King James Bible
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I Pray for wisdom to manage my time , talents and resources.
Matthew 25: Verse 14
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"Jesus Christ is God. Is One to all the World.God's word to believe he is the only God. (Refrence one example applied to servants)
Me REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY example has applied my faith believing Jesus Christ Is God end of law unto New Testament Holy Bible - Romans 8:2 KJV"
Matthew 25 Verse 16
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:" Father and Son are one Jesus Christ is God"
Matthew 25 Verse 19
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY: Says God's word is with faith to receive.
Matthew 25 Verse 20
My Respond:
God will prosper me in all labour's.
Matthew 25 Verse 21:
My Respond:
I believe this scripture helps me to be apart of West Angeles Church Cogic Cathedral. Myself identified as member.
Matthew 25 Verse 28
My Respond:
Scripture supports me to have joy on my own life away from the Christian Church
Matthew 25 Verse 29
My Respond:
Supports me to do the will of God attending Sunday Service, giving supporting West Angeles Church Cogic Cathedral, Reading my Holy Bible, prayer and fasting.
Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
"Subdue it"
"And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."
The man is in the eye of the word circular where His creation are counted as one in terms of the glory of God. The interaction between between Power and Wisdom existed in the Word so the depths have disclaimed, " neither is it found in the land of the living./The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me."( Job 28.13-14) Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the holy is understanding. It is what our faith in Jrsus Christ has done for us. He of God has become our wisdom sanctification redemption.(1 Cor.1.30)
The four beasts before the throne is memorial in the divine Will. What does the fulfilment in Christ does, the beasts have become part of the Son who is the first begotten of all creation. Towards this man after our likeness must be fruitful. change the face of the earth and it points to the new earth and new heaven. Lo I have overcome the world' declared Jesus. As overcomer 'For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.'.(2 Cor.1.20)
vv.28-29 "wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so." This principle we have Jesus explaining death holds a different meaning in the world of the Spirit than in the natural world. The Covenant in seven days is the only way the death of the Son becomes entering into the God's rest. " Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit./ He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal."( Jn 12.24-25)
West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles California
My COGIC WORSHIP: 1Corithians 15:3-4 KJV Intro: I Worship God with meaning, Book of Acts all to obey God -How we need to believe God. Verse 9 I Worship God eyes to see, word to believe in, living water of life freely, healing power and cure. II . I Worship God Gospel of Jesus Christ available to all people. Verse 14 I Worship God of truth for me tool receive from God with authority. Holy Spirit to approve and disapprove. Holy Ghost to do all things through Christ which strengtheneths me.
Works Come After Salvation
But Paul goes on immediately in the next verse: "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." ( Ephesians 2:10).
Works are not the root of salvation, but they are the fruit of salvation.
The Spirit of God produces love, service, and obedience in the believer's life ( Galatians 5:22-23; Titus 3:8).
Works are a demonstration of faith, not the basis of it.
The Right Perspective
Works should follow after salvation. But they do not secure salvation, nor do they keep it. They simply manifest the new life we already have in Christ ( 2 Corinthians 5:17).
We are not saved by good works, but we are saved unto good works.
"saved unto good works" is a short phrase with a lot of depth.
1. The Source of Salvation
When Paul says in Ephesians 2:8-9 that salvation is by grace through faith and not of works, he's setting the foundation:
We contribute nothing to earn salvation.
It's God's gift, given freely because of Christ's finished work on the cross.
2. The Purpose of Salvation
Right after that, Paul explains in Ephesians 2:10:
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
This means that once God saves us, He also equips us for a new kind of life - a life that reflects His grace, truth, and righteousness.
"Unto good works" means we are saved for the purpose of living out the good things God intended.
3. The Role of Good Works
Not the cause, but the result: Works don't save us, but they are the evidence that we are saved ( Romans 6:4; Titus 3:8).
Spirit-enabled, not self-made: The works are produced as the Spirit lives through us ( Galatians 2:20; Philippians 2:13).
Witness to others: Good works demonstrate Christ's life in us to a watching world ( Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15).
The last question, are we saved by grace alone or Grace plus works?
G&P
Luke 13:23
"Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,"
Luke 13:24
"Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able."
Revelation 22:14
"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
John 10:14
"I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine."
Blessings
The twelve apostles were sent to Israel under the kingdom program ( Matthew 10:5-7; Galatians 2:7-9). Their preaching emphasized repentance, water baptism, and works consistent with faith ( Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; James 2:17-24). For them, faith that did not produce works was considered dead. So, none of the twelve are recorded as preaching "faith without works."
The Apostle Paul
Paul, however, is unique. He is the only apostle who clearly taught justification by faith alone, without works of the law.
Examples:
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." ( Romans 3:28)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works..." ( Ephesians 2:8-9)
"But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." ( Romans 4:5)
Paul preached a new revelation of grace ( Romans 16:25; Galatians 1:11-12), distinct from the kingdom message of the twelve. His gospel revealed that salvation is entirely a gift, apart from law-keeping or works.
The twelve never preached "faith without works." Their message tied faith with repentance and obedience under Israel's covenant program.
Paul alone preached faith without works-the gospel of the grace of God for Jew and Gentile alike.
Question...Should works follow after we are saved
Yes - but it's very important to keep the order straight.
Salvation Is by Grace Alone-Period!
Paul makes it absolutely clear: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." ( Ephesians 2:8-9). We are saved by faith alone in Christ's finished work, not by anything we do before or after.
see pg 2
Titus 3:14 "And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful."
Matthew 5:16 "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Blessings
So when people today merge Paul and James into the same message, they blur the dispensational distinction. James was not preaching "salvation by grace through faith alone, apart from works" in the Pauline sense. He was ministering under Israel's kingdom program, where works were integral to demonstrating true covenant faith.
In short: The statement you quoted isn't "false" in a general theological sense-it reflects how many churches harmonize Paul and James-but dispensationally, it misses the bigger picture. James wasn't simply echoing Paul in different words. He was addressing a different people, in a different program, under a different set of expectations.
G&P
It's great to hear from you...
I see what you're getting at. The statement you shared is a very common way of harmonizing Paul and James, but from a dispensational perspective, it's not fully accurate.
1. Different Audiences and Programs
Paul was given a unique revelation of the "mystery" ( Eph. 3:2-9; Col. 1:25-27). His gospel was apart from the law and revealed the Body of Christ, made up of Jew and Gentile with no distinction ( Rom. 3:28; Gal. 3:28).
James, by contrast, wrote specifically "to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" ( James 1:1). His context was Israel's kingdom program, where faith and works were still tied to Israel's covenantal promises. To Israel, repentance and righteous deeds were outward proofs of loyalty to Messiah and readiness for the kingdom ( Matt. 5-7; Acts 2-3).
2. Paul vs. James on Justification
Paul: "A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law" ( Rom. 3:28). He teaches that works have no role in obtaining salvation; salvation is fully secured by Christ's finished cross-work.
James: "By works a man is justified, and not by faith only" ( James 2:24). James is not explaining justification in the same sense as Paul. He's speaking to Jews who already believed in Messiah but needed to show faith through active obedience-because their kingdom hope required perseverance and visible faithfulness.
To smooth this over by saying "James just meant evidence" doesn't fully deal with the tension. James places salvific weight on works in his program, while Paul excludes them in ours.
3. Progressive Revelation Explains the Difference
James wasn't contradicting Paul, but he wasn't teaching Paul's message either. At the time, Israel's prophetic program had not yet been fully set aside, and the Body of Christ revelation was still unfolding. Galatians 2:7-9 shows the clear division: James stayed with the circumcision; Paul went to the Gentiles with the gospel of grace.
next pg.
This is not intended to spark a debate; rather, it is something to consider when studying Paul's and James's teachings. Paul emphasizes that salvation comes solely by God's grace through faith in Jesus, and we are not justified by the deeds or works of the law, as seen in Romans 3:28 and Ephesians 2:8-9. We must understand that nothing we do can earn our salvation. We are not under the law but under grace.
Do they contradict? When we read and study Scripture, we must do so in its proper context. 2 Timothy 3:16 states that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness.
James does not claim that works of the law are what justify us; rather, the results of genuine faith, such as charity, are what validate it, as shown in James 2:15-16. Paul teaches that salvation is not earned by any effort of ours or by following religious law. James is not opposing salvation by grace through faith; instead, he emphasizes that works are evidence of a changed life characterized by love, mercy, and obedience.
Paul speaks the same but different wording in 1 Corinthians 13.
Romans 10:12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
God bless,
RLW
Was James Preaching a Different Gospel?
Dispensationally, James is not inventing a rival gospel, but he is ministering in line with Israel's prophetic program. For the remnant of Israel, faith was to be demonstrated by obedience to God's commands-repentance, works of righteousness, practical conduct. This fits with Christ's kingdom teaching ( Matt. 5-7) and Peter's early kingdom offer ( Acts 2-3). James does not lay out Paul's cross-centered gospel because his audience already accepted Messiah's identity, and his purpose was exhortation, not doctrinal explanation.
Why the Difference?
Dispensationalism explains the differences by recognizing progressive revelation. At the time James wrote, the full transition from Israel's kingdom program to the Gentile-focused Body of Christ was still unfolding. James was not sent to Gentiles with Paul's message of grace; his commission remained with the circumcision ( Gal. 2:9). That's why his epistle reflects covenantal law-keeping faith, while Paul's epistles reflect grace through faith apart from works.
Reconciling the Apparent Conflict
From this view, James is not preaching "another gospel" in the Galatians 1 sense. Rather, he is writing within the prophecy/kingdom program to Israel, while Paul writes within the mystery/grace program to the Body of Christ. Both are true within their dispensational settings, but they should not be blended. If we collapse them, confusion arises-leading some (like Luther) to dismiss James, when in reality James simply belongs in Israel's program, not ours.
Summary:
James is not ignoring the cross, nor would he preach Paul's gospel to Gentiles. Instead, he writes within the Jewish, kingdom-focused dispensation-calling for a faith proven by works. Paul, by contrast, proclaims Christ's finished work to Jew and Gentile alike in this present dispensation of grace. The differences are not contradictions, but distinctions rooted in God's dual purposes for Israel and the Body of Christ.
G&P
If you would allow me to anticipate your answer to the above, and assume that James did in fact believe the same Gospel as Paul and would have preached the very same to others, but for the sake of this particular epistle of his to this particular group, those elements of that Gospel were absent. If this is what you believe, then I wonder why does it become an issue to highlight the differences between Paul's and James' Gospel deliveries, when the whole nature of the letters warranted the different styles and content? However, if James believed that Israel could only be saved by hearing, believing and practising a Gospel based on a "law-keeping faith" and the Gospel of Paul (salvation by grace through faith) was to be disregarded, this would then support the likes of Luther, Eusebius, & others who rejected James' epistle in part or whole.
So when I read James' epistle, he never strikes me as an apostle presenting a different Gospel to Jewish believers (as Paul might have done to that same group); rather he is emphasizing matters pertaining to their conduct that results from faith (& other issues), and if the need was there in such a short letter, he would have written about the Christ's Sacrifice, with its importance & implications arising from that. Blessings.
" So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them."
Volume of man has two faces, of the world of the Spirit and of the body. Of the latter we keep in mind that God formed man of the dust of the ground., nevertheless it is of the earth sanctified by God. God named the firmament, heaven and by the same token the dry Land bears the name given by God. This face has a direct bearing in the heart of man becauseof the Word. "hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."(2 Cor.4.6) Heavenly blessings fill the voume of man who heard the word so his fruits are the proof. 'After our likeness settle the case of hinds same as of man because they are both His creation. They did hear the voice of the Lord. There is a body, soul and spirit of God defines the Law of the Spitit. Male and female in the godhead shall be with God as was in the beginning. The bride of Christ and Christ as the head explains the tabernacle for the sun in the mid-air. God set his Son as a sign. (Ps.19.1)
'A body hast thou me prepared' defines the Father Son relationship extended to all His creation. Substance of His will serves the soul. So the inner man is as a child dependent on the man whose faith produces fruits."And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." This explains the role of the soul of a believer. He abides in Christ, the true Vine. His fruits are produced in the Spirit. In Rev.12. the man child is caught up to the throne of God.
In short body has an upper limit, the heavenly places; for those who neglected the voice, there remains a wilderness. But it is appointed for man to die once and thereafter judgment.
And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing".
"In our image" primarily is Holiness so Word was God sanctifies creature by the very virtue that it did hear the voice of the Lord."The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve," (Ps.29.9) The number of calves it brings forth is the proof. In the natural world calves continue, extending generations after generations. What is often missed it the word of God which signifies a world of the Spirit. For this reasons the same voice of the Lord works with angels." The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire."(v/7) God makes angels spirits and these are ministering angels for heir of salvation. Life as with faith is one. Jesus is qualified as the prince of life. He who has the son has the father as well. He who denies him denies his Father as well. So the soul of man in our image gives him a volume. The world made to appear is not made of many features of the holiness so fools are those who are led by their sight. By faith man has volume which we may call as heavenly blessings. Dominion over the fish of the sea required the same mind of God so Jesus declared, "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me."( Jn 5.38) The Word became flesh, so the volume of a man was devolved from the deity and the word he defined by his own example. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father."( Jn 14.12) Here we see the double portion explaining the volume was determined by the Word sent from heaven,'the bread from heaven' and from Jesus Christ who overcame the world. The Spirit presented the double portion from the case of Eliisha ( 2 Kgs 4.9)
" And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so..
Here we are to remember one crucial evidence of the Word was God. He sanctified the dry land by naming Earth. Word has framed the natural world so life rises on the planet and crucial elements are sown from the heaven; living creature is indicative of the Man ' the firstborn of every creature:'/For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, The Spirit is leading us to the advent of a man with specific characteristic as John the Baptist would be sent before Jesus of Nazareth is sent. John was the voice in the wilderness and it sets another crucial evidence sin of disobedience shall send blight to the world John inherited. His camels hair coat and diet may draw breath away from the scribes and the Pharisees. Just the same he was anointed in his mother's womb for his role as the messenger.
The Spirit organises the narrative in such manner there are no unnecessary details brought into the body and all events names etc; are set in context of the Son.
The Word was God while Jesus Christ was the visible image of the invisible God. The Word was with God and it is attested by Jesus who said, I and my Father are one. The Word becoming flesh was in the likeness so the Word could transfer the Will with absolute accuracy and endowed with free will. So Jesus would say, " if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done."(Lk.22.42) God also endowed him to have life in himself and give life to whomsoever he will. By death and resurrection gave him a name above every other name.
Coming back to the living creature after his kind made his soul, the firstborn of all creation and firstborn from the dead. Unlike John who preached the gospel of repentance Adam was to inherit the fulness of God. So Eden is a face.
I was speaking with someone today of the importance of holiness , and that we need to maintain what we touch with our hands , they scoffed at it . Then I read this verse later confirming to me the Lords will . Yes our hands are sensitive to spiritual things . Apostle Paul said lay no hands on anyone suddenly, so you don't partake of another's sins . Paul said lift up holy hands to God ! Many things can defile us and make us unclean , like touching corpses, and other things written about in the law . Also is hand shaking a good thing ? With just about anyone? It says let your may be nay and your ye be ye , anything more is evil , something to think about I don't use the custom of hand shaking , as I can often tell of a person's spiritual condition by doing so and I decided to not participate in it . Most people are reasonable about it .
pt. 2
I thought of the Stephen and the deacons selected to wait tables and make sure the orphans and widows were cared for. That is how I see myself as far as how I fit into the body of Christ. There is need for so many different things to be done in the church or life. Most are not up front and center. I am happy to not be in the limelight. After speaking these things to the Lord I thought of what David said in this psalm. Though a king, he said it was better to be a lowly doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to do so many other things, especially keeping company with the wicked.
I am glad that you are blessed with the means to help out so many financially. We get by with what we have and with helping out our sons in their times of financial needs, which is often. And there are other ways we assist others. But even so, we should realize that God looks upon the heart of the person who is giving (as He commended the widow for giving such a small amount but it was very costly for her). This account is quite vivid to me. We can live each day being sensitive to what is happening to others in our sphere and the leading of the Holy Spirit to help others in love, not minding the cost to us.
Well, that is all for now. Hope to talk more with you later.
It would actually be very weird to have a clone of oneself of any age in one's own lifetime. Would we feel that we should have authority over our clone as we were the original made by God, fussing and fretting over the decisions our "other" makes?
Would this clone be considered "intellectual property" of the original?
Anyway, concerning the timing of the rapture and other matters that are considered "end time" matters, I personally am not hyperfocused on such things as I know that time will play out as God has ordained and all we really can do is just live expectantly and being about the Lord's business and calling in our life. We do live by faith with a sure hope in Christ and the value of the communion of saints (those who have gone before us as Hebrews 11and 12 highlights or those alive in our own time will be a sure blessing to one another forever as well.
Isaiah 84:10 tells us that David would rather be a doorkeeper in God's house than dwell with the tents of the wicked. i was thinking on that today as I was in dialogue with the Lord. I said, "Lord, I have not done great exploits for you in my life or even lived on the edge facing danger from those who hate my life in Christ". Yet I then realized that I have done what God has called me to do as far as the way I have lived my life. I have been kept faithful to the Lord all my life and have been given a believing husband. We have lived a loving and faithful life together. I stayed home to raise my boys and do daycare to teacher's kids while I set aside my teaching career, thus nurturing more than a dozen kids through those early years. And I taught Kindergarten kiddos for over a decade and it was a very good fit for me and or the kids. I realized that these are things that need to be done. Someone has to look after the children God creates and He fitted me for this realm. I served in my church for years in whatever capacity was needed that fit my giftings. See Pt. 2
The latest large scale support efforts for me was with a person who is involved with indigenous pastors (I'll leave out the nation as it is a persecuted one). There was a martyrdom involved with a relative of one young man who is still insistent on training to be a Pastor. A very basic principle is giving to others who are in situations which if it were in reverse we certainly would hope they would support us. Things may be more expensive than they were but in reality it doesn't take much cash to provide a Bible; or food supplies for someone's family for a month or a year. Again; financial accountability is important and Charity Navigator I would recommend highly; along with others since some organizations are hard to rate with certain economic data not available.
In my case there has been exciting information in regard to people coming to faith in places in Europe as well as South America and the Caribbean. We all can rejoice someday seeing those people we have never met.
Also things were given to me; most of what I now have came from those that worked all their lives who sadly didn't know the Lord but God has given me the resources to be in a better position than most and of course I want to hear "well done good and faithful servant" someday. I don't say any of this to boast and am glad we are anonymous here.
I did want to say that along with helping a friend that I have mentioned here; someone else I have befriended in my church is living at the edge of her budget who I am putting money in the "benevolence fund" for incognito. We should look around to ensure those in our own congregation that may be in need before placing all of our extra money into foreign missions; as some of the mission is here at home. Opportunities will present themselves; such as the gift request for kids in our local Awana for birthdays; etc.
There is reward in heaven for faithfulness now worth more than any earthly treasures.
Agape.
Given the right and left paradigm; we should realistically attest to the accusations that often the poor and charitable donations are ignored by today's political establishments; those who are helped no doubt are often ones who certain individuals are involved with often tangential to the political mainstream.
Given the anonymous nature of this site; I can discuss some things personally; and hopefully not have self-aggrandizing motives.
I brought up curbing my expenditures on certain investments which have granted limited success but have distracted me with quick gains at best; and at worst become a habitual "high" keeping me from the consistsant and whole hearted spiritual life and activities such as posting on this site.
I wanted to say that in giving to various missionaries; it is worth it-and that goes with a large sum given to missionaries recently (won't mention the country). My advice has always been to communicate personally with anyone we support; which I have done in all cases of those I support that have come to our church; asking about personal issues such as their children and if they know the Lord. Knowing when not to give is important also; I was hesitant to support one missionary whose older children are in this country and they are in S. America and I'm glad I did because now the man can't come home to visit as his VISA never came in the mail. I would also HIGHLY discourage financially aiding someone who will be away from their wives for extended lengths of time. An extreme example of this was with someone I knew before I moved here who was overseas for over a DECADE trying to do ministry; although it appeared it was not a biblically sound ministry I wanted to use it as a case study.
but the one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward. ( Proverbs 11:18).
I won't argue the point as the application can be seen. I will say that those similar "prosperity preachers" today are likely to realize the other side of the Rapture that they are in deep doo; although acknowledging your viewpoint on the timing of that matter; suffice it to say that as James points out the gold and silver will canker and clothes be moth eaten of the wicked in the last days; perhaps occurring before the mark of the beast when a cashless or e commerce currency such as is coming with bitcoin commences if such means of real wealth is made illegal. Food for thought.
I actually am reminded of the Beatitudes here; there is no comfort in communion of friendships in hell; and also not in the Tribulation for the same. Yet for now God's true children are scattered and especially by many professing Christians in the "establishment" shall we say unfairly rebuked and ostracized for their "narrowmindedness". Without mentioning any names; there are others in the past who have promised a 1000 year utopia under their dictatorship.
Anyhoo; I appreciate your responses; I hear occasionally from others; some of which are incognito it seems reading stuff here much of the time. I understand why some don't even want to read the news anymore as it is hard to discern the truth. I have tried to make my life easier cloning myself for work; but am not sure if that copy of me will tell better or worse jokes than myself. :) That's my AI talking...
Agape. RP
I tend to think that when people are referencing what is in their heart or about "following one's heart" I think in actuality that it is speaking of the seat of our soul that is influenced by either the sin nature or the born again spiritual nature in us. We need to learn to distinguish which is the case and bring our "heart. soul, and mind under the control of the Spirit and Scripture continually to grow each of these into what Jesus' heart, soul, and mind is like. Being Christlike in our daily life is a goal to have and pursue.
I was just thinking today about this today and praying that the Lord will help me in my moment to moment living, keeping my desire to live by the two commandments He emphasized in the NT for us make as our daily walk "light-shining' to others and blessing those we encounter as well as knowing the blessing of desiring to live as Jesus did. This is impossible without the Holy Spirit, among other aspects of how we are sanctified.
I always read your postings because it shows how intent you are on reflecting on not only what is going on presently in our world, but also spiritual topics that affect the church in these times. So, Thanks.
My only comment on this post was your mention of Matthew 3:7 where John the Baptist is addressing the Pharisees and Jewish leaders when he was baptizing at the Jordan. John called them "vipers" and emphasize their need to repent or else they will not avoid the wrath to come.
This warning was for unbelievers and I think the wrath John was speaking of is what God brought upon Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
So, I do not think this is a verse that speaks to believers in our time. But, we should be careful that we do not become self-assured in thinking we are standing firm, lest we fall ( 1 Cor. 10:12) Self-examination in light of the warnings in Scripture is always in order as we prayerfully ask for God to humble us and guide us in every way, rooting out sinful ways within our hearts that we are not keenly aware of or that we brush off too readily, and seeking wisdom and truth in our inward parts, as David sought so seriously.
Anyway, thanks for your input, as always.
Genesis 5:3 shows how Seth came in the likeness of Adam; even though he himself was created in the image of God.
Whatever originally was body; soul and spirit before the fall cannot in the natural realm be duplicated; therefore the only hope of lost men is to be adopted into His adoption as sons; which only comes as a result of the atonement and substitutionary death on the cross; so that Christ is recognized in a believer who thereby escapes the coming wrath of God as well as being prematurely killed when still on earth every time he sins or because he is born with a sin nature. The best we can say is that we have an idea of God's original design through the characteristics of men; and as Romans 1 indicates they have a conscience that exists; albeit fallen.
One example which I'm sure the ladies will love is how men will obsess on beauty on the outside and; sadly the opposite commenting on certain features with; let's just say unpleasant descriptions of overweight ladies in certain animal metaphors.
Perhaps a Biblical case can be made with Rachel and Leah; a case where God allowed for multiple marriages at that time.
I won't get into a theological rabbit trail on that; but we see from the story that Jacob was obsessed with Rachel's beauty; which caused their father; no doubt the scandalous scheme to bring Leah into the tent incognito; as it were by night; when after consummation the marriage in God's eyes was complete. Leah apparently means rather ugly in its Biblical definition. God later blessed her with children even after he married Rachel partially because of Jacob's untoward disrespect to her for these vain reasons. God works in mysterious ways.
As a sidenote; we can see that it was Rachel who stole her father's idols; something Leah was not said to do. food for thought...
Anyway; those who are godly are hidden much like Christ is; the world in its blindness refuses to see because of the god of this world.