Results 1 - 3 of 3
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | Morant61 | 163817 | ||
Greetings Doc! You wrote: "Reconciliation is a work of God, not a cooperative effort. That's what makes it the good news!" Yet, 2 Cor. 5:20 includes this statement: "We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." 'Be reconciled' is an imperative. Doesn't the person given a command have to obey it? God has accomplished reconcilation for the world (v. 19). He has commited the message of reconciliation to us (v. 19). The message is the appeal to 'be reconciled' (v. 20). If we are not expected to respond to the appeal, why make it? Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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2 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | DocTrinsograce | 163818 | ||
Dear Brothre Tim, You wrote, "If we are not expected to respond to the appeal, why make it?" So that the goats will be distinguised from the sheep. So that the tares will be distinguished from the wheat. So that God's glory will be manifest by the work of His grace in the lives of some, and by the measure of His righteous judgement in allowing the rest to meet their just deserts. We declare the Gospel out of obedience and love for the lost. We do not present the Gospel in order to convince people to transform themselves from goats into sheep. :-) Only God can do the work of regeneration. He doesn't need man's permission or participation. And, Tim... we do not "appeal." As John Gill says of this verse, "Since God has made reconciliation by Christ, and the ministry of it is committed to us, we are ambassadors for Him; we come with full powers from Him, not to propose terms of peace, to treat [negotiate] with men about it, [or] to offer it to them, but to publish and proclaim it as made by Him." In Him, Doc |
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3 | Praying for the 'World'. | Matt 5:44 | Morant61 | 163819 | ||
Greetings Doc! We definitely have differing understandings of an imperative! ;-) As for 'appealing', you will have to argue with Scripture over that word since that is the word used in the text, regardless of what John Gill says about it. It was not my choice of words! ;-) Here is a variety of translations of 2 Cor. 5:20b. NIV - "since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." RSV - "God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." NRSV - "since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." HCSB - "certain that God is appealing through us, we plead on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God."" NET Bible - "as though God were making His plea through us. We plead with you on Christ's behalf, "Be reconciled to God!"" NKJV - " as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God." NASB - "as though God were entreating through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." KJV - "as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God." ASV - "as though God were entreating by us: we beseech you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God." So, according to Scripture, we do appeal! :) I had better get to bed! I don't get to sleep at night very often because of my work schedule. Sleep well my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |
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