Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, truly I say to you, he will not lose his reward. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 9:41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will not lose his reward. |
Subject: What is the "reward" ? |
Bible Note: Greetings and blessings on your birthday Hank - I do thank God for you (and your parents of course!) From my perpsective,at 51, you're not old at all! (My granparents lived well into their nineties) Thank you for your counsel. It has been an interesting and disheartening exchange, (yes as a potential seminarian)but more so because others on the discussion agree with him! What I copied to the Forum was just a "smattering" of the "theology" he subscribes to - which seems to be God is in me and I am in God; he denies the total depravity of man and basically ignores the cross, he felt that the film, "The Passion of the Christ" didn't portray the REAL message of Jesus. In his works based "faith", he completely misses the point of Eph 2:10. Yet because he denies the divintiy of Christ, I believe he is a man without the Spirit, and it is by the Spirit that we understand spiritual truth (1 Cor 2) - so it's no wonder that he is ignorant! He seeks for meaning or validation (not truth, as a self proclaimed post-modernist) in the wrong places. Although he quotes Luther, and Bonhoffer and reads C.S. Lewis et al, he is relying upon the thoughts of men rather than the Word of God! (Which is what you have a bugaboo about, right?!) Yet this whole exchange further reaffirms the faithfulness of God's Word for He has told us plainly, "In the last time there will be mockers, following after their own ungodly lusts. These are the ones who cause divisions, worldly-minded, devoid of the Spirit. " Jude 1:1-19 God gave me a great "one-liner" during my study: Cosmologists and cosmetologists have something in common - they are both "make-up" artists! Also as a side bar: In my "dialog" I, was even accused of spoutting "Reformed Theology" (perish the thought!) Now Hank, in reference to our last exchange, THIS is how the Lord is at work in me: Recently I was asked to lead a "Bible Study" (which in reality is a book study) and I was hesitant because I was told that I was not to add anything (meaning extra material)to the study. This disheartened me as I perceived that those in authority were rejecting the gift that God has given me to use and teach His Word - but I had a clear indication from the Lord that this is what He wanted me to do and I purposed in my heart that as He gave me His Word to share I would be faithful to Him - which He has!) Well, the book is Colson's "How Now Shall We Live." Everything I am reading about was fleshed out in my dialog with this young man. Did God prepare me or what?! I could understand where he was coming from, how he was constructing his world view etc. and the challenge was to use what God had taught me to confront him with God's truth - yet because he rejects God's Word as absolute Truth, to quote chapter and verse would be as you said, "casting (God's) pearls before swine" (a reference that God brought to mind as I considered my further participation - which you could not have known before you wrote - which I understand as a confirmation for me from God). It seems that his conscience is seared (1 Tim 4:11-2)and apart from the Holy Spirit removing the blinders from his eyes, I can do nothing but pray to this end. Perhaps this could be a general corporate prayer as we live in a hostile and alien culture - driven by the spirit of antichrist! Prior to my post here, I was reading in Mark 9:38-41 about not hindering those who were "accused" of doing miracles in Jesus' name, and I asked God if this chap fell into this category so I pursued the meaning of this passage on the Forum. From what others have shared here, you included, God's direction from His Word has been made plain. So perhaps now you will have a better understanding of how the body of Christ is such an integral part of my walk with God as I rely upon it as an extention of Christ. The Holy Spirit is my counsellor through the Word, prayer, circumstances and the community of believers. These are the four points that I look for agreement in. I don't change what God's Word says or manipulate it according to my will, but I apply it specifically to my life situations. Isn't this what God's Word is for? They are Words of Life for life! "I have come that they might have life and have it (life) to the full" John 10:10 - which is right here right now! Eternity is the icing on the cake, but the cake (with Christ) is delicious too! Well, I trust that this "testimony" will be like a holy hug from our Lord, who has used you to encourage and strengthen me in my walk with Him. I thank our Father in Heaven and I thank you. May you continue to be blessed and be a blessing, mommapbs (aka trish) |