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NASB | Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Luke 24:31 Then their eyes were [suddenly] opened [by God] and they [clearly] recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. |
Subject: ever neccessary/permissable to deceit? |
Bible Note: tomsweetstir I appreciate the fact your an honest person in your car dealings. I also appreciate the fact it isn’t always wise to tell everything we know. In your story about the American and the Canadians everyone was wise not to admit one of them was an American. The men weren’t looking for Christians they were looking for Americans. However had the question been asked were there any Christians the answer could not have been no. Matthew 10:33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. In war lying and deception is expected and accepted, in the spread of the Gospel lying and deception is neither expected or accepted. I know many people have done things believing the end justified the means however that is not what Jesus taught. Jesus said do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I think it unwise to take God’s ability to accomplish His purpose and contribute it to God being deceitful. Yes Joseph did handle his brother deceitfully and no where do we see God congratulating him for it. Your right about his brothers deceitfully selling him into slavery. However what Satan meant for evil God used for God. That is not deceit that is the awesome might of the Lord and trying to compare that action of God to man sneaking around it very different. Your example of Peter and Satan sifting him. Was that deceit on God’s part or was it His willingness to allow Peter to tested and refined by fire. A lesser man than Peter might have melted at the test. Because God knew the end results as God does not suggest He used deceit in allowing it to happen. Your example of crucifixion of Jesus as another example of God using deceit is also flawed. Was God deceiving Satan or was Satan stupid enough to think he could foil God’s plan. The instant Jesus died Satan knew he had lost, but up until then Jesus could have called for the angels and had Himself released which is what Satan expected and hoped. To claim because God is omniscient He uses deceit is not justifiable. Your story of China is interesting, however I know of missionaries that shipped Bibles into that country without deception. God made a way. One time he landed with two suitcases full of Bibles the inspector opened and closed the suitcases and passed him through. Another time a shipment of religious material marked as such was delivered to his door by a Chinese official who was to lazy to inspect it. He was always able to get into the country what he needed without deception. The use of deception to accomplish God’s plan tells me the people involved are doing it in themselves rather than relying on God. I guess that is the problem I have with your “covert evangelism”. EdB |