Results 321 - 340 of 975
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Author: Aixen7z4 Ordered by Date |
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Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
321 | Can the word of God be imprisoned? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122238 | ||
It cannot be trussed up or bottled up. It seems that nothing can stop it. It may be one reason it is called the everlasting Gospel. I am impressed, and very much encouraged by this statement, that the Gospel is not bound. It suggests to me that there is no stopping it and am glad to hear that. Now this may sound like a sermon, I warn you, but here are several points I hoped that others would have added. I would have preferred to try to elicit these with questions, but I will say them and move on. Sometimes it seems that God is not speaking at all. But he has spoken (Hebrews 1:1) even as he had said that he would speak (Ezekiel 12:25) “I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass”. The sense one gets from the Hebrews passage is that the word which has been spoken, especially that spoken by Jesus, will stand. God’s word is also inexorable, in that it cannot be stopped. It will go out, as God sends it out, and it will accomplish what God implies or promises in it (Isa 55:11). It turneth not back unto him empty, but hath done that which he desired, and prosperously effected that for which he sent it (YLT). The word of God cannot be chained, because it is not a physical thing. For that same reason, it cannot be burned, or shredded, or otherwise destroyed. The word of God is more than ink and paper. It is what God has spoken, and it will go forth, whether in writing, or in actions, by the spoken word. Much of it is spoken through nature and in man’s conscience. It is also seen in the works that Jesus did, and in the actions of God’s people. It is the fact that God loves us and wants us to love him and each other. It can be seen and read of all men, including those who do not know letters. When we do what God says, then our actions speak, and they do speak louder than words. Men see our good works and they glorify our Father (Matthew 5:16) because they see him and they hear him through the good things we do. Yet wet sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and remain ready always to give an answer to every man that asks us a reason of the hope that is in us with meekness and fear. Our actions can cause them to want to hear more. When they ask, what we want to tell them is the Gospel. So it is that while Paul was in prison the Gospel could have free course. When we are willing to suffer for the Gospel, even our suffering speaks for itself. It speaks to those who persecute us. It also speaks to our brethren, moving them to take our place as preachers of the spoken word. It may cause them to run away, but wherever they go, they take with them the word of God. It is in their hearts (They’ve hidden it there, as they were directed to do in Psalm 119:11) and it’s in their mouth (Deuteronomy 30:4;Romans 10:8). No one can stop the Gospel, not even if they lock up or lock out the preacher. They cannot stop his preaching, even if they cut out his tongue. Even when we die, if we die for the Gospel, then we continue to preach the Gospel. We can leave a legacy of faith and it will be said, as it was said of Abel, that by it he/she being dead yet speaketh. Whereas the Gospel is other than physical, and cannot be destroyed. Whereas it cannot be taken out of a living preacher. If imprisoning the preacher only causes it to be seen and heard even more, in him and through his brethren, brave or coward, loving or envious, then how can the Gospel ever be stopped? It is like an unquenchable fire. And it can be a fire in our bones (as in Jeremiah 20:7), moving us to speak it. Knowing its power, that it can regenerate and energize the hearer who receives it and passes it on, we are led to pass it on. I have wondered if we will say it in heaven and I cannot see why not. It is there that they sing, “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev 5:9). We say, “I deliver unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”. We say it. And those who hear it say it. It will go on forever. That may be the reason why John refers to it, in Revelation 14:6, as the everlasting Gospel. |
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322 | Is it by nature inexorable? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122225 | ||
Yes. Jesus seems to be saying that his word is indestructible. The time will come in which the heavens, which now seem permanent, will catch fire and pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up (2 Peter 3). But the word of God will not be destroyed. It will stand forever (Isaiah 40:8). And it is by this incorruptible word that we are saved (1 Peter 1:23-25). It is a communication from God, with promises that will stand forever. |
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323 | Is it by nature inexorable? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122199 | ||
Amen. I was thinking though, of places and times in which the word of God has been burned, or banned, or where the preachers of it have been imprisoned. Is it in the nature of the word of God that it is nevertheless unstoppable? |
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324 | I need Help!! | Bible general Archive 2 | Aixen7z4 | 122197 | ||
Please add that he is the Savior. He says(Isaiah 43:11)"I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. Also, in Hosea 13:4 he says, "I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me". Mary said (Luke 1:47) And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. I hope your group will do that as well. |
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325 | Can the word of God be imprisoned? | 2 Tim 2:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122195 | ||
In Psalm 19, nature speaks, and it cannot be shut down. Its voice is heard everywhere. In Romans 2, the conscience speaks, accusing or excusing. Its voice is heard in every man. The word of God also speaks, and it pierces a man’s heart. Paul says in this case that the word of God is not bound. My question is this: Is it just in this case, or is it always the case? Or is it in the nature of the word of God, that it is never chained or imprisoned? |
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326 | How do we understand these words? | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 122175 | ||
My brother, I will try to give a soft response. The truth is, the question as asked is one of the most important in my mind. I am not surprised that it sounds like a speech. There are some time when I wonder the same thing about the questions that are put by the journalists to the politicians. They can be wordy. I have learned that questions are a good way to learn; maybe the best way. But the questioner must first reveal what he knows and where he is in his understanding. That way the person answering can know what he is adding to. He does not have to assume complete ignorance. This is the truth that I tell you and I trust you can tolerate it. |
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327 | How do we understand these words? | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 122174 | ||
I do believe you are correct, Angel. It is clear that the disciples who remained had not understood all he said. But they remained, patiently waiting for understanding. There was a blind man who recieved his sight and said, "One thing I know". There was a psalmist who said, "LORD, my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty: neither do I exercise myself in great matters, or in things too high for me. Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child". And the twelve decided to humbly wait. Their wait was rewarded, for in John 16 we hear them saying "Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb. Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God". We do not know what the word of God means except by the Spirit of God as he reveals it. We cannot hurry him. We must wait on him. You know, Angel, I started our asking that question, "How can we understand these words?. But as I wrote it seems that more and more was revealed to me. Still there is a question and a challenge in my mind. How do I know that I have the correct understanding? The sponsors of this program may not like my answer, but I think that the New Living Translation had the most accurate rendition. That is because it uses the context to decide on the wording. I am glad for the reference to eternal life, as it presages the succeeding comments. And it seems that Jesus always had the message of salvation in mind. His words are spirit and life, and the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. I will try now to express the entire thought in my own words. I believe that is a good test of comprehension. Maybe you would like to try it as well. There are questions that remain unanswered. Some of Jesus’ words are very deep (See Psalm 92:5) and cannot be understood from a cursory reading. What happens when we do not wait for understanding, but turn away instead? The folks who did were human like us, and we may sometimes do as they did. What happens then? I think we would do well to ponder more. That in itself might teach us to practice patience. But thank you for a kind response. |
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328 | 'Lone rangers' and spiritual discernment | 1 Cor 12:12 | Aixen7z4 | 122132 | ||
My dear sister: I admire your zeal and your heart. But I would encourage you that we have to find our place, in the kingdom, with the church. Please do not misunderstand. Many of us have experienced the struggle you went through. We are a part of the church in a day when hardly anything is the way it should be. But the Lord does not call us to step outside the church. We have to work with them. The church can send us out. But we can not walk away from it and say we are in ministry for God. Notice I say "it", because the Bible recognizes only one church. We have to find a way to work with it. For those who chafe at the idea, I have found I can only recommend that we take Joshua and Caleb as our examples. They wholly followed the Lord (Num 32:12) and they found they did not have to leave to do that. Look at your own post. Look at the changes from "we", "our", and "us" to "I", "me", and "my". I have a feelings, a calling, and a ministry, but we must work together. |
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329 | How do we understand these words? | John 6:63 | Aixen7z4 | 122128 | ||
The single sentence in John 6:63 may be exceptional in the number of thoughts it brings together. How can we possibly understand it or properly respond to it? It seems ironic that Jesus is saying it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can understand it. And yet, the people who were hearing him were not understanding. Many of his disciples, when they had heard (his preceding statements), had said, “This is an hard saying; who can hear it?” (John 6:60). I am not sure that Jesus made it any easier when he said, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63). It seems that the people became exasperated. They walked away (v. 66). The translators are wide apart on their renderings: NKJV It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. NIV The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. (GW) Life is spiritual. Your physical existence doesn't contribute to that life. (LITV) It is the Spirit that gives life. The flesh does not profit, nothing! (YLT) the spirit it is that is giving life; the flesh doth not profit anything; (MSG) The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. (WEB) It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. (NASB) It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; . (AMP) The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. They all have “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life”, but what does that mean? (NLT) It is the Spirit who gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Once again I find myself appreciating the NLT as I see how it uses context to bring out meaning. Thank God for it. But the question remains: What was the Spirit doing in this case? On this occasion, He seems to be keeping the people from understanding (as in Romans 11:25). Later, on the day of Pentecost, He would help people to hear words spoken in another language as if it had been spoken in their own language (Acts 2:8), and they would understand and believe and be saved. I wonder what happens here, today, when people do not understand, and turn away. What role is the Spirit playing? One’s attention is riveted every time that God or Jesus asks the question “Why …?”, And in John 8:43 he asks, “Why do ye not understand my speech?” Amazingly, this seems to have resulted in a stalemate. He said they were of the devil, and they said he had a devil. That time, they did not simply walk away. They took up stones to stone him. They had not understood his words. Jesus was full of the Spirit, but the Spirit was not in them to resonate and give meaning to his words. Today, we have the Holy Spirit. But do we understand those words? |
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330 | the belly of a whore,what scripture | Gen 38:9 | Aixen7z4 | 122124 | ||
There is no scripture suggesting it is OK to have sex with a prostitute. On the contrary, we have 1 Corinthians 6:15. "Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid". The unthinkableness of that idea is reflected on in the following verses. What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. |
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331 | Laws of the Spirit of Life | Rom 8:2 | Aixen7z4 | 122123 | ||
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. What the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. |
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332 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Aixen7z4 | 122121 | ||
It is interesting to consider what type of body unbelievers might have and what type of fire hell might have. It was also interesting to consider the different reasons for weeping and gnashing of teeth. The fact that we should do what we can to persuade people to seek heaven and to shun hell is clear (2 Cor 5:11). What attracted me in Jud's question was the issue of fear of hell in the heart of a believer. Does a believer have to fear going to hell? I think not. There is no chance. Jesus said, "I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish" (John 10:28.. |
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333 | Is Hell fire literal that burns forever? | John 5:24 | Aixen7z4 | 122075 | ||
Jesus had a way of saying, “Fear not”. It is another way of saying that we should trust in him. Jesus says that hell is forever. He spoke of a fire “that never shall be quenched” (Mark 9:44). He says that we should avoid that place at all cost. It is a place “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched”. What drastic measures we need to take to avoid that dreadful place! “If thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched”. There are some who will explain these words away, distinguishing between “literal” and not “figurative”, and it may take all fear of hell away. But Jesus seems to be saying that hell is a place to be feared. The interesting thing is that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have no fear of hell at all. The reason is that he says he will make sure we don’t go there. We have to believe him and trust him. He says he will take us to heaven (See John 14). Again there are those who will drain that promise of all the joyful anticipation that Jesus built into it. But that was his promise. Like that helicopter over the volcano, like the bridge over troubled water, like the baby in the arms of his mother, we can trust and feel safe. But these are poor comparisons. In Jesus, we are safe because he is true and able. We trust in his promises. “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). He is able (2 Timothy 1:12). So we can trust in him completely and have no fear at all. God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:9). We are in him, and he will not go to hell. Fear not, therefore. There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ. Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in Jesus. In his Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, he would have told us. He has gone to prepare a place for us. And he will come again, and receive you unto himself; that where he is, there you may be also. |
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334 | What evidences are there ? | John 4:26 | Aixen7z4 | 122053 | ||
In John chapter 4, Jesus said he was the Messiah. If we believe in him, then we will believe that. If we do not believe in him, then we take him to be a liar. But Jesus is not only the Messiah, he is the Truth (John 14:6). If that is true, and if we fail to believe it, then we will die in our sins (John 8:24). Jesus is everything the prophets said he would be. The Samaritan woman he met at the well could see it. For one thing, he was a prophet himself (John 4:19). In this he was fulfilling one of the prophecies of Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15,18). But he went beyond that to fulfill all the other prophecies that the prophets had spoken concerning the Messiah (Luke 24:27). The second part of the question is beyond my capacity to answer. By itself it seems to ask: “What evidences are there that the biblical documents we have on him are true?” For me, the fact that we do have biblical documents is enough. The fact they are so many and they agree and support each other is impressive. Whether that makes each of them true, I do not know. It is interesting to me, however, that the woman at the well was convinced, and so were the others who heard him (John 4:42). The Bible does not expect that we will be convinced by a multitude of references. John wrote one account of the life of Christ. He wrote it, he said, so that we might believe that Jesus is the Messiah, so we might trust in him and be saved (John 20:31). There are many other signs that Jesus did in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in that book. But many who read that book say it is enough. The see that many who had been in his presence and believed and they decide that they will believe on him themselves even if they have not seen (John 20:29). Hearing alone causes them to believe (Romans 10:17). It is not possible to tell whether one would ask these questions out of academic interest or because one is looking for a reason to believe on Jesus. But the woman at the well said she believed because he told her everything that she had done. He does know our hearts, and he says, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17). So anyone can prove it to himself. Do you want to do the will of God? Then you will know if what Jesus said is true, including the fact he is the Messiah. And what is the will of God? Someone asked him. Then said they unto him, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said unto them, “This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent” (John 6:28,29). He is the Messiah, and we ought to believe on him. |
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335 | disciple that Jesus loved | 1 John 4:10 | Aixen7z4 | 122018 | ||
This writer agrees. John does not quite say, "I am that disciple, which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things". But that is as close as he gets. Nor does he say that his name is John. It is a question that has always intrigued me, why many of the writers of scripture fail to identify themselves. Is there any internal evidence that John wrote the Gospel of John? I hope you do not think I am being facetious here. If you have such evidence, I would like to learn of it. Paul says that he always identifies himself (2 Thessalonians 3:17) and John certainly identifies himself as the writer of the book of Revelation. Rev 1:4 "John to the seven churches". Rev 1:9 "I John, who also am your brother, ..., was in the isle that is called Patmos ...". Rev 22:8 "I John saw these things, and heard them". Why do you suppose he declines to identify himsel as John in the book called The Gospel of John? It seems to me that John 21:24 says it is the writer of the book who is known as "the disciple whom Jesus loved". It still does not say clearly that it was John. I hope you understand what I say here. We think it was John, but reading John 21:24 does not absolve us of culpability, if we are accused of intelligent guessing. |
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336 | What change can we expect? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 121951 | ||
It does seem that one of the changes we experience is that we become more judgmental. 1 Corinthians 2:14, 15 says: "The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things". (I am sure that someone will tell us the difference between "judging all things" and being judgmental). I am frankly not sure what "philosophical" means any more but I am glad you were able to give an answer in spite your detecting that in the question. I hope others can as well. |
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337 | disciple that Jesus loved | 1 John 4:10 | Aixen7z4 | 121949 | ||
It would be interesting, but probably not convincing, to know what you have heard different. It is clear that Jesus loved all the disciples (See John 13). But there was a special place for Peter and James and John and there was a very special place for John. John may have been somewhat embarrassed by the special attention (I use the word advisedly and not to draw response) and he was disinclined to identify himself by name. But there was one who “which also leaned on his breast at supper” (John 21:20). We should not be surprised if he is the same one writing about Jesus as “that which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” (1 John 1:1). He is also the only one known to refer to Jesus as “the Word”, though I do not know why that came out, except it be that he was close enough to have heard his every word. For all that, he seems to have always had his eyes fixed on Jesus. The love was mutual. With all that, it was not so important to John that he loved Jesus, though he did (1 John 4:19) but that Jesus loved him, and us (Revelation 1:5). |
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338 | Will we have a body in heaven | 1 Cor 15:44 | Aixen7z4 | 121943 | ||
We will have a spiritual body. Those who know the language tell us that a spiritual body is first of all a body. The verses in 1 Corinthians 15 tell us how that body is formed. "This corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality" (verse 54). | ||||||
339 | What change can we expect? | 2 Cor 5:17 | Aixen7z4 | 121934 | ||
He declined an invitation to church because, as he put it, he was afraid that he might “get saved or something”. Let us assume, if we can, that psychology is correct on this point, that change is always stressful. Add to that the fact the Bible says that salvation involves a change. We all know Ephesians 5:17. If all of that is true, then is it not reasonable that he should be afraid to get saved? It is probably not possible to tell someone ahead of time what change he will be subject to when he gets saved. One song I know laments like this: If I could only tell him as I know him My Redeemer who has lightened all my way If I could only tell how sweet his presence I am sure that you would make him yours today. But I can never tell him as I know him. Human tongue can never tell all love divine I only can entreat you to accept him You will know him only when you make him thine But when a person is saved, surely he gets to understand, as he experiences the changes! I have recently reestablished contact with that man after more than twenty (20) years, and he tells me he is saved now. And now, I ask this question, about him, and about saved people in general: According to the Bible, what change can we expect? |
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340 | 'Lone rangers' and spiritual discernment | 1 Cor 12:12 | Aixen7z4 | 121912 | ||
It is hard to keep from praising you for this piece, my brother. It is well thought out and it deserves a thoughtful response. I am not sure I can do it that justice, but I have a thought. The phenomenon of the lone ranger has long intrigued me, because it seems to be not of God. God does not delight in lone rangers, it seems to me from Scripture, because the spotlight is to be on him. The life of the lone ranger is lonely, and it has always been true that it is not good for a man to be alone. So, it is not good for the individual, and it is not good for the Lord. The analogy of the body seems quite apt. The eye, as important as it is, is of no use by itself. In Matthew 6:22 Jesus says, “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light”. The purpose of the eye is to bring light into the body, and the purpose of the body is to function for the glory of its creator. The same may be said for every other member of the body. Also, no man lives to himself (Romans 14:). Then why does a member of the body find itself alone? I offer to you that it is a symptom, and something is wrong with the body. When the body is functioning properly, then the members work together (Ephesians 4:16). When there is competition and envying and fighting, then the body is not functioning properly. That said, it seems that the body has always operated at a less than optimum level, and that may be because of sin. They physical body is subject to sickness, and soreness, and weakness here and there, and it has always impressed me how the common cold can sideline a powerful athlete. The best tennis player will retire because of soreness in the little toe. You do not realize the importance of the little toe in the foot opposite the serving hand until you try to serve with a sore toe. It will have to be, in a sense, isolated, and nursed back to health before the body can accomplish the required task. Someone will surely say that an athlete must learn to play with pain. Yes. And the world goes on. And the church rolls on. But the individual members hurt and things are not right in the world, and the man in the crowd feels alone. And the believer in the church feels alone. I do not advise a person to leave a church. It is true, in some sense, that we cannot leave the church, for if you are a believer then you are the church. And eye plucked from the body will die, as will any other part. In the church it cannot happen. If we try to do it we cause pain and suffering. The life strings are stretched, but never severed and restoration is the only remedy indicated. What if the eye sees things that are wrong or dangerous? Have you noticed that in the body its only job is to relay that message to the brain? The brain must send the necessary message to the other parts of the body. But then again it is the brain that directs the eye in the first place and interprets the message that the eye sends. In a similar way it is only God who directs us, even if we are sensory organs, and it is only he who knows what the stimuli really are. It may well be that we are carrying the analogy too far and getting too far away from Scripture. But I confess it is 1 Corinthians 12 that is in mind as I write. I think that it presents the ideal of the body working as each part functions interactive with the others. In practice, however, the church often says to a believer, “We have no need of you”, and a believer often withdraws from fellowship with the church. In either case, the individual suffers and the church suffers. Part of the problem seems to lie in the fact that the body which is suffering does not feel the pain. We have not learned that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it (1 Corinthians 12:26). We feel free to ignore, and exclude, and hurt each other, without realizing that we are hurting ourselves, the church, and the Lord. So I would offer that there have been and there will be lone rangers, but it is not good. The chief lesson that we learn in isolation is that we have to work together. What we learn alone we have to share, if not in full (2 Cor 12), then in some fashion. There should not even be factions in the church, but it seems the bigger parts don’t feel the pain. The finer you cut it the more pain, and when it comes down to the individual member, it really hurts. We should probably be wise to bind up the wounds and put the pieces back together, but the ears are apparently not working well, ‘cause the message is not getting through. Spiritual discernment is like hearing, is it not? |
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