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NASB | Jude 1:4 For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Jude 1:4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed [just as if they were sneaking in by a side door]. They are ungodly persons whose condemnation was predicted long ago, for they distort the grace of our God into decadence and immoral freedom [viewing it as an opportunity to do whatever they want], and deny and disown our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. |
Subject: Scandal of the Catholic Priesthood |
Bible Note: Dear Jeshuafreak I understand and appreciate your passion on this issue. This scandal sheds a pall upon all Christians and Christianity. However, I believe we find one of the underlying causes is found in I Timothy 4:3-- "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth."(KJV) Not to get into a discussion on Catholicism, but adults are sometimes like children: When you don't allow people to do something(priests having to be celibate) or eat something(no meat on Fridays during Lent), it makes us want it even more. That's why God made Eve for Adam, because "it is not good for man to be alone"(Genesis 2:18) But just as I would not want all Christians lumped in with these predators, I would not lump all Catholics in with them either. There are wheat and tares in almost every church. PS: You say "religion is nothing that benefits anyone". That is what has happened over the years. People have attached the word "religion" to any new kind of belief that comes along. Biblically speaking, however, "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."(James 1:27, NASB) When James wrote his epistle, religion was considered--by all--to be a good thing. But, as always, man has made a mockery out of it. Continue in praise, lifting up holy hands!! 2nd Samuel 22 |