Showing posts with label Bible study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible study. Show all posts

April 29, 2021

a skeptical and condescending half brother of our Lord as a defense witness? a most misunderstood man


Prologue

I found it difficult to put up a case for him. So I put on hold for quite sometime and prayed about it. The answer finally came. “Heureka! Heureka!” (I have found it!) I will write about his relationship with Jesus, his half brother.

Prologue: James, the half brother of Jesus

Jesus grew up in a sizable family that included four half brothers—James, Joses, Simon and Judas (who would later write the epistle of Jude)—and sisters, at least two (Matthew 13:55-56). James did not seem involved in Jesus’ ministry and yet became a prominent figure in the early New Testament church. He is most likely the author of the Epistle of James. He appeared a somewhat indifferent and even a skeptical, condescending sibling to Jesus. So why was he chosen as another leading witness for the risen Christ Jesus? Here is his own account (as read and constructed mainly from the Scriptures, some historical references, and my own understanding).

James’ narrative account of his relationship with Jesus

One of the men, a brethren, from the Jewish counsel came last night, and told me urgently that the Jewish religious leaders have decided my death sentence secretly, and they are coming to take me for stoning soon. Strange to say, I am at ease and have peace and joy in my heart. As my last farewell, I would like to talk about my relationship on earth with Jesus.

I am James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of you already know that I am also the younger half-brother of Jesus (Yeshua). I was born after my parents returned from Egypt with Jesus, who was five years my senior. As you probably know, there is little record of me in the four gospels of Jesus Christ. And all the records therein about me (as a family members) did not show a close relationship between us (his half-siblings) and Him. As you also probably know by now, having read my letter to the twelve [Hebrew] tribes [scattered abroad among the Gentiles] in the dispersion, I am a man of few words, and am careful with my tongue.

The age gap between Jesus and the rest of us was not a barrier in our sibling relationship. But it means that Jesus had to undertake more responsibilities for the family. Our parent(s) were very pious and made sure that at five years old one was fit for the Scripture, at ten years the Mishnah (oral Torah, interpretations) at thirteen for the fulfilling of the commandments, and at fifteen the Talmud (making Rabbinic interpretations).

Jesus was full of the Spirit of God: full of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, might, and the reverential fear of the Lord. We always know He is special and unique. And He was gifted and anointed in teaching. As required of all Jewish boys, He learned a trade in addition to teaching the Scripture. My father Joseph has taught Him all about our family trade: stone masonry and building construction. At thirteen, He started working with my father and traveled daily to work on large building projects in the capital city of Sepphoris, about an hour’s walk from Nazareth. At twenty he decided to continue the vocation with my father, who became frail and frequently ill. My father died when Jesus was twenty-five and he handed over the legacy to Jesus.

However, when Jesus reached the official maturity age of thirty for authority (able to teach others) He handed over the family business to me and became a full time teacher. Although my desire was to be a teacher supervisor of a synagogue, I had to continue the family trade. Strictly speaking, according to my mother Mary, I am the first born of Joseph and have the right to Joseph’s legacy.

My mother told us much later about the prophecies from two godly prophets at the temple when my parents took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. A just and devout man named Simeon confirmed that Jesus would bring salvation to all peoples. And a prophetess, Anna, also confirmed that Jesus would bring redemption. My mother too, was a woman with few words, and she kept all the things about Jesus in her heart. She taught us to respect Jesus as the eldest and much older sibling in the family. And we observed that He was very different from us from young.

When Jesus taught, He showed the kind of authority that no one did. He was anointed. He even taught the religious teachers themselves (the pharisees, scribes, and teachers). I saw the miracles and divine healings He performed. I was at the Cana wedding where He turned 180 gallons of water into the choicest wine. Any sibling of such a powerful person would have expected Him to get rich quick and bring the family to a life wherein we each could choose to pursue our own desires. But, alas, He stayed aloof and away from the family.

What we could not understand and accept was that He chose to travel most of the time, followed by an ever increasing multitude of all sorts of people. He did not appear to bother about His own care, like having proper meals and rest. We were doing well in our family business and had our own house and the women could cook and clean for him. He could have led a comfortable respectable teacher’s life at home. But He seemed to forget that He even had a family. My mother was especially upset at one time when He rejected our looking for Him and offer to take Him home for food and rest. He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.” We just could not understand Him.

Mary, my mother however, did not give up. She joined a few women and followed Him whenever He was nearer home. Later, she joined the group of women, and followed Him to Jerusalem and saw Him to the end. She got to know Mary Magdalene, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herold’s steward, Susanna, Mary the mother of James, and many others who provided for Jesus from their substance. Jesus indeed had many mothers and sisters and brothers. They took good care of Him. Our worldly concern for Him was proven unnecessary.

I did not follow Jesus physically. I tried to occupy myself with the family business while trying to live a normal life with normal expectation. By then I knew Jesus had not ambition to be a ruler of the Jews. I have kept updated of His teachings as many have heard and circulated them by word of mouth. I heard of all the good deeds and compassions he had shown to the multitudes. I had done a lot of thinking. Either He had lost His mind or He was just bluffing. But I knew Him from young, and I knew He was neither. Whilst I could not accept His claim that He was the Son of God, because that was against what I had learned from the Jewish religion, I could not deny that He was an honest, upright, just, moral, and righteous man of utmost integrity. His life was His proof. His teaching and His work were those above any human.

I skipped going to Jerusalem on that fateful holy week. I did not believe or expect that it would come to much despite the rumors going around about the people wanted to make Him king. Yet, the most important history for mankind was written that week by my half-brother, Jesus. He was arrested and sentenced to be crucified. And he resurrected on the third day and appeared to many people, all in all, the eleven remaining apostles, 500 disciples, those who knew Him personally and could witness for Him.

I was told later that while looking down from the cross, Jesus entrusted my mother to His apostle John, a faithful young brethren, who followed Him all the way to the crucifixion, and witnessed the empty tomb later, after the resurrection of Jesus on the third day. Why not me? Because I was not there? I was ashamed. I not only missed witnessing the crucifixion of Jesus and the earth shaking resurrection, I also missed HIs last words on the cross. Later I knew deep within Jesus did not do anything without His Father’s instruction. I accepted the Lord’s decision. I must say that John had treated her as his own mother, also named Mary. The two women became like blood sisters keeping each other company for many long years.

Jesus looked for me and called me out. Yes. After I knew of His death and burial, I sat alone in darkness, mourning for a brother I deeply missed. I no longer cared for worldly riches, status and political power. I was not disillusioned because He chose a sacrificial path instead. Why did I ever doubt Him? On one hand I wanted to believe and trust Him. On the other hand I doubted. I was like a wave of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. I kept listening to His enemies, those proud, religious hypocrites with whom I have associated myself. I have sent people to warn Him about their scheme. But He did not listen.

Jesus came to me when I was in despair. The resurrected Jesus, my Lord the Christ. He revealed to me, not as a ghost, but someone with flesh and bones I could touch and He showed me His hands and feet as well. He opened my understanding, that I could comprehend the Scriptures, and realized that all things that were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning the Messiah had been fulfilled in Him. He asked me to bring the whole family to join my mother and all the other apostles and disciples to wait in Mark’s mother’s big house in Jerusalem for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit.

And I did. We all did. We obeyed and waited. The rest is history. Jesus, the Son of God, proved exactly the Scriptures about Him are all true, and He is the long waited Messiah of Israel, the Christ for all mankind.

Here ends my farewell, James, a born again man of faith, humility, and prayer.

Kainotes, 2021-04-27

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Notes: Not long after writing his epistle, James was martyred in Jerusalem in A.D. 62. According to the first-century Jewish historian Josephus, James was accused by the high priest and condemned to death by stoning (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 20, chap. 9, sec. 1). Eusebius, a fourth-century church historian, adds details of James’ death. He states that the scribes and Pharisees took James to a public place, the top of a wing of the temple, and “demanded that he should renounce the faith of Christ before all the people . . .” But, rather than deny Jesus, James “declared himself fully before the whole multitude, and confessed that Jesus Christ was the Son of God, our Savior and Lord” (Ecclesiastical History, 1995, pp. 75-76).

James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Five hundreds credible eye-witnesses, all hand-picked by the Lord Himself


While being prompted to write this episode on the five hundreds eye-witnesses, I asked the Lord who they are. Then I realized that they had to be honest, reliable, accurate, living persons who knew Jesus personally, and because of their own personal miraculous experience with the supernatural Son of God, they became credible as witnesses for the risen Christ because many people already knew of them and their previous significant encounters with Christ and the resultant transformation in their lives! They were still alive when Paul and/or Luke interviewed them and recorded down their testimonies as eyewitnesses. They were alive in the aftermath of Jesus’ resurrection and subsequent ascension. Why do I posit that the risen Jesus Christ had shown Himself to them? Because He would want to reassure them and further built them up to be His eye-witnesses. Since they had already faithfully given their healed testimonies to many about Him before, they could be entrusted with this greater work, testifying for the risen Jesus!

In 1 Corinthians 15: 3-7 Paul had this to say:

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

1 Corinthians 15: 3-7

After being prompted of the criteria, I am led today to read through the four gospels and the book of Acts to identify them and compile the following list: (Including those who were named and in addition to the five hundreds)

Mary Magdalene, the other Mary (mother of James and John), Mary the mother of Jesus, Salome, Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herold’s business manager, and many other women from Galilee who followed Jesus to the cross and later visited the tomb, the two disciples who walked back to Emmaus (Cleopas and a companion), Peter (Cephas), the twelve apostles* (minus Judas Iscariot who hanged himself), and the others who have gathered with the eleven in Jerusalem while hiding from the authority right after Jesus’ arrest (and death), and James the half-brother of Jesus. (The twelve apostles included a new addition, Matthias.) Jesus lastly appeared to apostle Paul.

The five hundreds (Some of them)

At Capernaum, Galilee: a man in the synagogue, formerly possessed by a demon and was delivered and set free by Jesus right in front of a crowd in the synagogue. The news about Jesus spread through every village in the entire region. Many would have heard of this healed man’s testimony and got to know him.

Simon Peter’s mother in law. Jesus healed her of fever and she immediately got up and prepared a meal for Jesus and others in Simon’s house. People throughout the village came to her house after that to be healed by Jesus. Those who did not know her before got to know her and her testimony.

A man with an advanced case of leprosy in one of the villages. he was healed instantly by Jesus. Despite Jesus’ instructions this man not only went to the priest and certified his being totally healed and cleansed, this man spread the report of Jesus’ power everywhere, and caused vast crowds to go to Jesus to hear Him preach and be healed of their diseases.

The paralyzed man on a sleeping mat who was carried by four friends with faith who lowered him from the roof through a hole after removing the tiles, and Jesus saw their faith and healed the man instantly. The house was packed with religious leaders and teachers as well as a crowd. The healed man jumped up, picked up his mat, went home praising God. Everyone was gripped with great wonder and awe, praising God, exclaiming, “we have seen amazing things today!”

A man with a deformed right hand in the synagogue was healed and fully restored by Jesus on a Sabbath day, while Jesus was teaching. The enemies of Jesus went wild with rage and began to scheme how to get rid of Jesus. After that, large crowds from all over Judea, Jerusalem, even the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon came to hear Jesus and be healed, because healing power went out from Him and He healed everyone.

Capernaum: A Roman officer who loved the Jewish people and built a synagogue for them, sent respected Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his valued servant, who was sick and near death. The officer was later commended by Jesus for his great faith and belief that Jesus could heal by saying the word from where He was, instead of going to the man’s house physically. Jesus did exactly that.

At the village of Nain: Jesus raised a dead young man, the only son of a widow, at a funeral procession. The dead boy sat up from his coffin and began to talk. Jesus gave him back to his mother. Great fear swept the crowd, and the news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding countryside.

The immoral woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with an beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume at the pharisee Simon’s house, wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair and tears. Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

Some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases and became His followers. Many women who followed Jesus and contributed from their own resources to support Jesus and His disciples.

Family of Jesus (younger half-brothers and sisters) who, in addition to James, became converted after the death of Jesus and joined Mary, their mother to Jerusalem, among whom Jude (his youngest half-brother) who later wrote the epistle of Jude.

A demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, across the lake from Galilee, who was homeless, naked, and living in a cemetary outside the town when Jesus went over to deliver and set him free from a legion of demons. Jesus commanded the demons to come out from the man and they entered a large herd of pigs who plunged into the lake and drowned. A great wave of fear swept over all the people in that region. The healed man with sanity completely restored, went all through the town proclaiming the great things Jesus had done for him.

A sunagogue ruler, Jairus, his wife, and their only daughter, raised from the dead (at twelve years old) by Jesus. The parents were overwhelmed, but Jesus insisted that they not tell anyone what had happened. Obviously they could not help but witness. The house-full of people who were earlier weeping and wailing would have been stunned too.

The father and the boy who had an evil spirit that kept tormenting him, making him scream, and threw him into convulsions. The disciples failed to cast out the evil spirit. The father came to Jesus for help. Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Awe gripped the large crowd of people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power.

The little child who was brought to Jesus’ side, and He told the disciples, “anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf, welcomes Me, and anyone who welcomes Me also welcomes My Father who sent Me. Whoever is the least among you is the greatest.”

The Bethany family with a big house: Martha (who was a caring and capable hostess showing regular hospitality to Jesus and His disciples), her sister Mary (who liked to sit at Jesus’ feet and listen to His teaching, and anointed Jesus’ feet with a twelve ounce jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard, prophetically in preparation for His burial), and their brother Lazarus, who was raised from the dead (after buried for four days) by Jesus.

A woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit and had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. Jesus saw her while teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath day, called her over and healed her. The leader of the synagogue and those who opposed Jesus were indignant and shamed, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things Jesus did, such as setting this woman free from Satan’s bondage.

A man whose legs and arms were swollen in the religious leaders’ house. Jesus was invited to dinner there and saw the poor man. He immediately healed the man after questioning the religious leaders and people who were watching Him closely, “Which of you doesn’t work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don’t you rush to get him out?” They could not answer.

The one leper (out of ten lepers who were healed by Jesus) who came back to thank Jesus, falling to the ground at Jesus’ feet, shouting, “Praise God!” This leper was a Samaritan.

Some parents who brought their children to Jesus to be blessed. And He told the disciples not to stop them, and the truth that anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

The very rich young ruler who came to Jesus to ask what he should do to inherit eternal life. When he heard that he had to let go of everything he treasured and follow Jesus he became very sad. Jesus used his example to illustrate how the things of the world could become an obstacle for discipleship.

A blind beggar who sat outside Jericho. He shouted loudly for Jesus to give him sight. Jesus responded and instantly the man could see., and he followed Jesus from then onward. And all who saw it praised God, too.

Zacchaeus, the very rich tax collector, who climbed up a tree to see Jesus. Jesus called him by name, went to his house and be his guest. That same day, Zacchaeus became a changed man, donating half his wealth to the poor, giving back to those he had cheated on taxes four times as much. He became another true and faithful disciple of Jesus.

The Roman officer overseeing Jesus’ execution who saw what had happened at the crucifixion—the signs (darkness fell at noon time until three o’clock, temple sanctuary curtain torn down the middle), was converted and worshipped God, and said, “Surely this man was innocent.”

The two Jewish Sanhedrin counselors, also secret followers of Jesus: Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night to find out how to enter the Kingdom of God, and Joseph from Arimathea in Judea, who went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body for burial in his own new tomb.

The Samaritan woman at the well: She became an instant evangelist for Jesus after encountering Jesus at the well. Jesus told her about worshipping God in Spirit and in truth, as God is Spirit, and that He is the Messiah. She believed and witnessed to many Samaritans who became believers too.

In Jerusalem, A lame man at the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. The man was lying there together with crowds of sick people, and he had been sick for thirty-eight years. Jesus saw him, asked him whether he wanted to get well, and healed him instantly. The man stood up at Jesus’ command, rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking. This miracle happened on the Sabbath, in the sight of many, creating objections and investigations from the Jewish leaders. When questioned, Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, who is above the Sabbath, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”

A woman was brought to Jesus for jurisdiction while He was teaching: Her accuser charged that she was caught in the act of adultery and they put her in front of the crowd at the Temple court. They charged that the law of Moses says to stone her and wanted to know what He said. He replied, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” They all left her alone. Jesus acquitted her and said, “Go and sin no more.”

A man born blind was healed by Jesus. He believed that Jesus was from God and argued His case before the Jewish leaders. They threw him out of the synagogue after that. Jesus appeared to him later and told him that He was the Son of Man. The man said he believed, and worshipped Jesus.

A woman who suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched the fringe of His robe, thinking that she would be healed if she touched his robe. Power came out from him and she was instantly healed. Jesus commended her for her faith.

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End notes: There are many more. I managed to list just a few whom I believe will stir us to think and ask ourselves: What had the Lord done for me? How may I witness for Him at this crucial time, which is like Noah’s time…

Kainotes, 2021-04-28

July 30, 2020

Christian reality-check: The first two apostle-evangelists —Andrew and Philip

How do you know you are called? How sure are you of your vision and calling? I am led to read how the first disciple of Jesus discovered this “how” factor. And it varies. There are two different scenario described in the first chapter of the Gospel of John.

  1. John records how two disciples of John the Baptist became Jesus’ first disciples. (1:35-42) The two heard John declare that Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world and decided to follow Jesus to see where He lives. Jesus replied, “Come and see.” They went with Him to where He was staying and remained with Him the rest of the day. There is no mention why they wanted to know where Jesus was staying. But what followed that going and staying with Jesus is significant. There were two of them together but only one is mentioned by name, Andrew, the brother of Peter. Andrew went on and told Peter they have found the Messiah (Christ)! (the Bible did not record what happened to the other disciple of John the Baptist. Did he continue to follow Jesus? He is not among the twelve chosen to be apostles by Jesus later. Andrew and Peter became apostles. The unnamed disciple seemed to have missed it.
  2. In a second scenario Jesus took the initiative to go to Galilee to look for disciples. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.”  And Philip became Jesus’ disciple. After that Philip went and looked for Nathanael and told him that they have found the person Moses and the prophets wrote about, namely Jesus! Both Philip and Nathanael became apostles. (1:43-49)

Let’s look at the similarities of the two apostles (Andrew and Philip):

  1. Both Andrew and Philip are well prepared, full of expectancy and are convinced that Jesus is the Messiah.
  2. They bring people to Jesus. (Andrew: John 1:41-42, 6:8-9, 12:20-26)
  3. They both say, “we have found the Messiah.”
  4. It means that they have been searching, enquiring and looking out for the arrival of the Messiah. When Jesus appears, they recall what they have learned about the Messiah, and are fully convinced and respond to His calling immediately.
  5. They show their faith in action by going to tell someone what they have found and believed. They became eager witnesses for Him naturally.

In summary, they first learned about what Moses and the prophets wrote about the Messiah, and expected Him to really come. When Jesus came and they heard about Him, they believed and responded when He called them. They declared to their close relative and friend, “We have found the Messiah—Jesus is the One!”

The Holy Spirit through John has given great significance to the calling of Andrew and Philip who in turn became the first two evangelists among the disciples. It is also significant to note that both Peter and Nathanael were at first reluctant to follow Jesus! They had to be persuaded. On the other hand, Andrew and Philip were already ready when Jesus showed up! 

Knowing and searching come before encountering and calling. When the calling comes they already know.  

September 13, 2015

Further testimony of the healed: this blogger

This blog is all about healing. Today this blogger ponders on the difference between believing in the unseen by faith and believing only when seeing the physical. I have already posted many helpful links to articles, audio and video teachings on healing. I have also posted testimonies of the healed. I have also seen repeatedly cases of failures in receiving healing and asked the question “why”. I asked the Lord and sought answers from the Bible. I do not have a fit all answer. I can only admit that God is big and great. Without the Holy Spirit’s guidance no one can understand the way of God.
Here are some of my personal observations from today’s reading of 2 Samuel 5:17-25
  1. David asked God every time even when he was confronting the same enemy. He did not presume he knew it all. Past success in a similar battle did not deter him from seeking afresh God’s opinion and direction for the current battle. When the Philistines heard that he was anointed king they came in full force to destroy him. He asked God two questions: “Shall I go and attack them?” “Will You deliver them into my hands?” He first made sure it was the right time, right place, right strategy and that he had the right resources. On a second occasion he asked again and obeyed God’s instruction to fight the battle differently. On both battles he won of course. “So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.”
  2. What has this got to do with healing? This blogger has learned that God’s way of healing is all about hearing God and believing, just as Davie did in this historical example. Like David, ask the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you and guide you.
  3. Like David, never try to rationalize and give credit to anyone else for your healing. David always remembered and declared and made sure others too believe it was God who helped him. He wrote about it. He sang about it. He named places about it. He said, “As waters break out, the Lord has broken out against my enemies before me. So that place was called Baal Perazim.” (2 Samuel 5:20)
I have seen and heard Christians rationalizing their own or their loved ones’ healing by saying it’s something they eat or do or someone else does or whatever… I am shocked and sad that such spiritual unbelief continues in the hearts of Christians, followers of Jesus Christ. Everything that Jesus did was supernatural. He lived a supernatural life! Yet some Christians no longer think much of the supernatural (spiritual). Because I have personally received my own healing many times over a variety of health matters, I know what unbelief can do to a health condition. Unbelief is a sickness itself. Unless you up-root it you will continue to live with the number one hindrance to healing. How to up-root unbelief especially when it is deeply rooted in the intellect? Jesus has given one solution: by dying to self. ‘Self” lies in the domain of the intellect. Die to self. Live to God. How can one truly die to self?  This blogger’s experience is that one has to encounter and know God as real in the spiritual. Spiritual reality of God is a must. I have been fully convinced and converted by this reality of the spiritual God.
Testimony: The intellect was the number one enemy to receiving healing of my own diseases. When I trusted God without any more reason and excuse I received my personal healing.
Relevant Bible verses:
So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord
But the Egyptians are mere mortals and not God; their horses are flesh and not spirit. When the Lord stretches out his hand, those who help will stumble, those who are helped will fall; all will perish together.
John 16:13 [Full Chapter]
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”
The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.
the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,
these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.
What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.
1 Corinthians 2:13-15 New International Version (NIV)13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.[a] 14 The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. 15 The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments,

Footnotes:

  1. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual

October 5, 2013

Journey to see God: Love and God (New Testament)

the power of God's love
  1. Matthew 6:24
    [ You Cannot Serve God and Riches ] “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
    Matthew 6:23-25 (in Context) Matthew 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  2. Matthew 22:37
    Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’
    Matthew 22:36-38 (in Context) Matthew 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  3. Mark 12:30
    And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
    Mark 12:29-31 (in Context) Mark 12 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  4. Luke 10:27
    So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
    Luke 10:26-28 (in Context) Luke 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  5. Luke 11:42
    “But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
    Luke 11:41-43 (in Context) Luke 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  6. Luke 16:13
    “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
    Luke 16:12-14 (in Context) Luke 16 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  7. John 5:42
    But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
    John 5:41-43 (in Context) John 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  8. John 8:42
    Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
    John 8:41-43 (in Context) John 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  9. Romans 5:5
    Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
    Romans 5:4-6 (in Context) Romans 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  10. Romans 5:8
    But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
    Romans 5:7-9 (in Context) Romans 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  11. Romans 8:28
    And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
    Romans 8:27-29 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  12. Romans 8:31
    [ God’s Everlasting Love ] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
    Romans 8:30-32 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  13. Romans 8:39
    nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
    Romans 8:38-39 (in Context) Romans 8 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  14. Romans 15:30
    Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
    Romans 15:29-31 (in Context) Romans 15 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  15. 1 Corinthians 2:9
    But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
    1 Corinthians 2:8-10 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  16. 2 Corinthians 11:11
    Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
    2 Corinthians 11:10-12 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 11 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  17. 2 Corinthians 13:11
    [ Greetings and Benediction ] Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
    2 Corinthians 13:10-12 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  18. 2 Corinthians 13:14
    The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
    2 Corinthians 13:13-14 (in Context) 2 Corinthians 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  19. Ephesians 2:4
    But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
    Ephesians 2:3-5 (in Context) Ephesians 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  20. Ephesians 3:19
    to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
    Ephesians 3:18-20 (in Context) Ephesians 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  21. Ephesians 5:1
    [ Walk in Love ] Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
    Ephesians 5:1-3 (in Context) Ephesians 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  22. Ephesians 5:2
    And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
    Ephesians 5:1-3 (in Context) Ephesians 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  23. Ephesians 6:23
    Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
    Ephesians 6:22-24 (in Context) Ephesians 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  24. Colossians 2:2
    that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
    Colossians 2:1-3 (in Context) Colossians 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  25. 1 Thessalonians 1:3
    remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
    1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  26. 1 Thessalonians 4:9
    [ A Brotherly and Orderly Life ] But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
    1 Thessalonians 4:8-10 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  27. 2 Thessalonians 1:3
    [ God’s Final Judgment and Glory ] We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
    2 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (in Context) 2 Thessalonians 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  28. 2 Thessalonians 3:5
    Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
    2 Thessalonians 3:4-6 (in Context) 2 Thessalonians 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  29. 1 Timothy 6:11
    [ The Good Confession ] But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
    1 Timothy 6:10-12 (in Context) 1 Timothy 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  30. 2 Timothy 1:7
    For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
    2 Timothy 1:6-8 (in Context) 2 Timothy 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  31. 2 Timothy 3:10
    [ The Man of God and the Word of God ] But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
    2 Timothy 3:9-11 (in Context) 2 Timothy 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  32. Titus 3:4
    But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
    Titus 3:3-5 (in Context) Titus 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  33. Philemon 1:4
    [ Philemon’s Love and Faith ] I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
    Philemon 1:3-5 (in Context) Philemon 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  34. Hebrews 6:10
    For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
    Hebrews 6:9-11 (in Context) Hebrews 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  35. James 1:12
    [ Loving God Under Trials ] Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
    James 1:11-13 (in Context) James 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  36. James 2:5
    Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
    James 2:4-6 (in Context) James 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  37. 1 Peter 2:17
    Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
    1 Peter 2:16-18 (in Context) 1 Peter 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  38. 1 John 2:5
    But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
    1 John 2:4-6 (in Context) 1 John 2 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  39. 1 John 3:1
    Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
    1 John 3:1-3 (in Context) 1 John 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  40. 1 John 3:10
    [ The Imperative of Love ] In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
    1 John 3:9-11 (in Context) 1 John 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  41. 1 John 3:17
    But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
    1 John 3:16-18 (in Context) 1 John 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  42. 1 John 4:7
    [ Knowing God Through Love ] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
    1 John 4:6-8 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  43. 1 John 4:8
    He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
    1 John 4:7-9 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  44. 1 John 4:9
    In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
    1 John 4:8-10 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  45. 1 John 4:10
    In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
    1 John 4:9-11 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  46. 1 John 4:11
    Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
    1 John 4:10-12 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  47. 1 John 4:12
    [ Seeing God Through Love ] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
    1 John 4:11-13 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  48. 1 John 4:16
    And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
    1 John 4:15-17 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  49. 1 John 4:20
    [ Obedience by Faith ] If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
    1 John 4:19-21 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  50. 1 John 4:21
    And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
    1 John 4:20-21 (in Context) 1 John 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  51. 1 John 5:2
    By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
    1 John 5:1-3 (in Context) 1 John 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  52. 1 John 5:3
    For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
    1 John 5:2-4 (in Context) 1 John 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  53. 2 John 1:3
    Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
    2 John 1:2-4 (in Context) 2 John 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  54. 3 John 1:6
    who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
    3 John 1:5-7 (in Context) 3 John 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
  55. Jude 1:21
    keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
    Jude 1:20-22 (in Context) Jude 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 
 

April 13, 2013

5 am lesson: Key to walking in courage and power

http://kzlam36.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/new-life-challenged.jpgJesus the Son of God had demonstrated to His disciples (and all believers who want to be His disciples) how to walk in the mighty power of God. Jesus told us plainly that no one had seen God except Him. When one sees Jesus one sees God. So His mission on earth was to show us how God is like. God is Almighty. He walks in supreme power. Jesus also walked in supreme majesty and power. Power came out of Him when patients touched Him (His clothes) by faith and they became healed immediately. Demons submitted themselves to Jesus voluntarily.
Jesus told His disciples that all who believe will do the same things that He did and even greater things. To Jesus being like Him (in word and deed) is a natural thing. Those born of God's Spirit are spirit and have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness. All that God has given to Jesus He has given to those who believe in Jesus. Like Father like Son (and sons). So why are we not seeing this supernatural and transformational change in many of us? The distinct manifestation of the Son of God in us?
Today's message for the 5am class is: the key to living and walking in His power. The key is in Jesus. Thus we are on the right track when we continue to read the word of God revealing Jesus to us.
Jesus has revealed two of His secrets to success:
Success Key one: Walking in the Light.
He announced that He was the true Light that gives light to every man in the world. (John 1:9) He commanded His disciples to take heed that the light which is in them is not darkness. (Luke 11:33-36) He warned them of the dark forces behind the hypocrites -namely Pharisees, scribes and lawyers (symbol of religiosity in appearances and not in truth and motives; in flesh and not in spirit) of that generation which He called evil and perverse. (Luke 11:37-54; Matt.15:1-20; 16:1-6)
What is the spirit behind the hypocrites? The spirit of the world. They were blinded and dull and hardened with worldly philosophy (which runs on natural laws). They just could not see or understand the supernatural laws that Jesus had demonstrated in reality. God is supernatural. No man can possibly understand the matters of God without Jesus. But their jealousies and covetousness (which is idolatry) had hardened them further, even to the point they were willing to perish forever.
Jesus summed up their depraved condition: “Men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. But everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.” (John 3:19-20)
Jesus Himself was undeterred by such dark hatred and opposition. He continued to walk and operate in the Light of God. He manifested God's Light.
But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in Go.” (John 3:21) Only those who do the truth can come in the Light of God and the deeds are done in God! Nothing can be more powerful than deeds done in God! This is the success key of Jesus -doing everything in God's Light, that is, in God. God is Light and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)
What does this mean to those who want to have this success key? The answer is in 1 John 1:6-10. (Read the whole passage and meditate and pray)
1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
Success Key two: Walking in understanding of the matters of God.
One thing that Jesus repeatedly told off His disciples was their not understanding what He told them about the matters of God, that is, the Kingdom of God.
He demonstrated how the Son of God has the power over natural matters: walking on water, calming the wind and sea, multiplying (without limit) food stuff out of the unseen resources in heaven, making demons (evil spirits) tremble and submit to Him, commanding (by mere words) physical things to happen (healing, deliverance, giving life back to the dead etc.). Power was evident in Him. Even King Harod admitted. Sick people touched the hem of His garment and were made well.
Why did the disciples not use this power when they were alone? They just could not understand the supernatural matters, the matters of God's Kingdom then. The key word is 'understanding'.
That is why Jesus spent a lot of time teaching them and all who followed Him at that time about the Kingdom of God and how it operates. Jesus was very clear about the way it functions. He is from above and He has seen how it operates in the supernatural realm. He knows it is real.
When Jesus sent out his disciples two by two to preach the Gospel, calling for repentance, healing the sick, casting out demons, saying the Kingdom of God was near, He gave them the power of God through His word. He instructed them by word and His word came to pass. They merely obeyed and witnessed that indeed what Jesus had spoken came true.
After Jesus ascended into heaven the disciples continued to obey and waited for the power from above, the Holy Spirit. Indeed the power came as told. After they received the baptism of the Holy Spirit their spiritual eyes were opened and they had spiritual understanding of the whole Kingdom of God message. They were transformed from a bunch of fearful humans to overcomers (as in Revelation 12:11).
Today, how do believers receive such supernatural understanding of the kingdom of God?
GUIDE ONE: ASK! (Luke 11:9-13)
11:9 Ask, seek, knock
11:13 how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
GUIDE TWO: PRAY! (Ephesians 1:17-23)
17 pray for the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of God
18 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened
19 know the greatness of His power toward those who believe
20-23 know the power in Christ. He is our head. We are His body! We can be filled with His fullness!

November 2, 2012

On the third day after the superstorm: They have washed their robes

On the third day after the superstorm, the watchman heard, Revelation 7. So he opened his Bible and read.

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

Revelation 7: 9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13 Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” 14 I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15 “Therefore they are before the throne of God,
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

________________________More verses on 'washing' and 'wearing white garments':

1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you. But
you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:10-12 (in Context) 1 Corinthians 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Hebrews 10:22
let us draw near with a true heart in
full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Hebrews 10:21-23 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Acts 22:16
And now why do you wait? Rise and
be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Acts 22:15-17 (in Context) Acts 22 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Ephesians 5:26
that he might
sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,
Ephesians 5:25-27 (in Context) Ephesians 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Isaiah 1:16
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil,
Isaiah 1:15-17 (in Context) Isaiah 1 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 
Jeremiah 4:14
O Jerusalem, wash your heart from evil, that you may be saved. How long shall your wicked thoughts lodge within you?
Jeremiah 4:13-15 (in Context) Jeremiah 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 
What qualified them to wear white robes?
  1. The blood of the Lamb.
  2. They have not soiled their garments by sins.
  3. They are considered worthy by the Lord.
  4. The one who conquers (overcomes sins)
     
    Revelation 3:4-5
    Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.
    Revelation 3:3-5 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
    Rewards for those who get to wear white garments in heaven
      1. The Lord will allow them to walk with Him (in white).
      2. Their names will be kept in the book of life.
      3. Jesus will grant them to sit with Him on His throne. (Rev.3:21)
    Revelation 3:18
    I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see.
    Revelation 3:17-19 (in Context) Revelation 3 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
    Revelation 4:4
    Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads.
    Revelation 4:3-5 (in Context) Revelation 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 How to be sanctified?
BY THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BY THE TRUTH -THE WORD OF GOD
[ Stand Firm ] But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
John 17:17
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:16-18 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
John 17:19
And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
John 17:18-20 (in Context) John 17 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
 ABSTAIN FROM SEXUAL IMMORALITY
1 Thessalonians 4:3
For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;
1 Thessalonians 4:2-4 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 4 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
THE GOD OF PEACE SANCTIFIES YOU -BY HIS (JESUS) BLOOD
1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 5:22-24 (in Context) 1 Thessalonians 5 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?
Hebrews 10:28-30 (in Context) Hebrews 10 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Hebrews 13:12
So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.
Hebrews 13:11-13 (in Context) Hebrews 13 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
   BY FAITH, BELIEF, AND OBEDIENCE TO JESUS (RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD)
Acts 26:18
to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.
Acts 26:17-19 (in Context) Acts 26 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Romans 6:19
I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.
Romans 6:18-20 (in Context) Romans 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations
Romans 6:22
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
Romans 6:21-23 (in Context) Romans 6 (Whole Chapter) Other Translations

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