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NASB | Matthew 16:6 And Jesus said to them, "Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them, "Watch out and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." |
Subject: How Holy Is Marriage? |
Bible Note: Dear Robert, You called their sin "...an affliction..." We are -- each and every one of us -- responsible for our each and every sin. Sin is never a passive matter. Even the "tiniest" sin -- is always a soul damning, willful, rebellious act against a holy God that will be recompensed fully. The only difference between the lost and the saved, is the issue of who is paying the debt. Habitual sin is never a characteristic of the saved. Read the first epistle of John for a complete picture of what the regenerate look like. You'll find there that they are always characterized by a love of God, a love of the brethren (the church), a love the Word, and a love of righteousness. If anyone -- regardless of the nature of the sin -- refuses to repent, then a believer cannot have a close relationship with them, for what fellowship can righteousness have with unrighteousness, or light with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14)? Those of us who are saved, were at one time part of the darkness, but now we are children of the light (Ephesians 5:5; 1 Peter 2:9). At one time, we lived in and loved the darkness (John 3:19). Thus, it isn't a matter of merit, but a matter of God's own doing (2 Timothy 1:9). In fact, that's what the word "church" means. Since it is not a matter of merit, we cannot condemn sinners without asking God to show less mercy to others than He has for us (Luke 18:9-14). Robert, let the Law do its full work (Romans 5:20), don't get in its way. We err greatly if we try to minimize our guilt and the heavy cost of it incurs. By doing that we diminish the work of Christ on the cross. The Law must do its hurtful work, because only then may the balm of the gospel begin its work! For no matter what the sin, the blood of Christ is both adequate and necessary to "be of sin the double cure." Remember, no matter the mitigating or exacerbating circumstances, neither their extent nor their origin, God grace is sufficient. In Him, Doc |