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NASB | Matthew 22:42 "What do you think about the Christ, whose son is He?" They *said to Him, "The son of David." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 22:42 "What do you [Pharisees] think of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)? Whose Son is He?" They said to Him, "The son of David." |
Subject: Who do you believe about Jesus? |
Bible Note: Where are you, Kathy? Your answers were always courteous and soft and gentle. I trust you have not been discouraged. I trust you have not left. They say that I am paranoid, but we know what words can do. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (KJV). The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words (God’s Word). I sometimes think I am manic depressive, but I hope only those who are professionally qualified will venture to confirm it. One can be manic, seeing a site like this where the word of God is the topic of conversation. But then one is depressed to see that they only care to talk and cannot abide the thought that there is a need for practical application. One day I will return to suggest that we can practice agape, or even philadelphia here. But I will wait for a while. The harsh language and the readiness to throw insults makes this seem a dangerous place, where verbal abuse may be freely used in defense of the written word. One may even fall for the temptation to respond in kind in order to calm the tigers down. We know that they can be made to eat their words, those who respond so harshly. They can diagnose and disrespect and show contempt for people whom they do not know, understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. And one may feel the need to break the arrow. But there is not much point in that, bringing a battle to a stalemate. There is no special joy even in accepting their apologies. One still feels sad to see that these things happen. Those who study can see so much virtue in knowing the word and care so little about suggestions that we practice the word. That being said, one must acknowledge and rejoice in seeing a young brother putting Ephesians 4:26 into practice. We should perhaps always look for some application somewhere as we discuss. Take this present topic, and the question: “Who do you believe about Jesus--those who were closest to Him, or those who are two thousand years removed from the events?” What is the practical value in that? Much, I am sure. Those who testified 2000 years ago hoped that those who heard would believe. But what is our hope today? They tell me that the question: “How would we plan now to proclaim the Gospel: his death and burial and resurrection, the demand for repentance and his offer of forgiveness?” has “no value” and that the majority of the people on this forum “neither understand, nor grant significance” to a question like that. Yet Jesus said, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations”. We can talk about these things, it seems, but it is or no value or significance to suggest that we find ways to do them? It is written, and it behooves someone to preach repentance and remission of sins. And it behooves someone to remind us now and then. I understand, as I have been reminded many times, that this is a Bible Study forum. But do the participants think that study without application has some value? Surely they have read 1 Corinthians 8:1. As long as I have access, I will return from time to time to say, as Jesus said, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them”. |