Subject: Be serious about this- |
Bible Note: Hi Roviear, Thank you for the references that talk about ignorance, misguidance, and weaknesses; weaknesses that we all have as people. 1 Timothy 1:12, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because *He considered me faithful, putting me into service, even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And YET I WAS SHOWN MERCY because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord/ was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus." Romans 9:22, "What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? And He did so in order that He might make known the riches of *His glory UPON VESSELS OF MERCY, which He/ prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among the Jews only, but also from among the Gentiles." Romans 10:12, "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is *Lord of all, abounding in riches [OF MERCY?] for all who call upon Him;/ for 'Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Romans 10:14- 1 Timothy 4:3. How shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? Who are those who believe and know the Truth? The other reference to go with 1 Timothy was Hebrews 5:2. It is talking about the high priests taken from among men who are able to deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since they also are subject to weakness. But we have One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let me combine the NASB and NKJ interpretations of capitalization and add this One to Hebrews 4:15. Hebrews 4:14-16, NKJ, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but [we have One who] was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need." May we get to know this High Priest better and better as we grow in knowledge and as our children grow up. May we draw near to God. From the heart, Ray |