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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: Dear Greg, You wrote: "If we operate from the premise that YHWH is all-knowing and all-powerful, by His foreknowledge we could say He causes things to happen by not acting. From what I understand that is the Hebrew mindset. So when the Bible states YHWH did some action it may just be passive. Take the events with Pharaoh. Did YHWH actually harden His heart or by not intervening did Pharaoh’s pride hardened his own heart?" ---Whether things happen by God's direct action or by His passive restraint, His will is still accomplished. Before Moses even set out for Egypt..."The LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders which I have put in your power; but I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go." And in And again in E7:3 "But I will harden Pharaoh's heart that I may multiply My signs and My wonders in the land of Egypt." but in Ex 8:32 "But Pharaoh hardened his heart this time also, and he did not let the people go." To the extent that God witholds His "common grace" the human heart is hardened. I believe that man is so wicked that if God were to withdraw his grace altogether, men would behave as demons. It is only the grace that he sheds on all men (as He wills) which keeps life on Earth possible.--- In my estimation, a man-centered theology will always lead to error and confusion. But if one accepts that God is the Potter and we are mere clay in His hands, things begin to fall into place. When I came to believe in God's absolute sovereign rule over all things that occur, the Bible began to be a whole lot easier to understand. But only God can reconcile His sovereigty and our responsibility. The Bible says it; that settles it. I am in no position to charge God with unrighteousness. All that He has done is holy and just. I bow before His judgements. John Reformed |