Change begins in the heart and it is from a clean heart that one can then be a positive influence upon others.
Let's use some logic and reason.
Jesus was critical of the religious leaders in his day in saying this...
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto
whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within
full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also
outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy
and iniquity." Mat 23:27-28
In other words, the Pharisees (religious leaders) put on an outward show
of being righteous people but in their hearts they were actually
compromised, selfish and evil. The solution to their problem was to...
"Thou blind Pharisee, CLEANSE FIRST that which is within the cup and
platter, that the outside of them may be clean also." Jesus of Nazareth,
Mat 23:28
In order to be truly clean/righteous on the outside one must first be
clean/righteous on the inside. This is why Jesus preached REPENTANCE,
the change of mind associated with turning away from all wickedness.
We cannot offer a solution to others if we are not living example of that solution ourselves. Jesus stated it like this...
"Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye
shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to
you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye,
but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou
say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and,
behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the
beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out
the mote out of thy brother's eye." Mat 7:1-5
Jesus was teaching that if one is to judge another's behaviour as wrong,
and yet that one be in wrong behaviour themself, then the one judged
will simply measure their accuser by the same standard and thus indicate
their hypocrisy. This is something that occurs everyday all through
society, people point at the iniquity that is around them and yet never
FIRST deal with the iniquity within themselves.
The problem with society is iniquity or lawlessness, in other words,
people doing what they want lacking in care as to the effect it has on
others or upon society as a whole.
Society needs leaders to stand up and not only advocate love and
righteousness but to also LIVE love and righteousness. Anything less is
simply empty platitudes devoid of any real substance. When the people
see their institutions as corrupt then, in their mind, corruption is the
norm and thus becomes acceptable.
If there are not leaders that advocate love and righteousness whom also
LIVE love and righteousness then it is up to the individuals whom are
not in leadership positions to BECOME leaders. Not necessarily leaders
in governing institutions, wherein corruption is generally necessary in order to move up the
ladder, but rather leaders in COMMUNITY. Advocate righteousness in the
street, in the work place, in the home.
The real issue with a corrupt society is with ALL the people whom make up the corrupt society. Jesus used the example of SALT...
"Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour,
wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to
be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of
the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men
light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it
giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine
before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven." Mat 5:13-16
Where is the SALT today?
Where are the LIGHTS on a hill today?
Let US be responsible and be those lights. Anything less can really be summed up as a lack of love for others.
Please consider.
Friday, October 5, 2018
Tuesday, September 5, 2017
PARACLÉTOS - Advocate or Aide? (Study Notes)
Study Notes for "PARACLÉTOS - Advocate or Aide?" Youtube Video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Cgp5PY6iqg
The Harmony of the Scriptures – Paraklētos –
Our Advocate or Aide?
Isa 28:9 Whom shall
he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that
are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
Isa 28:10 For
precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line
upon line; here a little, and there a little:
Isa 28:11 For with
stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
Isa 28:12 To whom
he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to
rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
Isa 28:13 But the
word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line
upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they
might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
"Paraklētos" [Strong's 3875]
An intercessor, consoler: - advocate, comforter.
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
properly, summoned, called to one's side,
especially called to one's aid; hence,
1. "one who pleads another's cause before a judge, a pleader,
counsel for defense, legal assistant; an advocate.
2. universally, one who pleads another's cause
with one, an intercessor:; so of Christ, in his exaltation at God's
right hand, pleading with God the Father for the pardon of our sins.
3. in the widest sense, a helper, succorer,
aider, assistant; so of the Holy Spirit destined to take the place of
Christ with the apostles (after his ascension to the Father), to lead them to a
deeper knowledge of gospel truth, and to give them the divine strength needed
to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine
kingdom.
Paracletos is rendered "Comforter"
in every other instance in the New Testament...
Joh 14:16 And
I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may
abide with you for ever;
…
Joh 14:26 But
the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he
shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance,
whatsoever I have said unto you.
…
Joh 15:26 But
when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of
truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
…
Joh 16:7 Nevertheless
I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not
away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him
unto you.
Joh 16:8 And
when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of
judgment:
Joh 16:9 Of
sin, because they believe not on me;
Joh 16:10 Of
righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
Joh 16:11 Of
judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.
Consider…
Psa
119:1 ALEPH. Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in
the law of the LORD.
Psa 119:2 Blessed are
they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole
heart.
Psa 119:3 They also
do no iniquity: they walk in his ways.
...
Psa 119:150 They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are
far from thy law.
Psa 119:151 Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy
commandments are truth.
Psa 119:152 Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that
thou hast founded them for ever.
Psa 119:153 RESH. Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I
do not forget thy law.
Psa 119:154 Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me
according to thy word.
Psa 119:155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they
seek not thy statutes.
Psa 119:156 Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken
me according to thy judgments.
Propitiation
1Jn
2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin
not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the
righteous:
1Jn 2:2 And he is
the propitiation for our sins:
and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Propitiation is "hilasmos"
(G2434).
atonement, that is, (concretely)
an expiator: - propitiation.
The same word appears in...
1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the PROPITIATION for our sins.
Mercy Seat – Place of Mercy
In Romans 3:25 we read...
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a
PROPITIATION (G2435) through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,
through the forbearance of God;
G2435 is rendered as "Mercy
Seat" in...
Heb 9:5 And over it the
cherubims of glory shadowing the MERCYSEAT; of which we cannot now speak
particularly.
hilastērion – G2435 (Strong's)
Neuter of a derivative of G2433; an expiatory (place or thing),
that is, (concretely) an atoning victim, or (specifically) the lid
of the Ark (in the Temple): - mercyseat, propitiation.
Hilaskomai – G2433 (Strong's)
Middle voice from the same as G2436; to conciliate, that is,
(transitively) to atone for (sin), or (intransitively) be propitious:
- be merciful, make reconciliation for.
hileōs – G2436 (Strong's)
Perhaps from the alternate form of G138; cheerful (as attractive),
that is, propitious; adverbially (by Hebraism) God be gracious!,
that is, (in averting some calamity) far be it: - be it far, merciful.
Now with all that in mind compare to the
sentiment found here...
Heb 10:16 This is
the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I
will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Heb 10:17 And their
sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
Heb 10:18 Now where
remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Heb 10:19 Having
therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
Jesus,
Heb 10:20 By a new
and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to
say, his flesh;
Heb 10:21 And having
an high priest over the house of God;
Heb 10:22 Let us
draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
Heb 10:23 Let us
hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;)
Heb 10:24 And let
us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 10:25 Not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching.
Heb 10:26 For if we
sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth
no more sacrifice for sins,
Heb 10:27 But a
certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall
devour the adversaries.
Heb 10:28 He that
despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
Heb 10:29 Of how
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden
under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,
wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace?
Heb 10:30 For we
know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense,
saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
Heb 10:31 It is
a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Notice these five points...
1. Law written upon the heart and in
the mind (Heb 10:16).
2. Where remission of sin has occurred
there is no more offering (Heb 10:18),
3. Remission and cleansing is wrought
via the blood in approaching God with a true heart (Heb 10:22).
4. Once cleansed we are not to forsake
encouraging one another to endure in love and good works (Heb 10:24-25).
5. There is no more offering wilfull
sin (ie. return to rebellion), dynamic is designed to put an end to sin once
and for all.
6. Therefore mercy is connected to a
transformation having occurred; which can be compared to Psalm 32.
Psa
32:1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he
whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is
covered.
Psa 32:2 Blessed is
the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there
is no guile.
…
Psa 32:11 Be glad
in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are
upright in heart.
Intercession
Isa 53:12 Therefore
will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the
spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he
was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the
transgressors.
Intercession - pâga‛ - H6293 (Strong's)
A primitive root; to impinge, by accident or violence, or
(figuratively) by importunity: - come (betwixt), cause to entreat, fall (upon),
make intercession, intercessor, intreat, lay, light [upon], meet (together),
pray, reach, run.
Gen 23:8 And he
communed with them, saying, If it be your mind that I should bury my dead out
of my sight; hear me, and intreat
for me to Ephron the son of Zohar,
Gen 23:9 That he
may give me the cave of Machpelah, which he hath, which is in the end of
his field; for as much money as it is worth he shall give it me for a
possession of a buryingplace amongst you.
…
Gen 28:11 And he lighted upon a certain place,
and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones
of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place
to sleep.
...
Gen
32:1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
Huperentugchanō - G2541 (Strong's)
From G5228 and G1793; to intercede in behalf of: - make
intercession for.
Rom 8:26 Likewise
the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray
for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be
uttered.
Rom 8:27 And he
that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,
because he maketh intercession for
the saints according to the will of God.
Rom 8:28 And we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who
are the called according to his purpose.
Entugchanō - G1793 (Strong's)
From G1722 and G5177; to chance upon, that is, (by implication) confer
with; by extension to entreat (in favor or against): - deal with,
make intercession.
Rom 8:31 What shall
we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against
us?
Rom 8:32 He that
spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with
him also freely give us all things?
Rom 8:33 Who shall
lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth.
Rom 8:34 Who is
he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen
again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for
us.
Rom 8:35 Who shall
separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or
persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Rom 8:36 As it is
written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep
for the slaughter.
Rom 8:37 Nay, in
all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
Rom 8:38 For I am
persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 Nor
height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from
the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Summing Up
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not
ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost
which is given unto us.
Heb 10:16 This is the covenant that I
will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into
their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
…
Joh 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify
myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone,
but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Joh 17:21 That they all may be one; as
thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that
the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Joh 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest
me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
Joh 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that
they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast
sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
The harmony of scripture is a
beautiful thing.
Bible teaches Ransom/Redemption
1.Comforter/Teacher/Aide
2. Sin Not/Freedom from Sin
3. Purged/Purified
Babylon Teaches Substitution
1. Advocate/Lawyer
2. Sin/Repent Cycle
3. Perpetual Cleanup
properly, summoned, called to one's side, especially called to one's aid; hence,
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)