Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How much does salvation cost us? | Matt 13:46 | Lionstrong | 98596 | ||
Hello Momma, Thanks for your thoughts! Although I haven't read many commentaries I probably agree with them if they say that the pearl is the kingdom of God, rather than Christ's church. Like you, I have a high view of the Church, but I think this parable is not about Christ's bride for whom in love he paid the ultimate price. The particular emphasis in Matthew is the kingdom of God. (Read Matthew and see how much the Lord talks about the kingdom.) The kingdom's importance is also seen in the other two synoptic gospels. The central theme of Jesus' preaching was "Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand." You'll also notice that this parable is part of a series of parables on the kingdom, all emphasizing the inestimable value of Christ's rule in our lives. Anyone who finds Christ, understanding who he is and what he has done, is not crazy if he gives up all to possess him as Lord and Savior. |
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2 | How much does salvation cost us? | Matt 13:46 | Mommapbs | 98613 | ||
Greetings Lionstrong, While we may not see eye to eye on the purpose or meaning of these parables, please allow me to ask, can anyone "find Christ?" - "There is no one who seeks God" Romans 3:11 - Jesus finds them: "The Son of man came to SEEK and to save that which was lost" Luke 19:10 (!) Secondly, do we "possess" Christ or does Christ posess us? (Eph 1:14) While we may differ a bit on ur denominational positions, I agree with you on the "inestimable value" of Christ's rule in our lives. But I struggle to see how this "rule" is what you are referring to as the kingdom of heaven. Do consider and think about how the parable of the Sower, the man who found the treasure and the merchant who bought the pearl might all be connected if the Sower, the Seeker and the Seller represented Jesus in each of these. How might this perspective magnify our love for the Lord even more?! To me, it reveals that I am His heart's desire! He gives me His life-giving Word; He seeks me and He redeems me because He loves me! Blessings, mommapbs |
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3 | How much does salvation cost us? | Matt 13:46 | Lionstrong | 98644 | ||
Thanks for your thoughtful response, Momma, As a Bible-believer with a Reformed perspective, I very much underscore that no natural descendent of the fallen Adam seeks after God. Those who do seek God find out that it was God's drawing them to himself all along! (John 6:44 "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.) Further, while true obedience to the law of God is impossible for a son of Adam or daughter of Eve, God yet commands us to seek him. Is 55:6 Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. In answer to you question about possessing Christ, the answer is yes! He possesses us and we possess Him. This is a great theme that runs from the Old to the New Testaments. He is our God and we are his people: Ex 6:7 'Then I will take you for My people, and I will be your God; and you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Lev 26:12 'I will also walk among you and be your God, and you shall be My people. Jer 7:23 "But this is what I commanded them, saying, 'Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you will be My people; 1 Cor 1:2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours: 1 Thess 3:11 Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you; 1 Pet 2:10 for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY. Now the kingdom parables look at the kingdom from several perspectives; from Christ's, the Lord of the kingdom; from ours, the citizens of the kingdom; and from the perspective of the operation of the kingdom itself -- starting small like a mustard seed and growing large. One man finds the kingdom through no fault of his own. He stumbles on a treasure hidden in a field. Another man finds it by intent and purposeful seeking. Neither way rules out God's saving sovereign grace. Salvation from beginning to end totally belongs to the Lord. We all have different stories of how we came to faith, be it from childhood in a Christian home or later in life. Some of us stumbled into Christ: some of us were raised by our parents in Him. Some of us were looking for we knew not what, but found Christ, only to find out later that it was he who found us! Just because the Lord's seeking us is not found in this parable, it is still beautifully taught in other portions of Scripture. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep who leaves the ninety-nine and focuses all his attention on finding just one. He calls each of all the countless stars by name. (Is 40:26) Certainly, he called you by name. |
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4 | How much does salvation cost us? | Matt 13:46 | Mommapbs | 98651 | ||
Certainly, he called you by name TOO! Amen Beloved of the Lord, mommapbs |
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