Results 1 - 6 of 6
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate | NT general Archive 1 | Reformer Joe | 25564 | ||
Brian: How about this interpretation? Luke 10:25 -- A man asks Jesus how to inherit eternal life. Luke 10:26 -- Jesus turns the question back on him. Luke 10:27 -- The mean, a teacher of the law, quotes Dueteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18 as a summation of God's law, implying that this is his understanding of eternal life. Luke 10:28 -- Jesus wholeheartedly agrees. Those who fully comply with God's law will live. Luke 10:29 -- The man (probably elated at such an "easy" path that he undoubtedly saw himself as attaining), wanted to JUSTIOFY HIMSELF by clarifying who his "neighbor." It seems apparent that his attitude is defining how little he can do in order to gain this eternal life. After all, if one's neighbor is narrowly defined, the road to heaven is that much easier. Luke 10:30-35 -- Jesus relates the story of a man beaten and left for dead by robbers and abandoned by his own kinsmen, who happen to be the "clergy" of the time, just like this lawyer. It is a Samaritan, who traditionally would be classified as persona non grata, who stops (possibly at risk to his own safety), bandages the man, put him on his own animal, takes him to an inn, gives the innkeeper two months' rent and says that if anything else is needed, that the Samaritan will financially compensate upon his return. Luke 10:36 -- Jesus answers a very different question from the one that was asked of Him. Instead of answering "Who is my neighbor?", He asks, "Which one of the three passers-by was a neighbor to the person in need?" The answer is obvious. Luke 10:37 -- The man answers correctly and Jesus tells him to go and do likewise. Conclusion: If we consistently treat every human being who crosses our path with the same self-sacrifice and compassion that the Samaritan demonstrated for the victim here, abandoning all thoughts of our own safety, going miles out of our way to render aid, thinking of our own finances as completely inconsequential in the interests of a stranger who has never even spoken to us (and under most circumstances, would have never spoken to us in the first place), and making sure that his/her future needs are taken care of by you personally, then you are fulfilling God's law. Raise your hand if that is your attitude toward every human being who comes across your path... The moral of this parable? It has nothing to do with tolerance and acceptance of false religions (which the Old and New Testaments expressly forbid). This parable teaches that we never even come close to fulfilling the commands of loving God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. The lawyer's pride in trying to shoot for the minimum of what the letter of the law states is blown apart by Jesus' shocking example. To comply with this law to the extent Christ did is something we have not done and will not do. Therefore, the lawyer is condemned, just like we are. (Romans 3:10-18) Compliance to God's law is unattainable by humanity in its fallenness (Romans 8:7-9). We have all fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), which requires God's grace to justify us completely (Romans 3:24), because we will NEVER justify ourselves by our works (Ephesians 2:8,9), but rather by faith alone (read: "trusting only") in Christ's fulfillment of the law of God in his sinless life, substitutionary death, and bodily resurrection on their behalf (Romans 5:6-8). What do you think of THAT interpretation? --Joe! |
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2 | Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 25666 | ||
Joe Prior to reading this interpretation, my understanding of the parable has always been as yours - salvation is through Jesus. Instead of us approaching Jesus for salvation - Jesus reached out and hand-picked the person He felt deserved salvation. Just as He embraced the Samaritan - would He embrace a non-Christian for salvation? Are we correct in attempting to deny God the right, to decide to whom He will offer heaven? I was hoping to gather a bit more food for thought here. Thanks Brian |
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3 | Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate | NT general Archive 1 | Hank | 25675 | ||
Brian, our attempt "to deny" the Sovereign Lord any right whatever constitutes folly of the first water. Must God check with us before He can decide anything? The very question is unworthy of an answer, don't you think? --Hank | ||||||
4 | Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 25695 | ||
Hank I know that, it was a rhetorical question. But isn't that what we would attempt to be doing by denying this interpretation? What are your thoughts on this interpretation which I ran across.Do you feel it has any validity? If not, why Brian |
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5 | Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate | NT general Archive 1 | Hank | 25760 | ||
Brian, all sorts of questions that begin with "Could God do this or that?" must be answered, "Yes, God could do anything He chooses, because He is Sovereign. But the question is, not could God, but did God choose to offer salvation through any and all faiths -- Christianity being only one among many? Scripture answers that question very clearly. When Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me" He shut the door on that subject forever. He allowed us no further option. Be saved through Him or be condemned. If salvation could be found anywhere else, or through any other name, Jesus' trip to the cross would have been utter foolishness. --Hank | ||||||
6 | Parable fo the Good Samaritan - Evaluate | NT general Archive 1 | Brian.g | 25841 | ||
Hank Just a final thought... Always through Jesus - no disagreement, at all. We reach up to Jesus to lift us up into heaven. Jesus reaches down to pull us up into heaven. Thanks for your insight Brian |
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