Acts 28. People are blind. Here we have a group of Jews who sat and listened to Paul, who even used Scriptures that are plain as day, and yet could not see that is was they, whom Isaiah had prophesied about. THEY were the ones with calloused hearts. THEY were the ones who had closed their eyes. We're blind a lot of the time, as well. I am reminded of a recent motorcycle story that demonstrates that. I also recall another story, this one about a wayward wife where the husband refused to believe the obvious. Also, I am thinking of a man who got so depressed with his family situation, that he left God for a couple of years. And lastly, I recall a story about a man who was so anti Christ that he wouldn't allow his children to say grace at the dinner table. All four of these men were blind, much like the Jews. But all four now see the truth...thanks to God. There Tony, how was that for 'open rebuke' (see your blog of yesterday). But, lastly, let me talk to you about another blind man. One who was a drunkard. A cheater on his wife. An angry rampaging idiot. A selfish father who put his job before his children and wife. This man was blinded more than if he had had 'something that looked like scales' on his eyes. But also, thanks to God, this man, like the other four I mentioned above, is saved by God, who will not remember those sins. Glory Hallelujah!!!
Okay, back to Proverbs 28. Verse 17 (kinda got a lead in on this from above). "A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him." Notice that this does not just say "a man guilty of murder", but rather, "tormented by the GUILT of murder". I think the word murder, here, could be changed to ANY sin and the passage would be valid. Their is no reason for people to feel guilty of anything, that is, those in Christ. Oh, yes, we have to have Godly sorrow for our sins, but guilt is not necessary. Repentance is a strange thing. It is srange because it is not a one time deal....we have to keep doing this 'thing'. If we have guilt, we wouldn't be repenting, we would just be sorry for our actions. We need godly sorry, yes, but more importantly, we need to KNOW that God has, and will continue to, forgive us of our sins...hence, guilt is not necessary. Trust in God and you will not be a fugitive. Reply to this
September 28, 2007 7:05 AM
Tony wrote:
At what piont does Hebrews 10;26 come in "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left"? Reply to this
September 28, 2007 7:34 AM
Tony wrote:
Acts 28 I agree with you on your comment the other day about the 4 mission of Paul. You would think that after all that happened on the ship and the island that the roman centurion would have stepped up to the plate and said something. Maybe he became a believer, who knows. Is Paul still a prisoner or has he been released? On the island he seemed to roam free and he stopped on his voyage to see friends for a week and them went to Rome. Paul gets to rome and he now has a body guard. I think Isaiah the profit was speaking about allot of people, including me. Ever hearing but never understanding, sounds like most of the world. We hear Gods word all the time, but do we really understand? If we did then we would rely on God for everything and we would have a world of peace. I know that I keep going to church, because as I have said before, one day I will understand. I think that I have gained some knowledge, and some fear of the Lord, but I am no where near where I need to be. I need to put my trust in God every minute of the day. To rely on Him for everything. To be spiritual in my thoughts and actions. How often are we like that? Paul was awesome, always thinking about the lost and preaching the word. I am so glad that we have each other to keep us encouraged and motivated. I don't know anyone who can get something biblical out of everything more than Mac. Proverbs 28 Vs 13" He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." We all struggle, but when do we confess? I know that when we confess our sins to God we are forgiven. But what about the prayers of the righteous to help stay out of sin, to make the right choice. Nobody likes to talk face to face and confess that they are doing something in the dark, sin is in the dark God is in the light, but I think it is a load off the chest to get it out. This can also tie into Macs comment on vs 17. Change murder to sin, even though you (we) have confessed to God sometimes we still have that guilty feeling. Reply to this
September 28, 2007 12:37 PM
rik wrote:
I disagree with the 4 missions. I believe paul only one mission. it started when the scales were lifted from his eyes and ended when he died. He had one Mission one Purpose, to spread the 'Way' as far and as wide as he could. Reply to this
September 28, 2007 12:28 PM
rik wrote:
could not get past prov 28 vs 1 without having something to comment about it. when we are compelled to share our faith, but do not are we not like the first half of this vs? no one pursues us , yet we flee as if the recipient of our faith sharing is an angry mother bear looking for her cubs. we aught to be as bold a lions knowing the truth, we should daily profess it.
by the way the job I was supposed to get so we could stay in atl was deleted and no longer is there so not sure what will happen. Reply to this
September 28, 2007 12:56 PM
rik wrote:
-random thoughts- Paul had to actually get tired of people thinking of him as a god! I find it interesting some of the details the writer chose to add into the story, for example the two gods displayed on the front of the boat. they didn't seem to be in a hurry to get to Rome, they spent 3 months on a island enjoying the favor of the locals- some hard times i'm sure. Reply to this
Prov 28. Nothin. I'll come back to it.
Acts 28. People are blind. Here we have a group of Jews who sat and listened to Paul, who even used Scriptures that are plain as day, and yet could not see that is was they, whom Isaiah had prophesied about. THEY were the ones with calloused hearts. THEY were the ones who had closed their eyes.
We're blind a lot of the time, as well. I am reminded of a recent motorcycle story that demonstrates that. I also recall another story, this one about a wayward wife where the husband refused to believe the obvious. Also, I am thinking of a man who got so depressed with his family situation, that he left God for a couple of years. And lastly, I recall a story about a man who was so anti Christ that he wouldn't allow his children to say grace at the dinner table.
All four of these men were blind, much like the Jews. But all four now see the truth...thanks to God.
There Tony, how was that for 'open rebuke' (see your blog of yesterday).
But, lastly, let me talk to you about another blind man. One who was a drunkard. A cheater on his wife. An angry rampaging idiot. A selfish father who put his job before his children and wife. This man was blinded more than if he had had 'something that looked like scales' on his eyes. But also, thanks to God, this man, like the other four I mentioned above, is saved by God, who will not remember those sins. Glory Hallelujah!!!
Okay, back to Proverbs 28. Verse 17 (kinda got a lead in on this from above). "A man tormented by the guilt of murder will be a fugitive till death; let no one support him." Notice that this does not just say "a man guilty of murder", but rather, "tormented by the GUILT of murder". I think the word murder, here, could be changed to ANY sin and the passage would be valid. Their is no reason for people to feel guilty of anything, that is, those in Christ. Oh, yes, we have to have Godly sorrow for our sins, but guilt is not necessary. Repentance is a strange thing. It is srange because it is not a one time deal....we have to keep doing this 'thing'. If we have guilt, we wouldn't be repenting, we would just be sorry for our actions. We need godly sorry, yes, but more importantly, we need to KNOW that God has, and will continue to, forgive us of our sins...hence, guilt is not necessary. Trust in God and you will not be a fugitive.
Reply to this
At what piont does Hebrews 10;26 come in "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left"?
Reply to this
At the point your heart is in it no more.
Reply to this
Acts 28
I agree with you on your comment the other day about the 4 mission of Paul. You would think that after all that happened on the ship and the island that the roman centurion would have stepped up to the plate and said something. Maybe he became a believer, who knows. Is Paul still a prisoner or has he been released? On the island he seemed to roam free and he stopped on his voyage to see friends for a week and them went to Rome. Paul gets to rome and he now has a body guard. I think Isaiah the profit was speaking about allot of people, including me. Ever hearing but never understanding, sounds like most of the world. We hear Gods word all the time, but do we really understand? If we did then we would rely on God for everything and we would have a world of peace. I know that I keep going to church, because as I have said before, one day I will understand. I think that I have gained some knowledge, and some fear of the Lord, but I am no where near where I need to be. I need to put my trust in God every minute of the day. To rely on Him for everything. To be spiritual in my thoughts and actions. How often are we like that? Paul was awesome, always thinking about the lost and preaching the word. I am so glad that we have each other to keep us encouraged and motivated. I don't know anyone who can get something biblical out of everything more than Mac.
Proverbs 28
Vs 13" He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy." We all struggle, but when do we confess? I know that when we confess our sins to God we are forgiven. But what about the prayers of the righteous to help stay out of sin, to make the right choice. Nobody likes to talk face to face and confess that they are doing something in the dark, sin is in the dark God is in the light, but I think it is a load off the chest to get it out. This can also tie into Macs comment on vs 17. Change murder to sin, even though you (we) have confessed to God sometimes we still have that guilty feeling.
Reply to this
I disagree with the 4 missions. I believe paul only one mission. it started when the scales were lifted from his eyes and ended when he died. He had one Mission one Purpose, to spread the 'Way' as far and as wide as he could.
Reply to this
could not get past prov 28 vs 1 without having something to comment about it. when we are compelled to share our faith, but do not are we not like the first half of this vs? no one pursues us , yet we flee as if the recipient of our faith sharing is an angry mother bear looking for her cubs. we aught to be as bold a lions knowing the truth, we should daily profess it.
by the way the job I was supposed to get so we could stay in atl was deleted and no longer is there so not sure what will happen.
Reply to this
-random thoughts-
Paul had to actually get tired of people thinking of him as a god! I find it interesting some of the details the writer chose to add into the story, for example the two gods displayed on the front of the boat. they didn't seem to be in a hurry to get to Rome, they spent 3 months on a island enjoying the favor of the locals- some hard times i'm sure.
Reply to this