?
What does "did not our hearts burn within us" mean?
CHRIST IS REAL TO US.
I AM NOT IN MY VERY CHRISTIAN MOOD (because he felt sick)
I MIGHT NEED TO REPENT BUT I FEEL SICK. CHRIST LIVES AND HAILS QUIET.


Below I am posting the text of a sermon I preached at Nativity Church in Blenheim.
At its a conclusion are some suggested questions for small groups meeting during the week to study the passages from Scripture. Please feel free to use any of these material in your church.
What do you think of the text? If this were a seminar on preaching then this is what I would ask attendees to look for and underline:
- what are the points of transition ... between one Scripture passage and the next ... between ancient times and our time ... between the sermon and life in the world as we will live it in the week to come? How are these points of transition achieved?
- what are the specific connections made between the original context/culture/location of the Scripture passages and the context/culture/location we live in?
- is there any application to our lives which is made? How effectively is this application laid out in the text?
24/2/08 Encounters on the way Exodus 17:1-7 John 4:5-14 Peter Carrell
Later this year Anglican bishops, including our Bishop Richard, will gather at the Lambeth Conference to discuss many things. They will study the Bible together and the book they will work through is the Gospel of John. So Nativity Church is in good company this Lent as it works its way through John’s Gospel.
What an amazing book this gospel is. One of its most notable features is the quality of the stories within it. In today’s world where we seem to be so confused about the ethics of human relationships it is particularly pertinent that two stories in this Gospel – the one we have read from today, and one in chapter 8.1-11 – touch on difficulties in human relationships.
But in today’s story – a narrative of an encounter between two strangers, Jesus and a Samaritan woman – I want to think more about the theme of water than the domestic life of the woman.
Now water is something we take for granted until we are on the verge of running out of it, and then we get very passionate about it. Some of you will know about this as you fight for water rights and the like!
Our first reading – Exodus 17:1-7 - takes us to the heart of human anxiety when water runs out:
‘there was no water for the people to drink. Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink”.’
But the story involves a much deeper quarrel than one between people. At the end of verse seven the narrator tells us that in the course of this incident the people had
‘tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”
That’s often the way, is it not: behind any human quarrel lie deeper and more profound issues which are ultimately about God.
But this specific question, “Is the Lord among us or not?” is more than a little bit interesting.
Consider, for example, the recent explosion in sales of books promoting atheism. Reading such books you might think believers in God have never questioned the existence of God until now. But the fact is that lots of stuff happens in life which makes us wonder what God is up to, whether he really cares for us, and sometimes even whether God exists.
Perhaps that is our question today because of some hard circumstance in our life: Is the Lord among us or not?
And perhaps as we ask that question we yearn for a miracle. After all the Israelites got one – Moses whacked the rock and the water gushed out. If we got a miracle like that then we would definitely believe in God. All doubts washed away!
But let’s pause to open our eyes and take in a little more of Exodus. In the preceding chapter we read the story of the miraculous provision of food for Israel via the manna. So the Israelites have full bellies yet question whether God exists or not!
Perhaps God has worked out through painful experience with Israel that miracles do not lead to faithfulness and constancy. In fact miracles can lead to a dependency on miracles and not on God.
All this might just be relevant background to our story in the Gospel of John where water is at the centre of the story, but the human encounter involves genuine enquiry and curiosity and not quarrelling and complaining.
Water figures right from the start of the encounter. Jesus says to the woman, Give me a drink. And the woman does not give him a drink but engages with the message within the message. (Not unlike a lot of conversations between men and women – each wondering what the other is really saying).
“How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?”
The woman is blown away by the fact that this man, this enemy wants to talk to her.
She does not understand at this point that this is the gospel in action – the message of reconciliation between God and humanity and between humanity and humanity.
Then the conversation gets a little complicated as the woman is talking ordinary water and Jesus is talking about the living water.
But in this conversation is a pearl of a question when the woman says, ‘Are you greater than our father Jacob?’
She is beginning to understand.
But let’s think about this question for a moment. This is a very modern question. Except we might put it like this: ‘Is Jesus greater than Mohammed or Buddha or Krishna?’
The answer to this question is very, very important. Increasingly it’s a matter of literal life or death. And it lies at the heart of the future character of the world in the twenty-first century. Who will dominate? Followers of Jesus or followers of Mohammed?
So, what answer does Jesus give to the question ‘Are you greater than our father Jacob?’
Of course he gives a brilliant answer. Note the beginning, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water I will give him will never be thirsty again.’
Jesus connects directly with the woman’s level of understanding water as ordinary drinking water and makes a statement no one can deny, ‘Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again.’
But then he draws the woman into his own level of understanding of living water, ‘but whoever drinks of the water I will give him will never be thirsty again.’
But the brilliance of Jesus is not just in the connection; it’s also in the content.
Jesus is greater than Jacob because Jesus offers something Jacob does not offer (nor Mohammed nor Buddha nor Confucius nor Marx).
‘The water that I will give him will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’
Does God exist in our midst or not? The answer lies not in a series of miracles but on the life of God itself entering into our lives, filling us up with the love and power of God.
Is this our experience of God? Is God through Christ and the Spirit an ongoing, continuing, life-giving presence within us?
Do not look for the next miracle: invite Jesus to pour the water of eternal life into your life.
Do not worry about the latest diatribe from a smart atheist: live out the existence of God – be a living proof that God is alive and well.
When people encounter us on the road of life, who are they encountering? Is it merely John Brown or Mary Smith … or is it Christ alive within us?
We cannot conclude this study of God’s Word other than to make the prayer of the woman at the well our own prayer:
‘Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty’.
Questions for Study Groups
Read the passages for this week’s sermon
Think about an occasion in your life when you have seriously wondered whether God exists or not and/or asked why God has not responded to an important need expressed in prayer:
- what then happened?
Think about the many people you have encountered in your life. Among those people is there one who stands out as someone who made you feel as though you were in God’s presence or, put slightly differently, someone who shone with the light of Christ into your own life?
- try to find words to describe this encounter with others in the group.
What does the water of life mean to you?
Most of us will feel that as we journey through life we ‘leak’ – the living water of Christ seeps or even flows out of us. The tank is empty and we need refilling. How can the ‘spring of water welling up to eternal life’ be replenished?
From either or both passages for this week’s sermon is there anything that stands out for you which has not been mentioned in the sermon and which you feel worth drawing to the group’s attention?
If Jesus could do anything for you right now, what would you like to ask him to do?
Why not go ahead and ask Jesus to do just that!
It might be appropriate to spend some time together thanking God for encountering us through Christ and for blessing us with the living water of eternal life.
Keeping Up (3) - Dynamic Inspiration
2 days ago


Genaro “Geno” Padron Martinez, 82, of Las Cruces, went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 4, 2018. Genaro was born in Santa Rita, NM on May 23, 1935 to Jesus M. Martinez and Luz Padron.
He attended Santa Rita Public Schools and worked for Marblelite Products in Fierro, NM before joining the United States Air Force. While in the Air Force, he was stationed at Cannon AFB in Clovis, NM and later transferred to Johnston Island in the Pacific Ocean. He served in the USAF from 1954 – 1962; 4 years active duty and 4 years in the Air Force Reserves and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and The Good Conduct Medal before his Honorable Discharge.
On December 20, 1958, he married the “Love of his Life” Concha “Connie” Silva. They moved to Gilroy, CA and during his time in northern California, Genaro worked as a Heavy Equipment Operator where he managed his own business “Martinez Tractor Service”. He was a member of the Operating Engineers Local Union No. 3 and the GI Forum.
After returning to New Mexico, Geno was busy building their beautiful new home and working on the landscaping. Genaro loved talking to people and making new friends, listening to music, watching sports and collecting Art. He was a devoted member of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in the Diocese of the Rio Grande where he and Connie would minister on both sides of the border. After he could no longer travel, Geno would still donate to the food banks to feed the hungry, as well as many other charities.
Genaro is survived by his sister Margaret and husband Rey Merino of McAllen, Tx, brothers Felipe Martinez and wife Celestina of San Jose, CA, Baltazar Martinez and wife Ginnie of Rocklin, CA. Brothers-in-law Lee Colby and Santos Silva, Sisters-in-law Maria and Lupe Martinez, and numerous God Children, Nieces, Nephews, Cousins and many Dear Friends and Neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his wife Connie, parents Jesus M. and Luz Martinez, mother and father in law Francisco and Dolores Silva, sister Teresa Colby, brothers Gilbert, Willie and Manuel Martinez.
A Memorial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 at 11:00am at St. Andrews Episcopal Church located at 518 N. Alameda, Las Cruces, NM. Military Honors for Genaro Martinez will be held outside of the Church after the Memorial Service. A reception will follow the service in the Church hall.
In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Andrews Hospitality House, 518 N. Alameda, Las Cruces, NM 88005
Arrangements are with Getz Funeral Home 1410 E. Bowman Ave., Las Cruces NM 88001. Please visit www.GetzCares.com to sign the local online guest book.


With Jesus’ sacrifice as The Last and Lasting Passover Lamb, given for our redemption, His death made possible the reading of His Will. Since Jesus’ Will was/is/ and always will be God’s Will, His crucifixion put that Will into full effect.
To read God’s Will accurately, however, we need to turn to God’s Word:
God’s Will is for no one to perish. God wants us to turn from ungodly ways.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance,” 2 Peter 3:9, New King James Version.
God’s Will is for everyone to be saved. We agree with His Will – and help to put it into effect– as we pray for one another.
“…I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone… for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. This is good and pleasing to God our savior, who wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth,” 1 Timothy 2:1-4, New American Bible (Revised Edition.)
God’s Will is for us to trust Him, no matter what!
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you,” 1 Thessalonians 5:18, King James Version.
A Will does not go into effect until death occurs.
God’s Will went into effect with the death of Jesus Christ, Who overcame death to save us for Eternal Life in the Lord.
God’s Will is for all to live in God forever.
“For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day,” John 6:40, New International Version.
God Wills to save the world!
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him,” John 3:16-17, Holman Christian Standard Bible.
Originally posted on Mary’s blog ©2021 by Mary Harwell Sayler, poet-writer, Bible reviewer, and compiler and paraphraser of the Book of Bible Prayers, which was researched on Bible Gateway as was this post


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We had the experience but missed the meaning. T.S. Eliot
There are moments that mark us for life. At times they are big, important experiences, such as the birth of a child or the realisation that we are in love. But sometimes, they are simple, hidden insights: words heard or silence appreciated.
This is the moment I realised how powerful my words could be.
Alex was a medical student I worked with for a while: a wonderful, committed, intelligent, agnostic, who wanted to be the best doctor he could. I facilitated a weekly meeting on faith and ethics. Most participants were Christian, but it was open to whoever wanted to come. Alex was always there – present, involved, assiduous – and we became friends. Those meetings were fantastic; we would chat, argue and dream. My other roles involved teaching people to pray – opening spaces where people could find (or be found by) a personal encounter with the God revealed in Jesus.
One day, while praying, I realised I wanted him to experience this side of life: what I had in a personal relationship with God. The (summarised) conversation went as follows:
Me: “You know I respect you deeply and appreciate our friendship. I love your values, and your honesty… but I need to say that, since faith brings me so much, I would love you to have that experience for yourself.”
Alex: “If you had never said this to me, I would either doubt our friendship, or doubt your faith.”
In that moment (and others that followed it), I woke up to the miraculous power of words spoken on time and spoken out of love. My friend already knew that I cared, that I valued our friendship and that behind everything I did was my faith. But it took the risk of a personal conversation, on my part, for him to take a step towards the encounter with our personal God.
Let’s think about words: think of the first words of your child, or of the first time someone told you they loved you. Or of words that have hurt you and stayed for ages in your memory, a chain around your self-belief and possibilities. Words are transcendent: they open worlds or shut them. Words are powerful beyond measure.
Now let’s think about how God has chosen to act in this world. The self-revealing God chose words, and the Word incarnated, as the main means of self-revelation:
”After speaking in many and varied ways through the prophets, ‘now at last in these days God has spoken to us in His Son’ (Heb. 1:1-2). For God sent the Son, the eternal Word, who enlightens all humanity… and tell them of the innermost being of God (see John 1:1-18).”
Dei Verbum 2
God’s intent is a conversation of love:
“Every man and woman appears as someone to whom the word speaks, challenges and calls to enter this dialogue of love through a free response. Each of us is thus enabled by God to hear and respond to his word. We were created in the word and we live in the word; we cannot understand ourselves unless we are open to this dialogue.”
“Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes from the word of Christ” (Rm 10:17). That is to say, the normal way in which God speaks to humanity, and through which people come to know God, to name God in their lives and open themselves the action of the Spirit, is through the spoken words of someone, that mediate God’s presence to and for them. This is not to underestimate the importance of witness or of charity, without which there would be nothing to say and no questions raised. But without words we have not finished our work.
In Catholic theology, we call this the sacramentality of the Word: the potential of the word to mediate divine presence into human living. Scripture is teeming with this reality. God’s word does what it says: “‘Let there be light’, and there was light!” (cf. Gn 1: 3) It is like the rain or snow that drenches the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed for the sower and bread for the eater (cf. Is 55:10-11); or a double-edged sword, piercing thoughts and intentions of listeners and speakers alike (cf. Heb 4:12)! And it is not an alien word, but one we recognise as source, as origin “through whom all things came into being” (cf. Jn 1:1-4).
“I know my own and my own know me.” (Jn 10:14). Most of all, it is a word that needs a voice! This is God’s greatest risks – choosing to pass through who we are, the timbre and tone of our personal expression: “There! I put my words into your mouth!” (Jer 1:9) Nowhere is this more vividly expressed than in Ezekiel’s image of the valley of dead and dry bones that come to life – not through direct divine intervention, but rather through the prophet’s voice: “Mortal, can these bones live?” I answered, “O Lord God, you know.” Then, God to me, “Prophesy to these bones!” (cf. Ezek 13:1-14)
A previous article in The Bridge spoke of discerning our personal charisms. In this piece, I would suggest that intrinsic to the vocation of every Christian is the gift and call, in some way, small or large, to speak the Word of God to others; to preach even, although, for many, the word is not a comfortable one. From baptism, we are all prophets, priests and kings. “In virtue of their baptism, all the members of the People of God have become missionary disciples (cf. Mt 28:19).” This involves expressing the reason for our faith – in the many and varied ways life opens for us.
“Today, as the Church seeks to experience a profound missionary renewal, there is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing the Gospel to the people we meet, whether they be our neighbours or complete strangers. This is the informal preaching which takes place in the middle of a conversation… unexpectedly and in any place: on the street, in a city square, during work, on a journey.”
Many of us were brought up to think that to evangelise is to impose our beliefs on others. The “Catholic” way is witness and invitation, rather than thinking that we are somehow better than others and need to save them.
But both of these positions are incomplete. We do not evangelise because we are better; we all know people with more integrity than ours without the support of Christian faith. We mission because life in Christ makes sense and gives a depth and fullness that we would be selfish not to offer to others. Serving people’s needs does not spare us the duty of being attentive to the inner needs of others. My friend Alex had a right to know Christ! What do we see in the lives of those around us?
A good theology of the Word enables us to hold together the various ways in which God works in the world. The Spirit is ever at work in the hearts and minds of all who are open, “all peoples of good will”, as our Church has often named this reality. But they do not always know how to recognise, or name, this benign, loving presence that sustains all of our lives. That requires words. Theologian Mary Catherine Hilkert describes this dynamic eloquently in a book entitled Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination:
“God’s presence is mediated in and through creation and human history, but that mystery remains hidden and untapped unless it is brought to word. The proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacraments (Augustine’s ‘visible words’) bring the depth dimension of reality – grace – to recognition and thus effective power.”4
She says that the art of preaching, or indeed or any ministry of the word, is “to speak the name of God neither too soon nor too late”. Neither too soon nor too late evokes the attentive listening and loving required for any word to have a welcome. The call is not to speak at people about things they are not interested in (yet), but to listen for the gaps, the need, the beauty or pain that open a space for God’s name to be heard and, hopefully, received. Bernard Lonergan says the same in a different way:
“God becomes known to us in two ways: as the ground and end of the material universe; and as the one who speaks to us through Scripture and Tradition. The first manner might found a natural Religion. The second adds revealed Religion. For the first, one might say ‘the heavens show forth the glory of God’; what can mere words add? But for the second, one must answer that, however trifling the uses to which words may be put, still they are the vehicles of meaning.”
To have the experience and not miss the meaning! We are all called to be part of this way God has chosen to reach into and touch the lives of those around us. I believe Catholics underestimate the depth of faith they have to offer others. There is a wealth of lived experience and felt presence of God in many of us, which could channel the people we love into God’s loving presence. And that could change their lives. It is not difficult to welcome this dimension of our baptismal calling, but I have found that it does imply:
- Trusting our experience of faith. If something has given us life, it can touch others as well;
- Listening before and more than we speak;
- Bringing those we meet and love into prayer, for in that space, the Spirit can help us “time” our words, neither too soon nor too late;
- Knowing that God is the One at work in what we say. It is the Spirit who gives life! (Jn 6:63)
Dr Maeve Louise Heaney VDMF is Director of the Xavier Centre for Theological Formation at Australian Catholic University and a consecrated member of the Verbum Dei Community. http://maevelouiseheaney.com/
Lilibeth Bustos Linares, Unsplash
Jessica da Rosa, Unsplash
Priscilla du Preez, Unsplash
Group of women, Lightstock
Music as Theology: What Music Says about the Word, (Princeton Theological Monograph Series
of Pickwick Publications, Oregon, 2012).
Light from Within: Lenten Program 2020 (Mulgrave: Garratt Publishing, 2020).
Suspended God: Music and a Theology of Faith (forthcoming, Bloomsbury, London 2021)
Break the Crystal Frame, Willow Publishing Pty Ltd., 2014
Strange Life Willow Publishing Pty Ltd., 2020 (forthcoming)
Articles/ Book Chapters:
“A Hermeneutical Exploration of the Revelatory Text of John 4:1–42, In Performative Key”,
Theological Studies (July 2020).
“Women’s Leadership in the Church: A Question of Imagination” in Sandie Cornish and Andrea
Dean (ed.), in Still Listening to the Spirit: Woman and Man Twenty Years Later (Office for Social
Justice of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference: Sydney, 2019).
“The Power of Attraction: Beauty’s Apology”, Intercom. A Catholic Pastoral and Liturgical
Resource, Ireland, July 2018.
1Benedict XVI, Verbum Domini (Vatican City, 2010), 22.
2Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (Vatican City: AAS, 2013), 120.
3Francis, Evangelii Gaudium, 127.
4Mary Catherine Hilkert, Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination (New York: Continuum, 1997), 46-47.
5Hilkert, Naming Grace: Preaching and the Sacramental Imagination, 45.
6Bernard J. F. Lonergan, "Theology in Its New Context," in A Second Collection. Papers by Bernard J.F. Lonergan S.J., ed. F.J. Ryan and
B.J. Tyrell (London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1974).


The 2014 Stellar Awards
ASCAP HONORS THE BIGGEST NAMES IN GOSPEL!
(NASHVILLE, TN) The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) honored some of gospel music’s most prestigious names at the 5th annual ASCAP Presents: Morning Glory breakfast in Nashville. The event was held at The Hutton Hotel in Nashville. The 29th Stellar Awards, honored Grammy Award-winning artist Edwin Hawkins with the Gospel Icon artist Edwin Hawkins with Gospel Icon Award, Tye Tribbett and Warren Campbell with the newly established Spirit of Song of Award, as well as recognized other 2014 Stellar Award nominees.
Hosted by Pastor Marquis Boone of Fresh Start Church (Duluth, GA.), the breakfast also featured special performances by gospel powerhouse Tasha Cobbs, Grammy-nominated producer Chuck Harmony, and recording artists Jonathan McReynolds & Livre. Media partners for the 2014 ASCAP Presents: Morning Glory Breakfast reception was Aspire TV and UP TV.


Welcome to Salt and Light Ministries.
Venue: Bethel Mthodist Church. Date: 7th December 2013. Time: 5:00 pm.
Who Are We?
To raise disciples of the Lord Jesus Christto be effective, fruitful and practical Christians.
To motivate and encourage the Body of Christ, to be the best that God, in Christ, has raised us to be, according to His word in “Matthew 5:13-16” so that we can impact our generations for good.