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NASB | Matthew 7:23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.' |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 7:23 "And then I will declare to them publicly, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME [you are banished from My presence], YOU WHO ACT WICKEDLY [disregarding My commands].' [Ps 6:8] |
Subject: What is iniquity in Matthew 7:23? |
Bible Note: Hi, Greg; Hank has asked a valid question. Christians may, as Paul did at Athens, engage non-Christians in theological discussions. But Christians are unlikely to take instruction about Jesus from anyone but another Christian. There are many reasons, but the simplest is this: If you confess Jesus as your sole lord and savior, you are at least implying that your thoughts and desires are captive to him. If you confess Jesus, you suggest that your studies are guided not just by intellect, history, and culture, but by the Holy Spirit himself. If your "different light" is not shed by the Holy Spirit, it is of no more than passing intellectual interest to Christians. A confessing Christian is indeed labeled. To the world, the label is just a category. To the Christian, however, it is a seal given by God, it is an admission of sin and dependence on Jesus. It is a badge of honor given to the unworthy, to be worn with humility, in the knowledge that it given only by the grace of God through the shed blood of Christ. But it is to be worn boldly. The label you gave yourself is "truth-seeker". Jesus said he was the truth (John 14:6). He is the origin of all truth and the pathway to all truth. Paul, referring to the ability to understand sprititual truths, said "we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2:16) Without the mind of Christ, spiritual truths are nonsense; any who have the mind of Christ bear the label "Christian". So I echo Hank's question - are you a Christian? Thanks. Peace and grace, Steve aka Indiana Jones |