Ted A. Roberts's Blog, page 6
January 6, 2017
Blaming God! Chapter 1
Chapter 1: Blaming God!
Job 2:9-10
Then said his [Job's] wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
There are several reasons for this book's main title, but none of those reasons paints a negative or bad picture of God. However, I am quite certain that within the following text I will raise a few eyebrows in my considerations and conclusions. But, know this, dear reader, that God is a generous God; God is a kind God; God is love; and God is all the good things that we have come to know and appreciate − but, God also means business! Also, and as I have pointed out in my first book, 'Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ,' God can hate as much as he can love. Yet, that hatred (as well as His love) is not the same thing as fleshly love or hatred. His hatred (as I continued to point out in my first book) directs itself toward the core of the object of Godly hatred (which is nothing more than fleshly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding within us), rips out this basis of our evil nature, and makes the object of reform (ourselves) a much better element in the end. In fact, as I plod along in this narrative, one will certainly come to the conclusion that the thesis of this present work is based upon that idea. That is, seeing severe situations that we find ourselves in (no matter how dire they may be − or even seem to be) as the fiery trials that God sends us through so that we can be formed (through tough molding and shaping) into that perfect vessel for Him to use in His grand service. And, too, so that we can finally begin to get rid of that aforementioned fleshly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding!
And, to quickly get it out of the way (for I am going to go ahead and get to my point, and not beat around the bush – even though it may seem really strange to some, or even seem very wrong to others), I am going to declare, with boldness, that God can be blamed for a lot of the things that 'appear' to go wrong with us in this life; and, not only so, but He will sometimes even use evil elements against our flesh for such enterprises . . . Now, before one will allow such a thought to disturb them (or even for the naysayers to do a victory dance), I ask for a chance to explain myself; and to assure my readers that not only is all of this a part of God's ultimate plan of salvation, but, too, that this idea does not, and will not (in the least whatsoever – as will be seen when fully explained), show God in a bad or a negative light . . . Still, and even though my premise will not do Him an injustice – how can I even declare this at all? Why would I even want to say this? Of course, this book is going to explain my meaning in as much detail as possible; so, I ask for patience as we delve.
Certainly, with such a thesis as this, we must ask ourselves a simple question: how much does God intervene in our lives? Occasionally? Some? Half? Or, a hundred percent? Surely, if one were to answer occasionally, some, or even half, then my interpretation of scripture on this matter may seem ridiculous. However, I want to assure my readers – if one were to think otherwise – that my studies surrounding this subject are based exclusively upon the Written Words of the Christian God (my usage, thereof, that's located in what has come to be known as the Protestant Bible; of which the most famous edition is the Authorized King James Version); but, many years ago, before I could even begin to think in this direction at all, God had to really get my attention through obvious situations that had come up in my life. So, with this new thought, I am going to share my story with you – my introduction into this frame of thinking.
Even though I have been reading and studying my Bible since I was fifteen years of age (back in A.D. 1986), and even having sat under a gifted ministry from that time forward, God didn't really start opening my eyes in a stronger way to His Word until A.D. 1996 (ten years later), after I had a very obvious, personal experience with Him. After which time the scriptures (as I've said) had begun showing themselves to me in a way that they had not before. Just afterwards, within a year or two of this said experience, I observed some very curious things at my, then, current job. The morning, that particular day, was unusually terrible. Not that it's strange for a person to have a bad day at work, but this was very different: it seemed as if everyone in the building had aught against me, and were speaking very roughly to me; so much so, that I had thoughts of quitting, without taking time to look for another job first; which is very unlike me − but this just shows how bad that morning really was. As was my habit at that time, I took the hour lunch by myself in my pickup truck, reading my Bible, off at another parking lot several blocks away. What I read in God's Word that day − Nay!, but, what God had led me to read − had changed my thinking about God and this planet from that day forward . . . So, what did I read? I read what is to be the main set of scripture for this present Bible study:
Romans 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Now, I fully realize that there are several different interpretations from several different folks out there who will probably view these set of scriptures differently than me, but that particular day they sure took on a different slant than what I had thought previously about them. Especially when I got back to work and noticed that the afternoon was so contrasted from the morning that it was as far as south is from north! In other words, all my co-workers and bosses acted as if they were my long lost friends, and we all got along famously for the rest of the day . . . So, what happened? And what does that have to do with Romans 13:1-7? What was God trying to show me that day? Even though I fully understood at the time, it took many years afterwards for me to justify my thoughts by finding other scripture that backed them. So, here, within this present work, I am going to share with the public at large what I believe God was showing me that day...
Book now available for purchase, here: https://www.createspace.com/6830408
Or, to learn more, visit my book's official webpage: http://www.seekingthegospel.com/blami...
Job 2:9-10
Then said his [Job's] wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
There are several reasons for this book's main title, but none of those reasons paints a negative or bad picture of God. However, I am quite certain that within the following text I will raise a few eyebrows in my considerations and conclusions. But, know this, dear reader, that God is a generous God; God is a kind God; God is love; and God is all the good things that we have come to know and appreciate − but, God also means business! Also, and as I have pointed out in my first book, 'Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ,' God can hate as much as he can love. Yet, that hatred (as well as His love) is not the same thing as fleshly love or hatred. His hatred (as I continued to point out in my first book) directs itself toward the core of the object of Godly hatred (which is nothing more than fleshly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding within us), rips out this basis of our evil nature, and makes the object of reform (ourselves) a much better element in the end. In fact, as I plod along in this narrative, one will certainly come to the conclusion that the thesis of this present work is based upon that idea. That is, seeing severe situations that we find ourselves in (no matter how dire they may be − or even seem to be) as the fiery trials that God sends us through so that we can be formed (through tough molding and shaping) into that perfect vessel for Him to use in His grand service. And, too, so that we can finally begin to get rid of that aforementioned fleshly knowledge, wisdom, and understanding!
And, to quickly get it out of the way (for I am going to go ahead and get to my point, and not beat around the bush – even though it may seem really strange to some, or even seem very wrong to others), I am going to declare, with boldness, that God can be blamed for a lot of the things that 'appear' to go wrong with us in this life; and, not only so, but He will sometimes even use evil elements against our flesh for such enterprises . . . Now, before one will allow such a thought to disturb them (or even for the naysayers to do a victory dance), I ask for a chance to explain myself; and to assure my readers that not only is all of this a part of God's ultimate plan of salvation, but, too, that this idea does not, and will not (in the least whatsoever – as will be seen when fully explained), show God in a bad or a negative light . . . Still, and even though my premise will not do Him an injustice – how can I even declare this at all? Why would I even want to say this? Of course, this book is going to explain my meaning in as much detail as possible; so, I ask for patience as we delve.
Certainly, with such a thesis as this, we must ask ourselves a simple question: how much does God intervene in our lives? Occasionally? Some? Half? Or, a hundred percent? Surely, if one were to answer occasionally, some, or even half, then my interpretation of scripture on this matter may seem ridiculous. However, I want to assure my readers – if one were to think otherwise – that my studies surrounding this subject are based exclusively upon the Written Words of the Christian God (my usage, thereof, that's located in what has come to be known as the Protestant Bible; of which the most famous edition is the Authorized King James Version); but, many years ago, before I could even begin to think in this direction at all, God had to really get my attention through obvious situations that had come up in my life. So, with this new thought, I am going to share my story with you – my introduction into this frame of thinking.
Even though I have been reading and studying my Bible since I was fifteen years of age (back in A.D. 1986), and even having sat under a gifted ministry from that time forward, God didn't really start opening my eyes in a stronger way to His Word until A.D. 1996 (ten years later), after I had a very obvious, personal experience with Him. After which time the scriptures (as I've said) had begun showing themselves to me in a way that they had not before. Just afterwards, within a year or two of this said experience, I observed some very curious things at my, then, current job. The morning, that particular day, was unusually terrible. Not that it's strange for a person to have a bad day at work, but this was very different: it seemed as if everyone in the building had aught against me, and were speaking very roughly to me; so much so, that I had thoughts of quitting, without taking time to look for another job first; which is very unlike me − but this just shows how bad that morning really was. As was my habit at that time, I took the hour lunch by myself in my pickup truck, reading my Bible, off at another parking lot several blocks away. What I read in God's Word that day − Nay!, but, what God had led me to read − had changed my thinking about God and this planet from that day forward . . . So, what did I read? I read what is to be the main set of scripture for this present Bible study:
Romans 13:1-7
Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Now, I fully realize that there are several different interpretations from several different folks out there who will probably view these set of scriptures differently than me, but that particular day they sure took on a different slant than what I had thought previously about them. Especially when I got back to work and noticed that the afternoon was so contrasted from the morning that it was as far as south is from north! In other words, all my co-workers and bosses acted as if they were my long lost friends, and we all got along famously for the rest of the day . . . So, what happened? And what does that have to do with Romans 13:1-7? What was God trying to show me that day? Even though I fully understood at the time, it took many years afterwards for me to justify my thoughts by finding other scripture that backed them. So, here, within this present work, I am going to share with the public at large what I believe God was showing me that day...
Book now available for purchase, here: https://www.createspace.com/6830408
Or, to learn more, visit my book's official webpage: http://www.seekingthegospel.com/blami...
New book now available!
My new book "Blaming God! Is it Really His Fault?" is now available for purchase! You can visit my personal E-Store to get a Trade Paperback copy: https://www.createspace.com/6830408
This will also be available at amazon(dot)com very soon....
This will also be available at amazon(dot)com very soon....
January 2, 2017
Introduction to 'Blaming God!'
In chapter 1, I will be explaining why I chose the curious main title of this book; but, in this Introduction, I want to explain the 'sub-subtitle' . . . is that even a legitimate phrase? Of course, the official subtitle is "Is it Really His Fault?," but it's quickly followed by: "The Evil Side of Creation, Part I." Officially, "The Evil Side of Creation," which began as a four-part book series, was to start with an upcoming book title, called: "Satan, The Devil, and Hell," and then continue with three other titles on similar subjects (see p.5). However, after the other books were begun, and some of them pretty much finished, I was suddenly inspired to write this book – because of some tough situations that have recently come up in mine and my family's life. While we are struggling, and are trying to hold on to the faith through it all, the thought crossed my mind that there are numerous others out there who are going through dire-straits as well. With that in mind, and while reminding myself by the things written herein, I thought that this might help others, too, who are also struggling, to help keep them from buckling in from the pressure!
Also, keeping in mind what Peter says:
1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Or, of what James says:
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
And, also of what Paul says:
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
But, all that still does not explain the sub-subtitle! Basically, and without getting too deep into it at this point – for we shall do so in the course of this book – we are to know that God does sometimes allow us to enter into un-restful situations (trials and tribulations) that are of an evil nature; or – and more to the point of this book's purpose to explain – even causing some terrible situations to come into existence for our learning and training; whilst, again – and occasionally – employing evil elements to that end. Hence, the evil part of creation, for the Lord's usage, for Him to control it, to adapt it, so that it will help chisel the rough edges away from our lives, making us entire, whole, and complete, to where there is nothing lacking for us.
Even if this thought may seem absurd to most folks, or appear that I am possibly laying evil at the doorstep of the Lord, I assure you that I am not! The scriptures do boldly paint the picture of this before us, as I will certainly make use of them to back up the claims of this book; and, if one is inclined to give me some time herein to explain, then one will see a side of God that they may not have known to exist. Not an evil side, but a corrective side, in which evil can be utilized to further a circumstance along for our ultimate benefit and learning. Impossible? We shall see in the pages that follow...
This book to be published soon....
Also, keeping in mind what Peter says:
1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Or, of what James says:
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
And, also of what Paul says:
Romans 8:18
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
But, all that still does not explain the sub-subtitle! Basically, and without getting too deep into it at this point – for we shall do so in the course of this book – we are to know that God does sometimes allow us to enter into un-restful situations (trials and tribulations) that are of an evil nature; or – and more to the point of this book's purpose to explain – even causing some terrible situations to come into existence for our learning and training; whilst, again – and occasionally – employing evil elements to that end. Hence, the evil part of creation, for the Lord's usage, for Him to control it, to adapt it, so that it will help chisel the rough edges away from our lives, making us entire, whole, and complete, to where there is nothing lacking for us.
Even if this thought may seem absurd to most folks, or appear that I am possibly laying evil at the doorstep of the Lord, I assure you that I am not! The scriptures do boldly paint the picture of this before us, as I will certainly make use of them to back up the claims of this book; and, if one is inclined to give me some time herein to explain, then one will see a side of God that they may not have known to exist. Not an evil side, but a corrective side, in which evil can be utilized to further a circumstance along for our ultimate benefit and learning. Impossible? We shall see in the pages that follow...
This book to be published soon....
December 23, 2016
Back Cover Wording for New Upcoming Book
Back Cover Wording for "Blaming God! Is it Really His Fault?" And upcoming book by Ted Roberts...
What we call or consider bad or evil may very well be a part of God's ultimate plan of salvation for us ... Really? ... If in bodily exercises we can say "no pain, no gain," then why can't we consider it good when God throws us onto the potter's wheel, to painfully shape and mold us into the very image of the Lord Jesus Christ? When that clay has been heavily worked, prodded and jabbed, we must certainly consider that it takes this kind of pressure to change the shape of the vessel, along with a burning baptismal fire that solidifies this container into its new form; but, it also takes the breaking of the rough edges to make us perfect, entire, and complete. This book, indeed, explores and examines the possibility that, for such an endeavor to have its maximum effect upon the vessel in question, God may certainly use evil during the enterprise, making us wonder if He can truly be blamed for some of the sufferings that we occasionally go through! Can this really be the case? And if so, can this be a part of our walk that the Bible calls the ‘fellowship of His sufferings?’ If God spared not His own Son from enduring the Passion and the pain of the cross, through the hands of evil men, can we, like Christ, really escape learning obedience by the things that we suffer? And was Paul correct when he said that it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God? Follow along with Christian, theological author Ted Roberts as he examines this premise, and read along as he answers the difficult question of whether or not we could or should blame God for some of our woes. Also, the author asks additional tough questions herein that a lot of Christians are afraid to ask themselves – or to even hear spoken on! Questions that have caused some people to turn their backs on God, thinking that there really couldn't be sound, reasonable answers to satisfy their predetermined thoughts. Questions, that is, that when properly answered, by using an analytical, sound approach to the Scriptures, demands that the reader (even in their most darkest hour!) admits to the supreme and awesome power of a very loving and kind-hearted God. A God, as we will learn, who sends His children through hellish situations at times for their own benefit and training, so that they can experience that eternal glory which shall be revealed inside of a tried, enduring, and purified vessel.
For more information, visit: http://www.seekingthegospel.com/blami...
What we call or consider bad or evil may very well be a part of God's ultimate plan of salvation for us ... Really? ... If in bodily exercises we can say "no pain, no gain," then why can't we consider it good when God throws us onto the potter's wheel, to painfully shape and mold us into the very image of the Lord Jesus Christ? When that clay has been heavily worked, prodded and jabbed, we must certainly consider that it takes this kind of pressure to change the shape of the vessel, along with a burning baptismal fire that solidifies this container into its new form; but, it also takes the breaking of the rough edges to make us perfect, entire, and complete. This book, indeed, explores and examines the possibility that, for such an endeavor to have its maximum effect upon the vessel in question, God may certainly use evil during the enterprise, making us wonder if He can truly be blamed for some of the sufferings that we occasionally go through! Can this really be the case? And if so, can this be a part of our walk that the Bible calls the ‘fellowship of His sufferings?’ If God spared not His own Son from enduring the Passion and the pain of the cross, through the hands of evil men, can we, like Christ, really escape learning obedience by the things that we suffer? And was Paul correct when he said that it's a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God? Follow along with Christian, theological author Ted Roberts as he examines this premise, and read along as he answers the difficult question of whether or not we could or should blame God for some of our woes. Also, the author asks additional tough questions herein that a lot of Christians are afraid to ask themselves – or to even hear spoken on! Questions that have caused some people to turn their backs on God, thinking that there really couldn't be sound, reasonable answers to satisfy their predetermined thoughts. Questions, that is, that when properly answered, by using an analytical, sound approach to the Scriptures, demands that the reader (even in their most darkest hour!) admits to the supreme and awesome power of a very loving and kind-hearted God. A God, as we will learn, who sends His children through hellish situations at times for their own benefit and training, so that they can experience that eternal glory which shall be revealed inside of a tried, enduring, and purified vessel.
For more information, visit: http://www.seekingthegospel.com/blami...
December 22, 2016
NEW BOOK COMING SOON!
I have a new book on the way, called: "Blaming God! Is it Really His Fault?", and it will be out very soon . . . In the meantime, you can visit the official webpage, here: http://www.seekingthegospel.com/blami...
I will put up the Introduction here soon!
I will put up the Introduction here soon!
July 18, 2016
Kindle Version of 'Brotherly Love' is now available!
An interactive Ebook version of my book 'Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ' is now available for purchase at Amazon in Kindle Format! .... What I mean by 'interactive' is that all the End Notes are linked to the corresponding text within the book. Therefore, when you click on the highlighted text, and it takes you to the End Notes to read further on a particular subject, you'll be able to click right back to where you left off within the book! Here is the link to take you to Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Brotherly-Love...
This is also available for Computer Download with Amazon's free Ebook reader for PC!
https://www.amazon.com/Brotherly-Love...
This is also available for Computer Download with Amazon's free Ebook reader for PC!
April 12, 2016
Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Chapter 3: Can God Hate?
Chapter 3
Can God Hate?
Are we supposed to love everyone on natural earth? . . . Is that a strange question? Well, if we are to take upon ourselves the “nature” of Christ Jesus [2 Peter 1:4], then we must understand that God not only loves, but He also can HATE as well. Is that an outrageous statement? However, and as I will shortly show, this type of 'hate' is NOT as the world understands, or demonstrates, about hatred; but a 'Godly hate' is a type of expression that is unheard of in the ungodly world. As the world can hate to extreme bitterness, and being very unmerciful in its actions and thoughts toward the objects of contention, Godly hate, on the other hand, will actually direct itself to the core of a matter, to make the object in question a better element. How so? As I will show, God does not hate individual people, but rather He hates it when individuals give in to an evil course. If a person decides to continue within this said evil way, then they will become that evil way themselves, will go beyond repair, and will prove that they truly were never the elect of God. Therefore, and for this reason, we are not required to love a worldly, corrupted individual in the same manner as we would love an elect of God (this will take a bit of explaining, as I will presently do); but, on the other hand, we also are not allowed to hate them with a 'worldly hate' either − but a Godly hate (as we will come to know) will actually keep us from the same path that those certain corrupted individuals have chosen.
Romans 9:13-16
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I HATED*. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth*, nor of him that runneth*, but of God that sheweth mercy.
If God can hate with His 'Godly hate' (that I point out by the Greek word: Miseo [See End Notes]), then so must we hate as well!
What? Truly?
Philippians 2:5-6
Let this mind* be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God* [like minded], thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
Does becoming Christ-like then allow us to hate certain people because we think them ungodly, or unworthy for life eternal [That is, hating as an ungodly man would hate]? God forbid! But what did Esau, whom God hated, really represent?
Romans 9:7-8
Neither, because they are the seed* of Abraham [a natural Jew], are they all children [of God]: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh* [carnally minded − ungodly], these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Here, in these references, Esau is not representing any particular person on earth (even though Esau was a real man), but he rather represents [through Paul's comparison] a 'child of flesh' − a child of 'carnality' − as we can see in our Greek meaning of the word Flesh: Sarx [See End Notes]. He became, if I may use this reference, a 'poster boy' for the ungodly mind. It is not the particular man that is being hated here by God, but rather what this man represents − fleshly knowledge.
Wilson’s Dictionary of Bible Types, 1957;
from 6th printing in 1972.
(By Walter Lewis Wilson, M.D., D.D., L.H.D.)
Esau: This is a type of the flesh and the life of selfishness in contrast with Jacob and the life of faith.
Hebrews 12:15-16
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator*, or profane person*, as ESAU, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear [respect/reverence] of the LORD is to hate evil* [not a particular man]: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward* mouth, do I hate.
Esau, being the prime example of fleshly knowledge, wisdom and understanding, in scripture, was the object of Godly hatred. And what people represent tells us who those people are; or, rather, who or what those people have become. In trying to help an ungodly person become a Christian, and help them we should do − for we, ourselves, cannot know whom God has or has not chosen − we must be very careful not to be captured, or to be tempted by evil in our attempt to help them out of their ways [Novices, take heed!]. On the other hand, in attempting to abstain ourselves from all appearances of evil [1 Thessalonians 5:22*], we must also be careful in what we restrain ourselves from − for, indeed, we could be entertaining angels unawares*, for we may be mistaken in what we consider to be evil.
Matthew 7:3-5
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.
In other words, before even considering someone as to being in the wrong about a matter, make sure that you are mature about life's matters yourself! Do we have skeletons in our own closets? How are we to know if a “current” ungodly person will not someday become a child of God themselves? Unless we are an ordained Prophet of God (ordained by God, not by men), then we cannot know anybody's future. Therefore, hate NOT any particular person, nor treat any particular person as garbage (just because we think them evil), but rather treat everyone with kindness, and hate the evil which has captured them. Indeed, this type of Godly hatred (which is hating an evil path) is required by all the saints of God.
Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with ALL men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Romans 12:16-21
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of ALL men [not just whom we consider saints]. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with ALL men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath [be peaceful, not wrathful]: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
At the same time, however, we also have an opportunity to become FRUIT-TESTERS as well; and we cannot be naive about any matter!
Did I say a 'Fruit-Tester?' And what can that mean? Is this Fruit-Testing, of what I am suggesting for us as Christians to do, a "type" of judgment in its own right? Indeed, it truly is! But, again, it is definitely not as the world judges, as I am going to point out.
And, as you will see, of what I am suggesting here, it is NOT to be considered as passing “judgment” on people as the world understands it; but rather, it is a righteous judgment that is required by God, for we cannot embrace any evil path!
END NOTES for chapter 3
*Hated: Miseo (mis-eh'-o); Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3404. to hate, pursue with hatred, detest to be hated, detested.
*Wills: Thelo (thel'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2309. to will, have in mind, intend to be resolved or determined, to purpose, to desire, to wish. to love, to like to do a thing, be fond of doing, to take delight in, have pleasure.
*Runs: Trecho (trekh'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #5143. to run, of persons in haste. of those who run in a race course, metaph. of doctrine rapidly propagated by a metaphor taken from runners in a race, to exert one's self, strive hard. to spend one's strength in performing or attaining something. word occurs in Greek writings denoting to incur extreme peril, which it requires the exertion of all one's effort to overcome.
*[Let This] Mind: Phroneo (fron-eh'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #5426. to have understanding, be wise to feel, to think. to have an opinion of one's self, think of one's self, to be modest, not let one's opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty. to think or judge what one's opinion is. to be of the same mind: i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious. to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for. to seek one's interest or advantage to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs).
*Form of God: [From: Henry Concise Commentary] The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God [that is, the nature], partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God.
*Seed: Sperma (sper'-mah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4690. from which a plant germinates the seed i.e. the grain or kernel which contains within itself the germ of the future plants of the grains or kernels sown metaph. a seed i.e. a residue, or a few survivors reserved as the germ of the next generation (just as seed is kept from the harvest for the sowing). the semen virile, the product of this semen, seed, children, offspring, progeny, family, tribe, posterity. whatever possesses vital force or life giving power of divine energy of the Holy Spirit operating within the soul by which we are regenerated.
*Flesh: Sarx (sarx); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4561. flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts. the body of a man used of natural or physical origin, the sensuous nature of man, "the animal nature." without any suggestion of depravity, the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin. the physical nature of man as subject to suffering. denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.
*Fornicator: Pornos (por'-nos); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4205. a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire. a male prostitute. a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator.
*Profane / unclean Person: Bebelos (beb'-ay-los); Word Origin: Greek, Adjective, Strong's Greek Dictionary #952. accessible, lawful to be trodden. of places, profane, unhallowed, common, public place. of men, ungodly.
*Evil: Ra (rah); [Hebrew.] adj, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary #7451. bad, evil, disagreeable, malignant. bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery). evil, displeasing [etc.].
*Froward [Mouth]: Tahpukah (tah-poo-kaw'); [Hebrew.] Noun, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary #8419. perversity, perverse thing.
*1 Thessalonians 5:22
"Abstain from all appearance of evil."
*Entertaining angels unawares...
Hebrews 13:2
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
*Mote and Beam:
Mote: Karphos (kar'-fos); [Greek] Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2595. a dry stalk or twig, a straw. chaff.
Beam: Dokos (dok-os'); Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong's Greek Dictionary #1385. A Beam.
Mote & Beam [From: Wilson’s Dictionary of Bible Types]: The word Mote describes what may be a very small and inconsiderate flaw in the life of another person, whereas the critic may have faults and flaws far greater than in the one he observes and criticises. The mote is in the flaw in the other person’s life, while the Beam is the flaw in our own lives.
Can God Hate?
Are we supposed to love everyone on natural earth? . . . Is that a strange question? Well, if we are to take upon ourselves the “nature” of Christ Jesus [2 Peter 1:4], then we must understand that God not only loves, but He also can HATE as well. Is that an outrageous statement? However, and as I will shortly show, this type of 'hate' is NOT as the world understands, or demonstrates, about hatred; but a 'Godly hate' is a type of expression that is unheard of in the ungodly world. As the world can hate to extreme bitterness, and being very unmerciful in its actions and thoughts toward the objects of contention, Godly hate, on the other hand, will actually direct itself to the core of a matter, to make the object in question a better element. How so? As I will show, God does not hate individual people, but rather He hates it when individuals give in to an evil course. If a person decides to continue within this said evil way, then they will become that evil way themselves, will go beyond repair, and will prove that they truly were never the elect of God. Therefore, and for this reason, we are not required to love a worldly, corrupted individual in the same manner as we would love an elect of God (this will take a bit of explaining, as I will presently do); but, on the other hand, we also are not allowed to hate them with a 'worldly hate' either − but a Godly hate (as we will come to know) will actually keep us from the same path that those certain corrupted individuals have chosen.
Romans 9:13-16
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I HATED*. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth*, nor of him that runneth*, but of God that sheweth mercy.
If God can hate with His 'Godly hate' (that I point out by the Greek word: Miseo [See End Notes]), then so must we hate as well!
What? Truly?
Philippians 2:5-6
Let this mind* be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God* [like minded], thought it not robbery to be equal with God.
Does becoming Christ-like then allow us to hate certain people because we think them ungodly, or unworthy for life eternal [That is, hating as an ungodly man would hate]? God forbid! But what did Esau, whom God hated, really represent?
Romans 9:7-8
Neither, because they are the seed* of Abraham [a natural Jew], are they all children [of God]: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh* [carnally minded − ungodly], these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. [13] As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
Here, in these references, Esau is not representing any particular person on earth (even though Esau was a real man), but he rather represents [through Paul's comparison] a 'child of flesh' − a child of 'carnality' − as we can see in our Greek meaning of the word Flesh: Sarx [See End Notes]. He became, if I may use this reference, a 'poster boy' for the ungodly mind. It is not the particular man that is being hated here by God, but rather what this man represents − fleshly knowledge.
Wilson’s Dictionary of Bible Types, 1957;
from 6th printing in 1972.
(By Walter Lewis Wilson, M.D., D.D., L.H.D.)
Esau: This is a type of the flesh and the life of selfishness in contrast with Jacob and the life of faith.
Hebrews 12:15-16
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator*, or profane person*, as ESAU, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Proverbs 8:13
The fear [respect/reverence] of the LORD is to hate evil* [not a particular man]: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward* mouth, do I hate.
Esau, being the prime example of fleshly knowledge, wisdom and understanding, in scripture, was the object of Godly hatred. And what people represent tells us who those people are; or, rather, who or what those people have become. In trying to help an ungodly person become a Christian, and help them we should do − for we, ourselves, cannot know whom God has or has not chosen − we must be very careful not to be captured, or to be tempted by evil in our attempt to help them out of their ways [Novices, take heed!]. On the other hand, in attempting to abstain ourselves from all appearances of evil [1 Thessalonians 5:22*], we must also be careful in what we restrain ourselves from − for, indeed, we could be entertaining angels unawares*, for we may be mistaken in what we consider to be evil.
Matthew 7:3-5
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.
In other words, before even considering someone as to being in the wrong about a matter, make sure that you are mature about life's matters yourself! Do we have skeletons in our own closets? How are we to know if a “current” ungodly person will not someday become a child of God themselves? Unless we are an ordained Prophet of God (ordained by God, not by men), then we cannot know anybody's future. Therefore, hate NOT any particular person, nor treat any particular person as garbage (just because we think them evil), but rather treat everyone with kindness, and hate the evil which has captured them. Indeed, this type of Godly hatred (which is hating an evil path) is required by all the saints of God.
Hebrews 12:14
Follow peace with ALL men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
Romans 12:16-21
Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of ALL men [not just whom we consider saints]. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with ALL men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath [be peaceful, not wrathful]: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
At the same time, however, we also have an opportunity to become FRUIT-TESTERS as well; and we cannot be naive about any matter!
Did I say a 'Fruit-Tester?' And what can that mean? Is this Fruit-Testing, of what I am suggesting for us as Christians to do, a "type" of judgment in its own right? Indeed, it truly is! But, again, it is definitely not as the world judges, as I am going to point out.
And, as you will see, of what I am suggesting here, it is NOT to be considered as passing “judgment” on people as the world understands it; but rather, it is a righteous judgment that is required by God, for we cannot embrace any evil path!
END NOTES for chapter 3
*Hated: Miseo (mis-eh'-o); Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3404. to hate, pursue with hatred, detest to be hated, detested.
*Wills: Thelo (thel'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2309. to will, have in mind, intend to be resolved or determined, to purpose, to desire, to wish. to love, to like to do a thing, be fond of doing, to take delight in, have pleasure.
*Runs: Trecho (trekh'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #5143. to run, of persons in haste. of those who run in a race course, metaph. of doctrine rapidly propagated by a metaphor taken from runners in a race, to exert one's self, strive hard. to spend one's strength in performing or attaining something. word occurs in Greek writings denoting to incur extreme peril, which it requires the exertion of all one's effort to overcome.
*[Let This] Mind: Phroneo (fron-eh'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #5426. to have understanding, be wise to feel, to think. to have an opinion of one's self, think of one's self, to be modest, not let one's opinion (though just) of himself exceed the bounds of modesty. to think or judge what one's opinion is. to be of the same mind: i.e. agreed together, cherish the same views, be harmonious. to direct one's mind to a thing, to seek, to strive for. to seek one's interest or advantage to be of one's party, side with him (in public affairs).
*Form of God: [From: Henry Concise Commentary] The example of our Lord Jesus Christ is set before us. We must resemble him in his life, if we would have the benefit of his death. Notice the two natures of Christ; his Divine nature, and human nature. Who being in the form of God [that is, the nature], partaking the Divine nature, as the eternal and only-begotten Son of God.
*Seed: Sperma (sper'-mah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4690. from which a plant germinates the seed i.e. the grain or kernel which contains within itself the germ of the future plants of the grains or kernels sown metaph. a seed i.e. a residue, or a few survivors reserved as the germ of the next generation (just as seed is kept from the harvest for the sowing). the semen virile, the product of this semen, seed, children, offspring, progeny, family, tribe, posterity. whatever possesses vital force or life giving power of divine energy of the Holy Spirit operating within the soul by which we are regenerated.
*Flesh: Sarx (sarx); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4561. flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts. the body of a man used of natural or physical origin, the sensuous nature of man, "the animal nature." without any suggestion of depravity, the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin. the physical nature of man as subject to suffering. denotes mere human nature, the earthly nature of man apart from divine influence, and therefore prone to sin and opposed to God.
*Fornicator: Pornos (por'-nos); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4205. a man who prostitutes his body to another's lust for hire. a male prostitute. a man who indulges in unlawful sexual intercourse, a fornicator.
*Profane / unclean Person: Bebelos (beb'-ay-los); Word Origin: Greek, Adjective, Strong's Greek Dictionary #952. accessible, lawful to be trodden. of places, profane, unhallowed, common, public place. of men, ungodly.
*Evil: Ra (rah); [Hebrew.] adj, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary #7451. bad, evil, disagreeable, malignant. bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery). evil, displeasing [etc.].
*Froward [Mouth]: Tahpukah (tah-poo-kaw'); [Hebrew.] Noun, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary #8419. perversity, perverse thing.
*1 Thessalonians 5:22
"Abstain from all appearance of evil."
*Entertaining angels unawares...
Hebrews 13:2
"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
*Mote and Beam:
Mote: Karphos (kar'-fos); [Greek] Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2595. a dry stalk or twig, a straw. chaff.
Beam: Dokos (dok-os'); Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong's Greek Dictionary #1385. A Beam.
Mote & Beam [From: Wilson’s Dictionary of Bible Types]: The word Mote describes what may be a very small and inconsiderate flaw in the life of another person, whereas the critic may have faults and flaws far greater than in the one he observes and criticises. The mote is in the flaw in the other person’s life, while the Beam is the flaw in our own lives.
Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Chapter 2: The Word of God
Chapter 2
The Word of God
Revelation 1:2
[John] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony* of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
What is the Word of God in this passage? Is it the same as the One Word that we just learned about when we saw that the One Word was love? And what is His testimony? Think about that, too . . . Yes, it has to be the same as the Word of God − testifying of the Gospel. Jesus, during his stay upon natural earth, testified about love; and even gave that as His commandment and conclusion of His teachings. Therefore, near the end of His life on this earth, He did not slap the teachings of the Mosaic Law onto His disciples, but rather He actually gave them a new law, like we have already seen:
St. John 13:34
A new commandment [a new law] I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus well knew, like Paul knew in Romans chapter 7, that adherence to the old Mosaic law of sin and death would actually kill His students, so He was not about to re-give it to them − especially since the old law was about to come to a close anyway . . . And, again, the Old law was, by Jesus Himself, completely fulfilled. Let's read that again:
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Again, He was going to bring it to a close − an end! Like Romans 7 points out, the law of Moses only brings sin and death, for it brings the knowledge of sin to your attention. And by having a knowledge of sin, you are then tempted to do so. What Jesus actually did was that He gave his students a new law; and, again, just as Paul phrased it in Galatians 5:14, that new law, or much rather that One Word, is Love! Therefore, if the sum of what Jesus was teaching was Love, and the sum of the new law is Love, and His conclusion and one commandment to his disciples was Love, then Love has to be the good news that will salvage our lives...
Love will salvage our lives? Truly?
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments [love one another]: for this is the whole duty of man.
Again, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus is to love one another. And, as it's expressed in Ecclesiastes, the whole conclusion of Jesus is Love; that is, the whole nature of Jesus is Love [2 Peter 1:4*].
But is love really all that important? And can love really save our lives? And just who is this "one another" that we must love in order to fulfill this law of Christ?
Matthew 5:46
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans* the same?
But, before getting any deeper on these thoughts just yet, perhaps we can balance this writing by asking ourselves another question: Can God hate?
END NOTES for Chapter 2
*Testimony/witness: Marturia (mar-too-ree'-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3141. a testifying. the office committed to the prophets of testifying concerning future events. what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge.
*2 Peter 1:4
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
*Publicans: Telones (tel-o'-nace); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #5057. a renter or farmer of taxes among the Romans, usually a man of equestrian rank a tax gatherer, collector of taxes or tolls, one employed by a publican or farmer general in the collection of taxes. The tax collectors were as a class, detested not only by the Jews, but by other nations also, both on account of their employment and of the harshness, greed, and deception, with which they did their job.
The Word of God
Revelation 1:2
[John] Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony* of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
What is the Word of God in this passage? Is it the same as the One Word that we just learned about when we saw that the One Word was love? And what is His testimony? Think about that, too . . . Yes, it has to be the same as the Word of God − testifying of the Gospel. Jesus, during his stay upon natural earth, testified about love; and even gave that as His commandment and conclusion of His teachings. Therefore, near the end of His life on this earth, He did not slap the teachings of the Mosaic Law onto His disciples, but rather He actually gave them a new law, like we have already seen:
St. John 13:34
A new commandment [a new law] I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus well knew, like Paul knew in Romans chapter 7, that adherence to the old Mosaic law of sin and death would actually kill His students, so He was not about to re-give it to them − especially since the old law was about to come to a close anyway . . . And, again, the Old law was, by Jesus Himself, completely fulfilled. Let's read that again:
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
Again, He was going to bring it to a close − an end! Like Romans 7 points out, the law of Moses only brings sin and death, for it brings the knowledge of sin to your attention. And by having a knowledge of sin, you are then tempted to do so. What Jesus actually did was that He gave his students a new law; and, again, just as Paul phrased it in Galatians 5:14, that new law, or much rather that One Word, is Love! Therefore, if the sum of what Jesus was teaching was Love, and the sum of the new law is Love, and His conclusion and one commandment to his disciples was Love, then Love has to be the good news that will salvage our lives...
Love will salvage our lives? Truly?
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments [love one another]: for this is the whole duty of man.
Again, the Word of God and the testimony of Jesus is to love one another. And, as it's expressed in Ecclesiastes, the whole conclusion of Jesus is Love; that is, the whole nature of Jesus is Love [2 Peter 1:4*].
But is love really all that important? And can love really save our lives? And just who is this "one another" that we must love in order to fulfill this law of Christ?
Matthew 5:46
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans* the same?
But, before getting any deeper on these thoughts just yet, perhaps we can balance this writing by asking ourselves another question: Can God hate?
END NOTES for Chapter 2
*Testimony/witness: Marturia (mar-too-ree'-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3141. a testifying. the office committed to the prophets of testifying concerning future events. what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge.
*2 Peter 1:4
"Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust."
*Publicans: Telones (tel-o'-nace); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #5057. a renter or farmer of taxes among the Romans, usually a man of equestrian rank a tax gatherer, collector of taxes or tolls, one employed by a publican or farmer general in the collection of taxes. The tax collectors were as a class, detested not only by the Jews, but by other nations also, both on account of their employment and of the harshness, greed, and deception, with which they did their job.
April 11, 2016
Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ - Chapter 1: The Law of Love
Brotherly Love: The Gospel of Jesus Christ
Chapter 1
The Law of Love
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel* of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ will salvage you unto life eternal. But just what is the Gospel of Christ? Is it the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, who was on this earth 2,000 years ago? Is that the good news? Yea, verily, that is good news. However, as I will point out in this writing, to love one another as He loves us, is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is love that kills our outward man’s ways; buries him in baptism; and causes our inward-man (named Jesus) to resurrect on the inside of us. And, as this writing progresses, we will see together how this message has been overlooked by many of the brethren (being composed of both men and women − Galatians 3:28*) over the passing years. Also, in this writing, I give no new revelation amongst God's chosen, but merely a reminder to those in need, and of a truth that does not hurt being repeated.
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment* in the [Mosaic] law*? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it [practically the same thing], Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
A commandment is the same as a law − as we can see from the Greek meanings from Strong's Dictionaries [see End Notes at the back of this book]; and we know that the law that was spoken of here, in our quoted scripture above, was from the "Mosaic law" − the law that was set up in the Old Testament and given to Moses, the great man of God. However, the old Mosaic Law [i.e. The Law given to the people by Moses] has actually changed . . . Did it?
Hebrews 7:12
For the priesthood being changed*, there is made of necessity a change* also of the law.
The law was then replaced with a NEW LAW. So, instead of observing a law after Moses, we now observe (and has been so for the past two thousands years) a law after Christ:
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
This law of Christ is not a law for a fleshly creature, but is rather a law for a spiritual creature; instead of being a law for a son of man, it is a law for a son of God; instead of being a law for an outward man, it is a law for an inward man:
Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man*.
And the law after the inward man is the law of Christ. And this new law says only to love one another:
Romans 13:8b
... for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
But which law has been fulfilled by those who love one another? Well, it could apply, actually, to both the old and the new law. Though, as we shall see, when we progress in this writing, Paul (in verse 8b) is specifically referring to the new law after the inward man. However, by 'changing' from one law to another, are we completely destroying the old law by the bringing in of the new? Almost as if the old law meant nothing at all?
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil*.
Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the [Mosaic] law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish* the law.
And how do we establish the old law, while making it new?
Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant* that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind*, and write them in their hearts*: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
By having the law develop in our hearts [i.e. our minds], we do establish it . . . However, and it must be pointed out, that only the 'truest essence' of the Mosaic Law is written into our hearts − without all the baggage of the carnal ordinances, which were nothing more than outward rituals that merely represented true worship, that were also adhered to during the Old Testament period. But once the truest essence of the Mosaic law develops within (that is, this spiritual law, which is now called the Law of Christ), it is comprehended as only "One Word" for our Inward Man . . . One word? Yes, the law changed into only One Word.
Galatians 5:14a
For all the law is fulfilled in one word*...
What does that mean, into one word? The most important part of this writing will be the explanation of what one word really means...
St. John 13:34
A new commandment [a new LAW] I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Even though this commandment is not really new (as we can see from Matthew 22:36-40, our second quoted scripture in this writing), the changing and the fulfilling of the entire Mosaic law made it new. And how it changed, again, was going from natural to spiritual − it is now for a spiritual creature rather than for a natural creature. As Jesus was setting up the New Kingdom, He was also setting up the New Law.
St. John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Now, by having this one commandment for a new law, to love one another, does this lessen the aspect of the foremost commandment in the Mosaic Law to love God first? Nay; but by loving one another we complete the first part . . . Observe what John says:
1 John 4:19-21
We love him [God], because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Like Jesus emphasized in Matthew 22:36-40 (again, our second quoted scripture), loving God and loving your brother are practically the same thing. And as I myself have emphasized before, this brotherly love is the very gospel of Jesus Christ. How and Why? Well, this love, as Paul had pointed out in Galatians, is summed up in one word. Remember him saying that? Even though, in all actuality, it's expressed in a "phrase", it is:
one word,
one commandment,
one LAW.
Galatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour* as thyself.
The word "even" in Galatians 5:14 is italicized, so it does not dictate that we should understand that word to mean "also" − as if Paul meant to say: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, and it also means that you must love your neighbour as yourself." By the word "even" being stuck into the text by the translators at that point (which [as I point out at the bottom of the Table of Contents page] italicized words in the King James Bible* aren't emphasized words from the original autographs, but were merely stuck in by the translators for ease of sentence flow), then it's very possible that some unknowing person could allow their thoughts to stray from what Paul actually meant in the text. It really should have read, thus: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Simple enough, just leave out the italicized word in this instance, and you can get a clearer thought on what the original autograph wished to convey to its readers − which is: "loving one another is 'one word.'" . . . However, and at the same time, I wish to express my belief that we shouldn't be too harsh on all italicized (added) words in the King James text, for most of the time the added words really do help us grasp the true meanings easier; but, with the knowledge of their true purpose, and of why they are even there to begin with, we can realize that we shouldn't rely on them as original Autograph words, and that we should be wise in our decisions to either respect or to ignore them in different instances throughout the text . . . Again, the many italicized words in the KJV can really help us to understand the original meanings of the scriptures; but as times change, the literary differences of today's phraseology is apparently different from that of hundreds of years ago, so that by the translators adding the word 'even' within the sentence, we cannot come to the conclusion that this didn't actually help the readers of that day and time to fully understand the essence of the original intended thought. Therefore, by modern understandings, it's useful for us to comprehend why these men decided to add the italicized words in to begin with (and, even more importantly, to know that they were smart enough to let us know when they did), and to even respect the help that they intended to give the reader, but also to be wise enough to not see this endeavor as an ignorant mistake on the part of the old translators.
But, moving along, it is curious of why Paul phrased it that way: one word. And I declare that it is no coincidence that he did! Let's observe further:
Proverbs 13:13-14
Whoso despiseth the word [prophesying about the approaching new law − which, in all actuality, always was in existence, but man wasn't ready for it yet] shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment [again, this new law] shall be rewarded. The law of the wise [of Christ] is a fountain of life [when was the Mosaic Law life giving? as Paul points out in Romans Chapter 7, it actually brings death], to depart from the snares of death [which, again, the snares of death being the Mosaic Law].
During the course of that scriptural quote, I made some pretty outrageous statements about the snares of death being the Mosaic Law! But let us quickly see what Paul said:
Romans 7:9-10
For I was alive without the [Mosaic] law once: but when the commandment came [you shall not covet: see verse 7], sin* revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
So, by Paul saying this, we can see that the law that is a fountain of life, as is pointed out in Proverbs, is the NEW law and not the old . . . But let us continue about the ONE WORD...
END NOTES for chapter 1:
*Gospel: Euaggelion (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on); Word Origin: Greek, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2098. 1. a reward for good tidings. 2. good tidings.
People’s New Testament Commentary:
Romans 1:16: God's plan of salvation in Christ. Its three great facts are the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is God's only appointed means of salvation. The name of Jesus Christ "is the only name whereby we must be saved [Acts 4:12]." All God's saving power is manifested through the gospel.
(continued...)
Easton's Bible Dictionary:
A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e.: "good message." It denotes "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called 'Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). The term is often used to express collectively the gospel doctrines."
Vine's Dictionary of NT words:
(Noun and Verb: to preach) (A-1, Noun, 2098, euangelion) Originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for "the good news" itself. The Eng. word "gospel NTB," i.e. "good message," is the equivalent of euangelion (Eng., "evangel"). In the NT it denotes the "good tidings" of the Kingdom of God.
*Galatians 3:28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
*Commandment: Entole (en-tol-ay'); Word Origin: Greek, Strong's Greek Dictionary #1785: 1. an order, command, charge, precept, injunction. that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office. 2. a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done. a precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic LAW or Jewish tradition.
*Law: Nomos (nom'-os); Strong's Greek Dictionary #3551. 1. anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, A COMMAND of any law whatsoever. a law or rule producing a state approved of God. by the observance of which is approved of God a precept or injunction the rule of action prescribed by reason of the Mosaic law, and referring, acc. to the context. either to the volume of the law or to its contents the Christian religion: the law demanding faith, the moral instruction given by Christ, esp. the precept concerning love the name of the more important part (the Pentateuch), is put for the entire collection of the sacred books of the OT.
*Changed / translated: Metatithemi (met-at-ith'-ay-mee); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3346. to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other). to transfer. to change. to transfer one's self or suffer one's self to be transferred. to go or pass over. to fall away or desert from one person or thing to another.
*Change / translated: Metathesis (met-ath'-es-is); Word Origin: Greek, Noun. Strong's Greek Dictionary #3331. transfer: from one place to another. to change. of things instituted or established.
*Inward / inner: Eso (es'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Adverb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2080. to within, into within. the internal inner man. the soul, conscience.
*Fulfil: Pleroo (play-ro'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4137. to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full. to render full, i.e. to complete. to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim. to make complete in every particular, to render perfect. to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking). to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish. to fulfill.
*Establish / Maintain: Histemi (his'-tay-mee); Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2476. to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set to bid to stand by, [set up]. to place, to make firm, fix establish. to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything. to set or place in a balance. to stand immovable, stand firm. to be of a steadfast mind of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver.
*Covenant / testament: Diatheke (dee-ath-ay'-kay); Word Origin: Greek, Noun. Strong's Greek Dictionary #1242. a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, a testament or will, a compact, a covenant, a testament.
*Mind: Dianoia (dee-an'-oy-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #1271. the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring understanding mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking and feeling thoughts, either good or bad.
*Hearts: Kardia (kar-dee'-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2588. the heart. that organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life. the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence of the will and character of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate.
*Word: Logos (log'-os); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3056. of speech. a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea what someone has said. the sayings of God. decree, mandate or order of the moral precepts given by God. Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying, a dictum, a maxim. discourse. instruction. doctrine, teaching. its use as respect to the MIND alone. reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating. account, i.e. regard, consideration. In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John's purpose in John 1.
*Neighbour: Plesion (play-see'-on); Adverb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4139. a neighbour. a friend. any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour). according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth. according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet.
*The King James Bible...
I know that there will be some who will object to my usage of the King James Version (or, also called the Authorized Version) for my scriptural quotes herein, which was first published in 1611 A.D. I am fully aware of the controversy over Bible translations, and especially over the Hebrew and Greek source texts that are either feared, rejected, or accepted. My personal study choices are three English versions, namely the original William Tyndale Version of the early 1500's A.D., the King James Version of the early 1600's A.D. (which was updated with more modern spellings in the mid 1700's A.D.), and the more recent J.P. Green literal Version (of the mid 1900's A.D.: which is found in the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic Interlinear Bible − which also has the very helpful Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary numbering system, which allows anybody to become familiar with the original languages). These three English versions, for the most part (except for some minor details − as outlined meticulously in J.P. Green's introductions), share the same Greek source texts of the New Testament with each other, and the same Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Old Testament. And for that reason, it becomes helpful to compare these three English renderings with each other . . . I will give my full reasons of my biblical choices in my upcoming writing, entitled: 'The Bible is Not a Buffet.'
*Sin: Hamartia (ham-ar-tee'-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong's Greek Dictionary #266. equivalent to 264. to be without a share in. to miss the mark. to err, be mistaken. to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong. to wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many.
Chapter 1
The Law of Love
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel* of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ will salvage you unto life eternal. But just what is the Gospel of Christ? Is it the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, who was on this earth 2,000 years ago? Is that the good news? Yea, verily, that is good news. However, as I will point out in this writing, to love one another as He loves us, is the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. For it is love that kills our outward man’s ways; buries him in baptism; and causes our inward-man (named Jesus) to resurrect on the inside of us. And, as this writing progresses, we will see together how this message has been overlooked by many of the brethren (being composed of both men and women − Galatians 3:28*) over the passing years. Also, in this writing, I give no new revelation amongst God's chosen, but merely a reminder to those in need, and of a truth that does not hurt being repeated.
Matthew 22:36-40
Master, which is the great commandment* in the [Mosaic] law*? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it [practically the same thing], Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
A commandment is the same as a law − as we can see from the Greek meanings from Strong's Dictionaries [see End Notes at the back of this book]; and we know that the law that was spoken of here, in our quoted scripture above, was from the "Mosaic law" − the law that was set up in the Old Testament and given to Moses, the great man of God. However, the old Mosaic Law [i.e. The Law given to the people by Moses] has actually changed . . . Did it?
Hebrews 7:12
For the priesthood being changed*, there is made of necessity a change* also of the law.
The law was then replaced with a NEW LAW. So, instead of observing a law after Moses, we now observe (and has been so for the past two thousands years) a law after Christ:
Galatians 6:2
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
This law of Christ is not a law for a fleshly creature, but is rather a law for a spiritual creature; instead of being a law for a son of man, it is a law for a son of God; instead of being a law for an outward man, it is a law for an inward man:
Romans 7:22
For I delight in the law of God after the inward man*.
And the law after the inward man is the law of Christ. And this new law says only to love one another:
Romans 13:8b
... for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
But which law has been fulfilled by those who love one another? Well, it could apply, actually, to both the old and the new law. Though, as we shall see, when we progress in this writing, Paul (in verse 8b) is specifically referring to the new law after the inward man. However, by 'changing' from one law to another, are we completely destroying the old law by the bringing in of the new? Almost as if the old law meant nothing at all?
Matthew 5:17
Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil*.
Romans 3:31
Do we then make void the [Mosaic] law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish* the law.
And how do we establish the old law, while making it new?
Hebrews 8:10
For this is the covenant* that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind*, and write them in their hearts*: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.
By having the law develop in our hearts [i.e. our minds], we do establish it . . . However, and it must be pointed out, that only the 'truest essence' of the Mosaic Law is written into our hearts − without all the baggage of the carnal ordinances, which were nothing more than outward rituals that merely represented true worship, that were also adhered to during the Old Testament period. But once the truest essence of the Mosaic law develops within (that is, this spiritual law, which is now called the Law of Christ), it is comprehended as only "One Word" for our Inward Man . . . One word? Yes, the law changed into only One Word.
Galatians 5:14a
For all the law is fulfilled in one word*...
What does that mean, into one word? The most important part of this writing will be the explanation of what one word really means...
St. John 13:34
A new commandment [a new LAW] I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Even though this commandment is not really new (as we can see from Matthew 22:36-40, our second quoted scripture in this writing), the changing and the fulfilling of the entire Mosaic law made it new. And how it changed, again, was going from natural to spiritual − it is now for a spiritual creature rather than for a natural creature. As Jesus was setting up the New Kingdom, He was also setting up the New Law.
St. John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Now, by having this one commandment for a new law, to love one another, does this lessen the aspect of the foremost commandment in the Mosaic Law to love God first? Nay; but by loving one another we complete the first part . . . Observe what John says:
1 John 4:19-21
We love him [God], because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Like Jesus emphasized in Matthew 22:36-40 (again, our second quoted scripture), loving God and loving your brother are practically the same thing. And as I myself have emphasized before, this brotherly love is the very gospel of Jesus Christ. How and Why? Well, this love, as Paul had pointed out in Galatians, is summed up in one word. Remember him saying that? Even though, in all actuality, it's expressed in a "phrase", it is:
one word,
one commandment,
one LAW.
Galatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour* as thyself.
The word "even" in Galatians 5:14 is italicized, so it does not dictate that we should understand that word to mean "also" − as if Paul meant to say: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, and it also means that you must love your neighbour as yourself." By the word "even" being stuck into the text by the translators at that point (which [as I point out at the bottom of the Table of Contents page] italicized words in the King James Bible* aren't emphasized words from the original autographs, but were merely stuck in by the translators for ease of sentence flow), then it's very possible that some unknowing person could allow their thoughts to stray from what Paul actually meant in the text. It really should have read, thus: "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, in this: You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Simple enough, just leave out the italicized word in this instance, and you can get a clearer thought on what the original autograph wished to convey to its readers − which is: "loving one another is 'one word.'" . . . However, and at the same time, I wish to express my belief that we shouldn't be too harsh on all italicized (added) words in the King James text, for most of the time the added words really do help us grasp the true meanings easier; but, with the knowledge of their true purpose, and of why they are even there to begin with, we can realize that we shouldn't rely on them as original Autograph words, and that we should be wise in our decisions to either respect or to ignore them in different instances throughout the text . . . Again, the many italicized words in the KJV can really help us to understand the original meanings of the scriptures; but as times change, the literary differences of today's phraseology is apparently different from that of hundreds of years ago, so that by the translators adding the word 'even' within the sentence, we cannot come to the conclusion that this didn't actually help the readers of that day and time to fully understand the essence of the original intended thought. Therefore, by modern understandings, it's useful for us to comprehend why these men decided to add the italicized words in to begin with (and, even more importantly, to know that they were smart enough to let us know when they did), and to even respect the help that they intended to give the reader, but also to be wise enough to not see this endeavor as an ignorant mistake on the part of the old translators.
But, moving along, it is curious of why Paul phrased it that way: one word. And I declare that it is no coincidence that he did! Let's observe further:
Proverbs 13:13-14
Whoso despiseth the word [prophesying about the approaching new law − which, in all actuality, always was in existence, but man wasn't ready for it yet] shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment [again, this new law] shall be rewarded. The law of the wise [of Christ] is a fountain of life [when was the Mosaic Law life giving? as Paul points out in Romans Chapter 7, it actually brings death], to depart from the snares of death [which, again, the snares of death being the Mosaic Law].
During the course of that scriptural quote, I made some pretty outrageous statements about the snares of death being the Mosaic Law! But let us quickly see what Paul said:
Romans 7:9-10
For I was alive without the [Mosaic] law once: but when the commandment came [you shall not covet: see verse 7], sin* revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
So, by Paul saying this, we can see that the law that is a fountain of life, as is pointed out in Proverbs, is the NEW law and not the old . . . But let us continue about the ONE WORD...
END NOTES for chapter 1:
*Gospel: Euaggelion (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on); Word Origin: Greek, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2098. 1. a reward for good tidings. 2. good tidings.
People’s New Testament Commentary:
Romans 1:16: God's plan of salvation in Christ. Its three great facts are the death, burial, and the resurrection of Christ. It is the power of God unto salvation. The gospel is God's only appointed means of salvation. The name of Jesus Christ "is the only name whereby we must be saved [Acts 4:12]." All God's saving power is manifested through the gospel.
(continued...)
Easton's Bible Dictionary:
A word of Anglo-Saxon origin, and meaning "God's spell", i.e., word of God, or rather, according to others, "good spell", i.e., good news. It is the rendering of the Greek evangelion, i.e.: "good message." It denotes "the welcome intelligence of salvation to man as preached by our Lord and his followers. It was afterwards transitively applied to each of the four histories of our Lord's life, published by those who are therefore called 'Evangelists', writers of the history of the gospel (the evangelion). The term is often used to express collectively the gospel doctrines."
Vine's Dictionary of NT words:
(Noun and Verb: to preach) (A-1, Noun, 2098, euangelion) Originally denoted a reward for good tidings; later, the idea of reward dropped, and the word stood for "the good news" itself. The Eng. word "gospel NTB," i.e. "good message," is the equivalent of euangelion (Eng., "evangel"). In the NT it denotes the "good tidings" of the Kingdom of God.
*Galatians 3:28
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus."
*Commandment: Entole (en-tol-ay'); Word Origin: Greek, Strong's Greek Dictionary #1785: 1. an order, command, charge, precept, injunction. that which is prescribed to one by reason of his office. 2. a prescribed rule in accordance with which a thing is done. a precept relating to lineage, of the Mosaic precept concerning the priesthood ethically used of the commandments in the Mosaic LAW or Jewish tradition.
*Law: Nomos (nom'-os); Strong's Greek Dictionary #3551. 1. anything established, anything received by usage, a custom, a law, A COMMAND of any law whatsoever. a law or rule producing a state approved of God. by the observance of which is approved of God a precept or injunction the rule of action prescribed by reason of the Mosaic law, and referring, acc. to the context. either to the volume of the law or to its contents the Christian religion: the law demanding faith, the moral instruction given by Christ, esp. the precept concerning love the name of the more important part (the Pentateuch), is put for the entire collection of the sacred books of the OT.
*Changed / translated: Metatithemi (met-at-ith'-ay-mee); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3346. to transpose (two things, one of which is put in place of the other). to transfer. to change. to transfer one's self or suffer one's self to be transferred. to go or pass over. to fall away or desert from one person or thing to another.
*Change / translated: Metathesis (met-ath'-es-is); Word Origin: Greek, Noun. Strong's Greek Dictionary #3331. transfer: from one place to another. to change. of things instituted or established.
*Inward / inner: Eso (es'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Adverb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2080. to within, into within. the internal inner man. the soul, conscience.
*Fulfil: Pleroo (play-ro'-o); Word Origin: Greek, Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4137. to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full. to render full, i.e. to complete. to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim. to make complete in every particular, to render perfect. to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking). to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish. to fulfill.
*Establish / Maintain: Histemi (his'-tay-mee); Verb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2476. to cause or make to stand, to place, put, set to bid to stand by, [set up]. to place, to make firm, fix establish. to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything. to set or place in a balance. to stand immovable, stand firm. to be of a steadfast mind of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver.
*Covenant / testament: Diatheke (dee-ath-ay'-kay); Word Origin: Greek, Noun. Strong's Greek Dictionary #1242. a disposition, arrangement, of any sort, which one wishes to be valid, a testament or will, a compact, a covenant, a testament.
*Mind: Dianoia (dee-an'-oy-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #1271. the mind as a faculty of understanding, feeling, desiring understanding mind, i.e. spirit, way of thinking and feeling thoughts, either good or bad.
*Hearts: Kardia (kar-dee'-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #2588. the heart. that organ in the animal body which is the centre of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life. the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavours of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence of the will and character of the soul so far as it is affected and stirred in a bad way or good, or of the soul as the seat of the sensibilities, affections, emotions, desires, appetites, passions of the middle or central or inmost part of anything, even though inanimate.
*Word: Logos (log'-os); Word Origin: Greek, Noun, Strong's Greek Dictionary #3056. of speech. a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea what someone has said. the sayings of God. decree, mandate or order of the moral precepts given by God. Old Testament prophecy given by the prophets what is declared, a thought, declaration, aphorism, a weighty saying, a dictum, a maxim. discourse. instruction. doctrine, teaching. its use as respect to the MIND alone. reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating. account, i.e. regard, consideration. In John, denotes the essential Word of God, Jesus Christ, the personal wisdom and power in union with God, his minister in creation and government of the universe, the cause of all the world's life both physical and ethical, which for the procurement of man's salvation put on human nature in the person of Jesus the Messiah, the second person in the Godhead, and shone forth conspicuously from His words and deeds. A Greek philosopher named Heraclitus first used the term Logos around 600 B.C. to designate the divine reason or plan which coordinates a changing universe. This word was well suited to John's purpose in John 1.
*Neighbour: Plesion (play-see'-on); Adverb, Strong's Greek Dictionary #4139. a neighbour. a friend. any other person, and where two are concerned, the other (thy fellow man, thy neighbour). according to the Jews, any member of the Hebrew nation and commonwealth. according to Christ, any other man irrespective of nation or religion with whom we live or whom we chance to meet.
*The King James Bible...
I know that there will be some who will object to my usage of the King James Version (or, also called the Authorized Version) for my scriptural quotes herein, which was first published in 1611 A.D. I am fully aware of the controversy over Bible translations, and especially over the Hebrew and Greek source texts that are either feared, rejected, or accepted. My personal study choices are three English versions, namely the original William Tyndale Version of the early 1500's A.D., the King James Version of the early 1600's A.D. (which was updated with more modern spellings in the mid 1700's A.D.), and the more recent J.P. Green literal Version (of the mid 1900's A.D.: which is found in the Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic Interlinear Bible − which also has the very helpful Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary numbering system, which allows anybody to become familiar with the original languages). These three English versions, for the most part (except for some minor details − as outlined meticulously in J.P. Green's introductions), share the same Greek source texts of the New Testament with each other, and the same Hebrew and Aramaic texts of the Old Testament. And for that reason, it becomes helpful to compare these three English renderings with each other . . . I will give my full reasons of my biblical choices in my upcoming writing, entitled: 'The Bible is Not a Buffet.'
*Sin: Hamartia (ham-ar-tee'-ah); Word Origin: Greek, Noun Feminine, Strong's Greek Dictionary #266. equivalent to 264. to be without a share in. to miss the mark. to err, be mistaken. to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honour, to do or go wrong. to wander from the law of God, violate God's law, sin that which is done wrong, sin, an offence, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act collectively, the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many.
