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Greg Laurie: The Unforgivable Sin

Posted 11 months ago|54 comments|1,080 views
Unforgiven... or Uninterrupted?
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Is there a sin that God just won't forgive? ...If you're concerned you may have committed "the unforgivable sin" or "sold your soul" ...this is an important video you don't want to miss. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u59bUlEGa...

I get a chance to listen to many preachers... Greg Laurie is one of the few that can keep my attention. I always appreciate the perspective Greg offers to a subject, the no-nonsense approach has always been my favorite. He tends to speak on subjects that are relevant to many issues being pondered today... one such question is on the "unforgivable sin".

It is a subject that I have hashed over with many Christians and non alike... it seems many want to know... how far is too far? Or is there any hope for me? In this featured pod-cast, Greg Laurie answers the root-question underlying the surface... be prepared to have some spiritual "open-heart surgery" ...courtesy of OnePlace.com.

Jesus said... "Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they utter; but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"—for they had said, "He has an unclean spirit." (Mark 3:29)

Jesus had just driven out unclean spirits... I know that many don't believe in that whole "mumbo-jumbo" ...yet it was apparent that the "authorities" of the day didn't doubt it, rather they were claiming that the power Jesus had to perform these miracles, had their source from the devil. Many scoff today about miracles in general... especially about the existence of demons... that will by no means keep someone from blasphemy of the Holy Spirit... to reject or to call the work of the Holy Spirit evil... is what Jesus was referring to. As long as someone is in rejection of the work of God, they soon won't be ready to receive Jesus' work of atonement in their lives either.

Greg Laurie says the things that keeps people from Christ is not so much the failed attempts to find Him... rather the fear that Jesus Christ may interrupt your lifestyle. Some people say that they don't believe in the "God of the Old Testament" because He is so harsh... but rather they believe in the "God of the New Testament" who is so loving...
is this the real predicament? IF "God is love" then how can God still judge "sin"
...much less an "unforgivable sin?"

It may surprise you... it is the "religious" ones, who resist God's work, that Jesus Himself warns could be guilty of an unforgivable sin... calling the very work of God the work of the devil. I have found that many who have yet to trust in Christ as their Savior... have very little against God, rather they fault the followers of Christ. Like Mahatma Gandhi is quoted as saying... "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians" why? Because many times we don't resemble our Lord.

Well then, does that excuse those who reject Jesus because of religious hypocrites?
No. The love of Jesus Christ is there for the seeker, and the miraculous is there for the humble... it is not the lack of evidence that keeps someone from Christ, only humility.

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?" (Hebrews 2:3-4)

"...blasphemy of the Holy Spirit is when unbelievers say no to the Spirit's work of showing them their need for Jesus and bringing them to faith. By resisting and turning their back on God's gracious offer of forgiveness, they can ultimately insult—and even blaspheme—the Holy Spirit and go beyond a point of no return. To resist the Holy Spirit's appeal is to insult God and to effectively cut off all hope of salvation."
http://www.harvest.org/devotional/archiv...
UPDATE - 1 month ago
"Don't Waste Your Life" by John Piper
http://dwynrhh6bluza.cloudfront.net/reso...
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COMMENTS
11 months ago: Does this mean that all the several billion good and conscientious people who aren't Christians and explicity or implicity honestly believe that the Holy Spirit is an imaginary entity of Abrahamic mythology, and of no relevance, are beyond salvation?

If that's the case, I have some moral lessons to impart to God.
11 months ago: "Does this mean that all the several billion good and conscientious people who aren't Christians and explicity or implicity honestly believe that the Holy Spirit is an imaginary entity of Abrahamic mythology, and of no relevance, are beyond salvation?

If that's the case, I have some moral lessons to impart to God."

+1
Sick to death of the its my way or the highway religious fanatics. there is either a god or not. There is either an afterlife for those who live their lives without hurting others or not.
Any faith that decries another as being inferior to their own to the point of denying eternal salvation to the good works done by its congregation may find itself on the "or not" side of the equation. No matter what book they read.
11 months ago: Stan,

There is a huge difference between those who don't believe and those who won't. I did the math one day on the so-called billions that are "beyond salvation" ...it may surprise you. I will show a few scriptures and show you what I mean...

1) Children and their place in the kingdom of God...

"...27% of the world's population is below 15 years of age"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_popul...

"...but Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)

2) The "ignorant" and their place in the kingdom of God...

"...50% of the world's population has never heard the Gospel"
http://www.chick.com/reading/books/print...

"Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, 'We see,' your guilt remains." (John 9:41)

...50% Unreached (ignorant adults) + 27% (children) = 77% N/A

3) The question then is out of the 33% of those who have heard of Jesus, how many have witnessed a miracle or been convicted by the Holy Spirit?

...33% of the world's population is considered to be "Christian" ...of which we can subtract those counted as adherents to the "faith" by family status or culture and citizenship to so-called "christian" nations... or have rejected the valid testimony of Jesus Christ clearly visible in their lives.

"If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father." (John 15:24)

...so before you disregard God for being "immoral" and for unfounded judgement, saying our God is sending everyone to Hell... you might want to consider, that you may be part of only a few left "standing outside" shaking their fists at a loving very merciful God... who has "gone the extra mile" Himself to save the world.

It is NOT those who DON'T believe... but those who WON'T!
11 months ago: Oh Slim... Ditto!
11 months ago: Read your Bible - "whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin"

Not, "Oh, except for the under 15s, as judged by Truthbrary".

Matthew 19:14 doesn't contradict "whoever blasphemes". Sorry.


If
(1) EVEN ONE person of good conscience reads the unlikely, unconvicing story of yet another imaginary deity with no convincing evidence, like the Holy Spirit, and
(2) comes to the conclusion that it is a non-existent invention not worthy of belief or veneration and
(3) states their opinion
(4) and suffers eternal damnation for that, then
(5) the so-called God who dreamed up that scam is contemptible, and likely the invention of backward goatherds.

Accordingly, educating people about the Holy Spirit is the cruelest thing anyone can possibly do, because
(1) most adults told about it will not believe it, because it is unconvicing, bordering on ridiculous, even if it is by some chance true,
(2) then they will go to hell.

So, don't do it.

11 months ago: Stan,

Can you blaspheme someone you don't believe in? The people that Jesus was talking to knew about God and knew about His Spirit... and were judging Jesus' Spirit as a demon... when Jesus' Spirit was the Holy Spirit... thus calling the Holy Spirit a demon or devil. How can someone who doesn't even know IF there is such a Holy Spirit... blaspheme such? They can't. How can they reject someone they have never heard of? They can't. Maybe the following scripture will help...


"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15)

11 months ago: Oh, well it's fine for me to say that I believe the Holy Spirit of the Bible doesn't even exist. And even though the God of the Bible is portrayed as a pretty nasty psychopath, he's not real, and not a good moral example.

It's impossible for me to blaspheme, then. I can denigrate all I like.
11 months ago: However, it's damnably cruel to condemn good people to eternal torment for their honestly and conscientiously held beliefs. The end.
11 months ago: Stan,

I'll bite... but, what would be "good" about someone blaspheming the One who gave us life, love and existence? What would be "good" about someone blaspheming the One who made Heaven freely available by His own blood? What would be "good" about someone blaspheming the One who only told us the truth and personally came to warn us of impending destruction if we did not take His generous offer? That is not "good".
11 months ago: Likewise, what is so "good" about turning away from Allah?

What is so "good" about turning away from YHWH to the false prophets Jesus, Allah and Joseph Smith?

What is so "good" about condemning Zeus to the realms of mythology?

There are thousands of gods who should be very offended.
11 months ago: Stan,

This is where you are wrong. There is only one God, and one Truth. One way, and one life... all other leaders and so-called gods are dead, or don't exist... Jesus Christ rose from the grave and is alive, here and now to change my life... I along with countless millions have had our lives changed. It is a faith we will die for... live for... but NOT kill for. You sound desperate, and very alone... for someone resisting so much, one would think that there is a personal problem.... one that Jesus can fix.
11 months ago: BTW,

With this whole ONE origin and destiny of truth... math is on my side!
11 months ago: Muslims and Mormans feel just as strongly about their made up God stories. You know that right?
11 months ago: Stan,

As I said, math is on my side... there can only be one truth.
Their's, your's or our's... but there can only be one truth.
11 months ago: Stan,

Jesus made it clear He is the only hope of Salvation...

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him. Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." (John 14:6-9)

"Therefore Jesus said again, "Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:7-10)
11 months ago: The Blood of Jesus covers all who are prevented from believing...
but covers none of those who are intent on not believing.
11 months ago: "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive,[d] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— 20 to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God.[e] It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." (1 Peter 3:18-22)
11 months ago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Aikenhead
11 months ago: Luckily, Thomas Aikenhead wasn't a blasphemer because he apprently thought the Bible was a load of nonsense.
11 months ago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia_Bibi
Terrible use of the threat of "blasphemy"
11 months ago: I see that Allah is just as bad as Jehova.

Those who blasphemed and back away from the ways of Allah and die as blasphemers, Allah shall not forgive them.-Qur'an 4:48
11 months ago: You can't have it both ways, and you can't win, with those murderous two.
11 months ago: Well, I've spoken pretty clearly against the "Holy Spirit", here.

As Matthew said "And whoever speaks a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."
11 months ago: Stan,

I see you have an opinion... so let me sum-up a bit for you... IF you knew that there was no God, I mean anywhere... your words would be logically safe; however that would be fairly arrogant on your part, seeing as you haven't yet affirmed if you have given Jesus Christ an invitation to reveal Himself to you. Thus your words are merely stupid, that is right... negligent to say the least... and terminal if what you are saying is true.
11 months ago: If you knew that it was safe to walk on a crack on the sidewalk, the way you walk would make sense.

If you knew it was safe not to perform a human sacrifice to appease Ra, your actions would make sense.

If you knew it was safe not to start building the space temple to receive our alien saviour from Alpha Centuri, your actions would make sense.

If you knew that Allah would not send you to hell for ignoring the clear prescriptions of his book, then your actions would make sense.
11 months ago: You see if the sky really was full of psychopaths promising to send us to hell if we think they are imaginary human-created bogeymen, then they really are a negative moral example.
11 months ago: God only imputes sin (holds accountable), when the people are given a law... where there is no law... there is no sin...

"...for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law." (Romans 5:13)

...but when people are given God's Word, they are accountable.
11 months ago: "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel." (Romans 2:12-16)
11 months ago: For the alleged creator of all to create men in his image, in order to subject them to the risk of eternal torture merely based on whether they revered properly him or not, is perverse by any standards. No matter what he has to say about how great he is, in his own alleged book.

Murder, rape, molestation, however, are forgivable if you give Him a big bow down before you die.

Sound like a real little ****, doesn't he?

But, in this way He is not different from scores of other imaginary bogeymen.

You see, If I were to judge this imaginary creatures on his morals, I would say it's lucky he's the supreme being and not subject to imprisonment as a depraved sort of scoundrel.
11 months ago: In fact, it sounds likely that the whole story was made up by people.
10 months ago: Stan,

You say... "to subject them to the risk of eternal torture merely based on whether they revered properly him or not, is perverse" ...then let me ask... what is it when God subjects us to the OPPORTUNITY for Eternal Life and glory and perfection in a New Heaven and Earth? You continually look at the down-side, and not the up... your Evolution would have the best of "man's" potential end up as worm food and fertilizer.

Your Evolution would have all the murderers molesters rapists thieves and politicians go unpunished... and all the children serving loving protecting educating go unrewarded! Sounds like you are a little ****** (unfair) don't you?

You also said... "it's lucky he's the supreme being and not subject to imprisonment as a depraved sort of scoundrel" ...Jesus subjected Himself to punishment and was imprisoned and treated worse than just a scoundrel, and the world took out of His flesh all their hatred and animosity toward God.

Jesus said... "If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates me hates my Father as well. If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both me and my Father. But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: 'They hated me without reason." (John 15:18-25)
10 months ago: Also, wouldn't you be a terrible parent to give birth to a child in the knowledge that it would be condemned to eternal torture if it failed to believe the incredible story of the vengeful sky spirt that had infused it with sin because Adam had eaten the wrong fruit 6,000 years ago?

You'd have to hope the child believed whatever nonsensical story you told it.
10 months ago: Those Muslim parents bringing children up for the purposes of having them eternally tortured at God's behest are quite irresponsible, right?

I can guarantee you, by the way, that every Muslim and Jew, and virtually every adequately educated person in the world has heard of Christianity and Jesus and the Bible.
10 months ago: Stan,

You make an excellent point for needing more teachers of God's Word; and NO, you would be a "terrible parent" if you didn't give your child the opportunity to hear all sides and make a decision for themselves... and if they didn't know better, you at least would not hold them accountable (as I mentioned that God doesn't hold the ignorant accountable). You see you only have a negative perspective of the Gospel... everyone who does not REJECT Christ is counted under ignorance or acceptance...

"Teacher," said John, "we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US. Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward." (Mark 9:38-41)

The thing most people don't understand is that Jesus just like Adam, by one act brought upon all "men" consequences. By one act Adam condemned all men... by one act Jesus saved all men... BUT those who NEGLECT or REJECT Him and count themselves unworthy of the Salvation of God... who can help?

"For if, by the trespass of the one man (Adam), death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." (Romans 5:17-19)

"how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard" (Hebrews 2:3)

Getting the picture yet Stan? All those who accept or at least not reject are "a shoe in" for the Salvation of God for all who have been unwilling participants in Adam's sin! AND there you are with you signs of PROTEST outside the gates of Heaven calling God down, and blaspheming... while they, by the MILLIONS, happily pass you by into the Kingdom of God freely! You sound like one of those religious Pharisees 2000 years ago... and your religion is Evolution...

"Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you." (Matthew 21:31)

...chances are you are more "righteous" than most, but your pride and your pomp won't do you any good... ironic isn't it? Entrance into the Kingdom... is humility.
10 months ago: Stan,

Are you really getting all this? It really is the best News this world has ever heard. If one is ignorant... they are saved; if one is accepting of the Gospel after hearing it... they are saved; if they simply don't understand the message... they are saved; however if they neglect or reject it... they bear their sin unto judgement.

The Gospel has a two-fold effect, it not only saves one's life for Eternity, it changes a life that would have been spent in wickedness... to one that is now spent doing right and serving in love. "Salvation" isn't just for later... it's greatest benefit is now; the Creator is recreating lives to be a blessing instead of a curse! Eternal Life starts the day you surrender your will and life to Jesus Christ...

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" "Yes, Lord," she replied, "I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world." (John 11:25-27)

...you see Stan, I personally think that there is more hope for guys like you than those who passively let none of this effect them. You are extreme, you demand a "gospel" that "works" ...if it doesn't then you will let everyone know it! Like the Apostle Paul, who in his past life imprisoned and killed Christians... whole-heartily destroying the "Way" every chance he got. And then it happened... he encountered Jesus Christ for himself... and the rest is history! MOST of the New Testament was written by Paul, who was Saul of Tarshish (who BTW was also a blasphemer)... I am looking forward to your encounter with Christ, and the many exploits God could accomplish through you... Jesus, in His Revelation to John, told the Church that He would have them "hot or cold" ...for or against, but because they were "lukewarm" He would spew them out of His mouth... you my friend are not lukewarm.

10 months ago: Stan,

The Apostle Paul said...

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:12-14)

...notice it says that he acted "in ignorance and unbelief" ...not disbelief.

Disbelief: Refusal or reluctance to believe
Unbelief: Lack of belief or faith
10 months ago: So, any child who reads the Bible and thinks its not true will burn forever?
10 months ago: Stan,

I think we covered that already...
the kingdom of Heaven belongs to children...

"Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 19:14)
10 months ago: Ok, so when they become an adult and they still think the Bible is not true, then they burn forever, in your view?
10 months ago: Stan,

It might be a long way from now till the grave, but then it might not. We need to leave the final judgement up to God. All I know is God is merciful and not willing that any should perish... if He can help it... and He can in most cases...

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (1 Peter 3:9)
10 months ago: It seems pretty clear that the Bible says that if you blaspheme the Holy Spirit, that is unforgiveable. Isn't God bound to that?
10 months ago: Stan,

God is bound to keep all His Words, not just the ones that we think He should... take for instance His willingness to forgive...

"And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they cast lots to divide his garments." (Luke 23:34)

...God knows just how literally ignorant some people are, and would rather forgive them instead of judge them...

"Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?" (Ezekiel 33:11)
10 months ago: You know Stan,

We haven't even got to the judgement that God will have on His own people for not warning others of impending judgement. In Ezekiel God holds His "watchmen" accountable for the sin of the people if they don't warn them... and only holds the people accountable if they heed not that warning...

"Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. 8 When I say to the wicked, 'You wicked person, you will surely die,' and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for[a] their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. 9 But if you do warn the wicked person to turn from their ways and they do not do so, they will die for their sin, though you yourself will be saved." (Ezekiel 33:7-9)

...if you consider all the efforts and methods of judgement... taking God's mercy into consideration, you will find no greater more compassionate judge. One will say why did God order the deaths of countless peoples at the hands of the Israelite's? In those cases God judged the nations in the "flesh" and used them as an example of what not to do... then he vindicated them in the spirit and used them as an example of what they would have done if they were given the chance, for instance those of Noah's day... and Sodom and Gomorrah...

"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits— to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built....For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit." (1 Peter 3:18-20; 4:6)

"Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you." (Matthew 11:20-24)

...I like the one about Sodom, here they are accounted like another city, Nineveh, that repented at the preaching of God's Word... Jesus is saying if Sodom had the chance they would have repented... guess what? Who do you think we are going to see in the Kingdom of God? Those nations God use as an example of His Judgement! And people are here shaking their fists at God condemning Him and blaspheming... I told you that they don't know what they are doing.

Everyone has to die... men women and children, but we don't blame Darwin. Why? Because we see this as a natural process... we blame God because we think inherently that God is supposed to allow us to live forever... regardless if we hate Him.
10 months ago: "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, Israel. If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted, and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it." (Jeremiah 18:6-10)
10 months ago: I am going to go out on a limb here and try to explain one of the hardest statements Jesus makes... He is talking about offending on of "these little ones who believe in Him" ...children, and how He goes out of His way as a "good shepherd" to rescue one of them. Understanding that most of the criminals today are the result of broken and abusive homes. The statement in the "modern" New Testament is usually broken up into differing sections and topics. This ruins the flow of a point that is being made sometimes.... I will post it as a block so it all runs together... because it is only one though dealing with "the greatest in the kingdom of God" ...children.
(I will use another text block, this one is too small)
10 months ago: At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. (but) "If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell. (when it comes to hurting children)

(So) "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. "What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish." (Matthew 18:1-20)

...here it is clear if that is the case and those children are lost, Jesus will not rest; until He leaves the 99 to rescue that precious lost child... many curse God for what people have done to them.
10 months ago: Many people today are the product of abuse and teachings that keep them from Almighty God... many people do the things they do because they are hopeless, or see themselves as nothing more than animals driven by nature... understanding on the side of people and God's plan... goes a long way to help people NOT throw Christ out with the "christian" ...or judge God based on incomplete data.
10 months ago: I know... you're really starting to like God !:]
10 months ago: Well, I know you are of good will and I appreciate your efforts on His behalf. :)
10 months ago: "For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through Him." (John 3:17)
10 months ago: God is generous to have everyone at His "banquet" as Jesus said... "the bad as well as the good" ...would fill His feast for everyone. Many people don't know that, because they are too busy slamming God and His messengers... and His messengers fail to point these things out, they are too busy bringing up Hell-fire, and brimstone. Now Hell exists, but somehow the focus is on punishment rather than balanced with God's mercy and grace. BUT BUT BUT... what seems to really make God angry is, after all He has done to furnish a banquet free for all, good and bad... someone has to try and crash the party by getting in some other way... subverting all God's best provision, and proudly trying to steal something that was free for the taking... by anyone willing to just humbly accept.

You might be wondering what I am ranting about... well, it is the scenario that Jesus Christ describes, that really does end up in Hell for someone...

"Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the BAD as well as the GOOD, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. He asked, 'How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?' The man was speechless. "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 22:8-13)

...see here is a guy sneaking in without a wedding garment, some would say so what? God has thought of everything, saving people by ignorance, immaturity, unbelief (not disbelief), and I failed to mention even "election" or predestination (that's another cool thing God does, so those without it get a chance)... seriously.
10 months ago: Isaiah 53

1 Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
3 He was despised and rejected by mankind,
a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
he was despised, and we held him in low esteem....
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?sea...
10 months ago: A good example of God relenting from His pronouncement of destruction is in the case of Nineveh... one of the most wicked cities of the day... so much so that Jonah didn't want to see them repent... Jonah wanted to see them destroyed. Because Jonah knew that God was merciful even after saying He was going to destroy a nation, if they repented...

"Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it. 4 Jonah began by going a day's journey into the city, proclaiming, "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overthrown." 5 The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

6 When Jonah's warning reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust. 7 This is the proclamation he issued in Nineveh:

"By the decree of the king and his nobles:

Do not let people or animals, herds or flocks, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let people and animals be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence. 9 Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."

10 When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened." (Jonah 3)

And after Nineveh did repent, Jonah was angry at God for being so predictably merciful. Did God lie? NO, He was merciful.

"1 But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the LORD, "Isn't this what I said, LORD, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity." (Jonah 4:1-2)
10 months ago: My point is that if someone was blasphemous...

"against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, (and) is in danger of eternal damnation" (Mark 3:29)

...IF they were to be repentant and call on God for forgiveness, it would be against the character of God not to forgive. I believe that is why it is worded like "in danger of eternal damnation" ...if one was to continue in this blasphemous attitude against the Holy Spirit, without repentance, they would be in danger of eternal damnation. That is why it also says...

"...if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins" (Hebrews 10:26)

...what else can God do? IF He has made payment for any sin, and one chooses to continue in rebellion knowing fully the penalty for it... what can God do? Should He force people to receive His eternal salvation? Should He force people to spend an eternity with Him in a New Heaven and Earth?

It seems incredible that people could resist this amazing offer...

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