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NASB | 2 Corinthians 4:4 in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Corinthians 4:4 among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. |
Subject: Homosexual debate at school help please |
Bible Note: Dear Brother WOS, This is quite a conundrum. Quoting specific Scriptures and various platitudes, we can fall either side of the issue. Because of the nature of the human heart, we can end up in dangerous areas. Our only recourse, then, is a careful and continual study of the Word, doing everything we can to position ourselves to receive God's grace, wisdom, and Holy Spirit. Only then are we able to approach this topic with an appropriate balance. Only then can we hope to work cooperatively with God's agenda. We do know that there are instances where we are to avoid specific persons. For example, after an explanation of the need for personal sanctification, our Lord said, "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you." (Matthew 7:6 ESV) Orthodox understanding of this verse suggests the following: Clearly these animals are metaphors for particular kinds of people. Both dogs and swine are unclean, so we can conclude that Jesus was not speaking of Christians. John Gill writes that the dogs are the angry, antagonistic unbelievers, who desire the abolition of all things Christian. The swine are only and ever concerned and consumed with sensuality. Another type of person we are to avoid are the false teachers. John wrote, "If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works." (2 John 1:10-11 ESV) Clearly there are more than simply temporal consequences to our association with those who reject our King. We are also commanded to purify our local congregations (Matthew 18:15-20). Paul, discussing church discipline, fleshes this out when he explains that we are to "turn out" (i.e., excommunicate) those within the church who will not repent of their sin (1 Corinthians 5:5). At the end of that chapter he explains, "I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people -- not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler--not even to eat with such a one." (1 Corinthians 5:9-11 ESV) Christ Himself came to serve (Mark 10:45). We are, of course, to emulate Him. We are not to try to conform men to our image, but rather to bring them before the throne. We are to minister to those suffering and groaning under burdens, shackled by sin. But if they will not enter the light, loving the darkness instead, then it is appropriate for us to leave them in the state in which we found them. In Him, Doc |